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thecriticalreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Review:
Reading the second book in a series is like moving to the next stage of a relationship with someone. You start to familiarize yourself with them beyond the superficial, and in doing so attune yourself to their true strengths, flaws, and annoying habits. Such is the case with The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan. Given that the sequel repeats many of the themes, characterizations, and plot points of the first book, I was able to identify flaws more easily in Swan’s writing. Long story short, if you disliked or had significant reservations about the first book, you might not like the second book because it’s more of the same.
In objective terms, there is much to pick apart in A Tyranny of Faith. Of particular annoyance is that his characters start an absurd number of sentences with an oath, in the vein of “Good God!” or “Bloody Hell!” but adapted to their world’s mythology. I quickly became sick of characters reacting to literally every situation by muttering “Nema’s tits!” or “Nema’s blood!” or one of the other dozen or so oaths that Swan cycles through in the book.
Another fact about the book that’s hard to get around is that 80% of the narrative is characters standing around talking to each other. Some of this dialogue reads organically, but a lot of it is rather clunky exposition. I recognize that some awkward exposition is inevitable in most fantasy books—and The Tyranny of Faith is still better on this front than, say, Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings—but I did find it grating after a while.
Like a lot of second books in trilogies, The Tyranny of Faith suffers from a lethargy in character and plot development. Although Helena, Bressinger, and Vonvalt maintain the strong characterization they had in the first book, they otherwise undergo little transformation throughout the book. (There’s also the problem that two of the main characters are essentially the same person, resulting in a curious and unnecessary redundancy). Similarly, the plot drags out a bit as it stretches toward the third book’s conclusion.
Despite my harsh critiques of The Tyranny of Faith on a technical level, I still enjoyed it for the most part. In the few and far-between moments that Swan dedicates to character interactions, explorations into themes of morality, and plot momentum, he crafts scenes that are evocative and riveting. For instance, I enjoyed his haunting descriptions of the mysterious afterlife. I plan to read the third book in the series because I am curious as to how he resolves the thematic questions he poses in this book and the first book.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like The Tyranny of Faith if . . .
· You loved the first book and want more of the same
You might not like The Tyranny of Faith if . . .
· You didn’t like the first book or were hoping for a sequel that switches things up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Torture, Vomit, and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism
atalea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Torture, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, and War
azrah786's review against another edition
4.25
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, injury, gore, body horror, murder, death, child death, suicide, war, torture, alcoholism, grief, confinement, kidnapping, illness
--
Super engaging with an exceptionally crafted plot, The Tyranny of Faith is a great follow up to The Justice of Kings!
Following the Battle at Galen’s Vale this sequel, again through the voice of Helena Sedanka, has us following Sir Konrad Vonvalt and his retainers as they travel to the capital Sova in order to root out the treason and whispers of rebellion that are circling the heart of the Empire. Tensions are high with all the political turmoil as well as the threat from a certain zealous Patria who is still at large. However, when the Emperor’s grandson is kidnapped the Emperor’s justice and co get reluctantly pulled in to help find him. Though they’re not totally convinced this new mystery is unrelated to the wider chaos and darkness that is brewing.
I made the choice not to reread book 1 before diving back into this series (Richard Swan has a great recap on his website though which really helped there) but the writing immediately eases you into the medieval setting and story again anyways.
Helena as a narrator is just as compelling as she was originally though her character reads as slightly more mature here and it really feels like Swan has come into his own with this story. There is still that sense of foresight in her recount that though is frustrating at times as she continually alludes that things aren’t going to go as planned, also keeps you glued to closely following the twisty narrative and action all the same.
What I loved the most was the expansion of the worldbuilding. In book 1 it was clear that Swan was just touching on the surface of the magic and lore but here it is all built on fantastically, I was particularly blown away with all the new details on the necromancy side of things that we get to see. We also get more of an insight into the intricacies of the central political system of the world and I really enjoyed the continued exploration on the themes of morality and following the letter of the law vs the spirit of the law.
Furthermore, the central group of characters in the book are such a joy to follow, as I have mentioned previously I really love their collective dynamic. It was really great to see a little more into their backstories and see their relationships develop and strengthen with everything that was transpiring around them.
The only thing I am starting to not really like were certain insinuations when it came to the relationship between Helena and Vonvalt. I really enjoyed the master/apprenticeship dynamic that was introduced between the two of them in Justice and Helena’s younger perspective having traces of adoration at first made sense. The way the situation seems to be developing though is starting to feel a little unnecessary and awkward..
That aside I did enjoy this sequel and am looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Final Rating 4.25/5 Stars
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, injury, gore, body horror, murder, death, child death, suicide, war, torture, alcoholism, grief, confinement, kidnapping, illness
--
Super engaging with an exceptionally crafted plot, The Tyranny of Faith is a great follow up to The Justice of Kings!
Following the Battle at Galen’s Vale this sequel, again through the voice of Helena Sedanka, has us following Sir Konrad Vonvalt and his retainers as they travel to the capital Sova in order to root out the treason and whispers of rebellion that are circling the heart of the Empire. Tensions are high with all the political turmoil as well as the threat from a certain zealous Patria who is still at large. However, when the Emperor’s grandson is kidnapped the Emperor’s justice and co get reluctantly pulled in to help find him. Though they’re not totally convinced this new mystery is unrelated to the wider chaos and darkness that is brewing.
I made the choice not to reread book 1 before diving back into this series (Richard Swan has a great recap on his website though which really helped there) but the writing immediately eases you into the medieval setting and story again anyways.
Helena as a narrator is just as compelling as she was originally though her character reads as slightly more mature here and it really feels like Swan has come into his own with this story. There is still that sense of foresight in her recount that though is frustrating at times as she continually alludes that things aren’t going to go as planned, also keeps you glued to closely following the twisty narrative and action all the same.
What I loved the most was the expansion of the worldbuilding. In book 1 it was clear that Swan was just touching on the surface of the magic and lore but here it is all built on fantastically, I was particularly blown away with all the new details on the necromancy side of things that we get to see. We also get more of an insight into the intricacies of the central political system of the world and I really enjoyed the continued exploration on the themes of morality and following the letter of the law vs the spirit of the law.
Furthermore, the central group of characters in the book are such a joy to follow, as I have mentioned previously I really love their collective dynamic. It was really great to see a little more into their backstories and see their relationships develop and strengthen with everything that was transpiring around them.
The only thing I am starting to not really like were certain insinuations when it came to the relationship between Helena and Vonvalt. I really enjoyed the master/apprenticeship dynamic that was introduced between the two of them in Justice and Helena’s younger perspective having traces of adoration at first made sense. The way the situation seems to be developing though is starting to feel a little unnecessary and awkward..
That aside I did enjoy this sequel and am looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Final Rating 4.25/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
misterwisp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I couldn't stop reading at the end. It's a good sequel. They continue to add to the character arcs and the big picture political stuff is done well. You really get the sense of people caught up and swept along in historical events too big for them, trying to do the right things but faced with endless obstacles. There was the right amount of horror, it was unsettling but not graphic or for shock value. It continues to be compelling to get Helena's perspective of her changing view of her mentor and what events are doing to both of their senses of justice. I really like it, it's worth continuing on to if you liked the first one. The series is it's own thing in my opinion and not a copy paste of Game of Thrones with a few things changed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture
aileron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Gore, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping