The City of Marble and Blood by Howard Andrew Jones
Baen Books
2023
Cover art by Dave Seeley

I have read large quantities of praise and hype for the Chronicles of Hanuvar. Is it merited? How much of it is just lip service? Now that I have had the opportunity to read the books currently available I can form my own opinion.

Baen is billing this as a S&S series. I have to disagree. It is something else entirely. Something different. Something more. Yes, it appeals to the fandom. Yes, it is written with concise prose found in the spirit of the pulps. Although, most of the stories fail to bring the horror elements found in many classic stories. Hanuvar is a hero, with heroic goals. Even though he has witnessed much tragedy and hardship he hasn't turned toward violence and revenge. His goal is simple and pure. It is not self-serving in the least.

The City of Marble and Blood has fifteen chapters. These chapters are framed around commentary of a descendant of a major character. His ancestor was a companion of Hanuvar's and dreamed of writing these adventures into a play. The book is full of footnotes, harkening back to Harold Lamb's writing. Each chapter in the book is a complete story, although they follow a strict continuity.

Howard does a phenomenal job of keeping the stories fresh. There is no repetition. Each story has a different setting with different circumstances. Hanuvar confronts a priest with a sorcerous secret, which in turn blesses/curses Hanuvar for most of the book. Hanuvar is a caravan guard facing down magical creatures from a marsh. Hanuvar must risk everything to save a scientist--this one reminded me of a WWII spy story. Hanuvar takes his liberation front into the heart of an enemy stronghold and confronts the evil in the shadows. Hanuvar is given the greatest temptation of all. The man responsible for the genocide of his people is at his mercy. The list goes on. The stories are accessible and very enjoyable.

In a genre populated by nihilistic anti-heroes and self-serving individuals Jones has crafted a selfless hero. A man with one lofty goal. A goal that serves his people first and foremost. I am one of many fans looking forward to the release of Shadow of the Smoking Mountain in October.