In "Fifth Quarter" by Tanya Huff, readers are immersed in a world where two siblings, Vree and Bannon, are skilled assassins faced with a challenging assignment that results in them sharing one body. As they navigate this unusual predicament and race against time to retrieve Bannon's body, they encounter a madman capable of animating the dead and a dark force threatening the Imperial family. The plot unfolds with elements of body snatching, necromancy, and complex relationships, all set in a richly developed world blending elemental and sung magic. Huff's writing style captivates readers with suspenseful storytelling, engaging dialogues, and multi-dimensional characters, creating a fresh and intriguing fantasy narrative.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and multidimensional, exploring complex relationships, including the strained dynamics between the siblings.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and engaging, characterized by suspenseful storytelling and realistic dialogue, making it an enjoyable read.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on sibling assassins, their intertwined fates after a body snatching incident, and their quest to reclaim their physical forms, all set against a backdrop of magical elements and political intrigue.

Setting:

The setting is a richly constructed magical empire filled with political intrigue, elemental spirits, and a unique bardic tradition.

Pacing:

The pacing is mostly fast-paced and engaging, particularly in later sections, although it includes slower moments for character development.

There were guards on duty at the entrance to the marshal’s tent but they’d expected that and were accustomed to using less obvious entrances. Problem was, there were guards on duty at the sides and re...

Notes:

The main characters, Vree and Bannon, are assassins in the Sixth Army.

Bannon's soul gets trapped in Vree's body after their target steals his body.

The story explores the challenges of two consciousnesses sharing one body.

It combines elements of body snatching, sibling dynamics, and necromancy.

The magical system includes elemental magic and sung magic, but is not the focus of the story.

The writing is easy to read and well-paced, keeping readers engaged.

The characters are multi-dimensional, with even the antagonists being relatable.

The book features casual bisexuality, which is still relatively rare in fiction.

There are some uncomfortable themes around incest, creating moral dilemmas for the characters.

The story takes place in the Havakeen Empire, part of a larger fantasy world.

Readers can enjoy this book as a standalone, despite it being the second in the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Fifth Quarter include themes of incest, body snatching, and potential violence, presenting a medium level of sensitivity.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in Fifth Quarter, highlighted by the sibling dynamics and attraction amidst the main characters.

From The Publisher:

Trained to kill from childhood, siblings Bannon and Vree have only known life as assassins in the Imperial Army. The army is both their mother and father, their lives subject to the whims of the Crown.

When their latest target steals Bannon's body for his own, Vree saves her brother by dragging his spirit in to share hers. But two assassins in one body is one assassin too many. To save both their lives, they must abandon the only life they’ve known, risking Imperial ire and possible execution, to regain Bannon’s body.

It isn't until after they capture Gyhard, the body thief, that they realize they can't force him to do anything while he holds Bannon's body hostage. But Gyhard is willing to trade Bannon's body for their assistance.

All they have to do – while being hunted for desertion and dealing with an unknown power able to Sing the dead out of the grave – is betray the oaths they've lived by and help Gyhard secure the body of an Imperial Prince.

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Fifth Quarter?

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Fifth Quarter

Tanya Huff

Book 2 in the series:Quarters