Publishers Weekly
★ 10/21/2019
McClellan concludes his terrific Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy (after Wrath of Empire) with this explosive finale. Col. Ben Styke, master spy Michel Bravis, and Gen. Vlora Flint each work different angles to keep Ka-Sedial, the mastermind pulling the strings behind the Dynize Imperial throne, from capturing the three godstones and using them to enhance his already formidable power. Ben and his Mad Lancers, joined by Ka-poel, Ka-Sedial’s granddaughter and equal in mystical power, sail to Dynize to capture and destroy the first stone. In Landfall, the largest metropolis on the continent of Fatrasta, Ka-Sedial has been murdering the Palo minority by the thousands in his quest to unlock the second godstone, and Michel, Palo himself, seeks to unite his people against him. Vlora, at the head of the most formidable military force on the continent, has secured parts of the third stone and battles her way to Landfall, where she can destroy them. McClellan sustains the tension throughout, keeping readers’ hearts pounding across epic battles and backroom machinations alike. Fans will devour this action-packed series ender. Agent: Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Assoc. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
"Top-notch epic fantasy fare."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Wrath of Empire
"A brisk and engaging narrative complete with fast-paced action and memorable characters... McClellan's explosive fantasy world will satisfy both established fans of the series and newcomers."—Booklist on Wrath of Empire
"McClellan continues to add depth and richness to his characters and backdrop, swirls in some intriguing plot twists and complications, and sprinkles enough desperate fighting to satisfy the most insistently sanguineous readers...[his] design and construction grow steadily more impressive with each fresh installment."—Kirkus on Wrath of Empire
"Skillful worldbuilding and nuanced characters."—Library Journal (starred review) on Sins of Empire
"Fans of McClellan's Powder Mage trilogy will be happy to return to this fascinating fantasy world, where magic and technology come together in the midst of complicated relationships and unsure alliances . . . . [A] compelling read."—RT Book Reviews on Sins of Empire
"Furious, visceral, and relentlessly thrilling action."—Kirkus on Sins of Empire
"McClellan continues to expand and build on the interesting and engaging world of his previous trilogy while also providing an exciting and fast-paced new story that even those new to the series will enjoy immensely."—Booklist on Sins of Empire
"In Sins of Empire, Brian McClellan returns to the world of his Powder Mage trilogy for a novel that is equal parts military adventure and spy tale, and succeeds wildly on both counts."—Barnes and Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog
"This book is just plain awesome. I found myself enjoying every moment of it. Innovative magic, quick-paced plot, interesting world. I had a blast."—New York Times bestselling author, Brandon Sanderson on Promise of Blood
"Promise of Blood is a hugely promising debut. Guns, swords, and magic together? What more could you want? How about tense action, memorable characters, rising stakes, and cool, cool magic? Not only the finest flintlock fantasy I've read, but also the most fun. Brian McClellan is the real thing."—New York Times bestseller Brent Weeks on Promise of Blood
Kirkus Reviews
2019-09-02
Conclusion to McClellan's Gods of Blood and Powder fantasy trilogy (Wrath of Empire, 2018, etc.), in which politicking assumes as much importance as magic and armies.
Dynize blood sorcerer Ka-Sedial intends to secure the three ancient monoliths known as godstones in order to make himself into a god, and he invades Fatrasta to capture two of them. Giant warrior Ben Styke, accompanied by Ka-Poel, the mute bone-eye sorcerer (and Ka-Sedial's grandaughter) whose magic can detect the stones, plans to attack Dynize and locate the third godstone. But a storm scatters Styke and Ka-Poel's ships and strands them with only 20 lancers. Worse, the stone is already under Ka-Sedial's control, forcing them to forgo brute force and attempt diplomacy. Ka-Poel's husband, Taniel, despite his near godlike powers, spends most of the book trying to catch up with them. Gen. Vlora Flint, grievously wounded and bereft of her gunpowder magic, burns for revenge yet must engage more Dynize armies and endure political interference. Ex-spy Michel Bravis and Ka-Poel's sister Ichtracia, a Privileged sorcerer, try to learn why so many Palo are mysteriously disappearing. McClellan tells an intriguing tale. Still, alert readers will wonder why the book's villain, having quickly solved his main problem, then does nothing for hundreds of pages and why many of the characters that add salt and spice to the proceedings spend too long offstage or just form wallpaper. True, the author doesn't do politics nearly as effectively as he does magic and battles, and he wrings out few surprising plot twists. His prior novels, with their hero Field Marshal Tamas, cast an unfortunately deep shadow: Tamas is one of the great fantasy heroes of recent years, and nobody here comes close.
Solid and absorbing but not the tour de force the Powder Mage trilogy was.
