Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City, K.J. Parker

 

Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by K.J. Parker (the author is actually Tom Holt, but he writes fantasy under this pseudonym) is the first book in the Siege series

Started: March 24, 2026
Completed: April 1, 2026
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody
Media: Audio

Review:

I really enjoyed the writing style.  The protagonist is self-deprecating while at the same time being remarkably egotistical.  The situation was simultaneously silly and serious.  Even the ways some things were phrased caught me as funny while still being serious:  "She yawned so much it nearly tore her face."  These are not deeply thought out characters with immersive development, but this is a carefully crafted story.  Yes, several of the characters are shallow plot devices, but those devices are very effectively used.  A very fun read.