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booksarethenewblack 's review for:
The Trials of Empire
by Richard Swan
You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black
Wow, what an ending! I have loved this trilogy, and I’m sad it’s over. I will say that this third book was a lot darker than the previous two. I found many moments that we were crossing into some horror aspects. The first two were more political, but we delve into the afterlife and demons. I’m not kidding there are things described in such detail that I may or may not have had nightmares. I’m a big chicken when it comes to gruesome and gory details. It was unexpected, but somehow added so much tension to the story.
We have this whole story, being told by Helena, which I adore. I was so nervous for her, but we all know she lives through this. She not only states that in the first book, but how else would she be recounting this for us? Still there were several moments that I was wondering if just maybe… Throughout the first two books her relationship with Vonvalt has been of admiration and love. There are so many instances that you wonder if it will go there, but they tread that line. Their relationship can sometimes be frustrating because it feels very unbalanced. Helena has a much bigger role to play in this book. She’s mostly a side character in the first two, but takes over in this book.
Swan’s writing is just as good as the first two books! Besides some pacing issues in the beginning, I had a hard time putting this down. He is not afraid to go there, and explore how religion and laws effect society. Helena and Vonvalt butt heads in a lot in this book. I do understand how she had a hard time with the man she knew, and what he became. Vonvalt is a stickler for law/justice, and his journey ends up taking him down a questionable road. Sometimes we have to do things to fight a greater evil but at what cost? How far will you go?
Overall, this was a satisfying ending to a great trilogy. It’s not one that I ever expected to enjoy so much but I’m glad I picked it up. I will miss Helena, and all of these characters! I look forward to what Swan does next.
Many thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wow, what an ending! I have loved this trilogy, and I’m sad it’s over. I will say that this third book was a lot darker than the previous two. I found many moments that we were crossing into some horror aspects. The first two were more political, but we delve into the afterlife and demons. I’m not kidding there are things described in such detail that I may or may not have had nightmares. I’m a big chicken when it comes to gruesome and gory details. It was unexpected, but somehow added so much tension to the story.
We have this whole story, being told by Helena, which I adore. I was so nervous for her, but we all know she lives through this. She not only states that in the first book, but how else would she be recounting this for us? Still there were several moments that I was wondering if just maybe… Throughout the first two books her relationship with Vonvalt has been of admiration and love. There are so many instances that you wonder if it will go there, but they tread that line. Their relationship can sometimes be frustrating because it feels very unbalanced. Helena has a much bigger role to play in this book. She’s mostly a side character in the first two, but takes over in this book.
Swan’s writing is just as good as the first two books! Besides some pacing issues in the beginning, I had a hard time putting this down. He is not afraid to go there, and explore how religion and laws effect society. Helena and Vonvalt butt heads in a lot in this book. I do understand how she had a hard time with the man she knew, and what he became. Vonvalt is a stickler for law/justice, and his journey ends up taking him down a questionable road. Sometimes we have to do things to fight a greater evil but at what cost? How far will you go?
Overall, this was a satisfying ending to a great trilogy. It’s not one that I ever expected to enjoy so much but I’m glad I picked it up. I will miss Helena, and all of these characters! I look forward to what Swan does next.
Many thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.