Dave Duncan, author of more than 35 books, has begun a new series, and this one is based on a fantastical version of 15th-century Europe. The new series is called The Brothers Magnus and, as you might expect, is about those self-same brothers. From a family whose motto is “Dare any odds,” Anton and Wulfgang are the youngest of the Magnus brothers. At the beginning of the story, Anton is a new and penniless hussar with Wulfgang as his squire. To attract attention for potential movement up in the ranks, and possibly earn ransom money for their older brother Vlad, Anton stages a stunt that definitely gets him noticed. Unfortunately, it might have attracted the wrong kind of notice.
“Speakers” are those who speak to voices and request information and deeds of magic of them. According to the church, those voices are demons – luring the speaker into evil. Wulfgang calls them saints, and he isn’t sure yet whether they are working for the devil. With Wulfgang’s “saints,” Anton is able to get the notice of the chief advisor to the King, the chief of His Majesty’s information gathering service. Not only is Anton to be given a title, but he is to marry…and all he has to do is ensure the survival of a strategically placed castle in between two enemies – and one of them is already on the inside. The complications, he learns much later, are many, but the rewards (should he succeed) are great. What would any young, brash, unblooded soldier do? Why, go for the glory, of course! And Anton does not once hesitate on his journey to that glory.
I enjoyed this book. It has a good balance of humor, thought, and cleverness. While Anton is a not so terribly sympathetic a character, Wulfgang is most definitely sympathetic, and the contrast between the two is very striking and gives the reader the advantage of seeing things from all angles. In fact, at one point we hear Anton’s thoughts on something and later hear Wulfgang’s thought on what he thinks Anton thought – and this just shows that perspective is everything. We all know that two people never see the same thing, and here the author points it out to us, and how it easily we can make ourselves believe what may or may not be the truth.
It was also clear that the author did some research on methods of combat for the 15th century and utilized that knowledge in his plotting. As for the plot itself, yes, there is quite a bit the reader has to take on faith, but for these kinds of stories it is easy to do so. While the trappings of truth are there in his visible research, it is clear that the reader has to shed and put aside that “belief” for the entire time they are between the covers of the book. I found it an entirely charming and quick read. I was alternately cheering and booing as needed throughout the story. I will definitely be sticking around to read more of the Magnus Brothers.
