Saint's Blood

Two of my favorite books: THE THREE MUSKETEERS by Alexandre Dumas and SCARAMOUCHE by Rafael Sabatini.

What both of these have in common: Swordfights.

The film version of Scaramouche contains one of the best swordfights ever put on film, an eight-and-a-half minute romp that became the blueprint for the swordfight between Wesley and Inigo in THE PRINCESS BRIDE.

The modern-day heir to the swordfight in novels has to be Sebastien de Castell, author of the Greatcoats series.

I picked up the first Greatcoat book (TRAITOR'S BLADE) two years ago and was hooked by the end of the first act. I've since read all three books in the series (so far) and eagerly await the fourth book (and possible final book in the series) which is due out in April.

First Cantor Falcio val Mond, his best friend and one-time Saint of Swords, Kest, and the arrogant archer Brasti are basically a modern-day Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. De Castell's dialogue is sharp and witty, the characters are well-constructed and interesting, and the action is fast. More importantly, de Castell created actual heroes, guys that you care for and WANT to win, despite the massive odds they face.

I love these books and de Castell's style of writing. The characters are wonderful and vivid. The world he built is compelling. I heartily recommend them.