Andy's Reviews > Wrath of Empire

Picks up where the last book left of in the aftermath of the Dynize landings & assault.

The style is POV (as always) & within a few short chapters I was acclimatised with the story having struggled to remember at the start the prior book (age I guess!?) what had occurred prior to our point of entry.

General Flint (Flora) is still front & centre of everything along with her man Colonel Olem as is Ben Styke of the Mad lancers, who became a favourite from the first book for me as all the ol’ gang from the first trilogy had disappeared (mostly). Flint is soon in a spot of bovver & battles ensue vary early on giving her summit to do in the story which sits better with me as I always felt her politicking left a lot to be desired, she’s no Field Marshall Tamas for sure!

Styke certainly earns his prior reputation (which we’re only preciously heard about) as his bloodlust for the ongoing war increases.... but he’s not all cut & thrust as his role/character widens out in this tale.

Michael is back along with the blackhats & the Roses that didn’t flee the oncoming Dynize armies, his story takes a rapid turn of events early doors & is a POV of interest for that reason as he comes more to the fore, his mission/reasons being made clear come the end of the opening book. It then takes another twist (or three!) – One to follow for sure. I really enjoyed how his POV played out, definitely grew on me from the opening book where I found him middling, in this he comes into his own & his path was my favourite throughout with the intrigue & new characters/world that was unveiled.

From the original trilogy, Taniel & Ka-Poel are with us (in spirit at least), with Ka-Poel’s backstory ever so slowly teased out for the reader, every time she is mentioned I wish for some MORE as I know there is a story to be told there, but its REALLY a slow burn..... we do however get to see more of her & her developing friendship with Celine who also evolves as a character in a small way. As I said it’s a sloooooow burn.

As to the story, well...... after the opening scenes, we fall into “middle book epic fantasy trilogy standard fare” where they all split up & go their separate ways on missions...... it’s not a bad thing I say it’s jus that it seems to happens in EVERY Epic fantasy trilogy! And this is no exception. If you’ve read the blurg you’ll know that the Godstones (from the first book) feature heavily, as there are more! Dragonmen make a welcome return sinisterly flitting in/out of the story & the Dynize Empire opens up to the reader which is a great addition to the plot & enriches the story no-end for me. In fact I’d say it MAKES the story & breathes life into the trilogy after a so-so opening book.

Enjoyed immensely, a full 5 stars even if General Flint isn’t one I enjoy following.