The Price of Valor

The Price of Valor is the third book in Django Wexler’s Shadow Campaigns series. I continue to enjoy this flintlock fantasy series a lot.

There were a few slow spots here and there, and one plot thread that really got on my nerves, but otherwise the story held my attention well and it especially picked up in the second half. There’s a good mix of politics and military action, and the author writes the military action particularly well. It’s usually exciting to read about and it has never yet felt tedious to me as it has in some other books I’ve read.

There isn’t really much more I can say without spoilers, but I do have a few spoilerish comments to put behind tags:

The plot thread that got on my nerves was the one involving show more Jane. She is getting so annoying. I can’t feel any sympathy for how Winter feels about her because I think Winter is crazy to want a relationship with somebody who is so irrational and destructive. From the very beginning Jane made things more difficult by exacerbating the conflict between the male and female troops, endangering all those lives with her pettiness. When she left near the end I was hoping, even though I knew it wouldn’t happen, that she would disappear from these books forever. But now she’s been captured by the Penitent Damned and will no doubt be used to try to bait or manipulate Winter, so I guess I’ll have to read about Winter agonizing over Jane for many more pages. This is the one aspect of these books that really annoys me; everything else is great. I did like that Winter kept her priorities straight and did what she believed was the right thing even when she knew it would hurt her relationship with Jane. I hope that doesn’t change.

The author seems to be telegraphing pretty clearly that Sothe was involved in the death of Marcus’ family back when she was still working for Orlanko. I wonder when that will be revealed to Marcus and how he’ll take it. It takes away from some of the suspense whenever Sothe’s in danger, because I expect her to survive at least until after she’s revealed her secret. She’s a great character though.

And of course I continue to want more details about Janus’ real motives, and I continue to enjoy his character whenever he shows up in a scene. His page time seemed a little skimpy in this book, especially in the first half, so I hope to see more of him in the next book. show less

I really enjoy this series, and I think this was even better than the second book (though still probably not quiiite as good as the first book). I'm so pleased with Raesinia's continuing adventures, I loved Winter's heartbreaking and yet unavoidable central conflict, and it's always fun to have Janus lurking at the centre of the universe pulling everyone into his orbit like an overpowered Mary Sue comet. (Bonus portentious hints for the future are also excellent. I mean, Jane isn't wrong.)

Some other discussion about why I enjoy this series (but not necessarily other ostensibly similar military/flintlock fantasy) prompts me to enumerate the key points. (Snipping for length, no significant spoilers.)

1. Lady characters of genuine agency. show more This is not necessarily the most important thing, but it's a big one that leaps quickly and obviously to mind. The ladies of the Shadow Campaigns are strong and faceted, but most importantly they have their own stories, make their own decisions, are important for themselves (and not because of their involvement in some male character's story). I mean, Wexler also tackles gender issues head-on with his inclusion of the "Monstrous Regiment", but it's also there at the grass-roots level in the presence of significant female POVs and plot movers.

2. Action setpieces that have narrative and emotional weight. So often in all types of fantasy I come across action scenes (often but not always combat scenes) that are supposed to provide tension of a "will the character die/succeed?" kind. I am finding that I have grown numb to that sort of tension. After all, the character either will or won't, and the details of how are pretty much irrelevant, so I can just skip to the end of the scene and find out which result the author thought most interesting, and we can move on to how that changes the plot. An action scene needs more than just that kind of tension to hold my interest. A good bonus sort of tension is "how will they succeed/avoid death?" but even better is making the how/details mean something for the character ("What will they have to sacrifice in order to succeed/survive?") or complicating the issue: "Will they succeed and somehow achieve a secondary goal?" Because then there are two things that might actually get in the way of each other and turn the tension complex.

Just something other than hack-and-slash, please, because that makes for fun viewing but boring reading.

3. Significant engagement with the military underpinnings. Just about any setting in fantasy is sort of boring and generic if it's just sprinkled on the top. The really interesting stuff comes from digging into the nitty gritty and showing the inherent tensions and the ways humans get stuck in them. And flintlock has a different sort of military arrangement than, say, a more medieval period. Wexler really engages with what makes a Napoleonic-era army (e.g. discipline and logistics) and that stuff is intrinsic to the characters, the setting, the conflict and thereby fascinating.

4. Janus is not a POV character. Janus is a genius, a fairy godmother, the genie in the bottle. He is a strong spice, and Wexler sprinkles just enough on the meat-and-potatoes of our main characters' stories to bring out the most delightful aspects of everything. But Janus is overpowered and too damn lucky, and if he were more centred in the narrative it would be just too damn much. (The hints of sinister potential starting to bubble to the top in this book are exactly what I didn't know I desperately wanted until they showed up, but they help too.)
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The Price of Valor is the third book of The Shadow Campaigns, of which five books have been planned so we are officially now past the half-way point. An epic fantasy series is often at its most precarious when we get to this tricky place between the introduction and the ending, where arguably the best action and excitement is usually packed. However, it appears Django Wexler is not content to slow things down or let his story languish. Not only does he succeed in carrying through the momentum for the rest of the series, he’s also transformed this middle book into an important turning point.

So far, each installment of the series has given readers something different. Book one The Thousand Names threw us into the middle of a war and show more treated us to many scenes of large-scale conflict and sweeping battles. Book two The Shadow Throne reined in the scope, concentrating instead on the politics and subsequent revolution in the capital of Vordan. Now book three The Price of Valor is like an amalgamation of both, so that half the narrative remains in the city in the wake of the successful uprising, while the other half takes us back onto the bloody battlefields.

In the wake of her father’s death, Princess Raesenia is now the queen. After an attempt is made on her life, she suspects that the new leader of the Deputies-General is responsible, and goes undercover to search for evidence. Remaining behind in the capital as the representative of the army, Colonel Marcus d’Ivoire finds himself teaming up with the young queen, tasked to protect her and to help her root out those who want her dead. Little does he know though, Raesenia might have a secret or two up her sleeve which would actually make her rather hard to kill…

Meanwhile, Winter Ihernglass is back out in the east, trying to win the war for General Janus bet Vhalnich. She has been promoted and given her own regiment to command, including the new all-women company called the Girl’s Own, though ironically Winter’s own gender still remains a secret to the army, save for a few individuals who are in the know. Among those who are aware of Winter’s secret is her lover Jane, whose hatred for the contingent of Royals in the regiment is making Winter’s job very difficult. Lurking behind the scenes are also the agents of an ancient order called the Priests of the Black, whose Penitent Damned will harness the power of their demons to do whatever it takes to stop the Vordanai army and retrieve the priceless magical artifact known as The Thousand Names.

I was so pleased to see that the military action is back in full force for this sequel. Taking a break to delve into political intrigue and rebellion in book two was a nice change of pace, but I admit my interest mostly lies in the war campaign and the huge battles. Wexler doesn’t disappoint, throwing in plenty of heart-racing encounters with the enemy. Reading some of Winter’s chapters was a little like watching a session of wargames play out across a vast gameboard, with troop actions directed by a shrewd chessmaster who is aware of every piece’s location at all times. In point of fact, these qualities closely describe Janus bet Vhalnich, the military genius who presence is actually quite limited in the first half of the novel, which made the wargames analogy that much more apt in my mind.

The general’s craftiness is not lost on Jane either, and Winter’s storyline is also made more interesting by the increasingly strained relationship between the two women. Winter’s loyalties are put to the test when she is made to choose between two things she holds dear, and I have to hand it to the author for not making that choice trivial. There’s a lot of development to Winter’s character in this book, and I respect her all the more for the difficult decisions she’s had to make about her lover, whom I’ve taken to calling “Insufferable Jane” due to all the problems she’s caused (and that’s already one of my more polite names for her). The road to the eventual camaraderie between the Girl’s Own and the Royals was also fun to read, and made for a good side plot to lighten up the otherwise heavy narrative focused on intense fighting and the resulting casualties.

Still, I was wrong when I thought the best part about this book would be the military action, because what surprised me was how much I enjoyed Marcus and Raesenia’s storyline back in the city of Vordan. Raesenia really grew on me back when she was introduced in The Shadow Throne and I was happy to see her return as a POV character in this one. To see her partner up with Marcus – who has always been my favorite character in these novels – was a real treat. Together they make a great team (and dare I hope, could Wexler be planting the seeds of something more happening between them in the future?) and their investigations into the corrupt government saw their Vordan chapters culminate into one hell of an epic showdown with the Patriot Guards and the Penitent Damned.

Speaking of which, we’re definitely making some real headway into the overall story. I’ve been wondering since the end of the first book when we’ll see some major advancement into the conflict caused by the discovery of The Thousand Names, and when the Black Priests will show their hand. Looks like this book is where it all happens. I did say The Price of Valor is a turning point, and you’ll see why. Even after three books, the impact of the stories have not dulled a single bit.

Needless to say, I’m very excited for the next installment. It’s easy to get caught up in The Shadow Campaigns because Django Wexler’s riveting world of dark magic and martial action featuring strong characters – and especially strong women – is one I’ll want to visit again and again. Military fantasy at its finest. show less

It's 5am and I just finished The Price of Valour .. So, you work it out.. I rarely read for 6 hours straight, so Wexler must've been doing something right! I'd review this a little more succinctly but, being 5 am and all.. I have the eye strength of a 2 hour old kitten... So, this is what you get:

If you love flintlock fantasy that has fully rendered characters with continuous development, relationships that ring true (cause unless there is a sense of flummoxed, it just isn't realistic!), demony things that do demony things, and a ton of military madness that is actually interesting to read, rather than feeling like a slog through a 200 year old combat procedural; read it!

Just don't gorge on it like I did, cause there will be grumpiness show more when you have to wake up in.. 2 and a half hours.. show less

This flintlock fantasy (meaning that it employs a Napoleon-Era-like setting and wars that are fought with muskets, bayonets, and artillery . . . and magic) is the third book in a series that began with The Thousand Names and continued with The Shadow Throne. The first book was in many ways a war chronicle. The second focused on the home front after the military victory obtained in the first book, and on the Royal Palace at Ohnlei, where the king was dying, and his only heir, 20-year-old Raesinia, was scheduled to become Queen.

In the first book, we became aware that in this kingdom there were forces of darkness operating, members of a shadowy church employing supernatural powers. They apparently started out as a movement to destroy the show more evil demons of the world, but ended up very much in their service. These “Priests of the Black” have mostly died out, but seek a return to power.

In this book, the revolution against autocracy has taken place, and ostensible power in Vordan supposedly is now in the hands of the people. But the Black Priests have managed to corrupt the Chairman of the Directory of National Defense, Johann Maurisk, who is doing their bidding by trying to destroy all their enemies, which includes the new queen. Maurisk is even employing his own version of the guillotine, called “The Spike,” to which increasing numbers are sent for expressing any doubt about Maurisk or even just looking at soldiers the wrong way.

On the other side, helping Raesinia to end the tyranny orchestrated by the dark priests, is the Army of the East, headed by General Janus bet Vhalnich. As the book begins he is, however, away from the capital, battling other kingdoms threatened by Vordan’s example of elected democracy.

One of Vhalnich’s best military leaders happens to be Winter Ihernglass, a brave, resourceful female disguised as a male. Her command includes the all-female Fifth Volunteer Battalion, led by her lover Jane Verity.

Winter has another card up her sleeve besides her own talents. In the first book, she had taken into herself the demon Infernivore during the battle to secure the Thousand Names. "The Thousand Names" refers to the religious plinths that delineate the naaths, or names of demons that, if translated and spoken, will give the speaker the power of the demon. As one character explains:

“The naath only have power inside a human soul. The letters are only sounds, until they are spoken aloud. The naath binds to the soul, and the soul must be strong enough to bear it.”

Winter apparently did have such a strong soul, and now she “houses” Infernivore. If Winter lays a hand on another demon-carrier, she could will Infernivore to come forth and devour the other creature, killing the host. For Vhalnich, this made Winter a potent weapon against what he called the true enemy: the Priests of the Black and their Penitent Damned - those who have already absorbed very nasty demons to do the bidding of the priests.

The forces of good have another secret weapon besides Winter: the enemy of their enemy, namely, Malik-dan-Belial or The Steel Ghost. He is the last of an order also working against the abh-naathem (deviant priests). He believes if the Priests of the Black get hold of the Thousand Names - the only archive of naath still outside their control - it may mean the end of the world.

Not all demons are inherently evil - unknown to most people, Queen Raesinia herself also had a demon placed inside her, one that will not let her die. No matter what happens to her, its power restores her to perfect health, repairing her flesh almost as soon as it is injured. She also no longer ages, nor needs to sleep.

Vhalnich finally vanquishes those immediately opposed to Vordan, returns to the capital city, and removes Maurisk from power. In the process, however, he lost the Thousand Names. Vhalnich tells Colonel Marcus d’Ivoire, his personal liaison, that they must recapture the Names, as well as go the Elysium, home of the Priests of the Black, or they will never have peace. To that end, Raesinia appoints Janus the First Counsul of the Kingdom of Vordan to finish what they had started. Still she has her doubts: “‘Be wary of Vlahnich,’ the Steel Ghost had told her, ‘He plans deep.’”

Discussion: In this book we learn much more about The Thousand Names, and we see a lot more of the bravery of the women who join with the men to fight for their country. We also get additional exposure to some of the better characters of the previous book, including the mysterious Mrs. Felda, who provides food and shelter for the rebels; the amazing 14-year-old Cora, whose knowledge of finances helps Raesinia and her forces to effect their aims; two of Winter’s most trusted lieutenants, Cyte and Abby; Raesinia’s close advisor Sothe, and the naive and loveable Colonel Marcus d’Ivoire.

I was surprised this series is intended to go on longer than for a trilogy, but not disappointed. The characters and plot developments are interesting enough to make me want to continue with the story. I also love the strong roles for women in this series, and the ways in which lesbian relationships are just integrated into the plot in the same way as are heterosexual relationships. Both types of interactions are realistic, without gratuitous prurience, and without dominating the main political plot.

Evaluation: This isn’t really a standalone book, but I hope that lovers of both fantasy and books with strong female characters will discover this series, because it is quite entertaining, has a number of memorable characters, and most of all, is very unique in its use of females in central roles in a typically male-dominated military setting. show less

Queen Raesinia Orboan of Vordan is shaking things up with her new appointments within the Royal Army. She is also handling the political upheaval that has followed the death of her father. Former champions of her cause are new potential enemies that may try to bring her down. The new Chairman of the Directory of National Defense, Johann Maurisk may have information that could be the end of her. It has become necessary for her to go into hiding from potential assassins. Close by her side is Sothe, who is no longer her personal maid, but the new Head of Household and much more. She also has a new champion in the form of Marcus D’Ivoire, a stalwart and trustworthy military man. Together they work to overturn the repressive elements show more within Vordan.

Meanwhile, Janus bet Vhalnich, is now in charge of the Royal Army, and his trusty soldier Winter Ihernglass has been promoted once again. Within their own ranks, Winter’s love, Jane along with her new regiment, the Girls’ Own are becoming a thorn in the side of the Royal Army. Vhalnich is marching the army to Elysium to confront the Priests of the Black, agents of the Elysian church. The question is, can they overcome these dark forces who want possession of The Thousand Names, the mysterious artifact that was taken by Janus in book one. They must fight the enemy each step of the way and the demon that Winter carries within may be the most necessary weapon in defeating the true enemy, The Penitent Damned.

Janus remains the ever enigmatic general he has been throughout the first two books. A strong force, he still appears to be fighting for something good but will we ever know what this guy is really up to? Wexler keeps us guessing! Anyone would be glad to have Marcus by their side, but he may be a bit out of his element when he is left behind in the midst of Vordan’s political upheaval. Although this does leave him time to iron out some of his past and develop a burgeoning relationship with Raesinia. Winter is one of the strongest female characters I’ve seen in a series. She is just plain badass and gettin’ badder! Raesinia is still growing on me as one of the characters introduced in book two and I do like her, but I’m not sure about Jane, Winter’s love interest, who was also introduced in book two.

I can’t recommend this series enough! Django Wexler has yet to disappoint. He is a very strong writer, keeping fans riveted book after book while balancing a multitude of storylines. I am enthralled with these characters and each element that Wexler has introduced along the way. As ever, Wexler’s strongest writing is on the battlefield. I have yet to run into another author that writes his battlefield scenes with such talent time after time. He also continues to adeptly build on the storylines of each of the characters, never really leaving anyone off on the sidelines. For the stalwart fantasy fans, the magical element is taken up several notches here in book three. I like it, I love it, I want some more of it! show less

Following on from the chaotic revolution of The Shadow Throne it finds the principal characters divided with Winter Ihernglass, still maintaining her male persona despite the admission of women to the army, off east with General Janus Vhalnich to fight the war against the Free Cities League while Marcus D'Ivoire and Queen Raesina in the Vordan capital where the queen attempts to maintain her tenuous position in the face of opposition from Johann Maurisk, the Chairman of the Directory of National Defence and de facto ruler of the country.

When an attempt is made on the life of Queen Raesina at a ceremony to demonstrate a new scientific means of execution, Raes quickly recognises the hand of Maurisk behind it and presents to retire to the show more country for her own safety. Using a cover identity, she joins forces with Marcus D'Ivoire and sets about digging out enough evidence to prove the Director's treachery to Assembly of the Deputies General.

Meanwhile in the east Winter Ihernglass, in command of the Fifth Volunteers also known as the Girl's Own, finds herself promoted to colonel when Janus Vhalnich reorganises the old army regiments to combine them with the new volunteers in order to create a more effective fighting force free of the conservative traditions of the aristocracy. Despite the struggle to integrate the two forces - and the on-going problem of Jane Verity, Winter's fiery girlfriend, who turns out to be a less-than-brilliant officer - the different forces manage to combine their fighting styles, helping the Army of the East to secure a couple of dramatic victories against the forces of the League.

Both situations are greatly complicated by the Penitent Damned, an elite order of the Sworn Church who have committed the greatest sin imaginable - joining with the spirit of a demon - in exchange for unique supernatural abilities that they deploy in support of their faith and in the interests of the Pontifex of the Black. Determined to recover the Thousand Names, recovered by Janus in the first book, the priests set about torturing and killing anyone who might be able to get them closer to their goal. They also take a keen interest in any other demon-haunted individuals they encounter, causing them to take dangerously close interests in both Raesina and Winter, both of whom were placed in situations where they were unable to avoid becoming hosts - the similarities and differences between their two experiences echo the differences between Janus and the priests of the Sworn Church.

As with previous books Wexler does an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension, suppling the reader with a handful of asides that provide just enough information to reveal a series of deeper agendas. Thus we get to see the Penitent Damned deploying themselves against Janus or using menace and manipulation to push Johann Maurisk into doing their bidding, much as they did with Duke Orlanko before the revolution, and see the suggestions of disagreements and personal differences within the ranks of the order.

The book also adds clue after clue to indicate that Janus Vhalnich is far more than merely a brilliant tactician and masterful planner who can see several steps ahead of everyone else. His charisma, as Jane despairingly points out to Winter, seems to sweep almost all before him, bringing out a loyalty that causes people to do what he wants even as they think they are following their own desires and interests. There are a couple of telling moments when Winter gets to see further into Janus' interior than usual: in a moment of stress, Janus suffers a unique loss of temper, showing, as with the Roston incident in the desert, that he isn't infallible or omniscient; then, later, he tries to explain to Winter why, at critical junctures, he doesn't issues orders but instead arranges for those around him to draw their own conclusions because his own perceptions are just too different and detached to allow him to make a judgement. show less