Reviews

This fast-moving tale of feudal intrigue and warfare concentrates on the concept of honour and the sacrifices it exacts from those who embrace it.

The importance of honour, even duty, in the land of Valdir is lost upon many of its inhabitants, but not to the man whose fall and rise we witness in "Behind the Throne", Martin Dougherty's first published novel.

This man, Duke Alvin Riall, finds that honour and duty trap him into deeds as despicable as those of the villains in the story, and that in the end it brings more pain and suffering than it could possibly be worth.

Dougherty weaves an ambiguous tale, building up the concept of honour and the importance it holds for two of the main protagonists. Then he has both these protagonists betray their honour, in both cases long after the harm was already done.

The author's background as a fencing instructor certainly shows through in the descriptions of personal combat, which, with the marked exception of when the great Sir Evrik Dar Brinith is involved, read as both realistic and mildly swashbuckling at the same time. The exception is acceptable, as Evrik is Dougherty's "First Knight" and his legendary prowess is well portrayed.

There were three areas where if I try hard enough I can pick fault in this novel, and I must admit none of these really detracted from my enjoyment of the tale.

Firstly, the only two female characters happen to represent what might be considered the best of modern womanhood, let alone the best of a medieval world. Thankfully, this is not in the trite "vision of beauty" sense, but in the sense of being unusually competent and spirited. It might have been nice to see more variety in the women of this world, as the only two presented are also romantically involved with the hero.

Secondly, for a book so full of warfare and bloodshed, with such a realistic description of the combat, the result of all the violence is largely sanitized, with no maimings or festering wounds and almost no described gore.

Thirdly, other than the obligatory attempted rape, a pregnancy, and a talked-about adultery there is no reference to or occurrence of sex. While I am not suggesting that graphic detail is appropriate for such a novel, there isn't even the hint that a husband and wife might show reach other affection from time to time other than that implied by the pregnancy. Certainly not what one would call a "lusty" tale.

Of course, the last two potential drawbacks could equally be considered benefits, as it makes the book just great for parents searching for "suitable" materiel for their young adults. I would have no hesitation in recommending it for this purpose.

Other than these minor quibbles, "Behind The Throne" is an enjoyable and believable description of the vagaries of war, politics, and general life in a feudal environment.

Certain themes reoccur. Defeat being snatched from the jaws of victory. People dying 'good' deaths. Plans, including those of the villains, never quite surviving contact with the enemy.

I enjoyed reading this novel very much, and I certainly felt led to finish it. As Gary Gygax, one of the co-creators of "Dungeons & Dragons" has said of this book :

"A most interesting mix that encouraged me to race through the pages to see what would happen next."

Dougherty's lack of regard for the historical fantasy genre's conventions of character survivability means you can never be sure just who is going to die next, though some of the heroic deaths are heavily foreshadowed, others come as a complete shock, sometimes when you (and they) think they're safe, much as you might expect in a real war.

Death after death occurs as the book steamrollers it's way toward the cinematic ending, high atop the Royal Palace, and it as they die that you realize Dougherty has managed to get you to care for even the relatively minor characters, and along with the survivors you experience some of that awful unfairness that conflict brings with it.

By the end of the book, Death seems to be the only winner, with the few remaining players limping off to recover from their emotional and physical scars. This is classic tragedy, perhaps even comparable to Shakespearean tragedy, for as in Will's work, everybody dies. Well, not quite everyone, see if you can guess who is going to be alive at the end.

Yet it is the sort of tragedy that doesn't depress you, but makes you sympathize with the characters, leaving you wanting to learn more of their world, wishing them luck in their continued struggle and hoping to hear more of those from Valdir and it's surrounding lands in future.

Visit Highbridge Press if you'd like to get hold of this book.