The Silent Hand (The Veins of Power)

What do you do when the authorities that are supposed to be protecting the city are murdering your friends? Scamper off into the woods and get drunk with your bard obviously.Full disclosure - I received a copy of this book as a beta reader.What KC has done here is special. He's created a world of nuance with morally grey characters that are just doing their best to survive. Are they flawed? Yes. Are their intentions poor? Yes. Are they lazy and potentially just looking to use substances to get through their day? YES! But are they human and somehow the exact hero needed to save the realm? Absolutely.The villains are massive. The politics, compelling. The world building works.For fans of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn and James Islington's Licanius trilogy I recommend taking a stab into the world being created here. I think something might be brewing that is worth paying attention to in the future.

"The Silent Hand" is an old school, classic fantasy adventure. It features a gritty, messed up world, blanketed by dark forces, and featuring the people subject to all this. The first in a series, this is a great set up. But the grand arc of this hides a great secondary storyline: Lunelle. A necromancer witch tormented by the decaying ghost of her lover, then saved by being possessed by the demon power he becomes. (Or something like that because it's all cray in the best way.) To follow her storyline, I'll definitely be back for book two.**This review is based on my reading a gifted eARC. I do not know the author, and I was not required to review this book at all.**

I had the pleasure of being a beta-reader for this book, and I have to say it was a delightful romp in a world of gritty, dark, and sarcastic fantasy.We are thrust into a cynical world full of tyranny and magic, with our guides being a charismatic, yet flawed, mage and his drunk, middle-aged, hapless apprentice; as they skirt the darker corners of the city's underworld to evade capture by the relentless Silent Hand.The dialogue, exposition, and imagery are snappy and descriptive, while the real magic is in the colorful characters it presents, and the ever present threat hanging over them throughout the story.This is the first book of an ambitious series; a trip that I am excited to strap in and further experience.One further detail - this is an "R" rated book, not for children. Sorry kids, this is adult swim time.

I was fortunate enough to read this book before release! The book is a unique picture of dark fantasy with an addictive twist. Great read, and I’m looking forward to the next book!! Highly recommend!

This was a great read. The book beautifully weaves in grandiose sorcery with dark macabre elements. Engaging storyline, interesting characters and deep plot.

I am not a fan of this particular genre, but this book.had me hooked! Excellent character development, solid story line...I won't be switching genres as a whole, but I will definitely watch for more books by this author.