Scan barcode
peterkeep's review against another edition
5.0
Django Wexler has this series figured out. He's got a great mix of politics and action. There's characterization and plot twists. Muskets mix with demons. It's great. I feel like the previous book, [b: The Price of Valor|23398724|The Price of Valor (The Shadow Campaigns, #3)|Django Wexler|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1421712949s/23398724.jpg|42905071], really set the tone for the rest of the series. After introductions of characters, plots, and settings in the first two, we get to really see what's happening in the series. And this is gearing up for a nice conclusion.
Winter is still a GREAT POV character. She's believable and, my favorite, doesn't get too mopey in the midst of different interpersonal problems. The same goes for Marcus and Raes, too. Marcus seems to fade in and out of focus in his own POVs, though, since he really provides a way to view Janus. And that's a plotline that I'm loving. I love seeing Janus' facade crack every now and then, seeing inside his head, and seeing some of his REAL motives. I go back and forth in my stance on him, which fits really well into the conflict of power between him and Raes.
The actual plot is solid, too. We get to extend into the war a bit further, see some new settings (but not too new, it's not like they're hopping around the universe a bunch or anything), and of course, we get a bit "deeper" into the great conflict between the two main forces or whatever.
At this point, I'm mostly in this for the guns and the characters, so the exciting storyline is really just a bonus. And it's a really good bonus.
Winter is still a GREAT POV character. She's believable and, my favorite, doesn't get too mopey in the midst of different interpersonal problems. The same goes for Marcus and Raes, too. Marcus seems to fade in and out of focus in his own POVs, though, since he really provides a way to view Janus. And that's a plotline that I'm loving. I love seeing Janus' facade crack every now and then, seeing inside his head, and seeing some of his REAL motives. I go back and forth in my stance on him, which fits really well into the conflict of power between him and Raes.
The actual plot is solid, too. We get to extend into the war a bit further, see some new settings (but not too new, it's not like they're hopping around the universe a bunch or anything), and of course, we get a bit "deeper" into the great conflict between the two main forces or whatever.
At this point, I'm mostly in this for the guns and the characters, so the exciting storyline is really just a bonus. And it's a really good bonus.
vshashank666's review against another edition
5.0
Extremely good craft.
Gut wrenching battles.
Exquisitely crafted characters and what an arc.
Cant wait for the next one.
Gut wrenching battles.
Exquisitely crafted characters and what an arc.
Cant wait for the next one.
geraardds's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
The fourth book in the Shadow Campaigns is a solid continuation of the series, and went in some directions I didn't expect.
Winter and Marcus are both back with the army and Janus on the march. So is the queen, which I found a bit hard to swallow but just barely justified in-story, so I got over it.
Pretty big revelations in this volume, including some I definitely didn't expect - though not shocking. Just not what I'd have guessed was coming. Others had been well telegraphed over the past couple of books and were more along the lines of satisfying revelations.
This book also offered the realization of two of the most believable love stories I've read in non-PR fantasy lately. I frequently feel like new romantic relationships in fantasy happen too quickly, just popping into being. Wexler must feel the same, because the groundwork for both of these was laid in the previous book and blown into life in a very satisfying and believable manner.
I'm pretty fired up to finish things off in the next installment.
Winter and Marcus are both back with the army and Janus on the march. So is the queen, which I found a bit hard to swallow but just barely justified in-story, so I got over it.
Pretty big revelations in this volume, including some I definitely didn't expect - though not shocking. Just not what I'd have guessed was coming. Others had been well telegraphed over the past couple of books and were more along the lines of satisfying revelations.
This book also offered the realization of two of the most believable love stories I've read in non-PR fantasy lately. I frequently feel like new romantic relationships in fantasy happen too quickly, just popping into being. Wexler must feel the same, because the groundwork for both of these was laid in the previous book and blown into life in a very satisfying and believable manner.
I'm pretty fired up to finish things off in the next installment.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just... WOW. Okay, where do I start with this one? Like every other book before it, THE GUNS OF THE EMPIRE excels in literally every aspect. The story is strong, emotional, and gut-wrenching at the end. The characters are memorable, layered, and incredibly brave. The women are hardcore and not scared to throw down and completely own all the coolest moments. The action is pulse-pounding and you can't help but bite your nails to get to the next page to see who makes it out alive. And this time, not everyone does. I honestly couldn't stop reading and have been gushing about this book and the series to all of my friends and family. It's unique, thrilling, intense, and not something anyone who likes military fantasy, fantasy, or compelling stories with big twists and hair-pulling endings ought to miss. I honestly have to force myself to step back and take a breather so I remember to work because if I don't, I'll keep reading all day just to see how it ends. Honestly, if you don't think this kind of book is for you, it is. Do not miss this series!
atagarev's review against another edition
2.0
Despite my low rating most of the strong suits of the series are still present in this installment. My disappointment is entirely based on two specific events in the book that are totally nonsensical yet absolutely fundamental to the way the story unfolds.
I'll try to keep my complaint as generic as possible but I am still putting it in a spoiler tag.
In both instances she sets out to do something, overcomes all obstacles to get to the point where she can do it but then doesn't for no good reason. In both cases her inaction leads to disasters and massive losses of life. It left a really bad taste in my mouth because now the only reason the story continues at all is Winter's mind-blowing incompetence.
Otherwise the story continues the vague yet definite parallels to the Napoleonic Wars. The fourth novel brings us the invasion of a powerful northern nation with massive territories and inferior military where inclement weather, poor roads, long supply lines and guerrilla warfare are the primary opposition. In that way it is more like the first book rather than the previous as the conflict takes place away from civilization and the emphasis is placed on survival and running a military.
Basically I would have enjoyed the book as much as the previous installments if not for those few moments where the really inexplicable frustrating events happen. Unfortunately they are so out of place that I see no reason to continue reading the series.
I'll try to keep my complaint as generic as possible but I am still putting it in a spoiler tag.
Spoiler
Basically both actions I have a problem with are things Winter does in the latter half of the book. One comes about 2/3rds of the way through and causes the problems in the final third and the other happens near the very end of the book and is the cause of the series not finishing.In both instances she sets out to do something, overcomes all obstacles to get to the point where she can do it but then doesn't for no good reason. In both cases her inaction leads to disasters and massive losses of life. It left a really bad taste in my mouth because now the only reason the story continues at all is Winter's mind-blowing incompetence.
Otherwise the story continues the vague yet definite parallels to the Napoleonic Wars. The fourth novel brings us the invasion of a powerful northern nation with massive territories and inferior military where inclement weather, poor roads, long supply lines and guerrilla warfare are the primary opposition. In that way it is more like the first book rather than the previous as the conflict takes place away from civilization and the emphasis is placed on survival and running a military.
Basically I would have enjoyed the book as much as the previous installments if not for those few moments where the really inexplicable frustrating events happen. Unfortunately they are so out of place that I see no reason to continue reading the series.
tani's review against another edition
4.0
I am shocked and appalled to only be giving this book 4 stars. And yet, much though I love this series, I just can't justify a five star rating for this particular book. I'm not saying that it was bad. Not at all! I thought it was excellent! But. It never quite captured me the way that the other books in this series have. Now, this could be partially my own fault. I sat on this book for a long time, so I may have built it up in my head too much. I've also been moderately sick for the entire time that I was reading it. It's really hard to get drawn into anything when your head is set at a constant dull ache. But mostly, I think that the fault lies with the book itself. This felt like a set-up book, like the second book in a trilogy. I feel like it spent a lot of time laying out the groundwork for the final book in the series, and not quite enough time having its own plot and action.
That said, there was still a lot to love in this book. There were a lot of quiet character-based moments, for one. I really enjoyed seeing the emotional growth of everyone here. As you can guess from the prior book's ending, Winter has a lot of issues to struggle through. Marcus and Raesinia are faced with not only their attraction to each other, but also the issue of what place Janus has in each of their lives. Marcus also has to deal with the revelations about the fate of his family, whereas Raesinia is faced with what her role should be in this newly reshaped country, as well as the choice between expedience and what is right.
In addition, there are some major revelations for the reader in this book. I can't really say what they are, obviously, but I can say that some of the things that I discovered during this book have me really looking forward to the final book in the series, to say the least!
In addition, there was the theme. This time, Wexler takes on religious wars and the power that religion can wield within a government, especially when the religion forms the basis of the lives of the poor. It's a really thought-provoking topic, and one that I think is pretty timely. The inclusion of it definitely made me more interested in the book, and I'm excited to see if it continues to be a theme in the final book of the series.
In short, I definitely enjoyed this book, but I wish it had been focused a little less on set-up and more on actual action. Of course, it does mean that the final book is truly going to be in a good position to ramp things up on an epic scale, and I certainly can't complain about that!
That said, there was still a lot to love in this book. There were a lot of quiet character-based moments, for one. I really enjoyed seeing the emotional growth of everyone here. As you can guess from the prior book's ending, Winter has a lot of issues to struggle through. Marcus and Raesinia are faced with not only their attraction to each other, but also the issue of what place Janus has in each of their lives. Marcus also has to deal with the revelations about the fate of his family, whereas Raesinia is faced with what her role should be in this newly reshaped country, as well as the choice between expedience and what is right.
In addition, there are some major revelations for the reader in this book. I can't really say what they are, obviously, but I can say that some of the things that I discovered during this book have me really looking forward to the final book in the series, to say the least!
In addition, there was the theme. This time, Wexler takes on religious wars and the power that religion can wield within a government, especially when the religion forms the basis of the lives of the poor. It's a really thought-provoking topic, and one that I think is pretty timely. The inclusion of it definitely made me more interested in the book, and I'm excited to see if it continues to be a theme in the final book of the series.
In short, I definitely enjoyed this book, but I wish it had been focused a little less on set-up and more on actual action. Of course, it does mean that the final book is truly going to be in a good position to ramp things up on an epic scale, and I certainly can't complain about that!