In the Palace of Shadow and Joy
D. J. Butler
Baen
trade paper $16.00
ebook $8.99

I’d like to thank Mr. Butler for providing a copy of this novel. I won it a few months ago in a raffle he held.

This is a fantasy adventure that will appeal to fans of Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, although this story isn’t quite as dark as some of Leiber’s tales and has more humor. The publisher’s advertising copy says its a far future adventure, but I’m not seeing the far future aspect of it.

Indrajit and Fix are two down on their luck guys who are hired to protect an actress and singer, Ilsa Without Peer. Isla is the last of her race, and she is something of a slave to a powerful man in the city. She performs at one of the premiere theaters in town, The Palace of Shadow and Joy. A risk contract (think insurance policy) has been taken out on her. The risk merchant who holds part of the contract wants them to provide additional security. He’s got ulterior motives.

Things go wrong very quickly.

Soon they are on the duo are on the run, trying to keep Ilsa alive, figure out how many people are trying kill them and why, and just why were they really hired in the first place.

This novel was a heck of a lot of fun. The pacing is quick. The varied races of man are intriguing and creative. The banter is fast and funny. And Indrajit and Fix are interesting characters. Butler gives us just enough of their backstory to let us know that there is more to their stories than we see in this book.

There are definitely going to be sequels. I like the way the book ended. All of the main plot threads were tied up nicely. The questions and unresolved issues from the back stories are still there waiting in the wings. Indrajit and Fix have formed a new business partnership. And they have a new, permanent client. Let’s hope their next contract isn’t as deadly as this one. I’m sure it will be just as fun.