Quillifer the Knight - by Walter Jon Williams (Paperback)

About the Book

Quillifer returns to court after two years away. The small castle and domain that came with his knighthood required much re-organization and further scheming ensues as Quillifer is acknowledged unofficially as Princess Floria's lover, and those who once despised him now court his favor. Of course Queen Berlauda will attempt to reconquer the country, with her husband's armies. At the very least, there will be a long, long war. But Quillifer has made his mark.--

Book Synopsis

"Williams knows exactly what to do with Quillifer, and it's hugely entertaining." --Locus

"Walter Jon Williams is always fun, but this may be his best yet, a delight from start to finish, witty, colorful, exciting and amusing by turns, exquisitely written." --George R. R. Martin

"Chock full of derring-do, blood and thunder, swashbuckling, and other good stuff evocative of Rafael Sabatini, Sir Walter Scott, and the penny-bloods." --Paul Di Filippo, author of The Big Get-Even

Quillifer--now a member of the nobility--finds himself further immersed in court politics as the outcast princess Floria is suddenly in a position of power with a rebellion stoked by a certain brilliant tactician, in this thrilling sequel to Quillifer.

Rogue. Joker. Lover. Reluctant conspirator.

The ambitious young Quillifer was been knighted for services to the crown, but was then banished from court by a queen who finds him obnoxious. Now, after a two-year voyage to improve his fortunes, Quillifer returns to court and is plunged immediately into a maelstrom of intrigue that triggers duels, plots, amours, and rollicking adventure. Bounding back and forth from the high councils of state to the warm bed of his mistress, Quillifer must exert every ounce of seductive charm and low cunning in order to survive.

Queen Berlauda's foreign husband brings war in his wake, along with a clutch of officials who enforce the royal will with violence, torture, and judicial murder. A dragon menaces the realm, and political conspiracy threatens the life of Quillifer's young patroness, Princess Floria. It's the traditional job of a knight to fight dragons and rescue princesses, but Quillifer is hardly a traditional knight, and he brings to the job an array of unorthodox skills that dazzles his swarm of rivals, seduces their wives, and threatens the realm.

But there's a greater menace to Quillifer than deadly political intrigue, for once again he finds himself hunted by the cruel, beautiful, and vengeful goddess Orlanda.

Review Quotes

"Few entries in the genre are as equally well-imagined and cheeky as this..."-- "BarnesandNoble.com"

"Interstellar adventure has a nwe king, and his name is Walter Jon Williams."--GEORGE R.R. MARTIN, author of A Song of Ice and Fire, on Investments --GEORGE R.R. MARTIN, author of A Song of Ice and Fire, on Investments

"Thoroughly enjoyable..."-- "LOCUS"

"Williams excels at setting up conflicts and other entanglements, skillfully maneuvering Quillifer across the landscape and into increasingly engrossing situations."-- "Publishers Weekly"