Sunday Story Ratings #21: The Saints of the Sword
The Saints of the Sword by John Marco (Tyrants and Kings #3)
Originally published 2001; this edition 2002
Publisher: Gollancz
MA15+
(H, S, L, V)
Supernatural Themes
Sexual References {G}
Coarse Language
Violence {MA 15+}
Drug References {PG}
Representations
Gender:
A few POVs, all men. A bisexual character from the first book is described increasingly androgynously as the series continues. A trans person is described in historical context as having been driven to mass murder by her dysphoria.
Sex:
Continues to be only one character who is not heterosexual. I continue to wonder who he actually has sex with, if no other men are shown as being interested.
Race & Ethnicity:
Most characters white. One character is biracial.
Disability, Physical Diversity and Health:
text
Tropes:
The Dragon (somewhat of a Smug Snake this time)
Hurting Hero (Healing Hero, at last)
The Empire (Industrial Roman flavour)
The Dark Side Will Make You Forget (actually listed on the site)
Utopia Justifies the Means (likewise mentioned above)
Psycho Serum (multi-function serum!)
Conflicting Loyalty (back to the original person, plus some new folk)
Past Victim Showcase (different victim, different target, same guy behind the package)
Crystal Dragon Jesus (where the crystal dragon is Yahweh?)
Obligatory War Crime Scene (have some more)
Awards
None of note.
I overlooked one from last week, too: Restrained Revenge.
This book I ordered when I started The Jackal of Nar, way back in February. And I finally, finally get my happy ending here. George Lucas has been known to say that Star Wars is really the story of Darth Vader's fall and redemption, but I think the Tyrants and Kings trilogy tells a similar story much better. The Emperor's sinister and feared Dragon, who abruptly murders various people in his displeasure, commits heinous acts and sinks to the depths of depravity in pursuit of revenge on the young hero who foiled his master's plans. (said young man having also turned down an offer of We Can Rule Together) But, spurred by the example of his defeated rival and the arguments of others around him, including pawns in his revenge scheme, he turns away from the dark side, fighting his addiction in resolute determination to become a better person and rule what is now his empire for peace and the betterment of the empire itself. But everyone thinks he is still a monster.
I suppose everyone else would have to decide for themselves whether the terrible things he has done are forgivable (and they made me weep, although others have their atrocities too), but I at least feel I got my happy ending. After three volumes of wartime brutality, more than 2300 pages of interpersonal conflict, scheming, rivalry and revenge, the (surviving, recurring) characters finally put aside their differences to work together. Maybe it wasn't quite the friendship ending I was hoping for, but we are invited to consider the beginning of a better, more peaceful era for this world.
