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fantasyaddict's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
coca_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Picking up a few months after the end of book 1, Tomas Piety is living the double life of businessman and gangster while his wife, a spy and agent for the Queen, is steering him to be more of a presence in the upper society.
Tensions are building in Ellinburg as a rival gang is securing half of the city and seem to have the backing of the local Governor and a foreign adversary.
Tomas is trying to maintain order and be true to his ideals while keeping the trust of his people and working covertly for the Queen.
These are fun, dark, gritty, and VERY violent. The characters are likeable because they're just so honest about who they are, and they don't apologize for it.
There's so much scheming going on that you don't really know who is on what side most of the time, even if you can see the major plot threads and where they're headed.
Just plain entertaining to read, though.
Tensions are building in Ellinburg as a rival gang is securing half of the city and seem to have the backing of the local Governor and a foreign adversary.
Tomas is trying to maintain order and be true to his ideals while keeping the trust of his people and working covertly for the Queen.
These are fun, dark, gritty, and VERY violent. The characters are likeable because they're just so honest about who they are, and they don't apologize for it.
There's so much scheming going on that you don't really know who is on what side most of the time, even if you can see the major plot threads and where they're headed.
Just plain entertaining to read, though.
idonotcomment's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lauriebell667's review against another edition
5.0
OMG Peter McLean has done it again. Another masterpiece of grimdark fantasy that is a mix of The Godfather, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings.
Book two is about secrets and lies. Those we tell and those told to us.
It is also about the power games that come with both secrets and lies. It's violent and bloodthirsty and brilliant. When you have had no power all of your life then get all the power you can dream of... what do you become?
Thomas Piety is now the Prince of his territory and unwillingly involved in a deadly spy game to prevent a war. Piety understands power and what it is to have none. He has had a taste and desires more in order to protect his people: The Pious Men, the gangs sworn loyalty to him and the people on the streets - his people, the ones who rely on him to keep them and their streets safe...
But at what cost? But what will it do to him if he gets the power he desires? And what will it do to those left behind?
Its a dark reminder of what war does to people, the soldiers in the war and the officers making the decisions that send those people to war. Of those left behind and of those who come back. Its about how people adjust or fail to adjust to life after battle. And about family. The ones we have and the ones we make.
Trust and lies and secrets revealed. Power corrupts - absolutely. And it's coming for Piety.
A gripping, exciting, brilliant book two. I read the second half in the space of two days! I couldn't put it down (but had to, to get to work). I highly recommend the series.
Book two is about secrets and lies. Those we tell and those told to us.
It is also about the power games that come with both secrets and lies. It's violent and bloodthirsty and brilliant. When you have had no power all of your life then get all the power you can dream of... what do you become?
Thomas Piety is now the Prince of his territory and unwillingly involved in a deadly spy game to prevent a war. Piety understands power and what it is to have none. He has had a taste and desires more in order to protect his people: The Pious Men, the gangs sworn loyalty to him and the people on the streets - his people, the ones who rely on him to keep them and their streets safe...
But at what cost? But what will it do to him if he gets the power he desires? And what will it do to those left behind?
Its a dark reminder of what war does to people, the soldiers in the war and the officers making the decisions that send those people to war. Of those left behind and of those who come back. Its about how people adjust or fail to adjust to life after battle. And about family. The ones we have and the ones we make.
Trust and lies and secrets revealed. Power corrupts - absolutely. And it's coming for Piety.
A gripping, exciting, brilliant book two. I read the second half in the space of two days! I couldn't put it down (but had to, to get to work). I highly recommend the series.
mfielding0's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
j_j_r_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
comadivine11's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like these books are decent, mid-tier fantasy. They borrow a bit too heavily from their obvious inspirations, but they are very quick reads and largely entertaining.
kohlsamanda's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I think I enjoyed this one better than the first, but not by much. The plot moved a bit quicker and I enjoyed the middle, but there's just something about the tone I don't enjoy. There are very few characters that I care for--actually, only two--and neither are main characters.
I think the biggest issue I have is that I do not enjoy the narrator, Tomas, and find his voice grating. We get it, he's a businessman, he's a 'prince,' he's a whatever.
Lots of repetition. "Those were the times we live in," "That was the lever that moved him" and several other lines were repeated over and over. I get what the author was trying to do, but it just fell flat for me.
I think the biggest issue I have is that I do not enjoy the narrator, Tomas, and find his voice grating. We get it, he's a businessman, he's a 'prince,' he's a whatever.
Lots of repetition. "Those were the times we live in," "That was the lever that moved him" and several other lines were repeated over and over. I get what the author was trying to do, but it just fell flat for me.
arkmam's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5