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stellathereader's review against another edition
3.0
Well this book was good, it striped away everything I liked about the first book.
Although there was a bit of a mystery element in this book with the kidnapping of a certain character, the majority of the story lacked the "crime solving" from the first book. It gets a bit too metaphysical with the necromancy and wishy-washy magic system.
Helana also becomes a lot less likeable in this book, being really caught up in melodrama.
Probably won't continue which is a shame since I loved the first book.
Although there was a bit of a mystery element in this book with the kidnapping of a certain character, the majority of the story lacked the "crime solving" from the first book. It gets a bit too metaphysical with the necromancy and wishy-washy magic system.
Helana also becomes a lot less likeable in this book, being really caught up in melodrama.
Probably won't continue which is a shame since I loved the first book.
reader89's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jpw447's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was a spectacular sequel. It introduces new characters, vivid settings, and grapples super interesting topics and questions. It covers the application of laws, the morality of empires, the influence of religion on politics, and the flawed moral codes we think we uphold.
The settings and fights are super descriptive and evoked some strong feelings in me. Reading about Sova really made me feel like I was there.
Every twist and turn was excellent and added so much to the story - more questions, more tension, more drama. The climactic chapters towards the end was incredible, and my heart was racing throughout those where everything was coming together.
We learn so much about the characters from the first book, and I'm so excited to see their relationships develop further in the next one.
My only critique is that the next goal wasn't always clear to me and moving settings was sometimes rushed, but this wasnt a huge deal for me. Overall this was a smashing read and I loved it. 9.5/10
The settings and fights are super descriptive and evoked some strong feelings in me. Reading about Sova really made me feel like I was there.
Every twist and turn was excellent and added so much to the story - more questions, more tension, more drama. The climactic chapters towards the end was incredible, and my heart was racing throughout those where everything was coming together.
We learn so much about the characters from the first book, and I'm so excited to see their relationships develop further in the next one.
My only critique is that the next goal wasn't always clear to me and moving settings was sometimes rushed, but this wasnt a huge deal for me. Overall this was a smashing read and I loved it. 9.5/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide attempt
eli_mageofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dakeyras_wesker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jmcunningham71's review against another edition
DNF around 70%. I can see why so many like it, but I’m just not connecting with it. Also not interested in the horror elements, and some early reviews say that element increases in book 3. So it feels like the time is right for me to move on.
jolietjane's review against another edition
3.0
Im going to be that contrarian. I don't like this book much, and I have found between this and Grave Empire, Richard Swan is not an author for me. Hes a GOOD author, but we have radically different entertainment values.
Justice of Kings was fun because it was a detective story. The Tyranny of Faith is more of a political thriller/ conspiracy story which is fine, only I personally struggled to latch onto the story. Unlike the first book, the crux of the plot wasn't as important or exciting to me.
What i've really learned though, is how with complicated political fantasy, CHARACTERS are so deeply necessary to giving a shit. The Empire of the Wolf series has some great ideas, but after book 1, my expectation was an expansion on the characters. As all but one of the primary characters are hardened older men, there are very few moments of genuine emotion or character development between both individual or multiple characters. Nobody except Helena has anything to learn, so they all just stay the same. The relationships don't really grow or change- nobody has moments of intersection on identity.
So you are left with one big ball of emotion (Helena) and a bunch of cold matter of fact dudes that spit facts and tell her shes being irrational.
I love political fantasy, but I love the messiness of it. Comparing this to The Tainted Cup, which is extremely similar, only the characters our main character interacts with are all tremendously sloppy. Or, A Song of Ice and Fire, where every person involved in a political plot is fucking nuts and you get their POV constantly.
Richard Swan's characters are very imperfect, but they aren't out there doing things that are interesting, they aren't emotional people, not are they people making dramatic moves in the world that make political stories so fun.
So im done. Richard Swan is a no buy for me. I see the vision, I see who is supposed to like his work, but if my politics aren't mixed with a soap opera, I ain't interested.
Justice of Kings was fun because it was a detective story. The Tyranny of Faith is more of a political thriller/ conspiracy story which is fine, only I personally struggled to latch onto the story. Unlike the first book, the crux of the plot wasn't as important or exciting to me.
What i've really learned though, is how with complicated political fantasy, CHARACTERS are so deeply necessary to giving a shit. The Empire of the Wolf series has some great ideas, but after book 1, my expectation was an expansion on the characters. As all but one of the primary characters are hardened older men, there are very few moments of genuine emotion or character development between both individual or multiple characters. Nobody except Helena has anything to learn, so they all just stay the same. The relationships don't really grow or change- nobody has moments of intersection on identity.
So you are left with one big ball of emotion (Helena) and a bunch of cold matter of fact dudes that spit facts and tell her shes being irrational.
I love political fantasy, but I love the messiness of it. Comparing this to The Tainted Cup, which is extremely similar, only the characters our main character interacts with are all tremendously sloppy. Or, A Song of Ice and Fire, where every person involved in a political plot is fucking nuts and you get their POV constantly.
Richard Swan's characters are very imperfect, but they aren't out there doing things that are interesting, they aren't emotional people, not are they people making dramatic moves in the world that make political stories so fun.
So im done. Richard Swan is a no buy for me. I see the vision, I see who is supposed to like his work, but if my politics aren't mixed with a soap opera, I ain't interested.
landstander's review against another edition
3.0
This is not quite a four star “great” read in my books but it’s better than a standard “good” 3 star for me.
Ultimately it’s a good continuation of a really strong start but suffers from much of the issues a 2nd of three suffer from. Much of the story progresses the stakes without accomplishing much in the ways of conclusion.
I also was disappointed in the shift of Vonvault’s devotion to the law as a cornerstone of his character. I’m fine with flaws but to see him drop much of the pretext entirely was a bummer.
Ultimately it’s a good continuation of a really strong start but suffers from much of the issues a 2nd of three suffer from. Much of the story progresses the stakes without accomplishing much in the ways of conclusion.
I also was disappointed in the shift of Vonvault’s devotion to the law as a cornerstone of his character. I’m fine with flaws but to see him drop much of the pretext entirely was a bummer.