How to Rule and Empire and Get Away With It by K.J. Parker – Review

Published: August 18, 2020

Publisher: Orbit Books

Series: The Siege #2

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 400 (Paperback)

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

This is the story of how the City was saved, by Notker the professional liar, written down because eventually the truth always seeps through.

The City may be under siege, but everyone still has to make a living. Take Notker, the acclaimed playwright, actor and impresario. Nobody works harder, even when he’s not working. Thankfully, the good citizens of Classis appreciate an evening at the theatre even when there are large rocks falling out of the sky.

But Notker is a man of many talents, and all the world is, apparently, a stage. It seems that the Empire needs him – or someone who looks a lot like him – for a role that will call for the performance of a lifetime. At least it will guarantee fame, fortune and immortality. If it doesn’t kill him first.

This is the story of Notker, an occasionally good man and a terrible liar. With razor-sharp wit, K.J. Parker has created one of fantasy’s greatest heroes, and he might even get away with it.

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This is the much anticipated (though unexpected) sequel to Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City and boy-o, was I excited to read this little nugget! It takes place some unknown amount of time after the events of Sixteen Ways – maybe you know how long, I was unsure – and follows Notker. Notker is an actor and playwright of dubious success and he happens to be known for his impersonations of famous people. One of his best is that of Lysimachus, hero of the people who was recently crushed under a rock at a house party Notker was running late to.

Notker is convinced somewhat forcefully to play the role of Lysimachus in perpetuity to keep up the morale of the city. I mean, the big hero of the people can’t just die! Notker turns out to be somewhat clever, makes some good decisions, and gee whiz! He ends up becoming emperor! Obviously there’s far more to it than that, but I can’t give away the whole plot in the review.

Notker is a likable character and the humor is present, though it’s not in your face hilarious. I personally found Sixteen Ways to be far funnier (likely due to Orhan being the main character) and loved it just a little more. That being said, How to Rule and Empire and Get Away With It maintained the status quo and proved to be a delightfully refreshing addition to the fantasy genre.

I’d definitely recommend this series to anyone with a penchant for military fantasy, though I think it will appeal to most folks who read fantasy as a whole. You don’t necessarily have to read the first book, though I would highly recommend starting there. Without that, you have no background, no context for the goings on in this installment.