The first book in a series of the same name, Peter Newman’s The Deathless is a gripping, fascinating fantasy tale of intrigue and political manoeuvring in a world of demons, magic and undying dynasties. Safe in their castles in the sky, the immortal lords of the seven royal families watch over their people and protect them from the demons of the Wild. When treachery strikes at the moment of Lord Rochant’s rebirth, however, cracks are revealed within House Sapphire, and loyalties are tested as long-gestating plans come to fruition and various players make their moves to grasp what power they can.
There’s a beautifully realised fantasy world to explore here, complete with a tangible sense of history, tradition and ritual, centered around the idea of a careful balance between chaos and order which maintains the status quo. While there’s a lot of information to take in, it’s slowly, almost effortlessly introduced and gradually builds up in a natural way, being neither spoonfed nor dumped upon the reader. The main focus is on House Sapphire, seen through the eyes of three very different characters, each with their own perspective on the world and the unfolding events – Lord Vasin (one of the Deathless, the immortal rulers of the house), a mortal retainer, and a member of one of the other families. Details of the other houses (even their names) and the dynamics between them are only introduced as they’re needed for the narrative, based on what each character knows of their world.
Newman builds quite a complex plot to unravel, but paces his storytelling nicely with multiple story strands, characters who are more than they seem at first glance, and a fantastic sense of adventure. There are great risks and terrible dangers at play, but great rewards as well, while the nature of the Deathless characters – whose complex but largely constant immortality gives them a unique perspective on both time and personal danger – contrasts cleverly with that of the mortals to provide a fascinating sense of tension. All of the main characters are relatable and lifelike, taken out of their comfort zones and forced to make tough decisions which challenge their beliefs or moral compasses, but they’re not all necessarily ‘good’ characters. This is a world where almost everyone is out for themselves, and while some are more sympathetic than others it’s not always clear where to draw the line.
Compared to Newman’s previous Vagrant series there’s a noticeably different style at work here – more traditional fantasy than that terse, stripped back and stylised approach – but it shows his ability to craft a darkly compelling world just the same. For all the action and excitement the plot provides, this is very much about the politics and dynamics within House Sapphire and the wider set of royal houses. Characters’ loyalties and purposes aren’t necessarily clear from the outset, and in conjunction with the smart worldbuilding and plotting that makes for a book which is both complex and utterly compelling. This is, undoubtedly, the start of another series to get excited about!
