Fearing an uprising, the Sphinx sends Senlin to investigate a plot that has taken hold in the ringdom of Pelphia. Alone in the city, Senlin infiltrates a bloody arena where hods battle for the public’s entertainment. But his investigation is quickly derailed by a gruesome crime and an unexpected reunion.
Posing as a noble lady and her handmaid, Voleta and Iren attempt to reach Marya, who is isolated by her fame. While navigating the court, Voleta attracts the unwanted attention of a powerful prince whose pursuit of her threatens their plan.
Edith, now captain of the Sphinx’s fierce flagship, joins forces with a fellow wakeman to investigate the disappearance of a beloved friend. She must decide who to trust as her desperate search brings her nearer to the Black Trail where the hods climb in darkness and whisper of the Hod King.
As Senlin and his crew become further dragged in to the conspiracies of the Tower, everything falls to one question: Who is The Hod King?
The Hod King is the third novel in Josiah Bancroft’s absolutely superb Books of Babel series and with one book left to go, I’m eager to see how Bancroft brings the story to a close.
The Hod King picks up the story of Thomas Senlin and his companions in the immediate aftermath of the second novel where a few changes were made by the ever-mysterious Sphinx. Senlin is no longer their captain and is now working as a spy for the Sphinx, with Edith Winters taking charge of the remaining crew. In this novel, Senlin is finally able to gain access to Pelphia – the ringdom where his wife, Marya, is and who started the crazy journey that Senlin now finds himself on after they were separated at the beginning of book one. While under strict instructions not to contact Marya, it’s clear from the beginning that he will attempt to do so, and after everything he’s been through, who could blame him?
Senlin remains a great character, and one who continues to buck the trend for a fantasy hero. A former headmaster, he’s smart but not even slightly cut out for tasks requiring strength and muscle. That said, he seems much less out of his depth in this novel. I’ve loved seeing his character develop throughout the series and I think that the change from a fussy, prim, and pedantic know it all to the character we see here today has been done really well. He’s much happier to take things in his stride and to adapt to changing circumstances – handy, as he is once again taken out of his comfort zone in the mission the Sphinx has set for him.
As well as the sections focussing on Senlin, we also follow Edith, Voleta, and Iren through their own adventures. As much as I’ve come to like Senlin, I like that the narrative is no longer focussed solely upon him, and I’ve particularly enjoyed seeing these women come to the fore as main characters, developing from the secondary roles they started out in. Edith – now the captain of the Sphinx’s flagship with her own mission to undertake – remains a favourite character. I love her no-nonsense attitude and it’s wonderful to see her, as the emissary of the Sphinx, able to wield some power and to command the respect she deserves.
Voleta and Iren are also utterly delightful, although the two couldn’t be more different. I adore Voleta’s antics even as it ends in trouble for those around her more often than not – I love her inquisitiveness and her refusal to be bound by rules, most of which seem nonsensical to her. Voleta also gets a bigger role to play in this novel as she attempts to infiltrate Pelphian society, adding an element of light-heartedness to the narrative as she refuses to bow to their customs. Iren is Voleta’s stalwart companion throughout the novel, and I did feel sympathetic to her for trying to manage the ever-volatile Voleta. I’ve enjoyed seeing the development of her character, taking her beyond the brutish body-guard type figure that she starts out as to someone much more complex. I think that Bancroft handles his characters brilliantly – the reader comes to care about the secondary characters as well as the main protagonist, and everyone is fully fleshed out – there are no bit parts here.
The Hod King builds successfully on what has come before, answering some questions and revealing a little more as to where the final novel is headed without giving everything away. Bancroft successfully avoids using this book to simply set up the final instalment, and there’s plenty of action and adventure throughout the novel. I love this series, and highly recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy adventures.
The Books of Babel series, with links to my reviews, where available:
- Senlin Ascends
- Arm of the Sphinx
- The Hod King
- The Fall of Babel
Jo's Book Blog 
Fab review Jo, so glad you’re enjoying the series! x
Thank you, Nicki! And I really am – I’m a little sad that there’s only one more to go! x