Not sure why I didn't write a review for this one. I did love it. ( )

I managed to get through the first trilogy and both the two books in this particular series in a matter of weeks. The magic element is very well embedded into the universe and in a way that's believable and not too over the top. McClellan continues to build the characters we knew from the original series in a way that surprises and excites without making the whole thing seem like a gimmick. ( )

All the pieces are moving around the board in order to come to the resolution of this story, complicated politics and trying to deal with the godstones without killing themselves or causing a god to be formed is proving a lot of work for our heroes.

It's an interesting read but you can see how characters are developing and getting in place for the finale. ( )

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Title: Wrath of Empire
Series: Gods of Blood and Powder #2
Author: Brian McClellan
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Flintlock Fantasy
Pages: 533
Words: 190K

Synopsis:

After the invasion of Fatrasta and the capital city of Landfall, thousands of refugees seek the safety of Lady Flint's soldiers as she prepares for another war to prevent the return of Gods walking the world.

In the capital, Blackhat spy Michel Bravis must infiltrate the invading Dynize to find a person named Mara. Succeeding in this mission could mean winning the war.

Meanwhile, the Mad Lancers led by Mad Ben Styke are building their own army. They are sent on a mission to find and destroy the third Godstone, led by the bloodmage Ka-poel. But what they find may not be what they're looking for.

My Thoughts:

McClellan tells a fantastic story and I really enjoyed this book.

Unfortunately, this really could have been a 5star book for me, except for one minor thing. Namely Vlora Flint. Oh my goodness, I am really disliking her. Her guilt issues are driving me batty, right alongside her inability to take any advice. She'll ask all her comrades for advice and before they've even started, she's already dismissing them or telling them why their advice is wrong. It wasn't just once, but multiple times that this happened. Really got under my skin.

Other than that, this was just one long enjoyable read.

★★★★✬ ( )

Gods of Blood and Powder continues into the aftermath of the Battle of Landfall. McClellan continues to thrill with action and intrigue laced with character moments that left me no choice but to read the finale.

Ben Styke continues to lead as my favorite of the POV characters, his crude manner hiding a competent leader that willingly gets his hands dirty. Styke is forced to confront his past and fall from grace, and gets pushed into some introspection when an adversary points out his hypocrisy. Like his fellow commander Lady Flint, Styke leads his men searching for a godstone while pursued by superior forces. Ka-Poel accompanies Styke for this book, and her interactions with Styke and Celine and some humor and character to his chapters.

Vlora remains the least characterized of the three protagonists, though her chapters are still a pleasure to read due to Taniel's presence and the raw intensity of the fights she gets into. She still remains the mercenary commander who cares for those serving under her, but not much else gets explored about her person. Hopefully book 3 changes this.

I've noticed many readers compare Michel to Adamat from the first trilogy and it's not hard to see why. Both are characters that provide more intrigue than epic battles through investigation (or spycraft in Michel's case). However, I think Michel sets himself apart just enough by working as a double agent, putting himself more directly in danger. Not having Vlora's sorcery or the shear toughness of Styke, Michel lives entirely on his wits which grants his plot some of the more interesting twists. ( )