Review: The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan

Synopsis

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 rumous 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.  

What I thought

This is the second book in the Empire of the Wolf series.  As it is the second book, I will keep this short in an attempt to not spoil anything. 

This book picks up where the first one ended.

Even though this book is about Sir Vonvalt Konrad, it is told from the perspective of his apprentice Helena.  When Helena is writing out this story, she is a much older woman, which means you sometimes get commentary on her looking back.  I love how that adds another level to the story.  You also are assured that Helena will make it through alive since she is telling the story, but you have no idea what is going to happen to anyone else.

I found myself getting very attached to these characters, they operate like a found family, and you can’t help but get attached. 

Claver.  Oh, wow, he is a villain.  I didn’t understand how big he was or how important he was in book one.  To be honest, I kind of dismissed him in the first book because I thought he was just a tool.  In the first book, he seemed more of an annoyance and did not seem intimidating at all.  I thought he was more of a lackey and not the mastermind.  Boy was I wrong.  I did not foresee everything that happens in this book, and now I am worried about what is going to happen in the next installment.

The best way to describe this book is a finely crafted puzzle.  You may not understand why certain things are happening or think that some things are not important, but when you get to see the whole picture, everything just falls into place.

I cannot wait to see what happens in the final book of this series.

My Rating: /5

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think? Tell me in the comments below.