Atmospheric and richly detailed.
Sword of the Godless is a captivating fantasy fiction novel penned by Matthew C. Lucas. Like many boys growing up in the impoverished area of Lower Bluff, fifteen-year-old Simeon Severals, the son of a tutor, often fantasized about his future and where it would take him. However, his imagination never ventured past the wharves, arena, and the Squire Bridge. With an aptitude for copy work, he is reluctantly sent off by his mother to work as a seminary scribe in a place where religion, which he had been taught to loathe, is the mantra. Surrounded by postulants, mostly the children of the wealthy and nobility, he is immediately made aware of his lowly status and how his job as a seminary scribe is a privilege for a commoner like him. A forbidden romance with a noble seminarian leads to his arrest, and being oath-bound to the gods, his life is spared from trial and possible gelding or hanging. However, he is condemned to the Escola, an academy for gladiators, which is spoken of with a shudder and whisper, and is described as a place of horrors. Like an unbound phoenix forged in battle and the blood-soaked sands of the arena, he rises from the ashes, becoming a tough alpha male amid divisive politics, evil conspiracies, and a seedy entertainment industry controlled by cunning, blood-thirsty entrepreneurs. Beneath the veneer of refinement, mayhem and intrigue abound. Simeon is determined to find his freedom, but the gods seem to have other plans and he soon discovers that this will take more than his proficiency with a sword.
Atmospheric and richly detailed, Sword of the Godless takes readers on a journey of the caste system, the gladiator phenomena, and the inherent desire of every human to be free. The book further offers a perfect blend of romance, mysticism, history, and intrigue. It takes on a veritably human approach through its quick-witted protagonist, rebuilding the intimate aspects of the sportsmen of the arena. Beyond the author’s detailed exploration of this famed sport lies a compelling adventure of a young man on the cusp of manhood. He transitions from a scribe to a gladiator, facing unforeseen circumstances that are entirely beyond his control. The story, marked by controlled prose and remarkable characterization, is well-written and is ideal for binge reading. Its satisfying conclusion is epic and makes for a worthy payoff, and fantasy fiction fans who love stories that defy the odds will delight in this keeper.
