Skip to main content

Seven Deaths of an Empire by G.R. Matthews


 Title: Seven Deaths of an Empire

Author: G.R. Matthews

Published: June 22, 2021 by Solaris/Rebellion Publishing

Genre: Grimdark Fantasy

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy for review.

What's It About: Seven Deaths of an Empire is a grimdark fantasy story that chronicles the power struggle after the death of an emperor. Inspired by the real life Roman Empire this story is told in duel perspectives. General Bordan is trying to ensure that the succession of the empire goes smoothly to prevent civil unrest and political upheaval. While Apprentice Magician Kyron is assigned to return the emperor's body safely to the palace. These are not easy tasks with the forests full of rebels, and there are people hungry for power, plotting to take control. 

My Thoughts:  This book has one of my favorite fantasy elements where a young inexperienced person is sent on a very important mission and learns a lot along the way in the main character Kyron. This is not your typical fantasy story though. It is most definitely grimdark. It is full of death, ulterior motives, war, and betrayal. The plot is really great. It has a great mix of heart, mystery, nail-biting anticipation, and dread.

The writing is good with great character development. The story would have benefited from more descriptions especially in the first half. There are some really well described action scenes. Other parts depended too heavily on dialogue to give the information of the world. More description of the setting and actions would have shown a clear picture of the world instead of only through dialogue.

The world is well fleshed out. There are interesting social divides between the people of the empire and of those living in the forest tribes, as well as between priests and magicians. These conflicts are fascinating to read about. 

The characters are wonderful. Full of people to love and love to hate. I was left dreading that some of my favorites would be one of the seven deaths mentioned in the title.These are characters to become attached to as you follow them on such a long journey.

Overall, this is a great story with high stakes for really great characters that is definitely worth a read. I would recommend it to fans of grimdark fantasy with plenty of mystery, political intrigue, and dastardly plots. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs by Rebecca Gransden Book Review

  Title: Happy Bunny and Other Mischiefs Author: Rebecca Gransden Genre: Weird Fiction/ Horror Published: 10/30/24 by the author I received a copy for review from the author.  This collection of 14 short stories that are full of imaginative scenarios. The ideas are truly unique which helps to draw you in.  Imagine taking a friend's pigeon to the vet leads to an underground cult. Imagine a sentient turducken escaping its packaging to explore the world. These are just of a couple of the outrageously weird concepts explored in this collection. A couple of the stories are written a very fever dream kind of way that makes following the plot difficult. I don't fault the experimental writing, but I personally do not enjoy the confusion they left me feeling. The rest of the stories I enjoyed. The standout stories for me were SparrowEyes, with its creepy setting and creature, and Happy Bunny, with a person in a bunny costume getting teleported to various television and movie s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Alt Vegas: Nuclear Dreams by Wren Cavanagh Book Review

   Title: Alt Vegas: Nuclear Dreams Author: Wren Cavanagh Genre: Horror Published: September 28, 2024 I received a copy for review from the author.    Kyle and Mandy have dreams making a profit by developing when they purchase land in Esperville, Oregon. Soon they find out the land is home to a portal to another dimension stuck in 1950s Las Vegas. It is a hard place with unforgiving desert and fiendish creatures. This a fantastic creature feature horror novel with an alternate dimension flair. The characters, Kyle and Mandy, did not seem sympathetic at first as foolhardy newlyweds taking on more than they can chew. However, throughout the story they become more and more endearing. They are great underdog characters to root for. The portal to Alt Vegas allows for such contrasting settings. The lush and overgrown Oregon with the desert landscape outside 1950s Vegas. The last fourth of the book could have used another round of line editing, but overall this was a fantas...
Post a Comment
Read more

Overgrowth by Mira Grant Book Review

Title: Overgrowth Author: Mira Grant Genre: Science Fiction Horror Published: May 6, 2025 by Tor Nightfire I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   Anastasia has not fit in since she walked into the forest and was turned into an alien plant. To make things worse she can't seem to help telling everyone that the alien invasion is coming. No one believes her, but they should have heeded the warning. Science fiction and horror is a genre blend that works so well. This is a very character focused story with a quirky main character and her amazing found family. It shows the alien invasion from the perspective of an alien plant that has been raised human that needs to choose sides. It is light on horror past a very disturbing plant attack of a child, but it is an epic and fun story with an interesting perspective. If you are wanting to read about an invasion of sentient blood drinking plants that does not take itself seriously then this story is for you. My Rating: 5 Out of 5 Sta...
Post a Comment
Read more