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A review by willrefuge
Emperor of Ruin by Django Wexler
4.0
8.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/03/24/emperor-of-ruin-by-django-wexler-review/
With the plague finally dissipated, Ashok, the last surviving Chosen, has returned to the world. Within days he has assumed total control of the Twilight Order, bearing promises of equality for all and a return to the golden age of olde. The Order, having been founded to shepherd the world in the Chosens’ absence, readily gives way to Ashok’s rule.
While Maya and Gyre know the truth, the rest of the world (even those at odds with the Order) seem thrilled with the prospect, forcing the pair to flee to the fringes of the Dawn Republic, back to Gyre’s old stomping grounds—Deepfire. There, where news has yet to arrive, the outcasts assume control of the city and try to unite it against the Chosen; one last bastion to oppose Ashok.
But there are issues—especially as the Tunnelborn and the Republic refuse to work together. Worse still, both seem thrilled with the prospect of the Chosen return, and seek to send word to Skyreach straight away.
The siblings—along with a fair few allies, both old and new—must unite the people under one banner, that opposing Ashok’s world order. While Gyre returns to the tunnels deep beneath the city, Maya must venture into the mountains at the world’s edge—in pursuit of a legendary weapon that could not only turn the tides, but prove Ashok’s deity is a lie.
No pressure.
—
Sometimes, chaos is better than the alternative.
—
The final book in the trilogy, Emperor of Ruin starts off with a bang—the same way that Blood of the Chosen ended. While the newly arisen Chosen takes to the capital, the siblings take to the shadows. This creates some interesting pacing, as the action stops and starts more than once to focus instead on more world-building. Don’t get me wrong—I LOVE the world this trilogy is set in, but I could’ve done with a bit of a slower start if we were just going to focus on more plot development.
I’m actually a little disappointed we don’t get to see MORE of the world; throughout the trilogy, the story only takes us to pieces of maybe a quarter of the Republic, and none of the surrounding kingdoms. I really hope that Wexler revisits this place sometime in the future—there’s just so much potential here!
While I may criticize the pacing, the plot itself plays out very well. I mean, it’s a bit of a classic one—forced into a corner, the ragtag team seeks a legendary weapon to turn the tides—albeit with a few unexpected twists. Even though it’s not the most creative of conclusions, this one comes together well enough that I didn’t mind the classic format. Not everything can be new and cutting-edge but also interesting and immersive, after all.
I quite enjoyed the plot and premise of the series, but neither can contend with the setting itself! I adored the quasi science fiction/fantasy feel to the place, the reliance on a combination of new and old, of futuristic and obsolete that makes up that of everyday life. I can’t rave about the setting enough, as I seem to do it after every book. Something that will hopefully continue following a reread of Ashes of the Sun sometime soon.
TL;DR
Though I didn’t love either of the following books as much as the first book, I can’t recommend the saga of Burningblade and Silvereye enough, as the interactions between its characters—particularly those of Maya and her friends, as well as Gyre and Kit, and of course that of the siblings themselves. Though they’re never as much at odds as they were in the first book, the conclusion to the series finds neither sibling completely willing to give up all their secrets, at least just yet. If you’re a returning fan of the trilogy, this book is a must, but if you’re unfamiliar with the author or his work or this particular series—Ashes of the Sun is an excellent taking-off point.
Merged review:
8.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/03/24/emperor-of-ruin-by-django-wexler-review/
With the plague finally dissipated, Ashok, the last surviving Chosen, has returned to the world. Within days he has assumed total control of the Twilight Order, bearing promises of equality for all and a return to the golden age of olde. The Order, having been founded to shepherd the world in the Chosens’ absence, readily gives way to Ashok’s rule.
While Maya and Gyre know the truth, the rest of the world (even those at odds with the Order) seem thrilled with the prospect, forcing the pair to flee to the fringes of the Dawn Republic, back to Gyre’s old stomping grounds—Deepfire. There, where news has yet to arrive, the outcasts assume control of the city and try to unite it against the Chosen; one last bastion to oppose Ashok.
But there are issues—especially as the Tunnelborn and the Republic refuse to work together. Worse still, both seem thrilled with the prospect of the Chosen return, and seek to send word to Skyreach straight away.
The siblings—along with a fair few allies, both old and new—must unite the people under one banner, that opposing Ashok’s world order. While Gyre returns to the tunnels deep beneath the city, Maya must venture into the mountains at the world’s edge—in pursuit of a legendary weapon that could not only turn the tides, but prove Ashok’s deity is a lie.
No pressure.
—
Sometimes, chaos is better than the alternative.
—
The final book in the trilogy, Emperor of Ruin starts off with a bang—the same way that Blood of the Chosen ended. While the newly arisen Chosen takes to the capital, the siblings take to the shadows. This creates some interesting pacing, as the action stops and starts more than once to focus instead on more world-building. Don’t get me wrong—I LOVE the world this trilogy is set in, but I could’ve done with a bit of a slower start if we were just going to focus on more plot development.
I’m actually a little disappointed we don’t get to see MORE of the world; throughout the trilogy, the story only takes us to pieces of maybe a quarter of the Republic, and none of the surrounding kingdoms. I really hope that Wexler revisits this place sometime in the future—there’s just so much potential here!
While I may criticize the pacing, the plot itself plays out very well. I mean, it’s a bit of a classic one—forced into a corner, the ragtag team seeks a legendary weapon to turn the tides—albeit with a few unexpected twists. Even though it’s not the most creative of conclusions, this one comes together well enough that I didn’t mind the classic format. Not everything can be new and cutting-edge but also interesting and immersive, after all.
I quite enjoyed the plot and premise of the series, but neither can contend with the setting itself! I adored the quasi science fiction/fantasy feel to the place, the reliance on a combination of new and old, of futuristic and obsolete that makes up that of everyday life. I can’t rave about the setting enough, as I seem to do it after every book. Something that will hopefully continue following a reread of Ashes of the Sun sometime soon.
TL;DR
Though I didn’t love either of the following books as much as the first book, I can’t recommend the saga of Burningblade and Silvereye enough, as the interactions between its characters—particularly those of Maya and her friends, as well as Gyre and Kit, and of course that of the siblings themselves. Though they’re never as much at odds as they were in the first book, the conclusion to the series finds neither sibling completely willing to give up all their secrets, at least just yet. If you’re a returning fan of the trilogy, this book is a must, but if you’re unfamiliar with the author or his work or this particular series—Ashes of the Sun is an excellent taking-off point.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/03/24/emperor-of-ruin-by-django-wexler-review/
With the plague finally dissipated, Ashok, the last surviving Chosen, has returned to the world. Within days he has assumed total control of the Twilight Order, bearing promises of equality for all and a return to the golden age of olde. The Order, having been founded to shepherd the world in the Chosens’ absence, readily gives way to Ashok’s rule.
While Maya and Gyre know the truth, the rest of the world (even those at odds with the Order) seem thrilled with the prospect, forcing the pair to flee to the fringes of the Dawn Republic, back to Gyre’s old stomping grounds—Deepfire. There, where news has yet to arrive, the outcasts assume control of the city and try to unite it against the Chosen; one last bastion to oppose Ashok.
But there are issues—especially as the Tunnelborn and the Republic refuse to work together. Worse still, both seem thrilled with the prospect of the Chosen return, and seek to send word to Skyreach straight away.
The siblings—along with a fair few allies, both old and new—must unite the people under one banner, that opposing Ashok’s world order. While Gyre returns to the tunnels deep beneath the city, Maya must venture into the mountains at the world’s edge—in pursuit of a legendary weapon that could not only turn the tides, but prove Ashok’s deity is a lie.
No pressure.
—
Sometimes, chaos is better than the alternative.
—
The final book in the trilogy, Emperor of Ruin starts off with a bang—the same way that Blood of the Chosen ended. While the newly arisen Chosen takes to the capital, the siblings take to the shadows. This creates some interesting pacing, as the action stops and starts more than once to focus instead on more world-building. Don’t get me wrong—I LOVE the world this trilogy is set in, but I could’ve done with a bit of a slower start if we were just going to focus on more plot development.
I’m actually a little disappointed we don’t get to see MORE of the world; throughout the trilogy, the story only takes us to pieces of maybe a quarter of the Republic, and none of the surrounding kingdoms. I really hope that Wexler revisits this place sometime in the future—there’s just so much potential here!
While I may criticize the pacing, the plot itself plays out very well. I mean, it’s a bit of a classic one—forced into a corner, the ragtag team seeks a legendary weapon to turn the tides—albeit with a few unexpected twists. Even though it’s not the most creative of conclusions, this one comes together well enough that I didn’t mind the classic format. Not everything can be new and cutting-edge but also interesting and immersive, after all.
I quite enjoyed the plot and premise of the series, but neither can contend with the setting itself! I adored the quasi science fiction/fantasy feel to the place, the reliance on a combination of new and old, of futuristic and obsolete that makes up that of everyday life. I can’t rave about the setting enough, as I seem to do it after every book. Something that will hopefully continue following a reread of Ashes of the Sun sometime soon.
TL;DR
Though I didn’t love either of the following books as much as the first book, I can’t recommend the saga of Burningblade and Silvereye enough, as the interactions between its characters—particularly those of Maya and her friends, as well as Gyre and Kit, and of course that of the siblings themselves. Though they’re never as much at odds as they were in the first book, the conclusion to the series finds neither sibling completely willing to give up all their secrets, at least just yet. If you’re a returning fan of the trilogy, this book is a must, but if you’re unfamiliar with the author or his work or this particular series—Ashes of the Sun is an excellent taking-off point.
Merged review:
8.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/03/24/emperor-of-ruin-by-django-wexler-review/
With the plague finally dissipated, Ashok, the last surviving Chosen, has returned to the world. Within days he has assumed total control of the Twilight Order, bearing promises of equality for all and a return to the golden age of olde. The Order, having been founded to shepherd the world in the Chosens’ absence, readily gives way to Ashok’s rule.
While Maya and Gyre know the truth, the rest of the world (even those at odds with the Order) seem thrilled with the prospect, forcing the pair to flee to the fringes of the Dawn Republic, back to Gyre’s old stomping grounds—Deepfire. There, where news has yet to arrive, the outcasts assume control of the city and try to unite it against the Chosen; one last bastion to oppose Ashok.
But there are issues—especially as the Tunnelborn and the Republic refuse to work together. Worse still, both seem thrilled with the prospect of the Chosen return, and seek to send word to Skyreach straight away.
The siblings—along with a fair few allies, both old and new—must unite the people under one banner, that opposing Ashok’s world order. While Gyre returns to the tunnels deep beneath the city, Maya must venture into the mountains at the world’s edge—in pursuit of a legendary weapon that could not only turn the tides, but prove Ashok’s deity is a lie.
No pressure.
—
Sometimes, chaos is better than the alternative.
—
The final book in the trilogy, Emperor of Ruin starts off with a bang—the same way that Blood of the Chosen ended. While the newly arisen Chosen takes to the capital, the siblings take to the shadows. This creates some interesting pacing, as the action stops and starts more than once to focus instead on more world-building. Don’t get me wrong—I LOVE the world this trilogy is set in, but I could’ve done with a bit of a slower start if we were just going to focus on more plot development.
I’m actually a little disappointed we don’t get to see MORE of the world; throughout the trilogy, the story only takes us to pieces of maybe a quarter of the Republic, and none of the surrounding kingdoms. I really hope that Wexler revisits this place sometime in the future—there’s just so much potential here!
While I may criticize the pacing, the plot itself plays out very well. I mean, it’s a bit of a classic one—forced into a corner, the ragtag team seeks a legendary weapon to turn the tides—albeit with a few unexpected twists. Even though it’s not the most creative of conclusions, this one comes together well enough that I didn’t mind the classic format. Not everything can be new and cutting-edge but also interesting and immersive, after all.
I quite enjoyed the plot and premise of the series, but neither can contend with the setting itself! I adored the quasi science fiction/fantasy feel to the place, the reliance on a combination of new and old, of futuristic and obsolete that makes up that of everyday life. I can’t rave about the setting enough, as I seem to do it after every book. Something that will hopefully continue following a reread of Ashes of the Sun sometime soon.
TL;DR
Though I didn’t love either of the following books as much as the first book, I can’t recommend the saga of Burningblade and Silvereye enough, as the interactions between its characters—particularly those of Maya and her friends, as well as Gyre and Kit, and of course that of the siblings themselves. Though they’re never as much at odds as they were in the first book, the conclusion to the series finds neither sibling completely willing to give up all their secrets, at least just yet. If you’re a returning fan of the trilogy, this book is a must, but if you’re unfamiliar with the author or his work or this particular series—Ashes of the Sun is an excellent taking-off point.