FANDOM NAME: The Traitor Son Cycle - Miles Cameron
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: The first book starts out with what seems a simple enough premise: a mercenary company is hired on to protect an abbey from monstrous incursions. But it soon becomes apparent that something more is going on: with the monsters, the nuns, even the captain of the company defending them. In the subsequent books, things explode into a fight for the multiverse.
The series alternates between massive battles and incredible displays of magic, as well as day to day moments of character interaction and growth. It is not set on earth but does model itself on numerous real life nations from the Medieval period, including England, France, the Byzantine Empire and more. The author is a historical reenactor and there’s a lot of detail about armor and weapons and the realties of combat.
The magic system is fascinating and we continue to learn more about it throughout the series.
The books are ‘fic-able’ at any point - even if you’ve just read The Red Knight (first book), there’s lots of room for ideas and stories.
I think one of my favorite aspects of the books is the number of times the initial presentation of a character is subverted by the bigger picture that eventually becomes clear:
That who seems initially like a caricature of a vapid blonde beauty proves to have one of the most iron wills of the entire cast and wields it to save herself, her child, and later, much more, against an overwhelming antagonist.
That an old village woman who lived her life as a seamstress proves to have one of the most powerful magical talents known in the world.
That a cocky, almost dismissive young man turns out to be the one later agonizing over the understanding that saving the world means nothing if everyone dies of famine soon afterward and works to do something about it. (I mean, so many fantasy tales never even consider the impact of frequent mass battles destroying farm land, killing the people who would farm and harvest, etc., nevermind work to address it in text.)
That who seems at first blush like the wizard version of a tech bro stereotype instead comes across as a realistically socially awkward teenager who slowly evolves throughout the books. And furthermore, one who starts concocting ideas for magical ‘washing machines’ and birth control once he realizes how impactful not having those is to women’s lives.
That the ‘monsters’ we think we’ve been shown in the beginning are revealed as people in their own right, simply ones with different mentalities and cultures and desires than humans.
That amidst great warriors and powerful sorcerers, a laundress can be a hero in her own right.
A general warning on the overall series is, there’s a lot of character death. The battles are brutal and the author doesn’t pull punches.
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?(optional): Paperback and eBook available on numerous bookselling websites. I’ve seen at least the first book, The Red Knight available at some libraries (including eBook versions, so try Libby).
The Traitor Son Cycle
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: The first book starts out with what seems a simple enough premise: a mercenary company is hired on to protect an abbey from monstrous incursions. But it soon becomes apparent that something more is going on: with the monsters, the nuns, even the captain of the company defending them. In the subsequent books, things explode into a fight for the multiverse.
The series alternates between massive battles and incredible displays of magic, as well as day to day moments of character interaction and growth. It is not set on earth but does model itself on numerous real life nations from the Medieval period, including England, France, the Byzantine Empire and more. The author is a historical reenactor and there’s a lot of detail about armor and weapons and the realties of combat.
The magic system is fascinating and we continue to learn more about it throughout the series.
The books are ‘fic-able’ at any point - even if you’ve just read The Red Knight (first book), there’s lots of room for ideas and stories.
I think one of my favorite aspects of the books is the number of times the initial presentation of a character is subverted by the bigger picture that eventually becomes clear:
That who seems initially like a caricature of a vapid blonde beauty proves to have one of the most iron wills of the entire cast and wields it to save herself, her child, and later, much more, against an overwhelming antagonist.
That an old village woman who lived her life as a seamstress proves to have one of the most powerful magical talents known in the world.
That a cocky, almost dismissive young man turns out to be the one later agonizing over the understanding that saving the world means nothing if everyone dies of famine soon afterward and works to do something about it. (I mean, so many fantasy tales never even consider the impact of frequent mass battles destroying farm land, killing the people who would farm and harvest, etc., nevermind work to address it in text.)
That who seems at first blush like the wizard version of a tech bro stereotype instead comes across as a realistically socially awkward teenager who slowly evolves throughout the books. And furthermore, one who starts concocting ideas for magical ‘washing machines’ and birth control once he realizes how impactful not having those is to women’s lives.
That the ‘monsters’ we think we’ve been shown in the beginning are revealed as people in their own right, simply ones with different mentalities and cultures and desires than humans.
That amidst great warriors and powerful sorcerers, a laundress can be a hero in her own right.
A general warning on the overall series is, there’s a lot of character death. The battles are brutal and the author doesn’t pull punches.
WHERE CAN I FIND IT?(optional): Paperback and eBook available on numerous bookselling websites. I’ve seen at least the first book, The Red Knight available at some libraries (including eBook versions, so try Libby).