Funeral Games

Funeral Games is a unique, fantastical romp through a medieval world. Syphax is a prince, but an unimportant one, being the younger son of one of his father's many wives. He doesn't excel in much of anything, other than reading and daydreams of greatness (reminds me of myself in some ways... I jest... but really). Syphax is a member of the nobility who are called the Undying because, when they shuffle off this mortal coil, they rise again as tangible ghosts called ancestors. These ancestors help govern the living and form another spooky faction in the sprawling complex of the capital city that is Ingerval Palace. The walls of the palace are filled with dead and living nobility who are divided into many different houses with a tangled history of treaties and backstabbing, all with the goal of more power for the members of their clan. The future looks, if not bright, then at least rosy, for our hero, Syphax, until, at one very memorable funeral celebration, something completely unexpected happens. And then, all hell breaks loose inside and outside the walls of Ingerval.

There is some rough language in this, some tense moments, and a small, if not too graphic, torture scene, so I'd suggest a reading audience of 14/15+ depending on the maturity level of the reader. I'd recommend Funeral Games for not-too-serious fantasy fans as it lacks the complexity of, say, the Malazan books, but for some folks (myself included), that may be considered a plus.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Free stuff doesn't color my opinion, honest.

Wow. Well here's four stars of pure world-building pr0n. It's truly on a level with some of the world's gothy greats. Yeah, I'll say it: Gaiman-esque.

On the other hand, the pacing was erratic—distractingly so—and some of the characters seemed a bit half-baked. I also couldn't get my head around most of the end of the book. <spoiler> Why on Earth did Syphall-er, uh-Syphax invite Ives into his head for an extended romp around the Far East? (And really? Really? This world has a coincidentally dark-skinned, yoga-doing people? What are the odds.) With all the hints about the deeply depressed nature of Ingerval, why didn't we learn more about what made it that way? And no exploration into why nobles come back as ghosts? </spoiler>

If you’re looking for a fresh take on the fantasy genre, then I would definitely recommend you give Funeral Games a go. I’m sure that elements of this concept has been done before, but Heintze’s writing makes it feel very fresh. This is in part due to the fascinating world he builds, and partly down to the character of Syphax.

First, the world. Ingerval is both a common and uncommon fantasy realm. There have been worlds in which Kings have multiple wives, political intrigue, warring factions etc before – however the introduction of some of the players being dead really adds a new layer to the old tropes. There is a great deal of very serious, gruesome, sad stuff but there is also a touch of gallows humour running throughout, adding brevity where it is sorely needed with a light and talented touch.

Syphax is perfect for this slightly ironic land – he isn’t a fighter or particularly suave with the ladies, he isn’t ridiculously handsome or impossibly strong. He likes books, is a bit socially awkward and happens to be just the hero that Ingerval needs. His interactions with those around him elevate the plot (which is standard conspiracy / mystery fare) and be warned – the maudlin humour of Heintze means that you might not get all the neatly tied loose ends you’re hoping for.

Overall a great, fast, fun read that definitely achieves finding something new in the fantasy genre – a feat within itself.