the idol would drown that night

Review:

Three Parts Dead/Two Serpents Rise by Max Gladstone.

Let me start by saying that you should definitely read these books. The writing is beautiful, the covers are awesome and the worldbuilding makes me want to swallow my tongue with jealousy.

Both novels take place in the same world at different times with different characters (the second book in the series, Two Serpents Rise, takes place before Three Parts Dead) and similar themes. The big idea behind Max Gladstone's works is lawyers. More precisely, contracts. Gods exist, and sufficiently skilled and trained persons (wizards, or Craftsmen and women as Gladstone calls them) can negotiate with them for an exchange of their power. The conceit sounds boring, but isn't by any means.

Three Parts Dead's heroine, Tara Reid graduates and is, quite literally, kicked out of her floating wizard school on the same day. She survives, winds up with a job offer from a prestigious but not-quite-trustworthy firm, and is sent to investigate the death of the god Kos Everburning with the help of a gargoyle, a vampire and a chain-smoking priest. In Two Serpents Rise, gambler and professional risk manager Caleb Altemoc is tasked with discovering the source of the demons that have suddenly begun to appear in his city's water supply.

Caleb and Tara are both normal people but the situations they find themselves and the obstacles they face are both extraordinary and beautifully described.    Fans of thoughtful, character-driven and well written fantasy should check Max Gladstone out.

The third book in what I'm calling the Three Word Title series, Full Fathom Five, is planned for later this year and I can't wait to read it.