Book Review | The Empire's Ruin

I have a confession to make. This is my first time reading a book set in the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne universe. I was almost hesitant to The Empire's Ruin by Brian Staveley at first since it is a spin off series and I’ve been afraid to commit to yet another huge epic fantasy series.

However, I’m glad I made the plunge. Staveley paints a richly-imagined world and well-fleshed out characters, and despite its honking 700+ length, the pace does not relent and never once did I find myself bored with the story.

This book is the first in a new trilogy and takes place 5 years after the events of The Last Mortal Bond. The Annurian Empire is deteriorating, and the story alternates between 3 converging storylines:

Gwenna: A disgraced commander is sent to a deadly continent in search of prized war bird eggs in order to change the tides of war. However, the land itself is twisted with a strange sickness that transforms all life it touches and anyone who has traveled there does not come back alive … or is driven mad.

Akiil: A con artist monk schemes to weasel the emperor out of money by claiming he can teach her how to use kenta gates—ancient magical artifacts that can quickly transport someone across the world in a single bound. However, he only knows how to use the kenta in theory, and soon he finds himself caught in between a rock and a hard place.

Ruc: A priest of the goddess of love has a bloody past. However, when he finds himself thrown into a gladiator-style arena pit to fight for his survival, he must wrestle with his own beliefs.

I was initially intrigued by this book because Gwenna’s storyline sounded like a fantasy spin on Annihilation and oh, boy it did not disappoint in that department. This book delivers oodles of body horror and terrifying monstrosities. Even Ruc’s storyline had me hollering at the end too.

All and all, The Empire’s Ruins represents what I love most about epic fantasy: a fantastical world to get immersed in alongside compelling characters to root for. There are warring gods and ancient races, and even though I’m a newcomer, I still found the world and its history accessible.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Books, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details:

Publication Date : July 6, 2021

Publisher : Tor Books

ISBN : 9780765389909

Pages : 752

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