Confidence Game [Mass Market Paperback]

Michelle M. Welch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2003

SHE DIDN’T BREAK THE RULES.
THEY BROKE HER.

Beneath its peaceful exterior, Dabion is a land of violence and intrigue, its politics run by judges, schemers, and spies. Elzith Kar is one such spy, gifted with an uncanny skill derived from rigorous training—and an unusual magic inherited from parents she never knew. Dabion may have use for her talent, but its rulers fear the magic that tempts it, so Elzith has hidden her history and true power, becoming a master player in a game she despises.

But now, as she heals in the aftermath of a dangerous mission, Elzith finds herself temporarily forced into life as a civilian. It is here she finds Tod Redtanner, a humble man with secrets of his own, and feels compelled to tell him her story. But as Elzith’s history unfolds and the present begins to unravel, it soon becomes clear that the past haunts more than just her dreams. And that if Elzith is to survive, she has no choice but to return to the world of intrigue and corruption that was once her domain. And this time she must play to win.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

SHE DIDN?T BREAK THE RULES.
THEY BROKE HER.

Beneath its peaceful exterior, Dabion is a land of violence and intrigue, its politics run by judges, schemers, and spies. Elzith Kar is one such spy, gifted with an uncanny skill derived from rigorous training?and an unusual magic inherited from parents she never knew. Dabion may have use for her talent, but its rulers fear the magic that tempts it, so Elzith has hidden her history and true power, becoming a master player in a game she despises.

But now, as she heals in the aftermath of a dangerous mission, Elzith finds herself temporarily forced into life as a civilian. It is here she finds Tod Redtanner, a humble man with secrets of his own, and feels compelled to tell him her story. But as Elzith?s history unfolds and the present begins to unravel, it soon becomes clear that the past haunts more than just her dreams. And that if Elzith is to survive, she has no choice but to return to the world of intrigue and corruption that was once her domain. And this time she must play to win.

About the Author

Michelle M. Welch is a fan of literature, music, libraries, Irish fiddling, history, Renaissance costumes, and dessert. She lives in Arizona with her cat and a room full of musical instruments.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Spectra (September 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553586270
• ISBN-13: 978-0553586275
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1.5 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,363,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic tortured spy novel set in a fantasy world, November 27, 2003

By 

Adam Missner (Roswell, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confidence Game (Mass Market Paperback)

This fantasy novel takes the somewhat cliche story of the tortured spy and sets it in another land, where judges are the rulers and their reasons for their schemes are difficult to ascertain. Elzith, the best spy in the ruling judge's secret army was found as a baby by thieves in a trash pile. Her life pretty much goes downhill from there (figuratively). Elzith is tortured by those she has killed, tortured by the abuse to her own body and somewhat tortured by her magical abilities that make her what she is. Tod Redtanner, is also tortured, but by failure and fear. When Elzith rents the room in his apartment, he falls in love with her and does everything he can to help her. While this may sound somewhat trite, it is difficult to convey the interesting world where Welch sets this tale. As Elzith recounts her story to Tod, one can't help but notice the parallels with all society (corruption of its leaders, their opaque goals). I had never heard of this book and picked it up on a whim, I am glad I did and look forward to the sequel due out in August '04.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting it right., July 13, 2004

By 

"lejon35" (Anthem, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confidence Game (Mass Market Paperback)

I looked at the reviews on this book after checking out info on when Ms Welch's new book is coming out. I find baseless accusations in the reviews currently on the page. Flat characters-convoluted plot-it's not Kushiel's series. First, if you can't get past the fact that 1. Cover artists rarely read the book, and can do covers for more than just one author, and 2. Michelle M. Welch is not Jacqueline Carey, you may be in for a disappointment. As for Flat characters-I don't see how a recovering alcoholic, who's taking it one day at a time is flat, perhaps a little boring, yes, but not flat. A spy, who was thrown in a dumpster as an infant, forced to grow up in a shadowy underworld and who is thus, left cold and logical with few emotions, are flat characters. Maybe I'm just too thick, but I'm seeing depth. Convoluted? The story is well developed, it's set in the middle of a world with a deeper history than you get to see in a single story-Perhaps this is too much for an average reader to grasp. Wait, I'm an average reader, so it can't be that. Choppy. Yes, you win. It's a little uncomfortable to read, but I believe this is by design. You aren't supposed to be comfortable reading this. You're supposed to see hopelessness, and possibly a little gleam at the end, where the future is unclear. I look forward to the second book "The Bright and the Dark", which Amazon claims is coming out soon.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable first novel..., October 4, 2003

By 

G. Mackenzie "gmackenz" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confidence Game (Mass Market Paperback)

The author has created an interesting world (is it total fantasy or a far-future dystopia on some forgotten colony planet?) and two very engaging lead characters who are both emotionally/physically scarred by their past. A chance encounter that may not be so coincidental as it first appears bring a maybe ex-spy Elzith Kar, who is slowly recovering from wounds both physical and emotional from her recent missions, and bookbinder Tod Redtanner, a lonely recluse who hides deep-buried secrets of his own. As they slowly begin to interact, growing ever more closer, the world around them is threatening to destroy itself as events whirl out of control as forces of government, religion and magic clash with increasing levels of violence and destruction.

I enjoyed the romance aspects most of all. I felt a bit lost some of the time when Elzith was revealing her past with a series of stories (told to Tod a various points in the novel) which explain her present apparent cold emotionless state and cynicism towards her trade and her masters, the despotic Judiciary bent on stamping out any potential threats to their rule of the five countries. It was hard to seperate what occuring presently with her and what was a tale of being recounted (seemed awkwardly structured to me anyways). Looking forward to the sequel coming in 2004, hopefully Elzith and Tod will appear in that as well (doesn't seem likely), set about a decade after the events of the "Confidence Game".