Unapologetically brutal, batshit crazy violence packed into insane action sequences, The Palace of Sinners and Saints goes hard from page one and doesn’t stop until the pile of dead bodies is sky high. Ammar Merchant has crafted a viciously entertaining thriller with a protagonist who’s a bull in a China shop with only one goal – total destruction of anything in his path.
Irfan Mirza has been trained as a killer since he was a child. Now a freelance mercenary, he’s travelled to a wealthy Middle Eastern kingdom on a personal mission – find and liberate someone close to him whose been taken captive by an autocratic King who silences his critics without mercy. Along with a small team, Mirza sets off on a suicidal rescue mission to infiltrate a heavily fortified medieval fortress in the middle of the desert, rescue his target and get the hell out of there with his life. And if he maims and kills a large number of enemy combatants along the way, even better.
There’s nothing subtle about this story or Irfan Mirza. It’s in your face, smash mouth, direct action. No tricks or gimmicks. The author lays bare exactly what needs to happen and what Mirza is capable of, then then proceeds in a straight line of aggression and ruthlessness towards an outcome that will result in the annihilation of one side or the other. No compromise, no negotiation, no partial victory. Either Mirza succeeds or he dies. And he’s ok with that given he has no fear of death. Which partially stems from his incredible physical gifts and impressive skillset but also comes from his experience and his faith.
It’s incredible to watch Mirza work. Fist fights, motorcycle chases, knife work, gun battles, explosions and more fill the pages of The Palace of Sinners and Saints. And while it delivers exciting, pulse-pounding action from start to finish, it also simmers with emotional depth, humorous moments, and undercurrents of romance that need further exploration. Which will be exciting to watch develop if/when this turns into a series. And it should. Because Mirza is a great character, and Ammar Merchant can really craft a story. Whatever comes next will be an automatic must read.
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