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josiah17's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"People may revere the idea of heroic veterans, but they very seldom have the time or charity for the broken, battle-shocked men and women that are the reality of what war produces."
Another good read with this penultimate installment in the series setting the playing field for the final book. New levels of grimdark were explored here. Extreme treachery, hidden motivations, ruthless means, and tense politics. All of this carried over from the last book, and maybe executed a little better. I really like McLean's clear and consice style of writing. There's no fluff, he just gives you the important stuff and focuses on the moments and buildup to where things go down. It's just so immersive and atmospheric too. He captures this violent and unsteady environment perfectly with his tone and words.
I'm unsure how I feel about a part of the ending, but otherwise I'm pretty satisfied with the way this story has progressed. Stakes are quite high now, and Tomas Piery will do anything to prevent another Abingon.
"Here comes the boggart to snip off your head,
Here comes a Queen's Man,
And you're better off dead"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Gore, Murder, and Violence
amiewg's review
4.0
Nothing much to report here, other than me being in a slow-burn romance with one Tomas Piety.
malignantcactus's review
3.0
Such a fun series. I don't think it does anything especially well. It's all serviceable/good, but damn if it isn't a fun time.
desolation73's review against another edition
4.0
I've really enjoyed this series and kind of medieval peaky blinders. One more book to come the priest of crowns in April.
jugglemisterer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
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
4.75
brooke_city's review against another edition
3.5
I said it about book 2, and I'll say it again: for Tomas to be a big time mob/gang boss, he's either incredibly naive, or just plum dumb. Or both.
It was obvious from the beginning that Vogel was angling to place himself on the throne. The plan had been years in the making, and Tomas was just another pawn. (Or maybe a bishop.)
He's blinded by his feelings for Elsa, whose staunch loyalty has always been to Vogel. He runs and tells her everything, as if he can trust her as part of his faction. <i>Sister Deceipt</i>. There's a reason Rosie said she would be loyal to Tomas, not to Elsa.
Tomas' people follow him bc they trust him, and he led them into a vipers' nest. Now the country is marching to a war he claimed he became a Queen's Man to avoid.
I think Sabine may be the master puppeteer, even pulling Vogel's strings. <i>Mother Ruin</i>.
We'll see who joins which side in the finale.
He's blinded by his feelings for Elsa, whose staunch loyalty has always been to Vogel. He runs and tells her everything, as if he can trust her as part of his faction. <i>Sister Deceipt</i>. There's a reason Rosie said she would be loyal to Tomas, not to Elsa.
Tomas' people follow him bc they trust him, and he led them into a vipers' nest. Now the country is marching to a war he claimed he became a Queen's Man to avoid.
I think Sabine may be the master puppeteer, even pulling Vogel's strings. <i>Mother Ruin</i>.
We'll see who joins which side in the finale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Suicide
lisa85's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
andreichites's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
itsfreelancer's review against another edition
5.0
I must say, it only gets better. The stakes are a lot higher and absolute power is up for grabs. For the first time Peity is wondering if it is worth the price.
I love it. For a gangster like him there wasn't anything that could scare him. And then in walked the Queen's Men who are a nightmare come to life. And now within their ranks where money and fame and power are in his grasp, the bill is about to come due.
And he's only going to lose his life, his people and his nation.
If he doesn't bow his head.
I love it. For a gangster like him there wasn't anything that could scare him. And then in walked the Queen's Men who are a nightmare come to life. And now within their ranks where money and fame and power are in his grasp, the bill is about to come due.
And he's only going to lose his life, his people and his nation.
If he doesn't bow his head.