Reviews

The first book felt of a piece with the Song of Fire and Ice series: medieval fantasy with politics and very little magic. This one completely flipped that and went heavy into magic, demons, and other dimensions. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just not what I wanted or expected. The writing and characterization are still sharp, but I have no interest in continuing with the series.

jeffschaible's review against another edition

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4.0

What a fascinating series Richard Swan's Empire of the Wolf is turning out to be.

I'd never have fathomed blending first-rate fantasy worldbuilding, political intrigue, medieval horror, and investigative procedural... and man, it works.

Some early issues with pacing has me slightly preferring book one, The Justice of Kings, to book two The Tyranny of Faith, but it's very good. In particular the novel's third act, which unfolds at a dizzying place and takes the series in some unexpected directions.

I'm very keen to see how this wraps. It won't be long before I pick up The Trials of Empire.

A very strong four stars.

jmconway's review against another edition

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5.0

“If our lives were inherently meaningless, were we not obliged to extract every happiness from it that we could?”

10/10 - Brilliant, unpredictable and tense, The Tyranny of Faith documents the rapidly approaching and unstoppable fall of the Empire of the Wolf. Things just keep going from bad to worse! No middle book syndrome here really which I loved.

I love Swan's character work, and fast paced style. It is so refreshing to read a fantasy book like this where the lines of good and evil are so blurred, and again, Swan's use of religion is absolutely fantastic, particularly how this clashes with the rigour of law procedures. I really enjoyed the drops of romance in this story, and I think that Swan writes perfectly from Helena's unique perspective.

jcisme89's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

opheliafrey's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense

Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

j_antoinette's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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