Fearing an uprising, the Sphinx sends Senlin to investigate a plot that has taken hold in the ringdom of Pelphia. Alone in the city, Senlin infiltrates a bloody arena where hods battle for the public’s entertainment. But his investigation is quickly derailed by a gruesome crime and an unexpected reunion.
Posing as a noble lady and her handmaid, Voleta and Iren attempt to reach Marya, who is isolated by her fame. While navigating the court, Voleta attracts the unwanted attention of a powerful prince whose pursuit of her threatens their plan.
Edith, now captain of the Sphinx’s fierce flagship, joins forces with a fellow wakeman to investigate the disappearance of a beloved friend. She must decide who to trust as her desperate search brings her nearer to the Black Trail where the hods climb in darkness and whisper of the Hod King.
As Senlin and his crew become further dragged in to the conspiracies of the Tower, everything falls to one question: Who is The Hod King?
The Hod King is the third in the Books of Babel series and with one more to go Josiah Bancroft sets things up beautifully.
I love the descriptive writing, the world of the tower gets more vividly dark with each passing story, The Hod King is set over three distinct sections each following a particular set of our main protagonists. This works really well, changing it up from the previous two tales and allowing for some stunningly immersive character development as well as plenty of edge of the seat moments.
It is difficult to describe the sheer scope of these stories within a review but the creativity here is second to none – revealing layer after layer of interconnecting parts, turning things you thought you knew upside down. Focusing very clearly overall on our hero Senlin, that mild mannered school teacher we met in the first novel is now both the same and in turn completely unrecognisable.
I love these. They are sprawling, gorgeous, intense and addictive reads unlike anything else out there at the moment. Intelligent, unique and perfectly formed.
Highly Recommended.
You can purchase The Hod King (Orbit) Here.
Happy Reading!
