anchovysaurus's reviews
246 reviews

While still being a commanding entry in the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, The Tyranny of Faith didn't grip me the same way The Justice of Kings did. Even though we get some "aha!" moments at the end, it still felt like jagged puzzle pieces were being forced into place.

I absolutely loved that we explored more of the [dark] magic and the afterlife in this instalment. We also see Helena have some moments of vulnerability with both Sir Radomir and Bressinger, which made them all the more endearing. 

However, I detested the romantic aspects of Helena and Sir Konrad's relationship. I can understand why Helena would develop these feelings for Sir Konrad, but ultimately, I think he should've known better.

Pragmatic, determined, tenacious Margaret refuses to let the ghostly presences in her house outlast her. Instead, she follows the rules of the house and lives alongside them.

The September House is really a story about a mother and daughter fixing their relationship; the horror is clearly a secondary element. We explore cycles of domestic violence and the long-lasting impact this has on family members. The author has a doctorate in clinical-community psychology, which shows in her skillful handling of the abuse aspects. The story is more of a literary horror and has a strong psychological horror feel, which may appeal to non-traditional horror fans and explain this book's unusually high average rating.

This is peak dark fantasy and I hope the author continues writing in this subgenre. There is a tangible sense of dread typical of horror novels as the characters make their way through the forest.