The third book in Mister Lloyd’s Twilight Reign series continues in much the same way as the second – morbidly slow and with a lack of action that I found both puzzling and disturbing. It’s still so surreal to me that he took the gently gently approach when the first was so blisteringly packed with action and fun. Yet, where the second book made me wonder if I really wanted to read the third, the third left me thirsty for The Ragged Man, so at time of writing this review I am already a few chapters in.

The Grave Thief‘s plot is more convoluted and twisty than the second, and brings the series out of its standard fantasy realm of the first and steadily into the epic realm, despite still continuing with being on the lighter side of 500 pages which is small for an epic. I am honestly befuddled and unsure what I think of the series at this stage. I honestly can’t say it has bored me at all. Not once have I considered seriously putting it down and trying something else. I am absolutely riveted to it, though I just don’t know why because it seems like nothing’s really happening. I would almost be tempted to say I could have read the opening chapters and then skipped to the closing chapters and wouldn’t know how much I’ve missed out on. And yet, always with Mister Lloyd, there’s that special kind of something that’s like a tantalizing thread sliding around your brain. You can’t explain it. It’s just an elusive kind of addiction.

Some more characters get backgrounded, and it is intriguing to note that the evil Lord Styrax and his cronies get more booktime and in many ways you’re left wondering if he’s even slightly evil at all. He just seems another guy trying to make it big in a world of war. He doesn’t seem like such a bad guy at all. In fact, I kind of like the guy. He’s doing his best to bring the land under some kind of rule, rather than leave it all splintered and without any strong hand guiding it as it is. Seems he has some high notions of making a better world, and you just can’t argue against that. Sure, he uses demons to get his way, but he’s not exactly one of them. His character was a unique twist on the evil lord character – another of Lloyd’s remarkable achievements.

The final battle of the book is a forceful and well written scene. I’m in awe of Mister Lloyd’s ability with action, and wish he’d use them a bit more. There’s a great sense of chaos and desperation which goes with any battle, and you pretty much taste the blood, sweat and iron splashing you in the face with each meaty death.

I’m sitting here now with the fourth book in my mittens and I’m about ready to devour it. I’d like to see a bit more action (but I don’t think I will) and a bit more pace (which I don’t think I will), and the mystifying thing about Mister Lloyd’s series is that even if I don’t see anything happening again until the last chapter, I’d still not be able to say I’m disappointed because he’s really done a fantastic job of creating something which is so difficult to create in fantasy – something new and exciting.

And you can’t ask for anything more than that.

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