Fifth Ward: Friendly Fire by Dale Lucas

We first got to meet the unlikely but lovable pair of watch wardens Rem and Torval in Fifth Ward: The First Watch. Now we get to see their continued adventures in Fifth Ward: Friendly Fire. The action starts with a bang as Rem and Torval find themselves in the middle of apprehending a thief, first on foot and then fleeing in an out of control wagon. The action serves as a good reminder of the friendship and camaraderie that has developed between the human Rem and his dwarvish partner Torval.

The next day finds Rem escorting his girlfriend Indilen to the dwarvish quarter to buy supplies for her work as a scribe. A group of human agitators upset over losing a big contract to their dwarven competitors starts a riot that quickly turns violent. Shortly after, the worksite around a dwarven temple catches fire. Thus begins a cycle of violence and escalation that threatens to consume the whole city and pits human against dwarf. All that stands between the city of Yenara and complete chaos are the members of the watch, with Rem and Torval at the forefront. Will they be able to stop the violence? Or is the city about to tear itself apart?

Friendly Fire presents a stark contrast. There is the warm friendship between Rem and Torval and the love each bears for their families and each other. Not just the families they were born to but the families they have found. This contrasts with the ugly feelings among the human laborers who feel wronged by the dwarves who have underbid them on a contract. These ugly feelings also exist among the dwarves both towards the humans who attack them and Torval, who has been cast out for his past sins. This ugliness leads to a vilification of “otherness” that in turn leads to more hatred and violence. Unlike the first book in this series, the question is not who is behind the crime, but can the cycle of violence and destruction be stopped before it tears the city apart.

Dale Lucas has created some great characters and a well-lived-in cityscape that is a pleasure to spend time in. The camaraderie of the watch and the closeness in particular of Rem and Torval is a lot of fun. Friendly Fire is decidedly darker in tone than First Watch but leads to a conclusion that is hopeful instead of despairing. Yenara is a city packed with interesting history and characters and Lucas definitely has a great series on his hands. I can’t wait to see where Rem and Torval’s adventures take them next! Highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.

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