Synopsis

Long before there was Terminator and Skynet, there was R.U.R., the Czech classic that gave us the word “robot”.

The R.U.R. Factory, far from humanity on its own island, has produced the perfect product: Robots! Devoid of pain, love, and all human emotion, never tiring, never bored, unfazed by death they are the ideal worker for modern-day society!

All of this is about to change, and
only Helena can see it. She is condemned to remain alone in her dread, as all of society embraces the robots and the automatons’ presence increases. However, there has been a glitch in the programming. All of our assumptions may have been wrong. The robots may indeed feel pain. They may harbor passions and hatred, and the Robot Revolution may be near!

As retold and drawn by the young, award-winning Czech graphic novelist, Katerina Cupová, this seminal dystopian work by Karel Čapek (which gave us the word “robot”) makes the reader question the notions of work and progress and humanity itself. Through Cupová’s deft hand, R.U.R. Is a sight to behold.

Review

Reading R.U.R in high school is a moment that stands out in my mind. The classic play by Karel Čapek coined the term “robot” in 1920 and had me still thinking deep thoughts about class, work, and humanity in the early 2000’s. So when I had the opportunity to review a graphic novel adaptation? I jumped at it.

First off, Kateřina Čupová did a stunning job with the visuals for this adaptation. I was intrigued to see how such a famous play would translate to this medium, and I was not disappointed. The colors are beautiful, and there is a storybook quality to the pages that often makes the darkest moments feel more dire and poignant.

This was an undertaking with a clear love of the source material. I can imagine it must be intimidating to adapt such a beloved work, but Čupová made the characters and settings come to life for me. In fact, this is a text I haven’t seen since my teenage years and now 20 years later I’m reminded of why this work had such a profound impact on me. In many ways I’m reminded of questions I often have when reading the very best of sci-fi: who are we? what makes us human? what is the future we deserve?

The only retraction I have is that whether due to the flow of the panels or the translation there were one or two times I had to pause for a moment to assess what was happening. It didn’t detract from the overall experience, but it did break my flow. Still, I greatly enjoyed this work!

I devoured this version of R.U.R. If you are a fan of classic literature and graphic novels, please pick it up. You won’t be disappointed!

Synopsis

Tales of the Bringer of Urrinan had been told for generations, but never had the prophecy felt so near to so many. Elan wasn’t sure if she even believed one man could cause the sort of upheaval that would change the world. And yet, just as the prophecy foretold, dark forces were on the rise—including the many Spali warbands raiding across the borderlands.
It was in pursuit of one such warband when Elan’s host discovered the hidden compound of the Outcast. She’d heard how the former chieftain of the mighty Amalus Clan had been unjustly accused of murdering his rival. How the conflict had begun over a woman. How the Outcast’s son—born of that same woman—perfectly matched the prophecy’s foretelling of the Bringer.
Prophecy aside, it seemed that fate had led Elan into the midst of a legend. Because of a choice made in the heat of battle, Elan found herself bound to an outlaw hunted by friend and foe alike. Whether she believed in the prophecy or not, she found herself entangled with a lone figure who vowed to seek the sort of upheaval that might just change the world.
Could Vahldan, son of the Outcast, truly be the Bringer of Urrinan?

Review

Vaughn Roycroft’s The Severing Son is a book that has been on my radar since its release, and I’m glad to say I finally read it. Very glad. This is a refreshing break from many of the current trends and tropes of the current era of Fantasy and something that is both more human, meaningful and—in its own way—epic.

The Severing Son is a story that features a set of main characters, focusing on Valdhan and Elan primarily, but the real main character is the world itself. Filled with political rivalries, strange customs, and intriguing history, this book sets the stage in a way that lifts its characters and their motives to greater heights.

While this could be taken as a simple story of revenge, Valdhan seeking retribution for his father’s exile and murder, the plot truly centers around the grand fate of Dania itself.

I particularly enjoyed the interactions between characters who all felt they had their own desires beyond serving the plot. Valdhan reminds me of several characters during different points in the plot, but the best comparison I have for him is Paul Atriedes from Dune meets Rand Al’thor from Wheel of Time. Really, if you strip those books of their trappings (lots of magic, outer space, etc.) and bring them back to something tribal and more intimate, this is the story you would get.

The prose is also often beautiful, haunting, and at times dread-inducing. This is one of those books that made me tell my friends all about how good it was upon starting it. Roycroft paints a picture of hope and triumph, bleakness and defeat, and expertly pulls at the heartstrings in ways few authors do.

Unlike many of the books that I see being released, The Severing Son feels fresh and meaningful. Where I can make guesses at influences, this author is not beholden to any one story as an inspiration. In that way, it reminds me of another indie gem, The Bleeding Stone by Joseph John Lee. Both books are beautiful and gripping with unique takes on the fantasy genre, and if I can be honest—both are entirely too slept on.

Perhaps my only critique is that at times the pacing could feel uneven. Where the beginning and the end were fast-paced and raw, there were bits in the middle that felt like they dragged on more than I would have liked. It’s not a horrible knock, I still looked forward to my time with the book, as I’m looking forward to getting to the sequel, Bold Ascension.

This is a book that deserves your attention. Pick it up, read it, then read the next one. I know I will be.

Synopsis

From the international bestselling author Anthony Ryan comes the spectacular first novel in a new epic fantasy trilogy inspired by Norse mythology. 

A new age has dawned. An age of blood and steel. An age of wrath. 

“A gripping epic.” ––Publishers Weekly

The land of Ascarlia, a fabled realm of bloodied steel and epic sagas, has been ruled by the Sister Queens for centuries. No one has dared question their rule. 

Until now. 

Whispers speak of longships of mysterious tattooed warriors, sailing under the banners of a murderous cult of oath-breakers long thought extinct. A tide of black steel that threatens to vanquish all in its path. 

Thera of the Blackspear, favored servant of the Sister Queens, is ordered to uncover the truth. As Thera sails north, her reviled brother, Felnir, sets out on his own adventure. He hopes to find the Vault of the Altvar – the treasure room of the gods – and win the Sister Queens’ favor at his sister’s expense. 

Both siblings – along with a brilliant young scribe and a prisoner with a terrifying, primal power – will play a part in the coming storm. 

The Age of Wrath has begun. 

For more from Anthony Ryan, check out:

Covenant of Steel
The Pariah
The Martyr
The Traitor

Review

Tide of Black Steel by Anthony Ryan is the follow-up to his acclaimed Covenant of Steel, a trilogy I read last year, and it completely knocked me out. Set in the same world with a different cast of characters in a previously only touched-on region, Tides of Black Steel does its part to answer questions that lingered as well as push the narrative forward in new directions—both familiar and unexpected.

Whereas Covenant was a masterclass in the use of first-person perspective, Tides is a multi-POV epic where each story seems only tangentially related until the middle of the book and then even more closely related at the end. Thera and her brother Felnir provide a close look at Ascarlian culture and power dynamics, and it is through their interactions with the Sister Queens, their grandfather, and each other that we uncover much of what happened that remained unanswered in Covenant of Steel. Both Elvine and Ruhlin provide outsider perspectives to their narrative arcs, though I will not spoil those.

I found that the story was very easy to follow even though each story starts as distinctly separate parts before merging into the whole. In fact, much of this book, though action-packed, seems to be laying the groundwork for future entries in this series, and the cliffhanger ending only amplified the feeling of “you think you understand? Ha!”

This story continued the brutality and worldbuilding present in Covenant of Steel. It is no surprise that Ryan has managed to earn acclaim by meshing together bits and pieces of feelings and storylines and creating something greater than the whole. You could make the argument that this work exists to both enhance and be enhanced by what came before it—making the world itself feel far more alive than either one of them could do alone.

As far as what didn’t work for me? It’s nitpicky but two-fold. 

One is that I read Shadow of the Gods right before this and Hall of Bones beside it. I was going “RAWWWRRR VIKINGS” and while this book does indeed contain some nods to Norse and perhaps Scottish culture, the elements didn’t always come through in a way that truly differentiated Ascarlia from Albermaine. Not that it was bad or even lesser because of it, it is fine for a work to have a different focus, but it was not what I was expecting.

The other was the same issue readers often have when starting a new series by the same author. “It’s not the same.” It reminds me of when my band released an EP that mostly included songs that were re-recorded from our Demo with some changes. Most people loved it, but those who had an emotional attachment to what came before sometimes struggled to adapt. And I think that’s where I am as a reader, and I don’t know that it is Anthony Ryan’s fault at all.
Truly, if you enjoyed the brutal betrayal, bloodshed, and battle of Covenant of Steel, you will enjoy this. I certainly did. If you go into it expecting it to be what you’ve seen before, you will be surprised, and Anthony Ryan shows exactly why he is so versatile in this entry in his already much regarded and impressive bibliography. urna.

Synopsis

In the remote land of Laskar the seven ruling clans have vied with each other for power for over a century. The son of the Reavesburg Clan Chief, Rothgar, has been groomed all his life for a role supporting his elder brother, Jorik, in leading their kingdom when their father’s time finally comes to an end.

However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.

Everything is about to change …

The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.

Review

Hall of Bones by Tim Hardie is a book that has earned its accolades. Finalist in SPFBO 7 and subject to multiple glowing reviews, it has been on my TBR for a long time. I’m glad to report that I have now read it and it was awesome. 

Tim has a way with words and his insight into his protagonist, Rothgar, makes the book not only an enjoyable read, but endlessly compelling as Rothgar navigates politics, betrayal, and the realization that the world is not what he believed it to be.

In this expansive tale, Hardie starts us with Rothgar’s upbringing and takes us through his challenges and entanglements as he progresses into a young adult. Similar to the journey of Fitz in the Farseer Trilogy, Rothgar has to navigate his foibles and relationships as he works to tow the line between duty and his own desires.

Without spoiling much of anything, I was unprepared for the direction the second book took, and it made the preceding parts all the more interesting. Tim has a gift for keeping complex ideas simple even as he entwines narrative devices and voices. So much so that while the first part of the book could garner favorable comparisons to Bernard Cornwell, the second section reminded me of Moon Knight comics at times. 

Even the transition to a different sort of story felt effortless and gave me new characters to get to know and enjoy. While the first part of the book revels in Norse inspiration, battles, and intrigue, the second half pulls the curtains back and reveals more of the world than we knew existed. Tim had me on the edge of my seat as I was pulled towards a thrilling climax I certainly didn’t see coming.

My favorite part though was the relationship between the characters and the protagonist and each other. It made the world feel lived in and like we were glimpsing at a specific moment of life rather than being artificially told a story. Standouts for me were Johan, Karas, and Nuna. Each was distinct from the main character with their own goals and priorities. 

Read this book. Read the sequels. For fans of: Bernard Cornwell, Robin Hobb, and Amon Amarth.

Love it.

Synopsis

War Threatens – Faith is Challenged – Darkness Rises

The Clouws must choose to destroy or unlock the Dread Plate armor before the looming specters of their past make the choice for them.

Jined grapples with the weight of his fate as enemies promise to destroy everything he holds dear.

Daughter of dark lineage, Ophedia carves her own path through the annals of history, her fate entwined with her family’s legacy.

Lost amidst the many twining branches of her path, Seriah is forced to choose between her sworn duty and the siren call of despair.

Waking darkness besets the world from every angle as nations and orders vie for influence over the world of Kallattai.

For those who seek the heroes path,
Fate takes more than bargained for.
Hubris breeds a deathless wrath,
That always hungers after more.

Dread Knight completes the first arc as Volume Four of The Kallattian Saga, the Epic Fantasy series from Andrew D. Meredith.

Review

Andrew D Meredith has now completed the first arc of the story of Kallattai—gods, mercenaries, hope, despair, and deep theological connections abound in this, the final installment.

When I started book 1, Deathless Beast, Andrew was barely an acquaintance. I had read Thrice, his SPFBO semi-finalist entry, and loved it. I jumped at the chance to get a review copy of his new series. That was about 2.5 years ago, and things have changed. Andrew and I are close friends. More books are out. The world itself is different. But one thing has not changed: the overarching challenging allegory of this series.

Set in the world of Kallattai, Dread Knight is the answer to questions that have plagued us for years in this series. Characters that have struggled with identity and purpose have seemingly found their footing in surprising ways. Without spoilers, I found myself empathizing with Seriah. The underlying message of this work to me has always been “You can’t choose your exact path, but you are the only one to determine how you take it.”

This is especially true for the Clouws. The siblings became standout characters and their paths show that no one is beyond redemption and that it is always possible to change the way you look at the world. Rallia really came into her own in this book and stared into her own interesting storyline while Hanen continued down the path he was set upon at the end of Bone Shroud.

And yet, once again my favorite part of the book was Jined and his interactions with his god. As a believer myself, it is impressive the amount of spiritual insight Meredith is able to pack into this work. I’ve joked a few times I’d like a devotional featuring those two characters, but I mean it in earnest. The best books challenge you in some way. And this challenges me in a way that is right at home with giants like C.S Lewis.

Perhaps the best part of this book was that the storylines that worked for me less in Gloves of Eons—the Veld, the Rotha—were present but built upon the previous book in a way that made them not just tolerable, but enjoyable. Kattiam and the Rotha became a bright point for me, and I enjoyed how their interactions evolved into something warm and pleasant (cozy, some might say).

Leader of the Paladins, Dorian was another standout character and I felt myself making connections between him and Obi-Wan Kenobi which I refuse to elaborate on at the risk of spoilers.

My only real criticism is that there were times when tension was broken by worldbuilding, but I recognize that other readers who are more interested in sprawling epics like The Wheel of Time or Stormlight Archive might find themselves at home with this. And if you like those books? This series is dense with symbolism, worldbuilding, and a wide and diverse cast of characters.

I know this is the fourth book in the series by my first review on FanFi of the Kallattian Saga, so I will end with this: who is this series for? If you want something less gritty and dark but full and still with teeth, this book is for you. If you are a fan of realistic and expansive worldbuilding, this book is for you. At the very least, give this a try. Andrew has been in this indie game for a while and his books are only getting better.

Synopsis

Layne was a soldier, conscripted to fight under the Fox in a vengeance fueled march. He, and his friends, were due for a fated confrontation, one that has ended in blood and loss. Now, the inquisitors want to hear every detail of his conscription, his training, and the duel against the assassin in grey.

A backwards narrative full of banter and blood Z.B. Steele presents An Inkling of Flame, a Song of the Damned novella.

Review

Inking of Flame by ZB Steele is the prelude to his coming novel, Whispers of the Storm. If this novella is any indication, that book will be an absolute showstopper.

I read Steele’s earlier work, For a Few Days More, and while I enjoyed that book, this is the one that convinced me he will be a star.

Set against the backdrop of a difficult childhood and a vague war, we are treated to a tale that takes the best of friendship, and fantasy mixed with a sort of creeping dread that isn’t fully realized until the last few pages.

Indeed, Inkling of Flame makes excellent use of a frame narrative to both foreshadow trauma to come as well as ground the overall story in its destination. I found myself making some comparisons to Markus Zusak’s excellent The Book Thief as I read about the friendship and struggles of Layne, Sharp, Spark, and Harwood as they attempted to navigate a war-torn adolescence without losing each other.

And to that end, the story flows perfectly. There is not a wasted word in this brief novella and I found myself wishing it wouldn’t end. Bloody and a bit tongue-in-cheek, Steele shows his powers of observation and insight into human nature in a small package.

Not only do we have the strong central story of friends but we also see: complex politics between followers of various gods, an interesting magic system

, and the funniest joke I’ve ever read in a book.

I can’t praise this book enough. There are those times you know you’ve read something special, and this is up there with Kings of the Wyld, Brotherhood of Steel, and even my all-time favorite fantasy book, Royal Assassin

I would recommend this work for fans of Hobb, Ryan, and just really, really good writing.

Get it now, get on the ground floor before ZB Steele takes off and leaves us all in the dust.

Synopsis

The hateful Path, that of the 9th Born.

The survival of the Ark—humanity’s last bastion after God’s wrath destroyed the world—is balanced by birth order: the oddborn are assigned a Path, the evenborn are given over to the will of God. And it is upon those of the 9th Born Path to sanitize the evens.

John 59129’s first walk as a Niner is the same day the scientists of the Ark plan to defy God by seeking to turn back time. An electrical surge sends John past the safety of the Ark, into an unblemished world. A glimpse of perfection. Of all the evenborn saved.

But when John wakes, he’s back in the Ark, twenty years after the failure to harness time. Was his encounter real or just a dream caused by his accident? Are those in charge of the Ark keeping the oddborn caged? Is God the monster, or is it mankind?

For John 59129 to find out before his own child is born, he must be willing to play the odds.

Review

Unlucky Evens, Cursed Odds is a dystopian Sci-fi novella by Bill Adams, the author of The Godsblood Tragedy and co-author of SPFBO finalist The Tenacious Tale of Tanna the Tendersword. While all of those works share Bill’s name on the cover, this book couldn’t be more different in terms of tone and voice, and while I could normally see that being the start of a negative review, Adams shows his full versatility in this work.

Like the mid-1900s speculative fiction greats—Bradbury, Le Guinn, Huxley, Orwell, and Butler—Adams weaves a brief tale that is not only entertaining but holds a mirror to the hubris of our society. In many ways, I was reminded of Le Guinn’s Ones That Walk Away from Omelas, though this is several shades darker.

The source of that darkness is the Biblical parallels to child sacrifice and leaning into the themes of the price of progress and the happy ignorance of the masses.

The story centers around John 59129’s struggle with his role in a society that requires sacrifice and perfect devotion to operate and benefit the ruling class. And while the story has its share of twists and turns from the typical Sci-fi trappings: a broken world, wibbley-wobbly timey-wimey shenanigans—the real star of the show is the power dynamic of the society contrasted against John’s growing doubt.

If you are a fan of speculative fiction in the vein of Brave New World or 1984 and are looking for a quick read, I strongly recommend Unlucky Evens, Cursed Odds, and I hope you are satisfied with being left with more questions than answers. 

After all, that’s what good literature often does: it makes us think and ask our own questions in response.

Synopsis

When Aster Rutherford, the postmaster’s son and his childhood friend, Zinnia Hollyhock deliver a letter to the Pelware Mines, they are attacked by a birdlike monster that turns men to stone. Even worse, Buckwheat Village is plagued by an illness that’s incapacitating villagers, including Aster’s own father.

A chance encounter with Kara Reeves, the brash quartermaster of the Blue Skies, leads Aster to hitch a ride to the capital city in search of a doctor. Aster’s quest takes him from the dizzying spires of New Portsmith to the caves of Munayallpa and the forests of Tembour. Along the way Aster reconnects with his estranged mother and comes face-to-face with the god of a foreign land. Can Aster and the crew of the Blue Skies overcome pirates, politics, and monsters to cure Buckwheat Village before it’s too late?

Review

The Odyllic Stone is a debut fantasy novel by Alex Scheuermann, and I found myself reminded of other well-regarded classic fantasy novels. If you are a fan of Ursula K. Le Guinn or early Robin Hobb, I think you will find a lot to like here.

The concept is familiar—a tragedy befalls a village and a young man needs to undertake a quest to save his loved ones. And while this novel takes that route to start, it quickly evolves into intersecting plot lines and a wide cast of characters.

I particularly liked the sense of exploration and coming-of-age found in the early parts of this story. There is an earnestness to this book that a lot of modern fantasy lacks. Too often, books are jaded by what came before and try to reinvent the wheel. The Odyllic Stone revels in its heritage, drawing upon the best that fantasy has to offer us—gods, artifacts, pirates, betrayal, and more.

This is a world with a variety of monsters, multiple unique nations, characters that have deep backstories, and the threat of powerful magic that will challenge the characters’ perspectives. Of particular interest was Peter, a character that seems like a level-headed sailor, and turns out to have more to him than meets the eye. The same could be said for Aster, Calantha, and Fletcher, but I don’t want to spoil the adventure.

For a relatively short book, it is amazing what the author was able to pack in. The characters are all given ample room to breathe and the world feels old without relying on unnecessary info dumps or slowing the pace. A lot of the rehashing takes place in letters sent by the characters placed at the end of the chapters, and there often is vital information about what is happening and the motivations of the characters, specifically the main character, Aster.

That brings me to my main criticism of the novel. Though the writing is consistently well done, the pacing struggles due to the length of the chapters. The chapters are very long and a lot happens during each of them, often with changes in scene or POV. It may seem like an odd gripe, but I think the narrative would have been served well with shorter chapters and less shifting POV.

But other than that, this is a fun ride. I really enjoyed my time with it, and this is CERTAINLY a book that needs more love. 

So what are you waiting for? Go buy it. Start your adventure and remake the world in your own image.

Rating: 9/10

Synopsis

The Hinterlands are a lawless place of broken dreams and broken people.

Roth is a bodyguard trying to leave his dark past behind, but history has a way of turning back up. Cynthia is a bandit who’s trying to make a future by wading through blood. They travel separately, trying to live by their own codes. All while a man in a red cloak tracks their blood-soaked footprints.

Review

For a Few Days More by Z.B Steele is another of those indie books that snuck up on me. Several of my friends recommended it to me when I posted in December that I was looking for more great books to boost, and I was not disappointed.

Like many other “Western” Fantasy books, this defies classification in the best way possible. Instead of leaning too hard in one direction, the author split the difference and said, “You know what, I do what I want.” And I greatly respect that. Equal parts Red Country by Abercrombie and Blood Meridian (or All the Pretty Horses, I like that one better) by Cormac McCarthy, this gritty tale mines the depth of human depravity while offering up just the slightest bit of scant hope.

Those of you looking for Dragons or Magic need to keep on movin’ pardner, but for those of you, like me, that care first and foremost about memorable characters, brutal decisions, and excellent plot, For a Few Days More will be your Huckleberry. Relentless action centers around outlaws, former outlaws, and a red-cloaked figure that introduces a nearly supernatural sense of creeping dread to the tale.

What impressed me most was the polish and pace Steele creates in this quick read. It can be easy to rush the plot in something this brief, but I never felt like anything was underdeveloped. There were some answers I still wanted, but sometimes in a setting like this, there are no real answers. The world is violent, life is brief and brutish, and every character is just doing the best they can—a lot like us.

Earlier I compared this to Red Country by Abercrombie. I gotta say, I liked this one a lot more than that (no slight to Ol’ Lord Grimdark). Same with Blood Meridian. Mr. Steele found a way to take the tone of those stories and fashion something of his own out of it.

So grab a whiskey, draw a blade or two, and let’s dance.

Synopsis

Cedain continues to collapse.

Ashmount’s destruction shatters the Magicai while the culprits responsible continue sabotaging the world. All the while, the next season of Buzzard’s Bowl begins and Edelbrock, in his constant fight for survival, desires a vengeance he can only find in the arena.

Seradal and Villic find themselves in the middle of a war between Remeria and the Camel Clans, and may end up on opposing sides, while the threat of Calrym looms over all of them.

At the behest of the woman he loves, Demri finds himself thrown into the Elkavich, a not-so-secret order of Magicai who are intent upon fixing the world.

Ashen, a former urchin rescued by a noble with selfish aspirations, works to dismantle the nobility of Calrym.

Death is assured to all who walk the world, the only unknown is when they will perish.

Review

Buzzard’s Bowl is the second book in John Pallandino’s Tragedy of Cedain series, and represents a step up from his initial offering, The Trials of Ashmount, in every way. Indeed, the writing is crisper, the world is richer, and the characters experience more growth and emotional resonance than the first book. As this is a sequel, there may be slight spoilers for some of the major events of the first book.

We start out in the aftermath of The Trials of Ashmount. The titular mountain is destroyed, one of our protagonists, Edlebrock Bandis, is about to fight in a cinematic ‘boats in a gladiatorial arena’ event, and our other protagonists are sat upon a knife’s point with the imminent invasion of Remaria following the destruction of Cyrok.

Everything in this book is bigger. The scale, while impressive in the first book, is masterfully honed and managed in a way that makes it feel alive. The newest addition to our main cast, Ashen Hyrel, is a bright spot, and I enjoyed her part of the story the most. Perhaps the best surprise was how characters that didn’t get much screen time, specifically Duke Velturro, became fully realized pieces of the world and the tragedy that began to unfold.

I was also impressed with the narrative risks that Pallandino was willing to take in this book, both from a storytelling standpoint and with stylistic choices. Some of these choices were ones I’ve seen before Abercrombie-esque point-of-view shifts in a battle, point-of-view chapters that are only a handful of words, but others were interesting and served the purpose of driving home exactly what was going on, up to and including changing the names of the POV characters in the chapter headers.

My point being with all of this, if you enjoyed the first book, you will enjoy this one. If you loved the first book, you will love this one all the more. Pallandino shows an improvement that speaks to his maturity as a writer that justifies the faith that his first book earned. 

Here is where we can get personal, and I can justify my rating.

The bleakness of this book was a bit too much for me at times. While inspired by Abercrombie, I have found Pallandino’s work, and indeed many Grimdark authors, moving beyond that level of darkness to something blacker. Which, there is nothing wrong with. Plenty of people enjoy things like Beserk, but for me, they tend to be a little too much. If you are an acolyte of this new wave of grim blackness, you will delight in the avarice and iniquity you find in these pages. In fact, I would say that this may be one of the best books you ever read in the genre.

Once again, this doesn’t speak to the quality of the work, but merely my enjoyment of it. And really, my critiques tend to be things that didn’t work for me, but I believe would work for others.

For instance, I found some of the idiosyncrasies of the side characters grated on me (Ced, the other guy I can’t remember the name of who rhymes). Maybe I’m alone in those feelings, but I’m sure as minor as those things are, they could be divisive. 

Lastly, and most hypocritically, the two characters I found the most compelling in the entire series met an ignominious end. Yes, I recognize this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Yes, they served the narrative. Yes, it made sense. However, I wished the narrative had more for them or that their ends were dragged out a bit more, especially with how quickly the end occurred (maybe a novella, eh, John? A prequel novella?)

If you are a Grimdark fan, I strongly recommend you give this series a try. It is bleak, it is brutal, and honestly, it is mostly a lot of fun. If you are a bit more squeamish like me, I would maybe look up reviews or ask friends who have read it for trigger warnings (my lord that list must be massive).

John Pallandino has a unique voice and has cemented himself as his own author, and I have no doubts the conclusion to this series will further increase the quality and his own brand of delightful maliciousness.