Book Review - THE SWORD UNBOUND by Gareth Hanrahan

 

(Title: The Sword Unbound / Author: Gareth Hanrahan / Publisher: Orbit / Publication Date: May 7, 2024 / Total Pages: 624)

Back Cover Blurb

He thought he was saving the world. That was his first mistake.

Twenty years ago, Alf and his companions defeated the Dark Lord and claimed his city. Now, few of the Nine that remain find themselves unwilling rebels, defying the authority of both the mortal Lords they once served and the immortal king of the elves - the secret architect of everything they've ever known.

Once lauded as a mighty hero, Alf is now labelled a traitor and hunted by the very gods he seeks to bring down. As desperate rebellion blazes across the land, Alf seeks the right path through a maze of conspiracy, wielding a weapon of evil. The black sword Spellbreaker has found its purpose in these dark days. But can Aelfric remain a hero, or is his legend tarnished forever?

This second novel continues Gareth Hanrahan's acclaimed epic fantasy series of dark myth, daring warriors and bloodthirsty vengeance.

Review

Gareth Hanrahan writes big idea fantasy. By that I mean that he isn't satisfied with merely telling an entertaining fantasy story that follows the popular formula. Rather, he mixes in crazy elements like inanimate objects that can think, talk, and act. His settings aren't your standard fantasy locales either, they usually have a life of their own and are almost living breathing characters themselves, as we see so magnificently in his ongoing Black Iron Legacy series (a must read by the way). Getting back to his current series though, THE SWORD UNBOUND continues the Lands of the Firstborn story that began with the awesome opener The Sword Defiant. And it continues it in fascinating fashion I might add.

Diving into this sequel after being absolutely blown away by its predecessor was a little unnerving to be honest. The first book was so good that I hoped I would be just as dazzled by this one. I needn't have worried because THE SWORD UNBOUND expands the scope of the overall story and delivers some of the best and darkest fantasy I've experienced in a while. It's hard not to enjoy a book that includes the dead city Necrad, cloaked in secrets and malicious magic, zombies risen from the dead to terrorize the populace, past/present heroes of legend like The NINE who are each individually flawed causing them to at times engage in a power struggle that could threaten the future for everyone, and a pain in the ass sword that although as powerful as any weapon ever crafted, isn't always the most pleasant or cooperative most of the time.

Does any of this make you want to read this series? Because it sure as hell should! And that's what I mean when I say that Hanrahan doesn't settle for writing "standard" or "safe" fantasy. You are always going to be challenged, made uncomfortable, experience things that you almost never see in a fantasy novel, and oh have an incredible amount of fun along the way. I had an absolute blast reading THE SWORD UNBOUND and at times I just couldn't be bothered to do anything else but read this book. It's tough to get better when you are already writing some of the best fantasy stories out there, but if it is possible than I believe Gareth Hanrahan is doing just that. Sometimes I can't believe the risks he takes and the boundaries he pushes, but it always finishes like a masterpiece painting or a brilliant concerto.

Ultimately though my favorite part of this book, as with any Hanrahan book, is his crazy inventive and atmospheric settings. I mentioned that they are almost characters in their own right and I truly mean that. I'm amazed at how vividly both Necrad and its surrounding cities and forests are portrayed. There's an ominous feel to everyone and everything who populate them, whether they be humans, dwarves, witch elves, vampires or goblins. And those are just a sampling of the types of characters you will come across. Honestly there's just so many things to keep you engaged in this book and series and if you don't have it on your to-read shelf, you are missing out on such a magical journey.

Ultimately I really enjoyed this sequel so much. It's a fast-paced read for a book of its 600+ page length and continues to wow with a story that is second to none. This is everything you could ever want in an engrossing fantasy novel that hits you with one mind-blowing scene after another. Come for the cranky sentient talking sword and legendary heroes of old, stay for the next level worldbuilding, dark magic, and intense scheming/treachery. A one of a kind fantasy and another stunning achievement from Gareth Hanrahan that will leave you wanting that next book in your hands yesterday.

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