Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
A new epic fantasy novel from World Fantasy Award-winner author K. J. Parker, one of the most original voices in the genre.
(Sorry, this is as much description as the publisher has given! If you want to know more about the world of Sister Svangerd, check out my book review of the first in the series: Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead)
My Review
If you read my review of Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, you already know that K.J. Parker has a very specific, very particular style, and Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know is very much more of that.
At its heart, this is a quest fantasy where Sister Svangerd and our narrator monk are tasked with retrieving a specific book from a library. Which book? They don’t know. They won’t know until they find it. What follows is our narrator moving from place to place, changing course constantly as circumstances shift, and eventually pulling off a heist on a pirate king to retrieve what may or may not be a heretical text. The reveal of what the book actually is, and what happens when it gets opened? Genuinely great.
The narration style is still doing its very specific, very circular thing. Our narrator notices something, goes on an extended tangent about the history or context of that something, and then eventually, leisurely, circles back to his original point. It’s roundabout, it’s rambling, and it is completely unlike anything else in medieval-inspired fantasy. I find it charming and hilarious. Others may find it maddening. Know thyself before picking this up!
My biggest complaint, same as book one, is that Sister Svangerd doesn’t get nearly enough page time. Her name is literally in the title! That said, every moment she IS on the page is an absolute delight, and the dynamic between her and our narrator continues to be one of my favorite odd pairings in fantasy right now. Overall, a fun, funny, satirical dark adventure that I’d recommend to the right reader.
THE GOOD:
- The heist premise is a great fit for these two characters and it absolutely delivers
- The reveal of what the book actually is is a genuinely fantastic payoff
- The dry, satirical humor is still firing on all cylinders
- Sister Svangerd remains an absolute scene-stealer every time she appears
- The circular, digressive narration style is completely unique and weirdly charming
- Leaves you genuinely excited to see where the next book goes
THE NOT-AS-GOOD:
- Sister Svangerd still doesn’t get nearly enough page time for a character with her name in the title
- The plot meanders quite a bit, with frequent course changes that can feel directionless at times
- Less intrigue and mystery than the first book
THE NEUTRAL:
- The circular narration style is either going to delight you or drive you absolutely up the wall
- This is much more philosophical dialogue and character than plot momentum — adjust expectations accordingly
- The humor is dry and satirical enough that it may not land for every reader
OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know is a funny, weird, charming dark adventure — not quite as tightly mysterious as the first book, but a worthy continuation with characters worth following anywhere.
PERFECT FOR:
- Fans of the first book who want more of the same energy
- Readers who enjoy philosophical fantasy with dry, academic humor
- Anyone who loves a heist story with unconventional characters
- Readers who appreciate deeply distinctive, voice-driven prose
- Fans of dark adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously
