Genre: Fantasy
Length: 464 pages
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Blurb
Nik Thorn should know better than to get involved with gods.
But when a priest of a hated god asks Nik to save his life, Nik can hardly refuse, particularly when the priest knows exactly how, where, when, and why he is going to be killed. How hard can it be?
Of course, that’s not Nik’s only problem. When is it ever? A god has been murdered, the city’s high mages are about to go to war, and fury is rising in the streets.
Agatos will burn.
The final book in the Mennik Thorn series.
Review
The final book! I wanted to read it so bad, and at the same time, I didn’t. I didn’t want my adventures with Nik to end. He’s unlucky, stinky, and chaotic but I’ve grown to love him. Legacy of a Hated God is the last book in this series although Patrick has hinted it might not be the last book set in the world of Agatos. I’m glad because even though he explore a lot more of the city and lore, there’s still so much to be discovered. Let’s not get ahead though. Let’s talk about Mennik Thorn’s latest mess, I mean, adventure.
As with the previous books, the mage for hire has gotten himself involved with the business of gods when a priest knocks on his door. This cult is a particular kind of weird in that they worship a god they hate. One of their bizarre rituals is beating a chosen priest to death, where the priest is supposedly a vessel for the god. Sigh. This can’t be good, right? Nik thinks so too, and accepts the job. Then Benny comes by for a visit telling him a god has been killed.
More gods, more trouble.
Which is a good thing, for me, because that means shenanigans are about to happen. Nik is going to mess up, big time. Agatos will burn, and Nik’s shirt will be ruined.
I’m always amazed at how well Patrick weaves the different cases together, all different in nature and location. But eventually everything comes together in a big climax. This time much bigger than the previous books. Epic is one word for it. It’s cataclysmic also in the sense that this event brings major change into Nik’s life. He ends up with a dog (nothing bad happens to the dog!), and even makes new friends. I love this for him.
Legacy of a Hated God continues in the same vein as the previous books. It’s a fast-paced fantasy with lots of things happening, political intrigue, and an interesting cast of characters. Most of them you’ll know already, some new ones. Patrick’s writing is still as smooth and loaded with emotion and descriptions of his world without it becoming too much. It’s a hard balance to maintain when there’s so much interesting stuff in your world.
The book does leave me with a few more questions but those are about the world in general, not Nik specific. I’m okay with never getting answers to those but I wish there was maybe a bit more in the wrap-up of the events.
I loved Legacy of a Hated God but I think the second book, Nectar for the God is still my favourite in the series. Not that this book isn’t as good but I prefer the themes of the second one. All in all, it’s a great ending to the series and I’m sad that I’ll have to miss Nik. He’s probably happy he can wear clean shirts more often now.
Patrick Samphire is an excellent and imaginative writer that takes his chosen genre to another level, mixing it up with elements and tropes from other (sub)genres and creating his own thing. He’s definitely one of my favourite authors and I just know that whatever he writes next I will enjoy greatly.
