`It’s customary to die first; but in your case we’ll make an exception.`The opening line of The Proof House – the third in K.J. Parker’s Fencer Trilogy – is an indication of what is to come throughout the final book in the trilogy. The sheer number of characters present throughout the novel means there are numerous occasions for peril to emerge – and several times when the situation has no resolution.As with the second book, the story arc continues where the last left off. Set a few years into the future compared to events of the second story, The Proof House explores what mischief the main characters have got themselves into in that time span. With wars and skirmishes still threatening the peace and stability, there is certainly enough trouble to go around for anyone wanting – or not – to be involved.The main focus still remains with Bardas Loredan for the first part of the book but branches out. While the rest of his family have their own story arc, so do the other characters introduced in the first two books. Needless to say, there are times when there feels like too many characters. Bardas is left for a chunk in the middle of the book while the adventures of the others are explored, only to come back to him right at the end. While the characters all have depth to them and are engaging, the number of them means it weakens the end of the trilogy. While the reader follows Bardas, major events happen to the others that are summed up in one glance from Bardas’ perspective and no true answers are given.The opening of the novel takes a new approach with a strong use of repetition. It is effective as a play on the senses considering it is taking place in darkness, but also runs dry very quickly. Thankfully, apart from the aforementioned line appearing on serval instances (and always italicised), the repetition dwindles away for the rest of the novel.As with the previous books, Parker’s humour keeps the book engaging and gripping. Despite events that are taking place – wars, murders, plots, treason and death (and that’s just in a morning’s work) – there is no weight to the book, no being laden down with the intensity of the situation. That is due to Parker’s way of inserting a line here and there that has the reader laughing out loud, breaking any tension and making the book enjoyable and humorous rather than only about war.The Fencer Trilogy is the second of Parker’s trilogies I have read. The level of description slows the pace down while the layers to the characters gives an in-depth feeling to the various places mentioned. Parker’s skill with words means I have no doubt I will try and find the other trilogy. If you are a fantasy reader who likes to be immersed in detail and can handle a lot of description without being bored, then The Fencer Trilogy is a definite recommendation.
