Necessary evil - Rambling Readers

English language

Published Nov. 24, 2013 by Orbit.

ISBN:: 978-0-356-50171-0
OCLC Number:: 821695223

(1 review)

The history of the Twentieth Century has been shaped by a secret conflict between technology and magic. When a twisted Nazi scientist devised a way to imbue ordinary humans with supernatural abilities - to walk through walls, throw fire and see the future - his work became the prized possession of first the Third Reich, then the Soviet Army. Only Britain's warlocks, and the dark magics they yield, have successfully countered the threat posed by these superhuman armies. But for decades, this conflict has been manipulated by Gretel, the mad seer. And now her long plan has come to fruition. And with it, a danger vastly greater than anything the world has known. Now British Intelligence officer Raybould Marsh must make a last-ditch effort to change the course of history - if his nation, and those he loves, are to survive.

2 editions

Sean Randall reviewed Necessary evil by Ian Tregillis (The Milkweed triptych -- volume 3)

Review of 'Necessary evil' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Alternative ways of ending the Second World War are, of course, a literary staple. But This series has been so expressly brilliant at adding nuanced, layered complexity to the situation that really, it doesn't fall into that mould at all.

Marsh's pain fairly powers out of the pages of this book. Hugely, overwhelmingly poignant in the early chapters, it does ebb more toward a lesser, melancholic sort of sufferance toward the middle of the book as the necessary evils take root. Not to say it doesn't come back and slap you in the face thereafter... It's a massively satisfying ending to this intriguing series. One day, I shall read the set through as a single work, to better enjoy the milieu once again. if you've been following the warlocks, you won't want to miss this one. If you haven't, make a start with [b:The Coldest War|10387413|The Coldest War (The Milkweed …

Alternative ways of ending the Second World War are, of course, a literary staple. But This series has been so expressly brilliant at adding nuanced, layered complexity to the situation that really, it doesn't fall into that mould at all.

Marsh's pain fairly powers out of the pages of this book. Hugely, overwhelmingly poignant in the early chapters, it does ebb more toward a lesser, melancholic sort of sufferance toward the middle of the book as the necessary evils take root. Not to say it doesn't come back and slap you in the face thereafter... It's a massively satisfying ending to this intriguing series. One day, I shall read the set through as a single work, to better enjoy the milieu once again. if you've been following the warlocks, you won't want to miss this one. If you haven't, make a start with [b:The Coldest War|10387413|The Coldest War (The Milkweed Triptych, #2)|Ian Tregillis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1314807980s/10387413.jpg|15291124]

Subjects

Raybould Marsh (Fictitious character)
Fiction