The Empire’s Ruin is the first book in Brian Staveley’s Ashes of the Unhewn Throne series. Picking up from where events left off with Staveley’s previous trilogy, The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne, this book develops one of the more interesting past characters, Gwenna, as a point-of-view protagonist, along with the return of another character in the form of rogue-turned-monk Akiil.

The excellent standalone novel, Skullsworn, becomes required reading so that the reader can understand the third point-of-view, that of the pacifist priest Ruc. Without having read that previously non-essential book, I suspect that a reader wouldn’t understand the goings on in the disconnected location of Dombang. It’s culturally very distinct from the main setting of the books, and while the prequel explores that setting in great detail, it wouldn’t fit together neatly for someone who has skipped Skullsworn. Having said that, I think that Skullsworn is probably the best book of the series in some respects, so it’s hardly a negative to encourage a reader to go back to that as well!

The world of the Unhewn Throne is engrossing and vivid. The destruction and chaos reaped by the protagonists of the previous trilogy have had lasting consequences, and the looming threat of a mysterious danger mean that things look like going from bad to worse. The character arcs of Gwenna and Ruc explore facets of this conflict in very different ways and are both compelling, albeit with very distinct tones. Akiil’s arc feels weaker by far, but he’s a good character. Perhaps he doesn’t live up to the fond memories of his actions in the earlier trilogy, but his goals feel almost insignificant in some respects compared to the momentous importance of the deeds of the other protagonists.

This is an excellent book which picks up neatly from the great story of the earlier trilogy and takes things in an exciting new direction. My one complaint is that the narratives diverge so wildly that they could almost be three different books without too much editing required. The trajectory of these storylines being unified in later books seems clear enough, but they’re barely connected here, and it’s jarring to an extent having to switch between such disparate stories throughout.

But that’s a minor complaint. The Empire’s Ruin is an engrossing story, epic in scope and the book works well to lay the foundation for some momentous events head. It is relentless dark and bleak, rarely allowing the reader even a moment of optimism, but fans of Staveley will know what to expect and he delivers on expectations exceedingly well with this novel.

The Sword of Kaigen captures the clash between progress and tradition while examining the personal anguish surrounding existence in a society defined by misogyny. It is an imperfect book in some respects, but at its best its thrilling and exciting while detailing an engrossing fantasy world. The setting is best described as Japanese military fantasy, with battles between warriors who are masters in elemental magic and deadly sword fighting.

The story swirls around Misaki Matsuda, the matriarch of the Matsuda clan, the ancient protectors of Kaigen. Her husband is a cold man, engrossed in his own thoughts to the point where he seems alien, even to his wife. Her son Mamoru, the heir to his father’s legacy, straddles the divide between his parents, striving to live up to his father’s reputation while, at times, seeing the world through his mother’s eyes. The plot is at times grim – very grim, in fact – and descends into some extraordinarily bleak places, but there are plenty of excellent moments when the painstakingly defined characters swing into action.

There are some perplexing parts to the book which made it a bit of a difficult read. The start is quite slow, which allows the reader to soak in the lives of the main cast, but it drags on quite a bit with perhaps too much density before the story really starts to gain pace. Likewise, there are some flashbacks which act as windows into another world and another life, but the worldbuilding in those alternate scenarios seems thin to the careful attention paid to life on the mountain where the main narrative is set. Some of those scenes really feel a bit out of place when the tone of the main story is considered.

Besides the slow start, the book seemingly climaxes in a real way reasonably early and the reader is left with a slow burn to finish, mirroring the early chapters of the book. Those scenes are important and emotive, perhaps they could even be considered to be the real heart and soul of the book, but I couldn’t help but feel that the meandering of the start and finish defined the story rather than the pulsating action of the middle portion.

But having said that, the book really is a good read. The examination of a clash of cultures, tradition vs innovation, progression vs stability, illustrated by some powerfully emotional scenes and wonderful action sequences make the Sword of Kaigen a very worthwhile read. The lack of focus at times is a minor complaint in the scheme of things.

Some books focus on the epic; stories spanning empires, cultures and continents. There’s nothing wrong with that by any means (in fact, I’m describing some of my favourite books when I say that), but the buy-in required from a reader to wrap their heads around the scope of epic fantasy is sometimes a hurdle. Red Harvest Moon goes the other way. Not that it’s a book lacking world building, but rather its scope is designed to follow a smaller cast of characters as they are developed through some bloody trials and tribulations. It’s that restraint in scale which is the book’s strongest point.

I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a throwback to the classic fantasy novels that captured my imagination with the genre so many years ago. Hurt paints a picture of a rich and detailed setting, with some features familiar to fantasy readers but made the author’s own with a unique perspective in this story filled with magic, monsters, old mysterious gods, and plenty of blood.

The principal antagonists, the ghuls, are orc-esque in their motivations. They are led by the relentless Krond, himself a villain reminiscent of Uruk-hai. But those similarities are enough to hint at familiar stories long since forgotten and different enough to capture interest as something new.

The plot focuses on the interactions of a diverse cast of characters over what is really only a period of a couple of days. The comparatively small stakes (at least for the fantasy genre) is actually a welcome change, and despite the limited scope of the plot, it is filled with action and excitement aplenty. The story moves quickly and purposefully but while still taking enough time to fully immerse the reader in the setting.

There are some aspects of the world building which have stuck with me and left me waiting for a sequel – I won’t detail them lest I spoil some aspect of it, but there’s tantalising glimpses of the broader universe which suggest that there’s plenty of interest awaiting readers in sequels.

Red Harvest Moon might be thought to be reminiscent of fantasy pulp, but I say that as a compliment in this context. There’s brooding anti-heroes reluctantly taking up the sword to defeat a menacing evil; the type of story that’s been told many times before and enjoyed just as much. It’s the equivalent of comfort food for the minds of life-long fantasy readers, and there’s always a place for good books like that.

You can get a copy of Red Harvest Moon on Amazon, where it’s part of the Kindle Unlimited program.

Sister Honorata is a woman of unshakable faith, ready for priesthood. It is what she has always wanted. What she was brought up to be.

Honorata’s Trial leads her on a perilous journey into the wild jungles of Pala, a place infested with foes determined to wage war, no matter the consequences. Caught between the threat of a supernatural monster and the subtle influence of scheming mystics, Honorata’s resolve is tested as she is thrust into a deadly battle for survival and forced to confront an evil that threatens to destroy the very foundations of her religion.

Profane Rites is the story of Sister Honorata’s passage from novice to priestess; will the rigours of her Trial bolster her faith? Or will the ordeal twist it into something else entirely?

Pre-order on Amazon now.

The drumbeat of war marked the end of Everett Coldwell’s comfortable life, although he had no idea how much things would change.

A career coward and layabout, the last thing he expected was to have to stare down an actual foe in battle. Events beyond Everett’s control threaten to thrust him into the forefront of a bloody conflict where life is cheap and the desperate do what they can to survive. Even when faced with the threat of a bloodthirsty invader, sometimes the greatest dangers can come from the most unexpected places.

Desperate Men is a story about how the flawed and forlorn salvage a life from amongst the wreckage of war and hardship.

Now available in ebook and paperback through Amazon.

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