Review - The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan

 

Cover - The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan

I hope this post finds you well. I haven't been, I've been sick with a cold, but on the plus side it has given me time to finish reading The Trials of Empire, book three of the Empire of the Wolf series by Richard Swan. And I've got great news, it was the second 5-star read I've experienced in a row.

I get the feeling this book has puzzled a few other reviewers and booktubers, primarily because of its switch away from mystery and political intrigues of the earlier installments to epic battles and supernatural horror. All I can say is that this new mix worked for me, and I honestly feel that Swan has saved the best for last. As a book, it succeeds at building up a genuine feeling of threat and dread for the main characters. In particular, the eerie atmosphere of the dreams visions by the young Helena as she is haunted by an otherworld of demons. The stakes are raised much higher as the main characters struggle through perils in order to regain the capital city of Sova and in battles against the fallen priest, Claver, and his diabolical allies. The locks that were previously kept on the horror content are finally released, as various characters must navigate through the home territories of the monstrous demon lords themselves. And an unexpectedly taut trial prosecution scene near the end did not disappoint.

Helena, the narrator as ever, is on a personal journey to break free of her feelings for and attachment to Vonvalt, her former mentor and a Justice of the empire. We get to see her heroism in the tasks she is given: to retrieve a sacred fire, to fetch a weapon from a demon lord and to cut the tether between Ramayah and Claver. She is also a foil against Vonvalt's self-centredness and driving impulses: Helena must restrain and remind him of the correct humanist and moral actions to follow.

Vonvalt is presented even more in this part of the series as a flawed character. His natural arrogance, impatiently ruthless demands and sense of superiority can be a weakness, as is his morbid curiosity about the forbidden Draedist arcane lore without a limitation of moral wrongness. His partial redemption near the end is as welcome as his heroism and ability to take over and direct the people of the city. But the spell book that is hinted at to still be in his possession at the end will put you in doubt...and possibly leave developments open to a sequel series.

There are constant questions throughout the story as to the ethical rightness of certain actions. Vonvalt's argument is always that because of the need to save many lives any action is justified, no matter its correctness and even if you makes you as bad as the enemy at times. This moral dilemma is at the heart of the book and surprisingly doesn't bore you with tedious details. 

Some highlights I found were the wolf-men, the Kasar, and the view of their believable society, culture and warlike ferocity. My favourite character was Agraexes the trickster, an otherworldly spirit on the side of the main characters who has marked Helena as his own. And satisfyingly we at last get the "dirt" on Claver: revelations of his fall and possession, and deals with devils.

I thought this third book was easily the best in the series.

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

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