A review by wilt
The Granite Shield by Fiona Patton

3.0

i like military fantasy. i really do. but this one tested even my limits. i would describe this 500 page book as 80% battles, 10% branion history lesson, and 10% character development. it depicts a facet of a many centuries long religious war in which the current ruler is secretly seduced by the enemy so that she can raise his child and prime him to usurp the throne. we follow this child and his fellow bastard siblings as they grow up on opposing sides of the war, along with other key figures in the conflict. and i like how this book gives us POVs from both sides, its all very interesting, but i did struggle to feel fully invested in any of these characters because we jump around so much. but i can't say i disliked it. its exhausting at times, yes, and very robust. but i have to give credit that every battle felt different and the sheer exhaustion by the end of it all added weight to the final climax. i also liked the characters. they're nuanced, they struggle with their allegiances, they're loyal but have breaking points to their oaths, and the theme of free will vs. the whims of manifesting warring gods and prophetic visions of fate appeals to me. 

wouldn't recommend it to the feint of heart. the queerness is also casual and minimal. more than half the cast is in a same-gender relationship at some point but none of it holds much space in the story, with the exception of

a situationship between two non blood-related brothers

towards the end. the first book is still my favorite, but i liked this one a lot more than the second.