Review - Trader Argyle (Definitely Human) by Angel Martinez
Trader Argyle (Definitely Human)
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Volume 3 of Merseton
Posted in Book Reviews on February 22, 2026
Argyle is a trader. He travels from town to town, buying wares he thinks he can sell or that someone has asked for, as well as selling the things he has brought with him. It’s usually a leisurely occupation, but now Argyle is in a hurry to reach Mereston. The trader met some soldiers in another town who were looking for the village, bent on killing all the “monsters” living there. The magical townsfolk are more than capable of defending themselves, especially once they’ve been warned, but they don’t want to kill anyone. That would make them monsters. They manage to easily scare the soldiers off, but one of them gets hurt and left behind with his brother. Fen didn’t want to join the army, but when his younger brother Cor was conscripted, Fen volunteered so he could watch over his mute brother. Fen expects the townspeople to kill him, but instead they tend to his brother and take both of them in.
This latest Mereston tale follows two newcomers to the village, although Argyle has visited it many times before and knows most of the townsfolk. It’s definitely better if you’ve read the first two books of the series, but it isn’t absolutely necessary. There is a significant trans allegory to this tale, as both characters are living identities they’ve chosen. Both their backgrounds come out eventually as Argyle and Fen spend time together and help the village cope with the continuing threat the soldiers pose.
We meet Argyle first, and it’s clear almost from the start that he’s not what he appears to be. We eventually learn his whole story, which is quite a journey. In the end, Argyle reminds me of a certain Star Trek character, but it would be too much of a spoiler to say which one. Even though most of the citizens of Mereston don’t know Argyle’s secret, he still fits right in with the other quirky inhabitants.
Fen is the first non-magical human featured in the stories. He may not be magical, but Fen does fit in with the people of the town. He just doesn’t realize it. Fen is definitely a carer. He can’t seem to stop himself from taking care of, and worrying about, the people he gets close to.
“Trader Argyle (Definitely Human)” is available in print from Bookshop.org.
