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aspiringwriter77's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Shoutout to the 2 to Ramble podcast for their excellent rating system.
Full Review:
Overall Enjoyment: 3.5 Stars (Good)
Emotional Impact: 3/5
This book really hit at the end, with many emotional ups and downs so close together that they almost were simultaneous emotions.For example, after both Bressinger and Vonvalt go down, there are these two very intense emotional grieving scenes, only for both of them to “wake up” whoch only makes Beessinger’s true death hit harder. However, there were definitely parts in this book that just didn’t hit for me personally, so I give it 3 stars for emotional impact.
Thought Provoking: 2.5/5
There was a big theme about the fallibility of the letter of the law and those who enforce it when it comes in conflict with personal ideas of justice. This theme just didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. However, this theme isn’t the main focus of the book, so really, it doesn’t detract much from the enjoyment of the book.
Characters: 3.75/5
The characters in this book are really good.Vonvalt especially had this really interesting arc where you see him slowly become less and less focused on the letter of the law, and more focused on justice as he feels like it and stopping Claver, going so dar as to kill someone for a crime he never would have killed someone for in the first book. Helena’s character also takes a big step in this book, and the conflict and relationship between her and Vonvalt was really interesting.
Plot: 2.75/5:
I was disappointed by the first 50-60 percent of the plot of this book.What I was expecting when I opened the book was Vonvalt and Helena, in Sova, dealing with all the various conflicts and conspiracies waiting for then in Sova. What I really wanted was a political intrigue novel, where Vonvalt returns to begin breaking down the political situation between the Mlyanars and the Emperor. And after the first part of the book, where Vonvalt becomes the Master of the Magistratum, and purge the Order of all spies, I was really excited. And then, the book gets sidetracked by a goose chase. And a pretty wild one at that. I believe that besides for setting up the ending, the whole t for Prince Kamil situation was utterly pointless and frankly very boring. However, the ending really pulled the plot through, and the twists at the end saved this book and made me want to read the next book.
Worldbuilding: 3.5/5
Overall, I didn’t think much of the worldbuilding in the overworld, although I do think that Sova and Keraq were interesting to read about. The afterlife, however, was the star of the show. All the places described in the afterlife were all really unique in their own way, and perfectly amplified the story’s overall dark tone.
Prose: 3/5:
I think the prose was okay, with the action and emotional scenes being written very well. However there were a bunch of difficult words that kind of slowed the reading down quite a bit, especially near the end where the plot was supposed to be going faster.
Conclusion: This was a good book. It was definitely a step down from the first book, but it held up enough to intrigue me in reading the third book, but I am probably going to wait on continuing the series for now. A solid 3.5 rating for a good book.
Full Review:
Overall Enjoyment: 3.5 Stars (Good)
Emotional Impact: 3/5
This book really hit at the end, with many emotional ups and downs so close together that they almost were simultaneous emotions.
Thought Provoking: 2.5/5
There was a big theme about the fallibility of the letter of the law and those who enforce it when it comes in conflict with personal ideas of justice. This theme just didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. However, this theme isn’t the main focus of the book, so really, it doesn’t detract much from the enjoyment of the book.
Characters: 3.75/5
The characters in this book are really good.
Plot: 2.75/5:
I was disappointed by the first 50-60 percent of the plot of this book.
Worldbuilding: 3.5/5
Prose: 3/5:
I think the prose was okay, with the action and emotional scenes being written very well. However there were a bunch of difficult words that kind of slowed the reading down quite a bit, especially near the end where the plot was supposed to be going faster.
Conclusion: This was a good book. It was definitely a step down from the first book, but it held up enough to intrigue me in reading the third book, but I am probably going to wait on continuing the series for now. A solid 3.5 rating for a good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Hate crime, Terminal illness, and Murder
marinaasofthesea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
godfrina's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Talk about explosive finish.
I admit the first 40% or so were a bit slower going for me - the prose is just as magnificent as book 1, mind you - it's very political and scheming at first.
However, at about the 50% mark it's one bang after another and I finished the latter half in a single sitting.I might be delusional but I still hope for some happiness for Vonvalt and Helena.
I love how absolutely everybody is morally grey to say the least and has personal hardships/relationships to overcome or come to terms with all the while an insane plotting of a coup is going on (I do kind of pat myself on the shoulder to have at least thought of the possibility of who might be actually pulling strings while first introduced to the character fairly early on. Well done me :) ). Sidenote: I love the german-esque names and countries in this world! I've never really come across a fantasy world like it.
I admit the first 40% or so were a bit slower going for me - the prose is just as magnificent as book 1, mind you - it's very political and scheming at first.
However, at about the 50% mark it's one bang after another and I finished the latter half in a single sitting.
I love how absolutely everybody is morally grey to say the least and has personal hardships/relationships to overcome or come to terms with all the while an insane plotting of a coup is going on (
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Death, Excrement, and Grief
Minor: Torture and Vomit
norseman_soul's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kinnisha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Oh my god that was intense! On to book 3!
daydreamingdragons's review against another edition
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
5.0
sgall75's review against another edition
5.0
I read Swan's The Justice of Kings last year and it was definitely one of the best reads from 2022. This sequel simply blows book 1 out of the water!
I was completely and totally gripped from the first line to the last. I'm not entirely sure how my heart didn't give out reading the second instalment in the Empire of the wolf trilogy! We continue to view Sir Konrad Vonvalt's attempts to rid the Empire of the power hungry Claver and keep justice through the eyes of his apprentice, Helena. Her character really develops through this book and we see how she begins to start to question the world about her and find her own place. His retinue has grown to include Sir Radomir as well as the newly injured Bressinger. The characters are all wonderfully rendered and fleshed out.
The world building and magic system is phenomenal. I really enjoyed how it was linked in with the religious aspect of the world that the characters inhabit. Again, there was a mystery that needed solving element, similar to the first book.
I can honestly say that this book was breath-taking and I can't wait for the final book in this trilogy. It's certainly one I'm going to buy and place on my shelves.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review.
I was completely and totally gripped from the first line to the last. I'm not entirely sure how my heart didn't give out reading the second instalment in the Empire of the wolf trilogy! We continue to view Sir Konrad Vonvalt's attempts to rid the Empire of the power hungry Claver and keep justice through the eyes of his apprentice, Helena. Her character really develops through this book and we see how she begins to start to question the world about her and find her own place. His retinue has grown to include Sir Radomir as well as the newly injured Bressinger. The characters are all wonderfully rendered and fleshed out.
The world building and magic system is phenomenal. I really enjoyed how it was linked in with the religious aspect of the world that the characters inhabit. Again, there was a mystery that needed solving element, similar to the first book.
I can honestly say that this book was breath-taking and I can't wait for the final book in this trilogy. It's certainly one I'm going to buy and place on my shelves.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review.
awoods3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nickwhite's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hrgisahero's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
Solid follow-up. Very much enjoying this series. I enjoy the political stakes with some magic sprinkled in, the descent of an empire and a law organization. Some frustrating moments with very limited thinking on part of the characters at times, but on the whole good and enjoyable.