From critically acclaimed author Richard Swan, Grave Empire begins the epic tale of an empire on the verge of industrial revolution, where sorcery and arcane practices are outlawed – and where an ancient prophecy threatens the coming end of days.
Hello again dear reader or listener, I am back, this time with a review for a brand-new entry in one of my favorite fantasy subgenres, i.e. flintlock fantasy!
With a huge thanks to Orbit for the eArc approval, my thoughts are indeed honest and I am definitely not being threatened into saying nice things by the ominously silent guys in dark suits and sunglasses currently parked outside my home.
I had previously begun reading Swan’s Justice of Kings and, even though I didn’t get very far before I had to pause for reasons, I was so taken by his narrative voice and deep worldbuilding. Eventually I decided to buy each book as it came out and to binge read the whole thing in one go because that is what I enjoy most when presented with this style of writing. Then, before I got the chance to read the trilogy, in came arc requests for this new book that seemed even more tailor made for me, if possible. So, I simply could not resist jumping in this one first.
Indeed, to open this new trilogy, Swan brings together horror fantasy, flintlock, espionage, a sprinkling of steampunk, wolfmen, mer-men, necromancy and more. Also shark familiars. I feel it is very necessary to mention the shark familiars. I mean come on, how effing cool is that?!
Also did you see that cover?! A thing of absolute and badass beauty that is.
(Please note my heroic attempt at not swearing – be advised, it will not last.)
First thing I want to mention, aptly, are the epigraphs to each chapter that, not only were a nice touch to enrich the lore, but they were so perfectly on point with their underlying commentary. If you know, you know.
Now then, with three different points of view, we get to follow along as each of the characters is trying their best to survive their respective trials and maybe make it out at least partially sane by the end. Best results not guaranteed.
Each pov is utterly compelling in its own way and for various reasons, with two of them ringing so true in their reactions to their situations in ways that are somewhat unexpected for epic fantasy heroes. Truly, the horrors are many and, sure, the characters do try to get through them with some bravery and stubbornness, but in point of fact they are actually terrified the whole time. And who wouldn’t be when facing such terror and hopeless situations they were very much not trained for?! You can’t help but deeply feel for them and root for them in equal measure. Also, the number of times I just went “What a mood” out loud, is telling.
Whereas with the third pov, Swan does something I always enjoy finding if done well, and that is gradually revealing that the eyes through which we are seeing that side of the story belong to someone despicable. It is subtle at first and expertly done, and I can only tip my hat to this slow unravelling of an already deplorable mind into something far worse. I hated every added second of being in it and I was delighted all the same that the author could pull such a visceral sense of repulsion out of me. The key was in all the small details that so effectively wormed their way under my skin and kept adding to my discomfort so that even when the actions become outright villainous without any subtlety about them, I was still both expecting it and yet appalled at the progressive worsening of the situation.
Not to mention how Swan’s overall narrative pacing was so masterfully varied so as to perfectly render the slowly mounting dread and anxiety of tense moments, or the hectic chaos of sudden action and fever dreams, as well as the Fuck-that-run-for-your-lives scenarios. Hell, he even succeeded in creating multiple jump-scares and, as we all know, that is not easy to do on page. And again, sometimes all it took was some very small yet expertly placed details that so strongly rendered the utter wrongness of a given situation.
However, do not think that because there are bleak moments in the story, this first book is itself heavy and tiresome. Quite the opposite, interspersed with all of the aforementioned, there is plenty of wry and dark humor which had me chuckling quite often because of how well it worked in tying the whole story together and in rendering the absurdity of some situations.
All of that said, perhaps the book suffered a tiny bit from some heft of the war politics and history exposition here and there, so as to not make it ideal for the newer fantasy reader, but not overly so as to make it inaccessible either. For the seasoned epic fantasy reader though, this world and its new story are easily an embarrassment in riches. Swan brings to the page battle and machinations which he sometimes plunges the reader right in the middle of if necessary and sometimes we skirt along the edges of along with the harried protagonists, and it is always just the right amount of either epic, chaotic, or terrifying, as needed to serve the given situation.
Also, I need to give a shoutout without context and spoilers to a scene that gave me strong KALI MA vibes, just because.
In short, Grave Empire is just one big, badass cocktail of awesome.
I loved seeing the character development throughout the whole book, I loved the plot itself and I’m intrigued to no end, if not even a little wary (in a good way), as to what is to come next in The Great Silence and how our protagonists will persevere.
Mr. Swan you have my undivided attention, and so should you, dear reader or listener, run to immerse yourself in this grand new epic, and have this author on your shelves.
Now pardon me while I go back to read Empire of the Wolf so I can better understand and enjoy all the easter-eggs and to simply enjoy even more of Swan’s writing.
Until next time,
Eleni A.E.
P.S: You can order an even more (yes it is possible) gorgeous edition of this glorious book over at The Broken Binding, with incredible extra art and sprayed edges here!
