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The Loyal Opposition #1
Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead
Not even the Church of the Invincible Sun is invincible – and somebody has to do its dirty work. Enter Sister Svangerd and her accompanying priest, both first-rate practitioners. Their mission is simple: to make a meddlesome princess disappear (permanently).
To get to her, they must attend the legendary Ecumenical Council, the once-in-a-century convening of the greatest spiritual minds the world has to offer. But when they arrive, they find instead a den of villainy that would make the most hardened criminal blush.
To complicate matters further, it appears that some people who were definitely grim reapered might be not quite dead after all. What began as a little assassination is about to escalate into a theological debate with terrifying consequences for everyone.
To get to her, they must attend the legendary Ecumenical Council, the once-in-a-century convening of the greatest spiritual minds the world has to offer. But when they arrive, they find instead a den of villainy that would make the most hardened criminal blush.
To complicate matters further, it appears that some people who were definitely grim reapered might be not quite dead after all. What began as a little assassination is about to escalate into a theological debate with terrifying consequences for everyone.
352 pages, Trade Paperback
First published January 27, 2026
102 people are currently reading
1703 people want to read
About the author
K.J. Parker
132 books1,712 followersK.J. Parker is a pseudonym for Tom Holt.
According to the biographical notes in some of Parker's books, Parker has previously worked in law, journalism, and numismatics, and now writes and makes things out of wood and metal. It is also claimed that Parker is married to a solicitor and now lives in southern England. According to an autobiographical note, Parker was raised in rural Vermont, a lifestyle which influenced Parker's work.
According to the biographical notes in some of Parker's books, Parker has previously worked in law, journalism, and numismatics, and now writes and makes things out of wood and metal. It is also claimed that Parker is married to a solicitor and now lives in southern England. According to an autobiographical note, Parker was raised in rural Vermont, a lifestyle which influenced Parker's work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 24, 2026
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
i feel that while i was intrigued by the first 25% of the book, i lost interest somewhere along the way. i just didn’t feel connected to our two mcs, but i did love the satirical tone of the writing.
this book was not particularly for me, but i’m still going to check out the author’s backlist!
—
seeing some mixed reviews but i'm hopeful i'll enjoy this book! it'll be my first one by k j parker, too
i feel that while i was intrigued by the first 25% of the book, i lost interest somewhere along the way. i just didn’t feel connected to our two mcs, but i did love the satirical tone of the writing.
this book was not particularly for me, but i’m still going to check out the author’s backlist!
—
seeing some mixed reviews but i'm hopeful i'll enjoy this book! it'll be my first one by k j parker, too
November 18, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up for Parker bias.
The intelligibility of this review is directly related to how many Parker books you've read. One might say this is a Parker review *for* Parker reviewers.
This book feels like the novel-length version of what Parker explored in THE INSIDE MAN or THE LONG GAME or, to a lesser extent, PULLING THE WINGS. It's SAEVUS CORAX meets THE LONG GAME. The protagonist will be familiar to long-time Parker fans: quick-witted, egotistical and self-deprecating, eternally put-upon, the universe revolves around him and his family. He's from *the Mesoge*. He's Saevus Corax meets Bardas Loredan.
Now, did you like any of those things that I just said? If you did, then you'll really enjoy this book.
For newcomers, I still don't think this is the best place to start with Parker. I strongly suggest reading the novellas INSIDE MAN and LONG GAME. If you like what you read, then pick this up for sure. Otherwise, I still think Saevus Corax is the easiest introduction to this style of Parker novel.
Personally, I liked it. It wasn't my favorite. I wasn't in love with (repulsed by) the characters the way I was with Basso, Kunessin, Gig, Daurenja, Ziana, etc. But Parker is one of my favorite authors and the way he writes, his prose, his turns of phrase (mostly. see: 'world without end, amen') and the intelligence behind what he's doing always makes his books worth reading to me. In this we learn all about forgery, especially how to forge parchment. There's also deep discussions about belief, are Good and Evil basically the same? Can any outcome be considered Good or Evil if the opposite decision was made to get there? Is an action either good or evil *inherently* or are they given the attribution afterwards? Some read Euthyphro stuff here.
For my tastes, though I love his writing, the plot is a little too whiplashing for me, though the deeper philosophical discussions as well as forgery talk kept me going. But, oh my gosh, please Mr. Parker, retire the Mesoge and bring back the Vesani Republic!
Thanks to Orbit, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC!
The intelligibility of this review is directly related to how many Parker books you've read. One might say this is a Parker review *for* Parker reviewers.
This book feels like the novel-length version of what Parker explored in THE INSIDE MAN or THE LONG GAME or, to a lesser extent, PULLING THE WINGS. It's SAEVUS CORAX meets THE LONG GAME. The protagonist will be familiar to long-time Parker fans: quick-witted, egotistical and self-deprecating, eternally put-upon, the universe revolves around him and his family. He's from *the Mesoge*. He's Saevus Corax meets Bardas Loredan.
Now, did you like any of those things that I just said? If you did, then you'll really enjoy this book.
For newcomers, I still don't think this is the best place to start with Parker. I strongly suggest reading the novellas INSIDE MAN and LONG GAME. If you like what you read, then pick this up for sure. Otherwise, I still think Saevus Corax is the easiest introduction to this style of Parker novel.
Personally, I liked it. It wasn't my favorite. I wasn't in love with (repulsed by) the characters the way I was with Basso, Kunessin, Gig, Daurenja, Ziana, etc. But Parker is one of my favorite authors and the way he writes, his prose, his turns of phrase (mostly. see: 'world without end, amen') and the intelligence behind what he's doing always makes his books worth reading to me. In this we learn all about forgery, especially how to forge parchment. There's also deep discussions about belief, are Good and Evil basically the same? Can any outcome be considered Good or Evil if the opposite decision was made to get there? Is an action either good or evil *inherently* or are they given the attribution afterwards? Some read Euthyphro stuff here.
For my tastes, though I love his writing, the plot is a little too whiplashing for me, though the deeper philosophical discussions as well as forgery talk kept me going. But, oh my gosh, please Mr. Parker, retire the Mesoge and bring back the Vesani Republic!
Thanks to Orbit, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC!
March 17, 2026
The truth is, I'm not the most patient man who ever lived. When I'm working with Svangerd I find it easier to be patient, because she's about as tranquil as a thunderstorm, and I can score points off her by showing off my ability to sit still and wait. When I'm on my own, however, after a few minutes I start to seethe and fidget, like a man sitting on a beehive.
Un monaco ateo e una suora assassina sono in missione per eliminare una principessa. Cosa potrebbe mai andare storto?
Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead è un murder mystery fantasy primo di una trilogia ma con una storia autoconclusiva che mi è piaciuto parecchio. La premessa mi ha intrigato fin da subito, ricordandomi un po' il punto di partenza dei Demoni di Joe Abercrombie. Brother Desiderius, un monaco ateo, e Sister Svangerd, suora nonché assassina della Chiesa del Sole Invincibile, devono eliminare una principessa scomoda. Per farlo si infiltrano in un concilio ecclesiastico e naturalmente, niente va come previsto: tra intrighi, morti che forse non sono poi così morti, e dibattiti teologici, la missione si complica molto più del previsto.
Il romanzo fa un uso piuttosto massiccio del flusso di coscienza, ma la voce narrante mi ha divertito così tanto che non mi è dispiaciuto. Il protagonista è ironico, cinico e costantemente impegnato a riflettere su fede, bene e male, libero arbitrio e ipocrisia religiosa. Tutto questo è condito da un dark humour che mi ha fatta ridere più volte. Sullo sfondo troviamo la Chiesa del Sole Invincibile, angeli, demoni e i walkers (una sorta di reinterpretazione degli zombie).
Passiamo alle note un po' dolenti.
Le motivazioni dei personaggi a volte non mi sono sembrate del tutto convincenti e l’ambientazione rimane piuttosto sfumata: il focus è quasi sempre sui pensieri del protagonista e sui dialoghi. Non mi è dispiaciuto come scelta stilistica, ma in alcuni momenti avrei voluto avere un’idea più chiara dello spazio circostante, in modo da potermelo immaginare un po' meglio nella mia testa.
Inoltre diversi passaggi, soprattutto nella seconda metà, mi sono risultati un po’ confusi. A volte facevo fatica a capire cosa stesse succedendo o perché, complice anche il continuo flusso di coscienza che interrompe l’azione. Nella prima parte questo espediente funziona bene perché dà profondità al personaggio; nella seconda, secondo me, un taglio di questi monologhi interiori a favore della trama investigativa, del ritmo e di un pizzico di worldbuilding in più avrebbe giovato alla storia.
Avrei anche voluto vedere Sister Svangerd più approfondita. A dispetto del titolo, il suo ruolo mi è sembrato un po’ marginale: Brother Desiderius è quello che agisce e poi riferisce a lei. Sì, pianificano insieme, ma mi sarebbe piaciuto vederla occupare una posizione più centrale nella narrazione.
Nonostante qualche difetto tecnico, il mix di dark humour, riflessioni filosofiche e protagonista irresistibilmente cinico ha reso per me questo libro una lettura decisamente memorabile. Se vi sono piaciuti il cinismo e l’ironia di Joe Abercrombie nei Demoni, questo potrebbe essere nelle vostre corde.
At least she didn't love me; thank heaven for small mercies. I don't know how people who are loved can bear it, the hideous weight of responsibility. How can you do that to someone, hold their entire happiness in the palm of your hand like that, knowing that if you die (which can always happen, every moment of every day) you'll cause them the worst pain that anyone can ever feel? I couldn't live with myself, carrying that sort of burden. It would crush me flat, like Kotkel's hand around my head.
Review in English
An atheist monk and an assassin nun are on a mission to kill a princess. What could possibly go wrong?
"Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead" is a fantasy murder mystery – the first in a trilogy, but with a self-contained story – which I really enjoyed. I was intrigued by the premise right from the start, as it reminded me a little of the opening of Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils. Brother Desiderius, an atheist monk, and Sister Svangerd, a nun and assassin for the Church of the Invincible Sun, must dispose of a troublesome princess. To do so, they infiltrate an ecclesiastical council, but, naturally, nothing goes as planned. Amidst intrigue, deaths that may not be quite so dead and theological debates, the mission becomes far more complicated than anticipated.
The novel makes heavy use of the stream-of-consciousness technique, but I found the narrator’s voice so entertaining that I didn’t mind. The protagonist is ironic and cynical, and is constantly pondering themes such as faith, good and evil, free will, and religious hypocrisy. All of this is permeated with dark humour that had me laughing out loud several times. In the background, we have the Church of the Invincible Sun, angels, demons, and 'walkers' (a reinterpretation of zombies).
Now, let's move on to the slightly less positive aspects.
I didn’t always find the characters’ motivations entirely convincing, and the setting remained rather vague; the focus was almost always on the protagonist’s thoughts and the dialogue. While I didn’t mind this stylistic choice, at times I would have liked a clearer idea of the surrounding space so I could picture it better.
Furthermore, I found several passages in the second half a bit confusing. At times, I struggled to understand what was happening or why. This was partly due to the constant stream of consciousness interrupting the action. In the first part, this choice works well because it adds depth to the character; in the second half, in my opinion, cutting back on these inner monologues in favour of the detective plot, the pacing and a bit more world-building would have benefited the story.
I would also have liked to see Sister Svangerd explored in greater depth. Despite the title, her role seemed rather marginal to me. It was Brother Desiderius who acted and reported back to her. Yes, they plan together, but I would have liked her to play a more central role in the narrative.
Despite a few technical flaws, the combination of dark humour, philosophical considerations and an irresistibly cynical protagonist made this a thoroughly memorable read. If you enjoyed the cynicism and irony of Joe Abercrombie's The Demons, you might like this too.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The cover caught my eye and the plot seemed interesting - a priest and a nun in charge of permanently murking a princess, but getting waylaid by the literal undead. How could that go wrong?
I’ll tell you. Misogyny. So much misogyny that reading this made me feel sick at times with disgust.
Most reviews don’t mention it, and I’ll admit that it’s subtle - but once I noticed it, I couldn’t stop noticing it. It was distracting. I was going to ignore it but then one specific plot point was revealed in such a crass way, it immediately ruined my reading experience. And not only that - it negatively recontextualized some previous passages in a whole new unpleasant light.
“She, on the other hand, got sold to a whorehouse at more or less the same age as you joined the order…” [Twelve. The stated age was twelve, here.]
And THIS revelation, while not only never properly addressed, makes the previous statements of -
“Svangerd came to the cloister relatively late in life, after seven years in the hospitality and entertainment sector in Auxentia City. One of those sudden epiphanies of faith turned her into a passionately sincere believer and she takes her vows desperately seriously, but you’d never think she was a nun in a million years.” [Wow. Right, it’s not a ‘sudden epiphany,’ actually, it was - escaped sexual slavery and I’m sure she would have actually loved to have chosen to join the Church as opposed to where she was actually forced to go.]
And
“With her past, she had to fight like a wildcat before they’d let her be a nun.” [Considering this is part of her introduction, AKA BEFORE WE LEARN SHE WAS FORCED INTO SEX WORK AS A CHILD, YIIIIIIIIIIIIKES.]
I don’t want to give too much away but the world in this novel focuses on the Church of the Invincible Sun and I’ll just save you the wonder - it’s basically the Catholic Church, including all the misogyny and double-standards with barely any question about them.
And despite the book being named after Sister Svangerd - who is, without a doubt, the coolest and most interesting character in this entire novel - she’s not the main character. Why would she be? Why would we ever want to explore how she personally feels about the events of the novel, nor how she lives with the prejudices she faces from the trauma she was forced to endure? Nonsense. Instead, she’s barely there - except when the main character wants to judge her for being religious or some side character wants to call her a whore. But don’t worry ‘she confessed; she did penance; and she was absolved,’ (wise words from our main character. A man, if that wasn’t obvious) - so it’s okay to equate her being forced into sex work as a child to being promiscuous!
Our main character is also just the most pretentious and boring man in existence - an atheist who thinks he’s better than anyone who believes in religion. And yes, this includes Sister Svangerd, despite his claims to respect her thoughts and opinions. And never once does he bother to consider why a woman sexually abused from such a young age would take comfort in the thought of a fight between Good and Evil where Good will win and she is forgiven for the things that cause her trauma and guilt. Because - once again - society sees forcing her into this as a child as a mark against her own character, and not their own.
I don’t even want to get into all the casual misogyny I highlighted in this novel - for instance, “don’t be such a girl” shows up multiple times as an insult. There was some nice, healthy homophobia as well - because gay men are obviously dangerous to children - and a plot reveal at the end that was so offensive it made me want to not even donate this book at all and instead to throw it out.
“I hadn’t seen the man [..] since I was ten years old, though I had reason to remember him. Don’t you go anywhere near him, my mother had told me. Stay away from him, my father said, and if he follows you, run and holler and make as much noise as you can.” [This is the only queer character in this novel, and this description indicates that he is a child predator - but the end for the plot reveal also simply equates him to being gay. As if the two are the same.]
I feel like I shouldn’t have to say why calling the only queer man in your novel a child predator is offense, nor is why equating this man to a woman forced into sex work as a child is also unthinkingly offense.
Without just adding an entire section of quotes here, I’ll just say that I wound up having to split my highlights between regular, run-of-the-mill misogyny, misogyny towards Sister Svangerd herself, homophobia, and just regular “this plot makes no sense, actually.” I was given a physical copy of this novel from Orbit, and I was constantly switching to my phone to highlight passages. As someone who barely highlights in my kindle, having over 30 highlights for this book is an absurd amount for me to have.
I will say that I feel like the author made a half-assed attempt into actually acknowledging the insane misogynistic double-standards leveled at his only notable female character, but with such a sensitive topic maybe equating her being assaulted to “a female prostitute, or someone who takes it in the ass” as being a main plot point about her was absolutely not the way to go.
Thank you Orbit for giving me a copy, and I truly wished I liked this book more.
I’ll tell you. Misogyny. So much misogyny that reading this made me feel sick at times with disgust.
Most reviews don’t mention it, and I’ll admit that it’s subtle - but once I noticed it, I couldn’t stop noticing it. It was distracting. I was going to ignore it but then one specific plot point was revealed in such a crass way, it immediately ruined my reading experience. And not only that - it negatively recontextualized some previous passages in a whole new unpleasant light.
“She, on the other hand, got sold to a whorehouse at more or less the same age as you joined the order…” [Twelve. The stated age was twelve, here.]
And THIS revelation, while not only never properly addressed, makes the previous statements of -
“Svangerd came to the cloister relatively late in life, after seven years in the hospitality and entertainment sector in Auxentia City. One of those sudden epiphanies of faith turned her into a passionately sincere believer and she takes her vows desperately seriously, but you’d never think she was a nun in a million years.” [Wow. Right, it’s not a ‘sudden epiphany,’ actually, it was - escaped sexual slavery and I’m sure she would have actually loved to have chosen to join the Church as opposed to where she was actually forced to go.]
And
“With her past, she had to fight like a wildcat before they’d let her be a nun.” [Considering this is part of her introduction, AKA BEFORE WE LEARN SHE WAS FORCED INTO SEX WORK AS A CHILD, YIIIIIIIIIIIIKES.]
I don’t want to give too much away but the world in this novel focuses on the Church of the Invincible Sun and I’ll just save you the wonder - it’s basically the Catholic Church, including all the misogyny and double-standards with barely any question about them.
And despite the book being named after Sister Svangerd - who is, without a doubt, the coolest and most interesting character in this entire novel - she’s not the main character. Why would she be? Why would we ever want to explore how she personally feels about the events of the novel, nor how she lives with the prejudices she faces from the trauma she was forced to endure? Nonsense. Instead, she’s barely there - except when the main character wants to judge her for being religious or some side character wants to call her a whore. But don’t worry ‘she confessed; she did penance; and she was absolved,’ (wise words from our main character. A man, if that wasn’t obvious) - so it’s okay to equate her being forced into sex work as a child to being promiscuous!
Our main character is also just the most pretentious and boring man in existence - an atheist who thinks he’s better than anyone who believes in religion. And yes, this includes Sister Svangerd, despite his claims to respect her thoughts and opinions. And never once does he bother to consider why a woman sexually abused from such a young age would take comfort in the thought of a fight between Good and Evil where Good will win and she is forgiven for the things that cause her trauma and guilt. Because - once again - society sees forcing her into this as a child as a mark against her own character, and not their own.
I don’t even want to get into all the casual misogyny I highlighted in this novel - for instance, “don’t be such a girl” shows up multiple times as an insult. There was some nice, healthy homophobia as well - because gay men are obviously dangerous to children - and a plot reveal at the end that was so offensive it made me want to not even donate this book at all and instead to throw it out.
“I hadn’t seen the man [..] since I was ten years old, though I had reason to remember him. Don’t you go anywhere near him, my mother had told me. Stay away from him, my father said, and if he follows you, run and holler and make as much noise as you can.” [This is the only queer character in this novel, and this description indicates that he is a child predator - but the end for the plot reveal also simply equates him to being gay. As if the two are the same.]
I feel like I shouldn’t have to say why calling the only queer man in your novel a child predator is offense, nor is why equating this man to a woman forced into sex work as a child is also unthinkingly offense.
Without just adding an entire section of quotes here, I’ll just say that I wound up having to split my highlights between regular, run-of-the-mill misogyny, misogyny towards Sister Svangerd herself, homophobia, and just regular “this plot makes no sense, actually.” I was given a physical copy of this novel from Orbit, and I was constantly switching to my phone to highlight passages. As someone who barely highlights in my kindle, having over 30 highlights for this book is an absurd amount for me to have.
I will say that I feel like the author made a half-assed attempt into actually acknowledging the insane misogynistic double-standards leveled at his only notable female character, but with such a sensitive topic maybe equating her being assaulted to “a female prostitute, or someone who takes it in the ass” as being a main plot point about her was absolutely not the way to go.
Thank you Orbit for giving me a copy, and I truly wished I liked this book more.
February 3, 2026
The Devils ohne Spice, und mein Bauch tut weh. Finished this in my Uber, and the driver was like "Wtf is wrong with you? Tell me why you're smiling so brightly at your phone. Even me, I want to be happy." When I told him it was just words on Kindle app, he almost threw me out 🤣 I can’t do slow burn, my fucking heart!
I didn't know, prior to picking up Sissy Svangerd & the Not Quite Dead, that my world was going to be rocked left and right because of the confused yearning of Brother Priest Desiderius. Was I aware of the laughable situations that he would get into just to tell Sissy about?? I did not foresee Brother Priest perceiving and fixing this girl's needs in advance; I've been in such awe.
K.J. Parker is not an author for everyone. I did not subscribe to the atheism and Good vs Evil discussions after the same third tangent, the pacing of the plot, and the side characters being shallow for the most part. However, the rest! I enjoyed the atmosphere immensely! The Scandinavian folklore was so good! And the MCs!!! The tiny romance instances here and there! I guess, bated-breath waiting is gonna have to do until May.
I didn't know, prior to picking up Sissy Svangerd & the Not Quite Dead, that my world was going to be rocked left and right because of the confused yearning of Brother Priest Desiderius. Was I aware of the laughable situations that he would get into just to tell Sissy about?? I did not foresee Brother Priest perceiving and fixing this girl's needs in advance; I've been in such awe.
K.J. Parker is not an author for everyone. I did not subscribe to the atheism and Good vs Evil discussions after the same third tangent, the pacing of the plot, and the side characters being shallow for the most part. However, the rest! I enjoyed the atmosphere immensely! The Scandinavian folklore was so good! And the MCs!!! The tiny romance instances here and there! I guess, bated-breath waiting is gonna have to do until May.
February 20, 2026
We running out of ideas? Recycling?
Disappointed af. 1.5⭐️
Disappointed af. 1.5⭐️
February 9, 2026
I should have written up my review as soon as I finished it because now I can't remember if it was written 3rd or 1st person, sorry/swearing including F-word/Un-dead/Religious debates
The title is cool but it's a misnomer because Sister Svangerd is not the main charater. Our MC is Sister Svangerd's partner in crime (I forget his name, it's only mentioned once or twice). These two do live in a monastery-like place that has both men and women but their quarters and wings are separated by gender. So that's their cover. They are part of an unnamed shadowy organization within the monastery that provides assassins and thieves.
Svangerd is the fighter and what's-his-name is ....what? the brains maybe? Not that he's super smart he just reads a lot. Svangerd believes in their God (I think it was named the Eternal Sun or something like that) but what's-his-name does not, he's a firm atheist. Ironically he loves to hear the debates about various facets of the religion so he's thrilled when they get an assignment to a big council thing where all the big names of religion will be there.
They are tasked to assassinate a princess but before they can do so someone (or something!) beats them too it and the body is squashed, every bone broken and they are wondering who or what could do that. What's-his-name has a bad feeling because the dead body looks similar to ones he's seen in his home country, the Mesoge (which Parker has referred to in many of his novels and stories), a bleak country of farmers and ranchers scratching a living from the soil. For some unknown reason, the people born there tend to come back alive after they die and they are like 8 feet tall and super strong. It tends to run in families. And, you guessed it, that's what killed the princess. So now the head of the council wants what's-his-name to handle it because he comes from the Mesoge and knows some about these creatures.
As if he didn't have enough on his plate, a mysterious man approaches him and tells him things that the man shouldn't know. The man claims to be from The Loyal Opposition, aka Hell. Like religion in this book has good and evil in opposition and, like Christianity, they all know that the evil side will be defeated in the last days. But for now the evil side, even though they know they lost, play these games and manipulations just to antagonize the good side. At least that's my understanding from what I read. Anyway this mysterious man basically blackmails what's-his-name into doing something because it will help the Loyal Opposition. What's-his-name is torn because on the one hand he staunchly disbelieves but how could Mystery Man know some of the things he said?
As if that wasn't enough going on there are also some old scrolls found in a box that some people say are the true gospel (it's like if the Dead Sea Scrolls had different stuff written on them than the Bible) and others say they must be fakes. And there's more deaths. What's-his-name thinks a lot going round and round trying to figure out what's going on and how to rationalize it with his atheism.
This might be a spoiler but wanted to let you know that Sister Svangerd does play a role in the story and eventually gets to show off her mad skillz. I'll stop there so I don't tell you too much.
My thoughts: At first I thought this was gonna be a caper-type of story with them carrying out their assassination task but then it started to get real interesting, then even more interesting. I liked it a lot because I like thinking deep thoughts so I was right there with what's-his-name trying to figure out what's going on. Some readers will not like that part I'm sure so fair warning. Just go with it. It's like when I watch a spy movie sometimes I get lost about what's going on beneath the surface, like someone's hidden motivations, but I just shrug and keep watching and just go with it.
This is the first novel in, I think, a trilogy. This book has an ending so don't worry about cliffhangers, there's none of that crap here. I'm eager to read what the two of them get up to in the next book.
The title is cool but it's a misnomer because Sister Svangerd is not the main charater. Our MC is Sister Svangerd's partner in crime (I forget his name, it's only mentioned once or twice). These two do live in a monastery-like place that has both men and women but their quarters and wings are separated by gender. So that's their cover. They are part of an unnamed shadowy organization within the monastery that provides assassins and thieves.
Svangerd is the fighter and what's-his-name is ....what? the brains maybe? Not that he's super smart he just reads a lot. Svangerd believes in their God (I think it was named the Eternal Sun or something like that) but what's-his-name does not, he's a firm atheist. Ironically he loves to hear the debates about various facets of the religion so he's thrilled when they get an assignment to a big council thing where all the big names of religion will be there.
They are tasked to assassinate a princess but before they can do so someone (or something!) beats them too it and the body is squashed, every bone broken and they are wondering who or what could do that. What's-his-name has a bad feeling because the dead body looks similar to ones he's seen in his home country, the Mesoge (which Parker has referred to in many of his novels and stories), a bleak country of farmers and ranchers scratching a living from the soil. For some unknown reason, the people born there tend to come back alive after they die and they are like 8 feet tall and super strong. It tends to run in families. And, you guessed it, that's what killed the princess. So now the head of the council wants what's-his-name to handle it because he comes from the Mesoge and knows some about these creatures.
As if he didn't have enough on his plate, a mysterious man approaches him and tells him things that the man shouldn't know. The man claims to be from The Loyal Opposition, aka Hell. Like religion in this book has good and evil in opposition and, like Christianity, they all know that the evil side will be defeated in the last days. But for now the evil side, even though they know they lost, play these games and manipulations just to antagonize the good side. At least that's my understanding from what I read. Anyway this mysterious man basically blackmails what's-his-name into doing something because it will help the Loyal Opposition. What's-his-name is torn because on the one hand he staunchly disbelieves but how could Mystery Man know some of the things he said?
As if that wasn't enough going on there are also some old scrolls found in a box that some people say are the true gospel (it's like if the Dead Sea Scrolls had different stuff written on them than the Bible) and others say they must be fakes. And there's more deaths. What's-his-name thinks a lot going round and round trying to figure out what's going on and how to rationalize it with his atheism.
This might be a spoiler but wanted to let you know that Sister Svangerd does play a role in the story and eventually gets to show off her mad skillz. I'll stop there so I don't tell you too much.
My thoughts: At first I thought this was gonna be a caper-type of story with them carrying out their assassination task but then it started to get real interesting, then even more interesting. I liked it a lot because I like thinking deep thoughts so I was right there with what's-his-name trying to figure out what's going on. Some readers will not like that part I'm sure so fair warning. Just go with it. It's like when I watch a spy movie sometimes I get lost about what's going on beneath the surface, like someone's hidden motivations, but I just shrug and keep watching and just go with it.
This is the first novel in, I think, a trilogy. This book has an ending so don't worry about cliffhangers, there's none of that crap here. I'm eager to read what the two of them get up to in the next book.
February 17, 2026
Mainstream KJ Parker fantasy, with some dark cynical plot threads and wry humour. Told in the first person by a slightly world weary, intelligent, lead character. In this case a monk/scribe, discretely on the atheist wing of the Church of the Invincible Sun, and part of a ‘special ops team’, together with a murderous nun. They get sent on an assassination mission.
Being addicted to Parker’s fantasies I’ve gotten to know the type of fantasy world he often uses and the background to it in our real world. I find that just as fascinating, to see how a favourite author has created some aspects of the plot.
It’s loosely based on the thousand year history of the Byzantium Empire, the old Roman Empire remnants in Eastern Europe and modern Turkey. In this book prominence is given to the internal politics of the church in this fantasy world but which is clearly a placeholder for the medieval Orthodox Church. When the author shows the fascination of the lead character with bizarre theological debates at a conference he’s borrowing from the theological trivia that absorbed some intelligent people of that era (the largely mythical discussion about the number of angels that could fit on a pinhead could have easily have been part of these ‘debates’). Amusingly, the lead character doesn’t believe in any of the theological aspects but he can’t help listening to the arguments being constructed and admiring their intricacy. Similarly, he keeps finding his strong atheism coming up against people and events that don’t seem to have any other origin than supernatural evil! Typical Parker complications.
However, as a committed reader of the author, I’m starting to worry that certain themes are just becoming too regular in his books.
That Love is the cruelest of emotions - love we experience must end one day and when that happens the loss far outweighs what went before.
Hope, sometimes described in legend as compensation from the gods when Pandora’s box was opened to let out the world’s evils, is really evil itself; hope, being too lazy to leave the box, is illusory compensation and can make us tolerate evils passively.
That Good and Evil are two sides of the same coin. One can’t really exist without the contrast provided by the other. I won’t go on about this aspect as it forms the major theme in the book, but the story gets into serious moral relativism!
All interesting, if potentially deep, themes, and I tend to have sympathies with the last two of the three I mention. But they’ve all been brought up to a greater or lesser extent in several Parker novels or short stories and maybe just too often now for my taste.
In summary, the well written, intriguing fantasy that I enjoy by the author, plenty of clever twists, but I’m getting just too familiar with some themes that keep being used repeatedly. 3.5 to 4*.
Being addicted to Parker’s fantasies I’ve gotten to know the type of fantasy world he often uses and the background to it in our real world. I find that just as fascinating, to see how a favourite author has created some aspects of the plot.
It’s loosely based on the thousand year history of the Byzantium Empire, the old Roman Empire remnants in Eastern Europe and modern Turkey. In this book prominence is given to the internal politics of the church in this fantasy world but which is clearly a placeholder for the medieval Orthodox Church. When the author shows the fascination of the lead character with bizarre theological debates at a conference he’s borrowing from the theological trivia that absorbed some intelligent people of that era (the largely mythical discussion about the number of angels that could fit on a pinhead could have easily have been part of these ‘debates’). Amusingly, the lead character doesn’t believe in any of the theological aspects but he can’t help listening to the arguments being constructed and admiring their intricacy. Similarly, he keeps finding his strong atheism coming up against people and events that don’t seem to have any other origin than supernatural evil! Typical Parker complications.
However, as a committed reader of the author, I’m starting to worry that certain themes are just becoming too regular in his books.
That Love is the cruelest of emotions - love we experience must end one day and when that happens the loss far outweighs what went before.
Hope, sometimes described in legend as compensation from the gods when Pandora’s box was opened to let out the world’s evils, is really evil itself; hope, being too lazy to leave the box, is illusory compensation and can make us tolerate evils passively.
That Good and Evil are two sides of the same coin. One can’t really exist without the contrast provided by the other. I won’t go on about this aspect as it forms the major theme in the book, but the story gets into serious moral relativism!
All interesting, if potentially deep, themes, and I tend to have sympathies with the last two of the three I mention. But they’ve all been brought up to a greater or lesser extent in several Parker novels or short stories and maybe just too often now for my taste.
In summary, the well written, intriguing fantasy that I enjoy by the author, plenty of clever twists, but I’m getting just too familiar with some themes that keep being used repeatedly. 3.5 to 4*.
February 14, 2026
Review originally on Jamreads
Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead is the first book in the newest fantasy trilogy written by K.J. Parker, The Loyal Opposition, published by Orbit Books. A story told with the classical cynicism that characterizes Parker's narrator characters, resulting in a fun novel that is not only great at examining almost any concept related to religion, power and history while demolishing them with an astonishing logic, but also managing to keep the reader engaged at all times.
Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd are both first-rate practitioners, doing the dirty work needed by the Church of the Invincible Sun. Their new mission: making a princess permanently disappear, taking the opportunity given the legendary Ecumenical Council; but the things become much more complicated once they discover how the Council is more akin to a nest of vipers than a reunion of pious men. A mission that escalates from a simple assassination to a theological debate that might threaten to create a schism, complicated by a small business with corpses that refuse to stay dead.
Brother Desiderius is kinda the classical lead that you could expect from a Parker book: really smart, tired and aware that how history is made is really different to how it is told. His sarcastic voice is the perfect one to tell this story, especially after the mission escalates into something bigger. Sister Svangerd is a bit the counterpart: proficient at wielding weapons, a hard believer in the Church's doctrine, but with a very practical way to see the world. Their friendship works pretty well, taking into account how they are basically the opposite.
The Ecumenical Council is the perfect setting for this kind of story: while in appearance is the reunion of the most pious and brilliant minds of the Church, a place for intellectualism, in reality hides a fight for power, for the destiny of the Church. It also serves as the perfect excuse for Brother Desiderius' examinations in religion and history, an atheist going over concepts to refute them with a dose of logic and cynicism, creating a dark philosophical tale in the process.
The pacing is quite on the spot, including certain action scenes that help to elevate the tension after some passages that are more dense.
Sister Svanger and the Not Quite Dead is a great way to kick-off the Loyal Opposition series, a perfect choice if you like your fantasy dark and sarcastic, but still want to have a ton of fun in the process.
Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead is the first book in the newest fantasy trilogy written by K.J. Parker, The Loyal Opposition, published by Orbit Books. A story told with the classical cynicism that characterizes Parker's narrator characters, resulting in a fun novel that is not only great at examining almost any concept related to religion, power and history while demolishing them with an astonishing logic, but also managing to keep the reader engaged at all times.
Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd are both first-rate practitioners, doing the dirty work needed by the Church of the Invincible Sun. Their new mission: making a princess permanently disappear, taking the opportunity given the legendary Ecumenical Council; but the things become much more complicated once they discover how the Council is more akin to a nest of vipers than a reunion of pious men. A mission that escalates from a simple assassination to a theological debate that might threaten to create a schism, complicated by a small business with corpses that refuse to stay dead.
Brother Desiderius is kinda the classical lead that you could expect from a Parker book: really smart, tired and aware that how history is made is really different to how it is told. His sarcastic voice is the perfect one to tell this story, especially after the mission escalates into something bigger. Sister Svangerd is a bit the counterpart: proficient at wielding weapons, a hard believer in the Church's doctrine, but with a very practical way to see the world. Their friendship works pretty well, taking into account how they are basically the opposite.
The Ecumenical Council is the perfect setting for this kind of story: while in appearance is the reunion of the most pious and brilliant minds of the Church, a place for intellectualism, in reality hides a fight for power, for the destiny of the Church. It also serves as the perfect excuse for Brother Desiderius' examinations in religion and history, an atheist going over concepts to refute them with a dose of logic and cynicism, creating a dark philosophical tale in the process.
The pacing is quite on the spot, including certain action scenes that help to elevate the tension after some passages that are more dense.
Sister Svanger and the Not Quite Dead is a great way to kick-off the Loyal Opposition series, a perfect choice if you like your fantasy dark and sarcastic, but still want to have a ton of fun in the process.
February 20, 2026
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
this review will contain spoilers, as I cannot properly review the text without discussion of it (in this case)
initially, i was incredibly excited for this book; the topics seemed right up my alley and the writing style seemed fine, if a little silly. however, i have been known to enjoy some goofy writing styles and i'm a nerd for an ecclesiastical council, so i went in with high hopes.
i have a lot of issues with this book, but i'll start with my positives. it is incredibly fast-paced (almost too fast-paced, but at least this was over rather quickly). i found many of the explored concepts to be interesting, including the idea of the long game, and loved every philosophical or theological conversation that the characters had. that was partially why i picked this book up, and it delivered. i even liked the reveal that this world seems to be a post-apocalypse dark age version of our world. it was a cool, genuinely fun little twist.
however, there was a lot more that i disliked, to the point i'm wondering if this was the best place to start with this author or if i should have began somewhere else. certain things about this book have me thinking that i won't try anymore of his work though.
the writing was fast-paced, to the point of being jumpy and disjointed. at times, there was no transition, we were just in a new place or speaking to person and it felt like my feet were taken out from under me. also, the central characters weren't that gripping. sister svangerd (the titular character and someone i was very excited to follow) felt like a side character and i didn't much enjoy whenever she was on page. she felt so plastic and uninteresting compared to the synopsis. this is tied into a larger issue with the constant yelling and not showing. everything interesting about the characters is told to us by the characters, rather than allowing the narrative to show it to us. for instance, the main character is in love with sister svangerd, but the narrative never shows this to us in his actions or in their interactions. according to another review, his references to love in his internal monologue are supposed to show this, but that was not made clear to me. the only reason i know he has feelings for her at all is because of that review, and references made by other characters to him potentially lusting after her. this book is constantly telling us things, but almost never showing it and allowing me to interpret it.
another thing i really disliked about this book was the random references to things that would become plot relevant later. usually, these are completely fine and even appreciated in other books, but those books do it subtly. this book had as much subtlety as a brick when bringing up the eventually plot relevant walkers. this book just takes a random divergence to talk about bears and walkers in the mc’s old country because they would quickly become important and i guess the author had no idea how he could bring them up in a way that felt cohesive in the text. i literally asked aloud, why is he saying this right here, and all i could think of was the mickey mouse clubhouse “this is a surprise tool that could help us later.”
finally, the most egregious thing about this book was the handling of the final battle scene. the mc is introduced to a particular concept that we eventually find out is a rude term for a sex worker. while the linguistic conversation was interesting, this term is applied to svangerd and another character, who is implied (in my understanding) to be a pedophile. svangerd is a victim of child sex trafficking, as the text makes clear, and i find this comparison to be sickening. if that character was not meant to be a pedophile, then that should have been made clear, but if he is, i shouldn’t have to explain why that term being applied to both of them is horrifying. this text poorly handled svangerd’s past of sexual abuse/sex work, and that is likely why i will not continue with this author.
overall, this book had an interesting premise, but i believe this was a failure of execution.
this review will contain spoilers, as I cannot properly review the text without discussion of it (in this case)
initially, i was incredibly excited for this book; the topics seemed right up my alley and the writing style seemed fine, if a little silly. however, i have been known to enjoy some goofy writing styles and i'm a nerd for an ecclesiastical council, so i went in with high hopes.
i have a lot of issues with this book, but i'll start with my positives. it is incredibly fast-paced (almost too fast-paced, but at least this was over rather quickly). i found many of the explored concepts to be interesting, including the idea of the long game, and loved every philosophical or theological conversation that the characters had. that was partially why i picked this book up, and it delivered. i even liked the reveal that this world seems to be a post-apocalypse dark age version of our world. it was a cool, genuinely fun little twist.
however, there was a lot more that i disliked, to the point i'm wondering if this was the best place to start with this author or if i should have began somewhere else. certain things about this book have me thinking that i won't try anymore of his work though.
the writing was fast-paced, to the point of being jumpy and disjointed. at times, there was no transition, we were just in a new place or speaking to person and it felt like my feet were taken out from under me. also, the central characters weren't that gripping. sister svangerd (the titular character and someone i was very excited to follow) felt like a side character and i didn't much enjoy whenever she was on page. she felt so plastic and uninteresting compared to the synopsis. this is tied into a larger issue with the constant yelling and not showing. everything interesting about the characters is told to us by the characters, rather than allowing the narrative to show it to us. for instance, the main character is in love with sister svangerd, but the narrative never shows this to us in his actions or in their interactions. according to another review, his references to love in his internal monologue are supposed to show this, but that was not made clear to me. the only reason i know he has feelings for her at all is because of that review, and references made by other characters to him potentially lusting after her. this book is constantly telling us things, but almost never showing it and allowing me to interpret it.
another thing i really disliked about this book was the random references to things that would become plot relevant later. usually, these are completely fine and even appreciated in other books, but those books do it subtly. this book had as much subtlety as a brick when bringing up the eventually plot relevant walkers. this book just takes a random divergence to talk about bears and walkers in the mc’s old country because they would quickly become important and i guess the author had no idea how he could bring them up in a way that felt cohesive in the text. i literally asked aloud, why is he saying this right here, and all i could think of was the mickey mouse clubhouse “this is a surprise tool that could help us later.”
finally, the most egregious thing about this book was the handling of the final battle scene. the mc is introduced to a particular concept that we eventually find out is a rude term for a sex worker. while the linguistic conversation was interesting, this term is applied to svangerd and another character, who is implied (in my understanding) to be a pedophile. svangerd is a victim of child sex trafficking, as the text makes clear, and i find this comparison to be sickening. if that character was not meant to be a pedophile, then that should have been made clear, but if he is, i shouldn’t have to explain why that term being applied to both of them is horrifying. this text poorly handled svangerd’s past of sexual abuse/sex work, and that is likely why i will not continue with this author.
overall, this book had an interesting premise, but i believe this was a failure of execution.
February 25, 2026
A little muddled but I adore the familiar cadence of Parker’s writing so I’ll take it
February 20, 2026
K. J. Parker at the top of his game (he's always at the top of his game, and it continues to rise). There are always wryly funny moments in his books, but this one reaches never before seen heights in one particular instance surrounding a certain etymology.
January 19, 2026
3.5 stars. Thank you to Orbit Books for an eARC of this novel. Every time I read a KJ Parker book, I think we must share a lot of areas of interest. Academia, particularly the study of ancient and medieval cultures, the formation and evolution of the Church, the art of making manuscripts. All of these elements shine in Sister Svangerd, lovingly poked at with Parker's signature satirical wit. I particularly enjoyed the concept of the walkers from the Mesoge (take a shot every time Brother Desiderius mentions it). They reminded me of the draugr of Icelandic sagas and, given the heavy influence of medieval Scandinavia on the Mesoge, this makes sense. Brother Desiderius's insistence on a scientific explanation for the walkers, and all phenomena, made him a fascinating and cynical monk. His constant atheism contrasted well with Sister Svangerd's blind faith. The overarching plot, however, leaves something to be desired. I began to feel like the plot was trying too hard to trick and shock the reader while making the point that "Good" and "Evil" often work along the same ideas. Keeping track of who was who and on what side was difficult - which in hindsight is perhaps the point. However, I found the reading experience more confusing than I would like. An enjoyable read nonetheless.
Did not finish
February 21, 202650% in.
Unfortunately, I have to DNF this. I’m sure it’s a good book, but the writing style and the plot pace is driving me insane. There’s no need for 30-40 pages part chapter, no need for so much exposition and monologue, while I don’t understand anything about the plot. The title is “Sister Svangerd”, but we barely see her. We don’t know what she does or what she thinks. She’s just a side character, she’d just *there*, to the point where I forget about her.
The whole narrative is just told to us, we don’t see anything.
I hate DNF ING books, but why would I finish the first book in a series I wouldn’t continue?
Unfortunately, I have to DNF this. I’m sure it’s a good book, but the writing style and the plot pace is driving me insane. There’s no need for 30-40 pages part chapter, no need for so much exposition and monologue, while I don’t understand anything about the plot. The title is “Sister Svangerd”, but we barely see her. We don’t know what she does or what she thinks. She’s just a side character, she’d just *there*, to the point where I forget about her.
The whole narrative is just told to us, we don’t see anything.
I hate DNF ING books, but why would I finish the first book in a series I wouldn’t continue?
February 14, 2026
Snarky and funny, as usual for Parker
February 17, 2026
Four-and-a-half-ish, actually, because this is Apostolic Assassin Creed, only without parkour, but with up-armored... well, zombies, I guess, if zombies were articulate and grew to eight feet tall before going on rampages. Also includes fun disquisitions on forgeries and early bureaucracy, so, yes, your typical Parker, only with a bit more of overt supernatural elements than usual. Sister Svangerd is refreshingly blunt (and an expert with blades), the representatives of Loyal Opposition do their worst, it's all fun and games and people getting guzzled.
February 1, 2026
Reading K.J. Parker is pretty close to my definition of bliss. I was a bit worried at the start. It felt a bit shaky. Also, I didn’t vibe with the audiobook narrator’s voice. Still, once I got into the groove, there you have it - bliss!
Parker is a bit tricky to start with… it’s an acquired taste. My best recommendation is Blue and Gold and Purple and Black. These two novellas converted me fully.
My gateway drug, however, was this old short story: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/park...
It rhymes with some plot elements from Sister Svangerd, so it could be of interest in its own right.
Alternatively, Sister Svangerd is a good place to start as well!
If you’ve read the Corax series or Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City, I think you’ll enjoy this start of a new series. I pre-ordered the next instalment. Can’t wait…
Parker is a bit tricky to start with… it’s an acquired taste. My best recommendation is Blue and Gold and Purple and Black. These two novellas converted me fully.
My gateway drug, however, was this old short story: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/park...
It rhymes with some plot elements from Sister Svangerd, so it could be of interest in its own right.
Alternatively, Sister Svangerd is a good place to start as well!
If you’ve read the Corax series or Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City, I think you’ll enjoy this start of a new series. I pre-ordered the next instalment. Can’t wait…
December 8, 2025
KJ Parker twists his patented formula into a vexing little Dark Ages rumination on faith, good and evil that’ll probably drive normie readers to despair and be absolute catnip to philosophy grads and other victims of overeducation. Nothing changes even as history is made, everything matters unless it doesn’t, this priceless Mezentine clock is also just another hunk of dead rock washed up on the beach. And like life, it makes no d**n sense. Compels me though.
————————
Sat next to Parker’s other recent work, SSATNQD fits fairly neatly into the arc traced by the Siege and Corax trilogies; in the world of the Siege our protagonists play at being the Great Men (and Women) of history, bold if essentially fraudulent shapers of destiny, while in Corax our jaunty hero turns out to be essentially powerless, a well-connected bit player who can at best delay the inevitable course of history. But in Svangerd no one can achieve much of anything at all, even amidst plenty of sound and fury. Svangerd and Brother Deseridatus go to the conclave but can’t carry out the job they were sent to do, they waffle for a long time about going home while the situation changes turbulently around them, and they eventually leave without much to show for it all. Saloninus somehow captured most of modern philosophy and science thousands of years ago, but mankind hasn’t done much with that wisdom but eke out a squalid life squatting in the ruins of Empire. The dead die, but even death doesn’t take.
There’s more than a little bit of Waiting for Godot about it all, or maybe Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Just as in the Stoppard play, great events are forever happening juuuuuust off screen in Svangerd, leaving our protagonists to wander about struggling against an externally imposed narrative they can neither see nor understand. Fortunately Parker draws back the fog just enough at the end to provide a satisfying sense of closure, but fifty pages from the end I was still wondering whether I’d have been better off throwing my ARC out the window and going for a walk instead. In some ways this is a tremendous accomplishment of creating empathy for the (similarly trapped) narrator — and it’s most definitely a deliberate effect — but not all readers are likely to be tolerant of being toyed with as much as Parker does here.
Svangerd’s pleasures, however, are real and considerable, if a bit cerebral. Parker really stews on questions of faith here, laying into the seeming irrationality of Brother Deseridatus’ strict materialism in a world where The Not Quite Dead really do walk the earth and impossible world- and history-spanning conspiracies genuinely seem to dictate his every move. But even if Good and Evil appear to be real forces in Svangerd’s world, they come across not only as two sides of the same coin but far more divided within themselves than they are truly opposed. And like the clashing revenants that stalk the story, or perhaps Le Carre’s Cold War superpowers, they talk a good game about the long game and a higher purpose but in practice mostly just wreck stuff. These are all typical Parkerian themes, but he works them through with intelligence and a philosophical eye, never letting a point go unopposed or a thesis unproblematized. There are of course some discordant notes, from the strangely tokenising treatment of the book’s one queer character through to Sister Svangerd’s relatively flat characterisation, and you really do have to be masochistic enough to see it all through to the end. But I think it’s a trip work taking, even as it pointedly leaves you stuck right where you started.
————————
Sat next to Parker’s other recent work, SSATNQD fits fairly neatly into the arc traced by the Siege and Corax trilogies; in the world of the Siege our protagonists play at being the Great Men (and Women) of history, bold if essentially fraudulent shapers of destiny, while in Corax our jaunty hero turns out to be essentially powerless, a well-connected bit player who can at best delay the inevitable course of history. But in Svangerd no one can achieve much of anything at all, even amidst plenty of sound and fury. Svangerd and Brother Deseridatus go to the conclave but can’t carry out the job they were sent to do, they waffle for a long time about going home while the situation changes turbulently around them, and they eventually leave without much to show for it all. Saloninus somehow captured most of modern philosophy and science thousands of years ago, but mankind hasn’t done much with that wisdom but eke out a squalid life squatting in the ruins of Empire. The dead die, but even death doesn’t take.
There’s more than a little bit of Waiting for Godot about it all, or maybe Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Just as in the Stoppard play, great events are forever happening juuuuuust off screen in Svangerd, leaving our protagonists to wander about struggling against an externally imposed narrative they can neither see nor understand. Fortunately Parker draws back the fog just enough at the end to provide a satisfying sense of closure, but fifty pages from the end I was still wondering whether I’d have been better off throwing my ARC out the window and going for a walk instead. In some ways this is a tremendous accomplishment of creating empathy for the (similarly trapped) narrator — and it’s most definitely a deliberate effect — but not all readers are likely to be tolerant of being toyed with as much as Parker does here.
Svangerd’s pleasures, however, are real and considerable, if a bit cerebral. Parker really stews on questions of faith here, laying into the seeming irrationality of Brother Deseridatus’ strict materialism in a world where The Not Quite Dead really do walk the earth and impossible world- and history-spanning conspiracies genuinely seem to dictate his every move. But even if Good and Evil appear to be real forces in Svangerd’s world, they come across not only as two sides of the same coin but far more divided within themselves than they are truly opposed. And like the clashing revenants that stalk the story, or perhaps Le Carre’s Cold War superpowers, they talk a good game about the long game and a higher purpose but in practice mostly just wreck stuff. These are all typical Parkerian themes, but he works them through with intelligence and a philosophical eye, never letting a point go unopposed or a thesis unproblematized. There are of course some discordant notes, from the strangely tokenising treatment of the book’s one queer character through to Sister Svangerd’s relatively flat characterisation, and you really do have to be masochistic enough to see it all through to the end. But I think it’s a trip work taking, even as it pointedly leaves you stuck right where you started.
January 30, 2026
3.75 rounded up to 4 stars
First, the good. This was so much fun. An interesting world that is presented through the lenses of an equally interesting main character whose cynicism provides a nice contrast to the deeply religious environment he moves in. For all his stubbornness, I enjoyed being in Desiderius' head.
Sister Svangerd, on the other hand, remains a mystery. As a reader I felt distanced from her character, and I wish we'd seen more of her and of her partnership with Desiderius, because for the entire book it felt like they were just doing their own thing separately and while some of it is justified in the context of the story, it makes little sense to have a duo if they never do anything together.
I did struggle a bit with the length of the chapters but that's my own preference more than a critique. Meanwhile, as for the plot I felt like sometimes it was a bit too convoluted. For that reason, I liked that the final solution was given to us all in one go, wrapping up and explaining point for point what happened, but generally speaking, with blends of fantasy and mystery, I tend to prefer when the characters themselves are able to get to the solution instead of having it delivered to them by a third person, so I would have found it more satisfying if we had gotten to that point in a different way.
Overall, I had a great time with this, and even if it's not a flawless book it kept me engaged and interested the whole way through, and I found myself anticipating my time reading it which is always a good feeling!
I'm curious to see how the second book will wrap things up, and I'm hopeful that at least some of the things I was doubtful about will be handled better.
First, the good. This was so much fun. An interesting world that is presented through the lenses of an equally interesting main character whose cynicism provides a nice contrast to the deeply religious environment he moves in. For all his stubbornness, I enjoyed being in Desiderius' head.
Sister Svangerd, on the other hand, remains a mystery. As a reader I felt distanced from her character, and I wish we'd seen more of her and of her partnership with Desiderius, because for the entire book it felt like they were just doing their own thing separately and while some of it is justified in the context of the story, it makes little sense to have a duo if they never do anything together.
I did struggle a bit with the length of the chapters but that's my own preference more than a critique. Meanwhile, as for the plot I felt like sometimes it was a bit too convoluted. For that reason, I liked that the final solution was given to us all in one go, wrapping up and explaining point for point what happened, but generally speaking, with blends of fantasy and mystery, I tend to prefer when the characters themselves are able to get to the solution instead of having it delivered to them by a third person, so I would have found it more satisfying if we had gotten to that point in a different way.
Overall, I had a great time with this, and even if it's not a flawless book it kept me engaged and interested the whole way through, and I found myself anticipating my time reading it which is always a good feeling!
I'm curious to see how the second book will wrap things up, and I'm hopeful that at least some of the things I was doubtful about will be handled better.
November 24, 2025
Brother Desiderius and Sister Svangerd are off to the 15th Ecumenical Council on a mission to bring a permanent rest to a certain princess nun who is overseeing the council. But things do not go as scheduled. Desiderius manages to lay his hands on a certain box that contains explosive document that could cause a schism in the church. That would be bad enough, but a part of Desiderius's past comes visiting the Council causing havoc and destruction. And then there are the folks who jeep trying to manipulate Desiderius one way or another which he really dislikes and finds annoying. So in typical K. J. Parker fashion everything goes pear-shaped and ends up in a big mess which will be continued in the next volume! A fun dark comedy, but be warned, there is a bit of a cliff-hanger at the end.
Thanks Netgalley and Orbit for the chance to read this title!
Thanks Netgalley and Orbit for the chance to read this title!
February 20, 2026
Thank you to Orbit for sending me ARCs of this book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the summary of this story. It was one of those books that could have gone either way, and I’m pleased to announce that this was my favorite book of the month so far. I really enjoyed the unique and creative storyline, and there were a lot of great things about the book.
To start with, the plot. It’s compelling and complex, and at times it was confusing to read this as an audiobook. Instead, checking out the hard copy helped to clarify things for me. There is a lot of high-level discussion about religion and the politics of the church, and it can get a little bogged down and hard to follow at times when really delving into these ideas. Although the pace was a bit uneven, I really enjoyed the way the story was told and all the twists and turns.
The main character is Brother Desiderius, an atheist monk who works at creating illuminated manuscripts. It’s set in a world adjacent to our own Dark Ages, and the church of the Invincible Sun is strongly reminiscent of the Catholic Church at the time, where society is centered around the church. I was surprised that he was the POV character, since the book title specifically mentions Sister Svangerd. However, Svangerd and Desiderius work as a team—he’s the brawn, while Svangerd is practically feral when she’s fighting. While readers are given no shortage of insight into Desiderius’s thoughts and emotions, the character of Sister Svangerd felt a little bit underdeveloped in comparison. Readers don’t get to learn nearly as much about Svangerd, and I found myself wanting to know her better. The two of them have such a great dynamic, and I’m hoping that her character is more rounded out in the next book.
Parker has a fantastic ability to build a fantasy world that is close enough to our own past to recognize, but has some important differences that make it unique and creative. There’s a great sense of dry British humor that runs through the story and it had me chuckling many times during my read. But there’s also a big chunk of the story that focuses on church politics and theological discussions, and it kept me intrigued throughout the read. I especially loved the continuity in the book, such as changing the idea of Newton’s laws and Occam’s razor to alternate names that fit in with the world. Additionally, part of the plot line involved zombie-type creatures known as Walkers, but even how that was introduced felt altogether realistic. Oliver Hembrough does a fantastic job of narrating and brought this story to vivid life.
However, I didn’t love the way that Sister Svangerd’s past was handled. Prior sex trafficking of a minor wasn’t handled very sensitively, and it also has consequences for Svangerd that don’t feel fair, although to be fair, this is all viewed through the narrow and controlling lens of the church.
Overall, this was a compelling and engrossing read with plenty of snide humor that kept me chuckling. I enjoyed both the audiobook and the print copy, switching between the two depending on what I was doing. Also depending on whether I had hands free or not, such as when driving or cooking. I couldn’t put this book down, and found myself quickly lost in the convoluted world of church politics and a society controlled by the church. It’s a witty and sarcastic look at the church and how it impacts those around it, and not always to positive ends. But I found myself so caught up in the story that I was thrilled to learn that this is only the first book in the trilogy, so I’ve got high hopes for the next two books.
Bottom line: Engrossing and uniquely creative story with wit and humor, but doesn’t handle the idea of sex trafficking in a sensitive way.
I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the summary of this story. It was one of those books that could have gone either way, and I’m pleased to announce that this was my favorite book of the month so far. I really enjoyed the unique and creative storyline, and there were a lot of great things about the book.
To start with, the plot. It’s compelling and complex, and at times it was confusing to read this as an audiobook. Instead, checking out the hard copy helped to clarify things for me. There is a lot of high-level discussion about religion and the politics of the church, and it can get a little bogged down and hard to follow at times when really delving into these ideas. Although the pace was a bit uneven, I really enjoyed the way the story was told and all the twists and turns.
The main character is Brother Desiderius, an atheist monk who works at creating illuminated manuscripts. It’s set in a world adjacent to our own Dark Ages, and the church of the Invincible Sun is strongly reminiscent of the Catholic Church at the time, where society is centered around the church. I was surprised that he was the POV character, since the book title specifically mentions Sister Svangerd. However, Svangerd and Desiderius work as a team—he’s the brawn, while Svangerd is practically feral when she’s fighting. While readers are given no shortage of insight into Desiderius’s thoughts and emotions, the character of Sister Svangerd felt a little bit underdeveloped in comparison. Readers don’t get to learn nearly as much about Svangerd, and I found myself wanting to know her better. The two of them have such a great dynamic, and I’m hoping that her character is more rounded out in the next book.
Parker has a fantastic ability to build a fantasy world that is close enough to our own past to recognize, but has some important differences that make it unique and creative. There’s a great sense of dry British humor that runs through the story and it had me chuckling many times during my read. But there’s also a big chunk of the story that focuses on church politics and theological discussions, and it kept me intrigued throughout the read. I especially loved the continuity in the book, such as changing the idea of Newton’s laws and Occam’s razor to alternate names that fit in with the world. Additionally, part of the plot line involved zombie-type creatures known as Walkers, but even how that was introduced felt altogether realistic. Oliver Hembrough does a fantastic job of narrating and brought this story to vivid life.
However, I didn’t love the way that Sister Svangerd’s past was handled. Prior sex trafficking of a minor wasn’t handled very sensitively, and it also has consequences for Svangerd that don’t feel fair, although to be fair, this is all viewed through the narrow and controlling lens of the church.
Overall, this was a compelling and engrossing read with plenty of snide humor that kept me chuckling. I enjoyed both the audiobook and the print copy, switching between the two depending on what I was doing. Also depending on whether I had hands free or not, such as when driving or cooking. I couldn’t put this book down, and found myself quickly lost in the convoluted world of church politics and a society controlled by the church. It’s a witty and sarcastic look at the church and how it impacts those around it, and not always to positive ends. But I found myself so caught up in the story that I was thrilled to learn that this is only the first book in the trilogy, so I’ve got high hopes for the next two books.
Bottom line: Engrossing and uniquely creative story with wit and humor, but doesn’t handle the idea of sex trafficking in a sensitive way.
January 31, 2026
Another sneaky, deceptive and self-effacing character from K.J. Parker. As with the Saevus Corax books, he is teamed with an extremely capable woman who can't stand him. It's Parker's version of a rom-com, with lots more killing and scheming involved.
This is the first of a two-part series, although the plot wraps up pretty well by the end; no cliffhanger to drive readers crazy.
The monk and the nun (oh, I didn't mention that, did I?) are sent to kill a princess at a religious convocation, but someone (actually, some thing) kills her first, along with others. How do you deal with 8 foot tall undead zombies with superhuman strength who keep coming back? Well, there's a method from the old country that might work...
If you read K.J. Parker you will enjoy this. There's lots of inside jokes about the ancient character Saloninus and his many written works which parallel Plato, Newton, Shakespeare, and even Arthur C. Clarke. There is actually quite a bit of discussion about the nature of religious faith and belief in this one, which makes it chewier than some of his other recent work.
Tom Holt (the author's real name) is on a role with this pseudonym and is cranking them out, to the delight of fans of his snarky, sneaky, capable characters with an interesting moral sense.
(See the interview with Holt in the January 2026 issue of Locus Magazine to read his discussion about the creation of the Parker pseudonym and the stories he's created with it.)
This is the first of a two-part series, although the plot wraps up pretty well by the end; no cliffhanger to drive readers crazy.
The monk and the nun (oh, I didn't mention that, did I?) are sent to kill a princess at a religious convocation, but someone (actually, some thing) kills her first, along with others. How do you deal with 8 foot tall undead zombies with superhuman strength who keep coming back? Well, there's a method from the old country that might work...
If you read K.J. Parker you will enjoy this. There's lots of inside jokes about the ancient character Saloninus and his many written works which parallel Plato, Newton, Shakespeare, and even Arthur C. Clarke. There is actually quite a bit of discussion about the nature of religious faith and belief in this one, which makes it chewier than some of his other recent work.
Tom Holt (the author's real name) is on a role with this pseudonym and is cranking them out, to the delight of fans of his snarky, sneaky, capable characters with an interesting moral sense.
(See the interview with Holt in the January 2026 issue of Locus Magazine to read his discussion about the creation of the Parker pseudonym and the stories he's created with it.)
January 27, 2026
In many ways, I felt like I was reading a book written by Monty Python. This is the first KJ Parker book I have read, and it will not be the last. I loved the sarcasm, satire, and general absurdity of it all. Who knew a monk and a nun could get up to that much trouble trying to commit a simple murder? Oh, and did I mention there are zombies? As I sit here reflecting back on the novel, I am still chuckling at the absurdity of it all. This book is not serious; if you go in expecting a serious fantasy, abandon all thought of that. This is a jaunt in a foreign land with an ecumenical council, where is the highlight of the day is the debate over some obscure religious point. Heady stuff. Which only adds to the absurdity of it all. I'm using that word a lot, but I truly felt like I was in a Monty Python sketch. John Cleese would have made a great monk.
The plot appears simple. Desiderius (the monk) and Svangerd (the nun) are being sent to the Ecumenical Council not to learn but to murder a princess. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, if it can go wrong, it does. I found the idea that the monk is an atheist and he spends a majority of his time defending his atheism to himself in the face of the faith of many of those around him entertaining. In many ways, you can understand why he is the way he is, and Sister Svangerd is the way she is (aside from that one part of being an assassin). I did find the story lagged at times, as the monk, being self-centered, tended to pontificate a bit, which slowed the story's progress. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the second book.
The plot appears simple. Desiderius (the monk) and Svangerd (the nun) are being sent to the Ecumenical Council not to learn but to murder a princess. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, if it can go wrong, it does. I found the idea that the monk is an atheist and he spends a majority of his time defending his atheism to himself in the face of the faith of many of those around him entertaining. In many ways, you can understand why he is the way he is, and Sister Svangerd is the way she is (aside from that one part of being an assassin). I did find the story lagged at times, as the monk, being self-centered, tended to pontificate a bit, which slowed the story's progress. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the second book.
February 2, 2026
This was the fun beginning of a new K.J. Parker series (maybe trilogy) about a monk who has a penchant for forgery teaming up with a nun who is good at "guzzling" those who need to be removed, and they end up in an adventure going to a conclave where they are supposed to murder a princess-nun only someone else beats them to it. The usual clever twists. I rushed through it little since I had a short loan from the library. Definitely a lot of fun, also Parker's take on zombies was pretty interesting.
Want to read
March 17, 2026First volume of a new trilogy. Here's Gary K. Wolfe's take:
https://locusmag.com/review/sister-sv...
He likes it: "It reminds me again how much of Parker’s appeal derives from the hilariously sardonic, sometimes self-effacing, and unapologetically contemporary voice of his morally dubious and endlessly put-upon narrators. Often, that voice keeps us engaged even as other characteristics of Parker’s fiction can seem challenging..."
I'm a fan, so I'll be checking this one out. Published at the end of Jan 2026.
https://locusmag.com/review/sister-sv...
He likes it: "It reminds me again how much of Parker’s appeal derives from the hilariously sardonic, sometimes self-effacing, and unapologetically contemporary voice of his morally dubious and endlessly put-upon narrators. Often, that voice keeps us engaged even as other characteristics of Parker’s fiction can seem challenging..."
I'm a fan, so I'll be checking this one out. Published at the end of Jan 2026.
March 17, 2026
Das Buch befasst sich mit der Kirche von Parkers Welt, und das Buch enthällt einige untyptische Elemente für einen Parker Roman: übernatürliches. Die Wiedergänger aus der Mesonge, das Long Game usw.
Die story selber: solide, und ich kenne keinen Fantasyautor der so gut und so unterhaltsam über die Pergamentherstellung im Laufe der Jahrhunderte, Antike Schriftarten, Tintenherstellung und deren Fälschung reden kann.
Jedoch: Das Buch hatte für mich zu wenig neues zu bieten, obschon Bruder Demiterius und Schwester Svangerd ein schönes Paar sind.
Die story selber: solide, und ich kenne keinen Fantasyautor der so gut und so unterhaltsam über die Pergamentherstellung im Laufe der Jahrhunderte, Antike Schriftarten, Tintenherstellung und deren Fälschung reden kann.
Jedoch: Das Buch hatte für mich zu wenig neues zu bieten, obschon Bruder Demiterius und Schwester Svangerd ein schönes Paar sind.
February 27, 2026
He has done it again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead
Rating: 3.25
My first foray into the writing of K. J. Parker, and I very much enjoyed it although it took me a moment to get into the rhythm of the book and the writing style.
Funny and irreverant, it follows Sister Svangerd and her partner Brother Desiderius as they are sent out to do the dirty work for the church in their own distinct fashion.
This tale gives space for ruminations of faith, philosphy and morality whilst also making the reader chuckle and want to be able to commit excellent forgeries.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
Rating: 3.25
My first foray into the writing of K. J. Parker, and I very much enjoyed it although it took me a moment to get into the rhythm of the book and the writing style.
Funny and irreverant, it follows Sister Svangerd and her partner Brother Desiderius as they are sent out to do the dirty work for the church in their own distinct fashion.
This tale gives space for ruminations of faith, philosphy and morality whilst also making the reader chuckle and want to be able to commit excellent forgeries.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
December 23, 2025
Review: Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead by K.J.Parker
Reading Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, I expected a dark, strange tale—and it delivered, but in a subtler, more contemplative way than I anticipated. This Parker fantasy weaves humour with depth, exploring themes of faith, duty, and the uneasy limbo between life and death.
What truly makes this story stand out is Sister Svangerd herself. Sharp, weary, stubborn, yet unexpectedly compassionate, she feels like someone who’s been in her line of work far too long. Her voice is wry yet not smug, serious yet not joyless but it kept me hooked, even during the quieter moments when little seemed to happen.
However, the pacing falters at times. Especially in the middle, it slows considerably, circling the same thoughts and questions without much progress. I found myself wishing the story would pick up the pace or that the stakes would escalate earlier.
The atmospheric, understated worldbuilding largely works for me. The setting and rituals are grounded and haunting without long exposés. On the flip side, some rules surrounding the “not quite dead” remain vague. While the ambiguity adds to the story’s mystique, i was occasionally pulled me out of the story, longing for clearer explanations.
Where the book truly excels is in its exploration of moral uncertainty. It’s less about defeating evil and more about grappling with doubt and choosing mercy—even when rules suggest otherwise. It’s a refreshing take, that refuses easy answers.
Overall, I recommend Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead to fans of character-driven fantasy with gothic undertones who don’t mind a slower, reflective pace. Though not perfect and requiring patience, Sister Svangerd’s compelling voice made the journey worthwhile. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Little Brown for an e-arc and an honest opinion.
Reading Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, I expected a dark, strange tale—and it delivered, but in a subtler, more contemplative way than I anticipated. This Parker fantasy weaves humour with depth, exploring themes of faith, duty, and the uneasy limbo between life and death.
What truly makes this story stand out is Sister Svangerd herself. Sharp, weary, stubborn, yet unexpectedly compassionate, she feels like someone who’s been in her line of work far too long. Her voice is wry yet not smug, serious yet not joyless but it kept me hooked, even during the quieter moments when little seemed to happen.
However, the pacing falters at times. Especially in the middle, it slows considerably, circling the same thoughts and questions without much progress. I found myself wishing the story would pick up the pace or that the stakes would escalate earlier.
The atmospheric, understated worldbuilding largely works for me. The setting and rituals are grounded and haunting without long exposés. On the flip side, some rules surrounding the “not quite dead” remain vague. While the ambiguity adds to the story’s mystique, i was occasionally pulled me out of the story, longing for clearer explanations.
Where the book truly excels is in its exploration of moral uncertainty. It’s less about defeating evil and more about grappling with doubt and choosing mercy—even when rules suggest otherwise. It’s a refreshing take, that refuses easy answers.
Overall, I recommend Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead to fans of character-driven fantasy with gothic undertones who don’t mind a slower, reflective pace. Though not perfect and requiring patience, Sister Svangerd’s compelling voice made the journey worthwhile. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Little Brown for an e-arc and an honest opinion.
January 3, 2026
One of my favorite absurd niche genres is fantasy monastery and religious based intrigues, possibly involving secret operations, and goddamn does KJ Parker deliver here. We get a duo (a monk and a nun) engaged to run some light sabotage on an important enclave, and wouldn't you know, it only snowballs from there. Apparently this is also the first in a series, so I'm excited to see more of these. Comes out at the end of this month (Jan 2026)!
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