"Top-notch epic fantasy fare."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"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
"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
"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 on Sins of Empire
"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
★ 04/02/2018
In this terrific epic fantasy sequel to Sins of Empire, McClellan mixes quest, battle, and espionage plotlines with strong character development and a variety of magics. He does not provide any narrative assistance for new readers, such as a plot summary or cast of characters, but instead launches right in with Ka-Sedial, leader of the invading Dynize forces, tasking six preternatural dragonmen with killing Ben Styke, leader of the Mad Lancers. Ben, powder mage Gen. Vlora Flint, Taniel Two-Shot, the bone-eye sorceress Ka-poel, and their forces seek out the two remaining godstones across the vast continent of Fatrasta, hoping to destroy them before Ka-Sedial can use them to create a new god. In Landfall, the first Fatrastan city that the Dynize captured, Michel Bravis must find a woman he knows only as “Mara” and spirit her from the city on Taniel’s orders, even if that means infiltrating the Dynize occupiers. McClellan ably balances combat, ranging from fistfights and duels on up to pitched battles between armies, with the love, rage, loyalty, and soul-searching of individual characters. This is top-notch epic fantasy fare. Agent: Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Assoc. (May)
Christian Rodska provides this action-packed fantasy with a dazzling narration. Each memorable, well-developed character—Michel, Ben, Taniel, Ka-poel, and Viora—has a recognizable and appropriate voice. Their likability is made more so by Rodska's treatment as well as their complicated relationships. With the capital city occupied, Michel smuggles even more refugees out, while Ben is building an army and searching for an ancient artifact to help turn the tide of the war. Rodska becomes involved in the action with excellent pacing variations as well as changes in volume and tone. He sounds fascinated by this fantasy’s world building, in which magic and technology come together. Narrator and story are an outstanding team. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Christian Rodska provides this action-packed fantasy with a dazzling narration. Each memorable, well-developed character—Michel, Ben, Taniel, Ka-poel, and Viora—has a recognizable and appropriate voice. Their likability is made more so by Rodska's treatment as well as their complicated relationships. With the capital city occupied, Michel smuggles even more refugees out, while Ben is building an army and searching for an ancient artifact to help turn the tide of the war. Rodska becomes involved in the action with excellent pacing variations as well as changes in volume and tone. He sounds fascinated by this fantasy’s world building, in which magic and technology come together. Narrator and story are an outstanding team. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
2018-03-05
Second entry in McClellan's Gods of Blood and Powder fantasy series (Sins of Empire, 2017), in which the land of Fatrasta has been invaded by the armies and sorcerers of the vast Dynize empire.To cement their recent reunion after a civil war, the Dynize want to create a new god and so seek godstones, ancient monoliths infused with magic powerful enough to achieve this. Taniel Two-shot, a former powder mage who killed a god in McClellan's previous trilogy, acquiring near godlike powers, and his companion, the enigmatic Ka-Poel, a mute bone-eye sorcerer, are utterly determined to prevent them. Because Taniel and Ka-Poel alone can detect the godstones, which are concealed by potent magic, Taniel joins up with Gen. Vlora Flint and her Riflejack mercenaries, previously hired by Lady Chancellor Lindet to defend the capital and now shepherding a mob of refugees away from Dynize attacks, while Ka-Poel accompanies Col. Ben Styke and his Mad Lancers, who, deprived of their magic armor, are still a formidable but no longer invincible fighting force. Meanwhile, in the now occupied capital, former Blackhat spy Michel Bravis worms his way into the good graces of the occupying Dynize bureaucracy in order to make contact with the mysterious informant promised by Taniel. 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. Possible cavils include excessive length, a dearth of truly jaw-dropping moments, and no claim to independent intelligibility—although many fans will account these as strengths.McClellan's design and construction grow steadily more impressive with each fresh installment.