TL;DR Review: Ambitious, imaginative, and incredibly compelling. The most epic grimdark world I’ve read since Abercrombie.
Synopsis:
Treachery looms across the land.
The Scarborn have deposed the once-great Ironlight family. With scores to settle, the lowborn shake rust from their knives and trade allegiances for a promise of blood while the highborn rally their armies.
Namarr’s future rests on a blade’s edge, and the heroes who might save it can no longer hide.
Meanwhile, across the sea, Scothea has already succumbed to revolution.
Fanatics led by the Arrow of Light wrest the throne from an ancient line of kings. Now, their sights are set on a Third Crusade against Namarr. For most, it will be their last.
The pieces are set. The gameboard is chosen.
For those unwilling to play, there’s only one peaceful place left…
The inside of a grave.
Full Review:
Michael Michel returns to fine form in this dark, bloody, and epic world!
The Price of Power was one of my favourite reads of 2023 (when it was originally released), and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel ever since. And let me tell you, A Graveyard for Heroes does not disappoint.
Book 2 kicks off directly in the aftermath of Book 1.
Prince Barodane’s life has been burned to the ground, and he is running, both to escape the enemies hunting him, and attempting to outrun his own conscience. At his side is his loyal friend and proctor Garlenna, who is determined to both drag him to his crown and out of his Pit of self-pity. Their dynamic is so good, the bond between them so strong, and yet even they have a hard time trying to get him out of the depths of despair.
His story is a fascinating look at PTSD and depression and the other downsides of battle. He is also a recovering drug addict who is one bad day away from diving back into his vice, and all we can do is hope that he keeps fighting his own worst nature so he can once again become the prince the world needs him to be.
Meanwhile, Princess Ishoa is fleeing from the destruction of her kingdom, and the road is not a kind place for her. She and her wounded cousin are barely surviving, until they find themselves captured and dragged towards parts, unknown, with no idea whether they’re off to face their execution or find allies.
Her journey is the classic young adult character trying to find their magic and their strength and confidence, but in the dark fantasy world, you know it’s going to take a lot longer and the results may not be what you will expect. Yet, despite her weakness, her strength of character keeps shining through and makes her somebody that you absolutely want to see succeed. But what does that success look like? That’s the interesting thing about this story and something I was quite excited to discover and be surprised by.
We’re also introduced to another character, the general of a kingdom defeated by the child Messiah and his horde. He is forced to choose between his beliefs, protecting his daughter, and standing by his fallen kingdom. His story is much more complex and nuanced, and we are treated to a fascinating exploration of what happens when cultures and faith’s clash.
It’s very hard to accept what the child Messiah says as anything but the truth, and yet we see the dangers of zeal and blind faith, so can the Messiah actually be good? It’s a fascinating quandary that makes his story worth following.
Finally, there is Thephos, the new Awakened, gifted with magic after all of his trials, but with no idea of how to use them or what is the best path to follow. His is a pretty classic, newly discovered magic user story, with all the requisite pulls in varying directions, where he has only to answer to his own conscience and beliefs.
All of the stories are fascinating, and lead to a grand, complex, truly epic world that is so dark and so engaging.
I did find myself wishing for a more cohesive throughline to all of their stories, something to unite them in single purpose, but there was so much about each story that was interesting that I could follow along with no trouble.
A Graveyard for Heroes builds upon what we were introduced to in The Price of Power and expands it even more. This book proves that the world is ambitious and imaginative, and filled with my kind of gritty darkness. It’s shaping up to be one of the most epic fantasy series in recent years, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
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