We are SOOOOO BACK BABY!!!
Now THIS is the Sun Eater series I know and love!

By far the best side story Ruocchio has pumped out, Lorian was already one of my favourite characters and he's so interesting, but being able to be in his head for this book and hearing his recollections and his feelings towards certain people was amazing.

The plot itself was gripping, intriguing and very enjoyable. Unlike Ashes of Man, the "War" or battle in this book was completely captivating and I was invested, it had stakes and it kept me hooked.

As for the side characters, as you could anticipate, most of them were hostile and absolutely horrible towards Lorian because he's an Intus, being in his head for this book, it was really interesting seeing his thought processes and how he reacts to such things and the defences he's built up to protect himself.

What I loved was the portrayal of his weak body, he still adapted and moved along despite it and he often used his condition to his advantage.
(This is exactly the sort of thing Ruocchio needed to do with Hadrian in Ashes of Man, he took all the things that made Hadrian himself away in that book, and instead of having him find a new version of himself, someone without the powers and advantages and plot armours, he just left him neutered and useless.)

I also loved finding out about his beliefs, which were kept secret even from his closest friends from the series. However, one thing that annoyed me and felt inconsistent with his character,

was when the people running the prison talk to him and told him Hadrian was on Jadd kicking his feet up and partaking in slaves being prostituted. Lorian believed them, he actually believed Hadrian just gave up and sat around drinking and canoodling with women. This is the first man that believed in Lorian, who plucked him out from a depressing and monotonous position that was given to him because nobody wanted him nor could stand him, everyone is always disgusted by his appearance and his very existence. Hadrian believed in him, gave him a position, allowed him to earn respect on his own actions and merits, he let him flourish and use his gifts, surrounded by a family-like group of misfits which he fit in with. This is someone Lorian loved deeply, someone that meant so much to him that he sacrificed his future for and broke him out of prison and took his place. And he easily believed Hadrian just fecked off and retired to Jadd? Seriously? That's so inconsistent! It would have been a bit more believable if they had to work really hard to convince Lorian, but he just believed them straight away after like one litrle denial.

Apart from that, this is an amazing book 🤯 

I can't believe a side book about a different character was better written than a MAIN book, absolutely mind blowing. I'm deviating from this review, but this book made me reflect on Ashes of Man a lot.