I acquired a evaluate copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my evaluate and all opinions are my very own.

Mortedant’s Peril by RJ Barker

Mogsy’s Ranking: 4 of 5 stars

Style: Fantasy

Collection: E book 1 of The Trials of Irody Hasp

Writer: Orbit (Could 19, 2026)

Size: 432 pages

Writer Info: Web site | Twitter

It’s really been a short while since I’ve picked up certainly one of RJ Barker’s books, even if his assassins-focused The Wounded Kingdom trilogy stays certainly one of my all-time favourite fantasy sequence. So, after I heard that Mortedant’s Peril was not solely kicking off a brand-new sequence but additionally leaned closely into thriller, I used to be instantly on board. I’ll by no means say no to a fantasy thriller, and Barker’s identify connected to this one made it a straightforward promote.

The story follows Irody Hasp, a Mortedant, certainly one of a small and customarily disliked order of clerics tasked with studying the ultimate ideas of the lifeless. It’s a good and helpful occupation, however not one which earns a lot gratitude because of the nature of the work. Most individuals view Mortedants with suspicion, and our protagonist’s repute is even worse than most. Already hovering on the edges of society, he additionally finds himself tolerated by his co-workers and always given the assignments that nobody desires.

However at some point, after what appeared like simply one other routine job, Irody returns house to find his younger apprentice murdered. Devastated by the loss and decided to seek out the killer, he rapidly finds himself caught in an investigation the place he’s additionally the prime suspect. Clearing his personal identify turns into simply as necessary as searching for justice for his apprentice, however what begins as an easy homicide investigation quickly spirals into one thing far bigger. Alongside a newly acquired apprentice and a strait-laced protector assigned to look at over him, Irody should navigate a tangled net of politics, corruption, and conspiracy that reaches the very best ranges of town.

Mortedant’s Peril combines two of my favourite genres, and even having few expectations stepping into, it nonetheless managed to shock me. What begins as an attractive fantasy homicide thriller steadily opens up into one thing a lot larger, supported by wonderful worldbuilding, an attractive solid of characters, and the form of richly imagined setting that makes you wish to be taught extra about it. The story takes place in Elbay, precisely the form of fantasy metropolis I like getting misplaced in, one that really feels lived-in, layered with historical past and historical traditions. It’s simple to think about stressed spirits lingering within the very stones that make up the partitions of this place. In all places you look, there appears to be one other secret ready to be uncovered, making Elbay a type of settings that simply leap off the web page.

I additionally ended up actually liking Irody Hasp as a protagonist, although it didn’t begin off that method. At first, he didn’t come off as probably the most endearing protagonist, and each time he went on certainly one of his self-pitying rants, I needed to struggle to not roll my eyes. And but, as time went on, as Irody threw himself into his quest of discovering his apprentice’s killer, we begin to see the particular person beneath all that bitterness and frustration. For all his complaining and whiny perspective, he’s in the end pushed by a real sense of decency. That, alongside along with his pursuit of justice, steadily received me over.

In that regard, the supporting solid helps fairly a bit. The dynamic between Irody, his new apprentice Mirial, and his assigned guardian Whisper brings a number of life and power to the story, and I particularly loved watching their partnership steadily take form over the course of the investigation. Barker has all the time had a knack for creating memorable character relationships, significantly mentor-apprentice bonds and the advanced interaction of loyalty, belief, and obligation. Via these relationships, the novel additionally explores themes of sophistication division, prejudice, and the best way outsiders are sometimes considered with suspicion, including one other layer of depth beneath the thriller and journey.

That mentioned, if I’ve one critique, it could most likely be the pacing. The story takes its time getting the place it’s going, and there have been stretches the place the investigation felt extra deliberate than pressing. Nevertheless, that’s hardly unusual for fantasy mysteries, particularly sequence starters which are attempting to ascertain a brand new world and introduce a big solid, so truthfully, it’s not one thing I’m holding too strongly in opposition to this guide. The moments the place I discovered myself wishing the plot would hurry itself alongside have been rare, so it’s a comparatively minor criticism in what’s in any other case a extremely entertaining and strong opening quantity.

Ultimately, Mortedant’s Peril is a promising begin and one other robust providing from RJ Barker, who continues to impress me along with his creativity and willingness to strive new issues. I’m already wanting ahead to returning to Elbay and seeing the place the story will take these characters subsequent.