Book Title: The Tyranny of Faith
Series: Empire of the Wolf #2
Author: Richard Swan
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60028919-the-tyranny-of-faith
Release Date: 02/14/23
Star Rating:
Most anticipated book of the year.
From a major new debut author in epic fantasy comes the second book in a trilogy where action, intrigue, and magic collide. Sir Konrad Vonvalt is an Emperor’s Justice: a detective, judge, and executioner all in one. But these are dangerous times to be a Justice….
A Justice’s work is never done.
The Battle of Galen’s Vale is over, but the war for the Empire’s future has just begun. Concerned by rumors that the Magistratum’s authority is waning, Sir Konrad Vonvalt returns to Sova to find the capital city gripped by intrigue and whispers of rebellion. In the Senate, patricians speak openly against the Emperor, while fanatics preach holy vengeance on the streets.
Yet facing down these threats to the throne will have to wait, for the Emperor’s grandson has been kidnapped – and Vonvalt is charged with rescuing the missing prince. His quest will lead him – and his allies Helena, Bressinger and Sir Radomir – to the southern frontier, where they will once again face the puritanical fury of Bartholomew Claver and his templar knights – and a dark power far more terrifying than they could have imagined. – Goodreads
Shit is going down my friends! I mean I knew it was going to happen, since book 1 was so strong and you could tell the story was going to be leading to some epic showdowns, but nothing is guaranteed and second books can be so iffy sometimes. Let me tell you, this book did not disappoint!
This is the kind of sequel that leads a reader to searching Netgalley every day after finishing book one. When it finally shows up you SMASH that request button and proceed to pray to the book gods that you are granted that precious ARC. Well I got it, and immediately re-read book one purely so I could steep myself in the world in preparation for starting this new volume.
Vonvalt and Helena are such wonderful characters. I am in awe of how the author writes this young woman. She’s so beautifully realized. Book 1 struck me with the relationship between the two, father-daughter with all the complexity of feeling and resentment that goes with that. Now enters a whole new dimension with Helena’s misguided attraction. Oh god, I wanted to hide my face sometimes, having been that young woman some decades ago.
Besides the relationship drama there is so much to find her in the advancing destruction (not a spoiler since it has been explicitly mentioned since the first book) of this society. If you are an epic fantasy fan then this series delivers in spades. If you haven’t read the first book you really do need to pick that up first. This is not the place to jump in, but you will be so glad you invested the time into this.
Now it’s time to start refreshing my Netgalley page in search of book 3. My watch begins.
Lost In A Good Book 