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itsfreelancer's review against another edition
5.0
Oh what a ride this has been.
Chains of the Heretic picks up from the last book left. Fleeing the Syldoon Empire and into the arms of the waiting enemy. Yes, the enemies are in plentiful and more than eager to meet our illustrated Captain Killcoin and his band of warriors. Book 3 doesn't hold back. The coup at the heart of the empire resulted in far more catastrophic events. Something that could change the fate of the world.
With the threat of Memoridons behind them and the Godveil in front, Braylar and company need allies to change their destiny. But allies are hard to find when you are a treacherous mercenary and the ones you look forward to might more be just a well-wisher. I loved everything about this book. The battles, the characters, specially Muldoss and how Arki has transformed into something more than just an opportunist scribe.
The climax is unexpected, although if you were hoping for the worst, you're one bloody son of a bitch. It was truly sad to see the series end but ending on a high is not something every author can pull off. I'm glad this did and sad that it had to. For the first time, we see the entire Syldoon army in action and yet do not get to reap the joy. Typical, Jeff Salyards building you up to a notion of positive butchery and letting you in on only the small scale skirmishes. But don't be disheartened. For all you war lovers, this book has more than enough.
Chains of the Heretic finally plugs all the mysteries behind Killcoin's history and the Syldoon Empire. It reveals the truth behind the Godveil and the desertion of the Gods and it shows that nothing is more important that being loyal to the ones who have your back.
Chains of the Heretic picks up from the last book left. Fleeing the Syldoon Empire and into the arms of the waiting enemy. Yes, the enemies are in plentiful and more than eager to meet our illustrated Captain Killcoin and his band of warriors. Book 3 doesn't hold back. The coup at the heart of the empire resulted in far more catastrophic events. Something that could change the fate of the world.
With the threat of Memoridons behind them and the Godveil in front, Braylar and company need allies to change their destiny. But allies are hard to find when you are a treacherous mercenary and the ones you look forward to might more be just a well-wisher. I loved everything about this book. The battles, the characters, specially Muldoss and how Arki has transformed into something more than just an opportunist scribe.
The climax is unexpected, although if you were hoping for the worst, you're one bloody son of a bitch. It was truly sad to see the series end but ending on a high is not something every author can pull off. I'm glad this did and sad that it had to. For the first time, we see the entire Syldoon army in action and yet do not get to reap the joy. Typical, Jeff Salyards building you up to a notion of positive butchery and letting you in on only the small scale skirmishes. But don't be disheartened. For all you war lovers, this book has more than enough.
Chains of the Heretic finally plugs all the mysteries behind Killcoin's history and the Syldoon Empire. It reveals the truth behind the Godveil and the desertion of the Gods and it shows that nothing is more important that being loyal to the ones who have your back.
lvh's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
mxsallybend's review against another edition
5.0
While I enjoyed Scourge of the Betrayer, the first book of Bloodsounder's Arc, it was Veil of the Deserters that really opened my eyes to what Jeff Salyards was capable of. Not only did it overcome the dreaded middle-book curse, it actually proved to be one of those rare sequels that completely surpass the first. I came away from it thoroughly satisfied, but also hungry for more.
That brings us to Chains of the Heretic, the third and final book of Bloodsounder's Arc. Where that second volume expanded upon the world and the story of the first, this one rips that world wide open and shoves us headlong into a whole new heap of betrayals. More importantly, where that second book was a textbook example of how you build to a climax, Chains of the Heretic schools the genre on how you successfully deliver it.
Seriously, it is that good.
As much as I'd love to gush about what Salyards did with the larger storyline and the overall mythology, just about anything I could say here would constitute a spoiler. What I will say is that a lot happens in this book, and it all has significant consequences for our band of Jackals. Everything that was set up in the first two books comes to a head here, with all the dangling plot threads getting tied off - even if some of those knots are deliberately ragged and loose. This is not one of those perfectly tidy, happily-ever-after finales, and anybody who was expecting different clearly hasn't been paying attention. Bloodsounder's Arc was never about completing a quest, saving the world, or succeeding on some epic scale. It was always the story of one man, Captain Braylar Killcoin, as seen through the eyes of his company scribe, Arki (Arkamandos).
I'm not sure I've encountered any character in the last decade or so who grows and evolves as much as Arki. As character arcs go, his is so steady, so consistent, and so entirely grounded that you don't really appreciate how far he's come until you look back on the saga as a whole. Arki is the epitome of the average man. There are no hidden secrets or revelations behind him, and no cumbersome prophecies or destinies hanging over him. He's just a lowly scribe, trying to fit in, and working hard to be accepted by a band of rugged Syldoon warriors. Don't get me wrong, he has some significant moments in this final chapter - some worth cheering about, and others cringe worthy - but Salyards never tries to break him or to make him more than he was ever meant to be.
As for Braylar, his character arc was always set up to be that of the tragic hero, and he never shies away from what needs to be done. At the end of the day, even if he has some uncomfortable family issues, and even if he does wield a cursed flail, he is just another soldier. He's not out for gold or glory, and he's not looking to claim a throne or save a world. Braylar is there to do his job, and help return his deposed emperor to power. As we discover here, he doesn't necessarily have to like the man or agree with his methods to do the job. His is not a story about ideals, but one of duty. There's a lot in this final chapter than challenges our sense of wrong and right, and much that makes us question whether the end can ever justify the means, but Braylar remains the heroic figure around which the story turns.
Chains of the Heretic takes us beyond the shimmering Godveil (and back); reveals the origins of the cursed Bloodsounder; damages some characters horrifically; delves deep into the treacheries of the Syldoon Empire; exposes the roots of Sofjian's loathing for her brother; kills other characters (some of them surprising); and makes us question every motive. It has its moments of black humor, and even a few fleeting moments of happiness, but by and large it is a dark and tragic tale. The action reaches a crescendo here, with some of the biggest battles (and biggest foes) we've seen yet. Salyards takes us across the world, and even if he leaves us cold and weary amid the carnage, we're still anxious for the next campaign . . . should we be so lucky to return to his world.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
That brings us to Chains of the Heretic, the third and final book of Bloodsounder's Arc. Where that second volume expanded upon the world and the story of the first, this one rips that world wide open and shoves us headlong into a whole new heap of betrayals. More importantly, where that second book was a textbook example of how you build to a climax, Chains of the Heretic schools the genre on how you successfully deliver it.
Seriously, it is that good.
As much as I'd love to gush about what Salyards did with the larger storyline and the overall mythology, just about anything I could say here would constitute a spoiler. What I will say is that a lot happens in this book, and it all has significant consequences for our band of Jackals. Everything that was set up in the first two books comes to a head here, with all the dangling plot threads getting tied off - even if some of those knots are deliberately ragged and loose. This is not one of those perfectly tidy, happily-ever-after finales, and anybody who was expecting different clearly hasn't been paying attention. Bloodsounder's Arc was never about completing a quest, saving the world, or succeeding on some epic scale. It was always the story of one man, Captain Braylar Killcoin, as seen through the eyes of his company scribe, Arki (Arkamandos).
I'm not sure I've encountered any character in the last decade or so who grows and evolves as much as Arki. As character arcs go, his is so steady, so consistent, and so entirely grounded that you don't really appreciate how far he's come until you look back on the saga as a whole. Arki is the epitome of the average man. There are no hidden secrets or revelations behind him, and no cumbersome prophecies or destinies hanging over him. He's just a lowly scribe, trying to fit in, and working hard to be accepted by a band of rugged Syldoon warriors. Don't get me wrong, he has some significant moments in this final chapter - some worth cheering about, and others cringe worthy - but Salyards never tries to break him or to make him more than he was ever meant to be.
As for Braylar, his character arc was always set up to be that of the tragic hero, and he never shies away from what needs to be done. At the end of the day, even if he has some uncomfortable family issues, and even if he does wield a cursed flail, he is just another soldier. He's not out for gold or glory, and he's not looking to claim a throne or save a world. Braylar is there to do his job, and help return his deposed emperor to power. As we discover here, he doesn't necessarily have to like the man or agree with his methods to do the job. His is not a story about ideals, but one of duty. There's a lot in this final chapter than challenges our sense of wrong and right, and much that makes us question whether the end can ever justify the means, but Braylar remains the heroic figure around which the story turns.
Chains of the Heretic takes us beyond the shimmering Godveil (and back); reveals the origins of the cursed Bloodsounder; damages some characters horrifically; delves deep into the treacheries of the Syldoon Empire; exposes the roots of Sofjian's loathing for her brother; kills other characters (some of them surprising); and makes us question every motive. It has its moments of black humor, and even a few fleeting moments of happiness, but by and large it is a dark and tragic tale. The action reaches a crescendo here, with some of the biggest battles (and biggest foes) we've seen yet. Salyards takes us across the world, and even if he leaves us cold and weary amid the carnage, we're still anxious for the next campaign . . . should we be so lucky to return to his world.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my honest review.
glowbump's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? No
2.0
mferrante83's review against another edition
4.0
Jeff Saylards Bloodsounder’s Arc comes to a close in Chains of the Heretic an entertaining and exciting final entry in series that hearkens back to Sword and Sorcery stories of yesterday. The action in Chains of the Heretics picks up mere moments after the previous book so if you haven’t read any novels in this series watch out for spoilers. Betrayed and on the run Captain Killcoin, Arki, and the soldiers of Jackal Tower must resort to desperate measures in order to make a rendezvous with emperor-in-exile Thumaar. Unfortunately, with the Emperor Cynead’s forces hot on their heels getting away alive isn’t going to be easy. Dire straits lead to dangerous decisions and Captain Killcoin and his Syldoon soldiers have to face a variety of threats, both expected and unexpected, over the course of their journey.
Chains of the Heretic hammers home the role that memory and the past plays in the series. Memory has been an important conceit throughout this series through the presence of the flail Bloodsounder (which burdens its wielder with the memories of those it slays) and a variety of memory witches (Lloi in Scourge of the Betrayer and the Memoridons moving forward from there). The series’ point-of-view character Arki is a custodian of the past. He is a trained scholar hired not only to dig through ancient documents (i.e. the past) for information on Bloodsounder and memory witches but also to document the actions of Captain Killcoin and his company (i.e. record history). In contrast to the burden memory places on our heroes, particularly Captain Killcoin, there has been startlingly little revealed about the world’s past or the motivations that have moved Captain Killcoin to action. There is a certain amount of impenetrability to the past throughout the series; history is a massive shadowy weight that presses the characters forward without ever truly revealing itself.
Influenced by Arki’s findings certain actions taken by Captain Killcoin see the company taking a big leap of faith into uncharted territory. While those actions save the company from pursuit they also reveal the dangers of an unknown past; particularly how time can warp the meaning of events in strange sometimes dangerous ways. Here they mystery of the past throws a dark shadow over the present. The dangers of the past are hammered home as the company finally comes face to face with the deposed Emperor Thumaar. As Captain Killcoin is told just prior to meeting him “the years…have not been generous.” It’s a wonderful twist that I don’t want to completely spoil but one not wholly unsurprising when you lean heavily on the memory of a person rather than the person themselves.
Arki’s growth over the series is fully realized in Chains of the Heretic. An outsider at the start of the series he has slowly gained the acceptance of the Syldoon even as his original naiveté has slowly dwindled away. While he never seems to evince the hardened practicality (or outright cynicism) of the Syldoon he seems to comes to terms with it in a believable manner. Other characters shine throughout the series and particularly in Chains of the Heretic. The addition of the monstrously tall Azmorgan plays counterpoint to the wracked Mulldoos and their constant verbal sparring is always entertaining while Vendurro’s folkish wisdom and love of eggs continues to provide both insight and levity. Captain Killcoin, gruff and jaded, has continuously shown hidden depths below the bedrock of loyalty to his Tower a characterization which is continued here. Despite the animosity between the Captain and his sister their scenes together are typically enjoyable; Soffjian’s wry humor is another welcome addition despite her tendency to obfuscate her own goals.
If you’ve skipped out on reading any of this series you are seriously missing out. The novels in Bloodsounder’s Arc are typically lumped into the category of grimdark fantasy. I think the notion of grimdark is fairly reductive in nature and in Salyard’s work I’ve found that his attention to detail when building both characters and the world they live in a trait that far eclipses any amount of grit and violence (of which there is no small amount). Perhaps more than any other novels in the series Chains of the Heretic underscores some of the nobler aspects of its characters and somehow manages to do so while still staying true to those same characters’ hardcore, badassed natures. It’s an interesting, near contradictory aspect of Salyards’ work that really elevates the story to another level. These were characters that I actually cared about and when the last page finally rolled around I was both satisfied with their growth over three novels and disappointed to see them go. Salyards is an author to watch and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
Chains of the Heretic hammers home the role that memory and the past plays in the series. Memory has been an important conceit throughout this series through the presence of the flail Bloodsounder (which burdens its wielder with the memories of those it slays) and a variety of memory witches (Lloi in Scourge of the Betrayer and the Memoridons moving forward from there). The series’ point-of-view character Arki is a custodian of the past. He is a trained scholar hired not only to dig through ancient documents (i.e. the past) for information on Bloodsounder and memory witches but also to document the actions of Captain Killcoin and his company (i.e. record history). In contrast to the burden memory places on our heroes, particularly Captain Killcoin, there has been startlingly little revealed about the world’s past or the motivations that have moved Captain Killcoin to action. There is a certain amount of impenetrability to the past throughout the series; history is a massive shadowy weight that presses the characters forward without ever truly revealing itself.
Influenced by Arki’s findings certain actions taken by Captain Killcoin see the company taking a big leap of faith into uncharted territory. While those actions save the company from pursuit they also reveal the dangers of an unknown past; particularly how time can warp the meaning of events in strange sometimes dangerous ways. Here they mystery of the past throws a dark shadow over the present. The dangers of the past are hammered home as the company finally comes face to face with the deposed Emperor Thumaar. As Captain Killcoin is told just prior to meeting him “the years…have not been generous.” It’s a wonderful twist that I don’t want to completely spoil but one not wholly unsurprising when you lean heavily on the memory of a person rather than the person themselves.
Arki’s growth over the series is fully realized in Chains of the Heretic. An outsider at the start of the series he has slowly gained the acceptance of the Syldoon even as his original naiveté has slowly dwindled away. While he never seems to evince the hardened practicality (or outright cynicism) of the Syldoon he seems to comes to terms with it in a believable manner. Other characters shine throughout the series and particularly in Chains of the Heretic. The addition of the monstrously tall Azmorgan plays counterpoint to the wracked Mulldoos and their constant verbal sparring is always entertaining while Vendurro’s folkish wisdom and love of eggs continues to provide both insight and levity. Captain Killcoin, gruff and jaded, has continuously shown hidden depths below the bedrock of loyalty to his Tower a characterization which is continued here. Despite the animosity between the Captain and his sister their scenes together are typically enjoyable; Soffjian’s wry humor is another welcome addition despite her tendency to obfuscate her own goals.
If you’ve skipped out on reading any of this series you are seriously missing out. The novels in Bloodsounder’s Arc are typically lumped into the category of grimdark fantasy. I think the notion of grimdark is fairly reductive in nature and in Salyard’s work I’ve found that his attention to detail when building both characters and the world they live in a trait that far eclipses any amount of grit and violence (of which there is no small amount). Perhaps more than any other novels in the series Chains of the Heretic underscores some of the nobler aspects of its characters and somehow manages to do so while still staying true to those same characters’ hardcore, badassed natures. It’s an interesting, near contradictory aspect of Salyards’ work that really elevates the story to another level. These were characters that I actually cared about and when the last page finally rolled around I was both satisfied with their growth over three novels and disappointed to see them go. Salyards is an author to watch and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
postal_poet's review against another edition
4.0
A good story, but the ending was a little bit anticlimactic. On the whole, I'd read it again eventually.
pagesofash's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seak's review against another edition
5.0
I realized I still haven't reviewed this book and that is complete junk because this book deserves to get reviewed by everyone on the whole site. Salyards is such an underrated talent who is easily up there with Abercrombie and Lynch.
I always have a difficult time with reviews for the last in a series/trilogy. This is no different. There's no way to do it without spoiling some stuff, but I refuse to hide the whole review for that reason because ... it's the third in a series. I think we all get that.
Anyway, the sheer amount of places Salyards takes us in this, the last of the trilogy, is mind-boggling. Toward the end of the book, I was thinking back to portions of the same book that I thought were in the previous book. That's how absolutely nuts this gets. No place is safe from the Syldoon!
Salyards is the man. If you're waiting on Joe Abercrombie to get moving with his new series, look no further. This series was so good, I can't wait to reread it. I can't wait till we all make it possible for him to quit his day job and write full time. That is my dream. Please make it happen and buy his books.
5 out of 5 Stars (easy choice for me)
Publisher provided a copy for review.
I always have a difficult time with reviews for the last in a series/trilogy. This is no different. There's no way to do it without spoiling some stuff, but I refuse to hide the whole review for that reason because ... it's the third in a series. I think we all get that.
Anyway, the sheer amount of places Salyards takes us in this, the last of the trilogy, is mind-boggling. Toward the end of the book, I was thinking back to portions of the same book that I thought were in the previous book. That's how absolutely nuts this gets. No place is safe from the Syldoon!
Salyards is the man. If you're waiting on Joe Abercrombie to get moving with his new series, look no further. This series was so good, I can't wait to reread it. I can't wait till we all make it possible for him to quit his day job and write full time. That is my dream. Please make it happen and buy his books.
5 out of 5 Stars (easy choice for me)
Publisher provided a copy for review.
vailynst's review against another edition
4.0
Mini-Review:
I should rate this book 3.5 stars but I will leave it at 4 because it is better than many of the other books I've read recently.
The POV for the trilogy never really grew on me. I did grow to like Arky but I wasn't a fan of his viewpoint. I felt that it stifled the story in many ways. I know many people love this trilogy but I feel like the whole thing set me up to yearn for answers that won't be answered any time soon. There's so much detail given on various aspects of the series and yet I still don't have a clear idea of the magic system, the history of the lands on either side of the veil or why a man like Braylar would become a dedicated soldier of the Empire.
The series is called Bloodsounder's Arc. What do I know about Bloodsounder? Not a lot. The story tried to keep a steady pace of scene, Arky's contemplation and action but there was too sharp a contrast between the information that was given vs the ones held back. All of the questions I have about the story, plot and characters are barely touched in the series.
The sex scene was subpar. There's no point in going into detail about sex if it's not going to be engaging in some manner. It was funny in the mean kind of way and just as awkward as the first sex scene in book one. Though the one in the first book made more sense in setting up the world & characters than this one.
I should rate this book 3.5 stars but I will leave it at 4 because it is better than many of the other books I've read recently.
The POV for the trilogy never really grew on me. I did grow to like Arky but I wasn't a fan of his viewpoint. I felt that it stifled the story in many ways. I know many people love this trilogy but I feel like the whole thing set me up to yearn for answers that won't be answered any time soon. There's so much detail given on various aspects of the series and yet I still don't have a clear idea of the magic system, the history of the lands on either side of the veil or why a man like Braylar would become a dedicated soldier of the Empire.
The series is called Bloodsounder's Arc. What do I know about Bloodsounder? Not a lot. The story tried to keep a steady pace of scene, Arky's contemplation and action but there was too sharp a contrast between the information that was given vs the ones held back. All of the questions I have about the story, plot and characters are barely touched in the series.
The sex scene was subpar. There's no point in going into detail about sex if it's not going to be engaging in some manner. It was funny in the mean kind of way and just as awkward as the first sex scene in book one. Though the one in the first book made more sense in setting up the world & characters than this one.
milos_dumbraci's review against another edition
2.0
Went to a completely different place than expected after the buildup of the first 2 books (from fantasy western and promises of imperial intrigues and civil war to gulliver in the land of giants and prison break) and I definitely did not like that and got mightly bored. Read half, gave up. Also, the long expected fleshing up of a too bare a worldbuilding still did not come, and that was ok for a first book in a trilogy, tolerable in 2, but not in the entire series.