Not Really The Prisoner of Zenda

Rating:
Summary: A Nice Twist
Review: Let's face it, if you're reading this you probably already like Joel Rosenberg's novels. This one doesn't disappoint. It's fun, and while nothing too heavy, it has its moments. And as always, it doesn't let up until the last page.

Rating:
Summary: Domestic Disturbances
Review: Not Really the Prisoner of Zenda is the tenth novel in the Guardians of the Flame series, following Not Quite Scaramouche. In the previous volume, Pirojil, Kethol, Erenor, Leria and Ellegon searched for Forinel as the heir presumptive of the Barony of Keranahan, hoping to block the succession of Elanee's son Miron. They found Forinel in Therranj, happily married to an elven woman. Although Forinel refused to return to the Middle Lands to claim the barony, Erenor persuaded the elves to use their wizardry to change Kethol to be his exact duplicate. When Kethol returned to Biemestren as Forinel, he was named to the Barony by Parliament and was betrothed to Leria, a smart lady who is quite satisfied with her fate.

In this novel, Forinel returns to Keranahan after Parliament to claim his new estate. But first he and Leria drop off at Dereneyl to visit Treseen, local Imperial governor, and find Miron there before them. After a few words, they take Miron with them to the Residence and start making domestic arrangements. Pirojil and a disguised Erenor stay with them for the time being to guard Forinel and Leria.

Although all seems to be right at the estate, the guard force is mostly too young or too old and not well trained. Forinel finds, however, that his yeomen are competent with the bow and may stand up to armed opposition. He takes some of them out bandit hunting and is well pleased with their actions.

Forinel is also well pleased with his betrothed, who overcomes his shyness with noble ladies with a well planned seduction. Moreover, her words of advice are informed and shrewd, just what he needs to carry out the impersonation. Unfortunately, she is called back to the capital by the Dowager Empress, leaving him alone and lovesick.

While she is away, an assassin penetrates the Residence security and reaches the master bedroom. But he is frustrated in his attempt to murder Forinel by the wizardry of Erenor. Although the assassin dies without providing any information, Forinel and his friends decide that the instigator was probably Miron or somebody else in the capital and they leave for Biemestren.

In this story, intrigue and treason is the game du jour. The Dowager Empress is still trying to kill off Jason Cullinane to protect her son, yet not being very successful. Baron Tyrnael has been frustrated in his attempts to give the barony to Miron, but now he seeks to marry his daughter to Thomen and thus gain the throne for his grandson. Miron is busily outwitting everybody, winning sword matches, and playing the innocent. Meanwhile, Kethol (not Forinel) is itching for a chance to cross swords with Miron.

This story is a tour de force worthy of Anthony Hope or even Dumas, but with a more cynical and realistic approach. The surprise ending is not foreshadowed in the slightest, but is still fully satisfying. The author's writing improves with time, but can he produce an even better sequel than this volume?

Highly recommended to Rosenberg fans and to anyone else who enjoys tales in the style of Hope, Sabitini or Dumas, but with more than a touch of cynical realism.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Rating:
Summary: More twists and turns than a two-lane highway!
Review: Rosenberg wraps up the "Not Musketeers" trilogy in fine style with 'Zenda,' which continues his story of characters at once broadly drawn and yet detailed enough to be endearing. A mixture of one part military/action novel, one part suspense thriller, and one part mystery, Rosenberg also adds just enough political intrigue to satisfy any reader of Clancy or Fleming, though the genre is quite different.

Readers of previous entries in the series may see this trilogy as an unwanted departure from the earlier story lines of "Guardians," but they stand alone quite well. 'Zenda' maintains the standard of quality set in the first two, and surpasses them in terms of surprises. Highly recommended to any Rosenberg fan!