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dlustig's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
filberthoneysac's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 // 5
‘The smell of the dead, the wind in his hair, the blood on his steel: it made him feel vibrant and alive like nothing in the world had ever done for him.’
Sins of Empire is Brian McClellan's re-entry into his beloved Powder Mage universe. With a somewhat new cast of characters, I found Sins of Empire unfortunately lacking comparatively. I like Vlora, Styke, and Michel as characters, but I simply found myself wanting more Taniel and Ka-poel. Hah!
The Mad Lancers were a fun group, but my least favorite part of these books is the fighting -- at least on a large scale. Personal fights like Styke vs. Fidelis Jes -- which concluded far too quickly for my tastes -- are the kind I particularly enjoy. Anyway, Styke's story was fun, reminded me of Kings of the Wyld, a bunch of battered, old, and crippled war veterans getting back together for one last job. We know that never ends well for 'em.
Michel was a somewhat intriguing point of view, but I found myself yearning for Taniel and Ka-poel more than him. I wasn't a big fan of how the double agency was handled... Michel compartmentalizing his traitor-self, then struggling with doing so after he meets with Taniel. Then he manages to down the city's greatest duelist and take over his post... huh. Not a fan, unfortunately, Michel. Give me more Taniel and Ka-poel!
On the whole, the story had some good buildup in the first half, exploded in the second half, but none of it was particularly exciting. We got barely a nibble of information on the godstones, which were the most interesting part of the story, and a lot of repeated information or thoughts for our characters. Vlora's politicking might have been my favorite part of the book, especially with her confrontation in the Depths. Hmm!
I will probably read the next entry, but when will that be? I've no idea.
‘The smell of the dead, the wind in his hair, the blood on his steel: it made him feel vibrant and alive like nothing in the world had ever done for him.’
Sins of Empire is Brian McClellan's re-entry into his beloved Powder Mage universe. With a somewhat new cast of characters, I found Sins of Empire unfortunately lacking comparatively. I like Vlora, Styke, and Michel as characters, but I simply found myself wanting more Taniel and Ka-poel. Hah!
The Mad Lancers were a fun group, but my least favorite part of these books is the fighting -- at least on a large scale. Personal fights like Styke vs. Fidelis Jes -- which concluded far too quickly for my tastes -- are the kind I particularly enjoy. Anyway, Styke's story was fun, reminded me of Kings of the Wyld, a bunch of battered, old, and crippled war veterans getting back together for one last job. We know that never ends well for 'em.
Michel was a somewhat intriguing point of view, but I found myself yearning for Taniel and Ka-poel more than him. I wasn't a big fan of how the double agency was handled... Michel compartmentalizing his traitor-self, then struggling with doing so after he meets with Taniel. Then he manages to down the city's greatest duelist and take over his post... huh. Not a fan, unfortunately, Michel. Give me more Taniel and Ka-poel!
On the whole, the story had some good buildup in the first half, exploded in the second half, but none of it was particularly exciting. We got barely a nibble of information on the godstones, which were the most interesting part of the story, and a lot of repeated information or thoughts for our characters. Vlora's politicking might have been my favorite part of the book, especially with her confrontation in the Depths. Hmm!
I will probably read the next entry, but when will that be? I've no idea.
mickeyjaytee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Thoroughly enjoying Brian McClellans powder mage universe books. His writing is very easy to follow and yet, he writes so well. Chapters leave you wanting more. How many times at night I had said to myself “Just one more chapter, ONE more chapter” and 5 chapters later… superb author and I highly recommend. He’s definitely on that tier above most fantasy writers. I really enjoyed the adventure and intrigue of Sins of Empire. The characters were great and diverse and the story moved along at a great pace. His writing style is addictive. Check it out!
joescrepes's review against another edition
3.75
whoops didn't realize this was a sequel trilogy lol
jethrov's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
viegreifen's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine American Revolution era mixed with magic and that's what you get. McClellan has created a complicated web of characters and loyalties that was very interesting to follow (I do recommend making notes). However, the twists got so frequent nearing the end that they became unsurprising. The main protagonists also seemed a little OP compared to the antagonists, but overall an enjoyable fantasy.
lonestar91's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
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
4.25
aoeada's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
McClellan certainly improved in some areas here. The largest change is the pacing. Rather than the breakneck pace of the first trilogy, he takes things more slowly in all POVs and leans into an investigative, mystery type novel. For the first 30-50% of the book you're left wondering how everything will tie together and what all the mysteries happening around town have to do with one another.
This is the trapping of this type of novel. If the stories don't align then you've essentially just written a novel with random narratives that vaguely interact. That's what happens here. His three POVs do interact with one another, with Vlora at the center. The problem lies in how they come together. They truly don't in any coherent way.
Things happen in this novel because McClellan finds them cool and convenient. The trappings of the final novel in his previous trilogy are still here. All those loose ends are tied up, but they have nothing to do with the overarching narrative as the true final boss is revealed in the last 30% of the book. It's strange and leaves you feeling empty. Especially because the mystery isn't particularly exciting.
The excitement comes from McClellan's ability to make bursts of action so exhilarating. He excels at directing multiple POV battles and having climaxes occur simultaneously. There are two climaxes here, and both are very well telegraphed and paid off. If only he was able to string together this type of narrative around his mystery arcs, then this would have been excellent.
My problem is that I'm going to read the next two books. That payoff is Sanderson-esque, in that way. The characters are largely flat and the world isn't fleshed out as well as it could be, but when the action happens that's what you really remember.
McClellan certainly improved in some areas here. The largest change is the pacing. Rather than the breakneck pace of the first trilogy, he takes things more slowly in all POVs and leans into an investigative, mystery type novel. For the first 30-50% of the book you're left wondering how everything will tie together and what all the mysteries happening around town have to do with one another.
This is the trapping of this type of novel. If the stories don't align then you've essentially just written a novel with random narratives that vaguely interact. That's what happens here. His three POVs do interact with one another, with Vlora at the center. The problem lies in how they come together. They truly don't in any coherent way.
Things happen in this novel because McClellan finds them cool and convenient. The trappings of the final novel in his previous trilogy are still here. All those loose ends are tied up, but they have nothing to do with the overarching narrative as the true final boss is revealed in the last 30% of the book. It's strange and leaves you feeling empty. Especially because the mystery isn't particularly exciting.
The excitement comes from McClellan's ability to make bursts of action so exhilarating. He excels at directing multiple POV battles and having climaxes occur simultaneously. There are two climaxes here, and both are very well telegraphed and paid off. If only he was able to string together this type of narrative around his mystery arcs, then this would have been excellent.
My problem is that I'm going to read the next two books. That payoff is Sanderson-esque, in that way. The characters are largely flat and the world isn't fleshed out as well as it could be, but when the action happens that's what you really remember.