Assessment:

Plot/Idea: The novel opens with immediate action that throws readers right into the mix of things.  Background context is lacking, and the plot slows until the last third of the book, when characters come face to face with a serious problem to solve. Throughout the story, readers will glean that Caz can handle whatever challenge is thrown at him. 

Prose: The prose works out its kinks as the novel progresses, and Caz's first-person narration gradually allows readers to connect with him on a deeper level.

Originality: FitzDuncan's Gambit will feel familiar to fantasy fans. The story is formed by a castaway hero with royal roots and a noble heart, slightly mystical undertones, an urgent quest, and female characters who support the male heroes without commanding their own storylines.

Character/Execution: The main characters have well-established relationships with each other, and the rapport they share is an appealing aspect of the novel. Many of their qualities remain static over the course of the book, with their growth and development slowed somewhat in this volume. 

Date Submitted: May 05, 2023