Saevus Corax Deals With the Dead

By: K. J. Parker

Narrated by: Ben Onwukwe

From one of the most original voices in fantasy comes a twisted tale of murder, betrayal, and battlefield salvage.

There’s no formal training for battlefield salvage. You just have to pick things up as you go along. Swords, armour, arrows – and the bodies, of course.

Over the years, Saevus Corax has picked up a lot of things. Some of them have made him decent money, others have brought nothing but trouble. But it’s a living, and somebody has to deal with the dead.

Something else that Saevus has buried is his past. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite succeed.
For more from K. J. Parker, check out: Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled CityHow to Rule an Empire and Get Away With It
A Practical Guide to Conquering the World
The Two of SwordsThe Two of Swords: Volume OneThe Two of Swords Volume TwoThe Two of Swords: Volume Three The Fencer TrilogyColours in the SteelThe Belly of the BowThe Proof House The Scavenger TrilogyShadowPatternMemory Engineer TrilogyDevices and DesiresEvil for EvilThe Escapement The CompanyThe Folding KnifeThe HammerSharps

Critic reviews

"Full of invention and ingenuity . . . Great fun."—SFX on Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

"Parker's acerbic wit and knowledge of human nature are a delight to read as he explores the way conflict is guided, in equal measure, by the brilliance and unerring foolishness of humanity . . . . Thoroughly engaging."—RT Books Reviews on The Two of Swords: Volume One

"This is another splendid offering from K.J. Parker, the (pseudonymous) British fantasist who seems incapable of writing in anything but top form."—Locus on Sharps

"Well-crafted, powerful and downright unmissable"—SFX on The Company

"Brilliant."—Locus on The Engineer Trilogy

"Skillful plotting and rich scene-setting."—Guardian on The Company

"A richly textured and emotionally complex fantasy...Highly recommended."—Library Journal on The Engineer Trilogy (starred review)

"Astonishingly good."—RT Book Reviews on Sharps

"Parker's skillful control of pacing, expert rendering of characters, and subtle sense of humor add depth and believability."—Library Journal on Sharps

I love Tom Holt writing his KJ Parker absolutely wonderful

The narrator is perfect! story is wonderful and funny and kind of gross sometimes. Parker's writing is not for someone who is squeamish or has a problem with f-bombs. but if you love a really good story really well told you will love this trilogy! I wish I could find more of his books. I started with 16 ways to defend a walled City from the library as a way to sample the author. I liked the preview, loved the author and started looking for more. I came across this series, part of the Library part on Audible, and listen to it straight through. he's written so many books I wish I could find most of them. here's crossed fingers that they'll start producing more please audible please!

Starts slow, good. Tough to hear

Not the author is best. 16 ways to defend the world city was a little better written and more laugh out loud hilarious moments.
I will say that is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read though so that still leaves this one is quite funny.
The first hour is rambling and not particularly captivating, but then the story really gets going.
My main beef is the reader is doing like a theatrical deep voice. I’m sure the reader has a deep voice, but it’s obviously being played up and it’s just too much. Between that and a British accent if you are listening on a phone, the base doesn’t really come through as well and it’s very hard to understand. If it were just a little less theatrical or just a little less base, it might have been dramatic and pleasant, but it was too much.

Feel Good Grimdark with No Magic

A good book if you want a feel good grimdark fantasy with gallows humor and no magic. Wish the world was fleshed out more.

I was left feeling that the world was sort of post Roman medieval and since there is no magic it feels almost like historical fiction, but without the details that let you place the period.

K. J. Parker does not disappoint!

This story is fun and strange and sad and epic. The reader is phenomenal and really makes this book a delight to hear. I do not write reviews; I had to share my experience. Don't let this one pass you by!

Adjacent to Abercrombie, more grounded, and better

The headlines sums it up. This is a gritty but very, very, very well realized world. Coming from his other books (Sixteen ways), its the same universe but a different time. The narrator really grew on me over time. I think the first chapter he's trying to be a bit too gruff, but he grows into it (or I got used to it).

Anyways, if you like low fantasy like Joe Abercombie or Glen Cook - you'll fit right in here. It's also rather clever. Just a great all around trilogy.