The Swordsman's Lament by G. M. White

I would like to thank the author for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review

Publisher - Twin Star Press

Published - Out Now

Price - £2.99 Kindle eBook £7.99 paperback

When a prince is murdered, a legendary swordsman stands accused. The King wants blood . . .and loyalty counts for nothing. Belasko thought he was beyond intrigues and machinations. But when the grief-stricken King demands vengeance, Belasko discovers he is expendable. ... 

One of the joys of stories is that we can take an archetype and see it adapt to suit our times. Like a really good tune it survives any instrument (ok not a penny whistle) and I’m always on the lookout for authors who are happy to do something a little different. In G.M. White’s The Swordsman’s Lament we have a novella about the renowned heroic champion but cleverly the. gives us a refreshingly different take on the concept.

Belasko is a national hero; the most skilled swordsman in the entire Kingdom and constantly challenged by the unwise. And while he never backs down from a fight he is far more interested in serving his King and country. A simple act of kindness however leads Belasko suddenly arrested and charged with the murder of his side’s son. Years of loyal service now disregarded he finds himself alone, weaponless and very likely to die. Belasko works hard to then escape and find out who is threatening his King and the future of the country he loves.

I really enjoyed the pacing and development of the story in this. Before the main plot starts we get to see several sides of Belasko. He’s a fascinating character and importantly knows he nearer the end of his career rather than the start. Definitely skilled and can take three men on at once he’s also got a body that is feeling it’s age more. The clock is ticking but like a gunfighter in a western there is always someone wanting to try their luck. At the same time he’s not just a warrior - he finds a promising cook and gets her hired for the kitchen and we see the King and. his children even the wayward Prince all respect his opinion (despite his common upbringing). But when the Prince is poisoned Belasko is suddenly knocked off his pedastal and it’s just him on on his own. So what starts as a slightly standard warrior’s tale becomes more of a fantasy thriller with a skilled swordsman on the run trying to clear his name and the way the story does this was a neat bit of misdirection.

White then really keeps the story moving at pace - Belasko has not got a lot of time and in the story we get to meet his nemesis a brutal but sharp inquisitor out for his own revenge on Belasko and various people Belasko has met over his long career. Cleverly White used these to then provide some flashbacks into Belasko’s past showing how he became this legend. This helps explain the political situation of the Kingdom and it’s enemies but also gets to show Belasko’s strategist and sense of honour. We also get to see some different types of action be it a single swordsman defending a pass from an army to a full on raid onto the enemy’s postings. White can really make action flow and the varied types on offer really enhance the story.

The story is deceptively straightforward but as we get a better view of going on it raises questions of honour and trust. People trying to do what they think is right no matter the cost and I liked the unexpected shades of grey that revealed themselves as Belasko pieces together why his name has been so smeared. My one reservation was later on a really fascinating piece of Belasko’s character is told to us but very little in this story made of it.

It’s a story on its own merits but there are clearly signs that White wants to return to this world and characters again. I will definitely look forward to seeing where those stories go next. This was a well deliver fast paced and intelligent fantasy’s story that I think those who enjoy stories like The Greycoats from Sebastien De Castell would be very happy to read.