Mount Readmore Book Review, 2018 98/200
The Best Man Wins by K. J. Parker
Hardback Edition
Finished on 6/18/2018
Description:
Blacksmithing and swordfighting. A part of ‘The Book of Swords’ anthology.
Genres: Fantasy, Short Story, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery, Grimdark, Low Fantasy
A cynical blacksmith meets with an idealistic nobleman
Spoiler-ific review
A Short review for a short story.
This was one of the best short stories (or stories period) I’ve read so far this year. I can’t describe it too much for fear of spoiling the entire story, so I’ll just say this:
This is a story about a jaded old blacksmith who has been commissioned to forge the greatest sword of all time. Featuring descriptions of the forging process and some light descriptions of this secondary world, the prose was excellent in a grim and dirty sort of way. It wasn’t a depressing for depressing sake sort of book, but it employed a ‘that’s life, kid’ sort of attitude.
The ‘twist’ ending wasn’t very surprising, but I liked it anyway. Highly recommended. I got this from ‘The Book of Swords’ anthology, so pick that up and read it.
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