The Devil You Know

K.J. Parker's specialty is faux-history fantasies set in a world which resembles Earth in the Age of Antiquity, and they all feature a clever but morally-ambiguous, unreliable narrator, a mystery, and one or more plot twists and surprise reveals.

This trilogy details the exploits of the philosopher-alchemist Saloninus, an inveterate liar, thief, and con-man. In this second installment, he feels his encroaching age, and worried that he will not live long enough to achieve his goals, offers a Faustian bargain to the Devil's representative in exchange for another 20 years of life and good health.

But because this is Saloninus, the Devil's delegate fears that there is a trick up the old philosopher's sleeve. And he's not wrong to worry: Saloninus always has a cunning plan, and in the past, he has always walked away the victor. But in the end, no one can cheat the Devil... can they?

Readers who enjoy twisty, turny stories where nothing is as it seems will likely find these novellas engaging.