“One day you will see that men are wolves; and on that day you will learn that you must either be part of the pack or be consumed.”

The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan is a phenomenal follow-up to last year's The Justice of Kings in pretty much every way. The rich world building continued to engulf my imagination with vivid details. The tale continued through the perspective of Helena Sedanka is written beautifully, and elevates Swan's prose to one of my favorites of modern authors.

This installment of The Empire of the Wolf takes our characters to the capital of Sova, which is a drastic change in atmosphere from the first book's backwoods villages. Even though the surroundings have changed the atmosphere is still bone-chilling and haunting at times. This in part due to the wonderful character work and world building Swan has developed. I felt like the city was a living breathing character in itself.

“The man who hears but one voice speaks with one; the man who hears a thousand speaks with all the world.”

We finally get the see how the empire runs and functions. There is a great political divide in this government and it's greatly illustrated by the encounters our characters face. With politics comes politicians, and we run into countless different senators along with the Justice's own Magistratum and the inner workings there. Adding the depth of political intrigue to this story opens up the narrative greatly compared to the first book.

“I have never known a road more littered with the corpses of senators, Justices, jurists, and philosophers, than that by which we attempt to convince the common man that his political superiors act in their own interests before those of any other.”

Of course the book is nothing without the wonderful cast of characters. I view myself as mainly a character driven reader, so while I appreciate and love rich worlds, what I'm searching for most is excellent character development. I believe I have found it here – like I said above the tale is continued to be told by Helena Sedanka, and she has certainly grown from the first book. You see her dealing with the traumas she has faced all while trying to fight on and help those she cares about throughout the various trials in The Tyranny of Faith.

That brings us to Sir Konrad Vonvalt, the justice to who Helena is apprenticed and who she will follow to the ends of the earth. He has certainly undergone drastic mental changes in this novel, due of course to the workings of Obenpatria Barholomew Claver from the last book. Our story is still mainly focused on that over-arching plot of stopping Claver and this is really weighing on Sir Konrad's fortitude and mental state. To make the matters worse – Konrad has to do the biddings of the Emperor and the various quests that entails before being able to try and resolve the issue of Claver.

Last of the original trio is Dubine Bressinger, Sir Konrad's right hand man and closest friends. Due to the events from The Justice of Kings we also see Bressinger coping. A very important detail that was shared in this book is some of the history between Sir Konrad and Bressinger, delving into the past for a bit really sheds some light on their relationship and adds a great deal of development to the person Bressinger is. How committed he is to the people he cares for, especially Konrad.

The secondary characters in this book are all also very well done. I'll only touch on a few, starting with Sir Radomir (sheriff from book one) who has joined the main group and makes a great addition to their dynamic. A sorta rivalry/friendship between him and Bressinger. I anticipate him playing more of a role and becoming more of a main character in the third volume.

Next is our main antagonist Obenpatria Bartholomew Claver. We see so much more of his desire and goals in this book, as well as how malicious he can be to achieve them. He went from being an annoying gnat in book one to a real threat and plague that has to be addressed. With his power and influence increasing at a drastic rate.

“The pathway to Hell is paved with good intentions.”

The magic system of the Justice's is displayed much grander in this book, especially towards the end. If you enjoyed the magic from the first book then this one magnifies it immensely. The immersion and ethereal nature that Swan has crafted with this magic system is very unique and I find enthralling. We don't just see the use of necromancy to gather information, but much more deeply and see the effects it can have on people and their souls. Even the emperor's voice is shown differently within this voice.. sometimes not even working as intended.

The Tyranny of Faith shows that Richard Swan has the ability to take his characters and world and amplify them to newer heights. His prose is beautiful (even while chilling at times) and makes the experience of reading the tales of Sir Konrad Vonvalt such a joy and pleasure. I never felt bored while reading this book and the pace moved smoothly with a very satisfying last quarter that kept me turning the pages at a break-neck pace. I am itching for the third and last book of the trilogy, and desperately hope Swan continues to write in this world even afterwards. Five shields out of five!

“Humankind is not so self-terminating that we would allow our greatest quality – that of our capacity to hope – to be fully extinguished. But I shall readily admit that there are times when we are reduced to fanning the embers.”

I'd like to extend a thanks to Orbit books, NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read an eArc of this book.

What a phenomenal sequel. The world became so much more expansive, while further ingratiating the reader into this small found family. I found the romance to be a little cringe, because I feel like there's a large age gap? And there's like a power dynamic there that I don't like. But other than that, the magic and the different planes were all so incredibly well fleshed out, and I am so excited for where this series is going. Also, Swan's prose is incredible.

The Tyranny of Faith is book 2 in the Empire of the Wolf series by Richard Swan.

I enjoyed book one The Justice of Kings, but TToF was amazing!
WoW! This was completely compelling and very engrossing.
I was sucked in from the very beginning.
And loved every minute of it.
The world building and the details was outstanding.
And the enthralling adventure was extremely appealing.
The pacing was perfect and the characters highly entertaining.
Character and plot development are beautifully intertwined with just the right level of scene descriptions.
This is the kind of book you fall into, and start reading slower as you get to the end, because you don’t want it to be over.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What I love most about this book is also what frustrates me: complexity. It embraces the complexities of imperialism, populism, and dogmatism, IN ADDITION TO the implications of real-world supernatural powers, an afterlife, and different dimensions. The intrigue, mystery, and suspense are all some of the best in the business. The pacing is great. The battles are brutal. The characters are all deep, unique, and likable. Here's the problem. I needed a wiki or a glossary. There were a lot of names and organizations that I'm still scratching my head about, especially when referencing the previous book Keeping track of the all the minor characters and their allegiances was a bit of a chore. I got the broad sweeps, but I would've loved to be able to place them all. I'll have to re-read both books before the third comes out, and will gladly do so.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Orbit for giving me a copy of this book. After finishing book one a couple weeks ago, I could not wait to dive right in to the second book in this series, and this definitely did not disappoint.

The Tyranny of Faith picks right up where we left off after the first book; our four main characters have finally reached the home of the Emperor and plan to set out and destroy Claver. Unfortunately, like basically every other encounter in their lives up until this point, this doesn't go as planned. Upon meeting with the Emperor, Vonvalt is tasked with finding his grandson who has just been kidnapped instead of the crusade that he had planned on going on to rid the world of Claver before he has the opportunity to acquire even more power. From there, we delve deeper into the magical abilities of the Justices, the political and military situations scattered throughout the empire, love, and loss. It was a truly wonderful reading experience.

Like the first book, this one is also told from Helena's perspective. While it does seem as though Helena has matured slightly since the first book after dealing with some traumatic experiences in Galen Vale, she definitely does still have some childlike qualities that can be attributed to her young age-such as her jealously when it comes to Vonvalt and Roza. I will be the first to admit that her pining after her boss was less annoying than her insta-love with Matas in book one, it is definitely still quite prevalent. However, due to the fact that she is telling this story years later, I can appreciate how she is able to look back on herself, her actions and feelings, and make subtle jabs at herself. It made her a lot more relatable as a narrator and easier to get through her moments of extreme jealousy and sounding like such a bratty teenager with an unrequited crush.

Also like the first book, this is a bit of a multi-genre story since the kidnapping of the Emperor's grandson and the ongoing investigation that ensues definitely does add quite a large mystery plot line to the story. So if you think that maybe fantasy isn't your genre, but you like mysteries and books about solving crimes, this one may work for you. It definitely leans more fantasy, but this aspect is introduced early on and not solved completely until the very end of the book, so it should hopefully keep you invested.

If I am being overly critical, I would say that the book dragged for me personally around the halfway mark or so. While I was super excited to finally have more magic introduced in this fantasy novel, the plane or secondary realm situation at first just did not do it for me. I found those parts to be a bit tedious and almost felt out of place in a book that I just wanted more of the action scenes that Swan writes so well. I will say that this definitely did warm up on me, and by the last time that Helena adventures there I was invested in that part of the story again. Another complaint, and maybe that is just from reading an abundance of fantasy novels, I found the "twist" to be extremely predictable. I am not even kidding, I was taking notes on my Kindle as I read through this about WHY something in particular wasn't adding up and had to be involved in the bigger picture. And I'm not even being cocky, I think that I did catch almost all the ways in which this would later come to be of importance to our main characters.

Like I already said, it did take quite awhile to get into the military and political aspects of the story, but just know that they did occur. And they were worth the wait. For me personally, the sort of "crusade" that Claver is leading with the Templar's and our Justice's reactions and plans to stop it are what I look forward to most from this series. These scenes in particular were action packed, written well, and easy to picture. I felt the anxiety of our characters in those moments and flew through those pages. I LOVE how intense these scenes were and how much drama and sense of urgency that they added to the story.

I need to know what happens to these characters and the Empire as they know it NOW. And I swear, I will RIOT if any one else doesn't make it out alive. I have already preordered a pretty version of this book from Goldsboro to match my Justice of Kings and I will eagerly be awaiting the conclusion of this series.

ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher Orbit in exchange for an honest review

This is the second book of the Empire of the Wolf. Helena is back to tell her story of her continuing adventures with Sir Konrad Vonvalt an Emperor's Justice. Konrad is back to deliver justice in the name of the Empire as only he can. But one must ask is Konrad just in his actions?

I found this book very enjoyable. The last 100 pages I could not put it down. The ending portion of the book does a masterful job of tying together what happened earlier in the first 2/3 of the book. I am a fan of books where you may not know where it is going, but by the end, like this novel, you are happy where the author's journey takes you.

Like a good adult fantasy, there are demons, villains, magic, bloody action, political intrigue, and characters you cheer for as they fight against evil. Also, there is Heinrich, a war hound to add some gallows-humor.

What sets this book apart from other enjoyable fantasies is how through the narrator with an aged-perspective you begin to question the actions that are taken throughout the book. Is violence justified when it is done to save yourself, the many, an empire, and/or simply someone that is close to you? Or is justice simply the one in charge with the most power?

I could go on and on about the different themes like mortality, religion, law and history that are examined in the book. This book would be great for a book club to be discussed in detail

I await the next book to see where the author will take us next.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This series has quickly become an all time favorite and I bow down to Richard Swan’s genius! The premise is so different and so unique, unlike any other epic fantasy I’ve read before. I am a history girlie and to see the fall of fantasy empire through the legal eyes this series sets its focus on is a dream come true. It’s spellbinding, heart pounding ride and I am obsessed.

The sequel delivers on everything set up in The Justice of Kings. The Tyranny of Faith is more than a worthy follow-up with some horror elements while also pulling at your heartstrings. The characters are amazing and the found family aspects are immaculate. And while I was ambivalent on Helena during the first book, she is fantastic in this one I absolutely love her.

Thank you so much for Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

Tyranny of Faith was an amazing companion for the first book, Justice Of Kings. Sir Konrad finally went back to action in Sova. We got many hystories about Sova in this book, and It was really perfectly written. I loved how Helena's character developed. And stil... Bressinger was my best man... Also Him and Sir Radomir was a perfect duo!!

I cant wait for the last installment for this series next year

The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan rachets up everything you loved about TJoK tenfold, leading to a read that is both gut-wrenching & awe-inspiring. It is a sequel that simply blows its predecessor out of the water. What a remarkable read.

Absolutely devoured this book. This was the perfect sequel to Justice of Kings. The action, the politics I loved every minute of reading this book. I cannot wait for more

A dark and gritty sequel in what is shaping up to be a defining series. Combining elements from older fantasy works, while still shaping new ground, this book never suffers from middle book syndrome, and feels like a worthy addition to the universe Swan is creating.

Well that escalated!
Scope, evil, and gut punches all bigger in "The Tyranny of Faith" book two in the Empire of the Wolf series by Richard Swan.

Thank you Orbit and Netgalley for the ARC! The book will be out February 14, 2023, the perfect valentine gift for folks!

We pick up weeks after the first book, following Sir Vonvalt's retinue, plus a sheriff minus an arm, as they make haste to the capital of Sova. And then everyone joins together to face the looming threat! Is what I wish I could say. The senate is a den of vipers, the Justices are compromised, and the Emperor is distracted. Meanwhile Claver is learning to use the old magics and finding powerful friends in unlikely places.

Reasons to read:
-Somehow we still get the Macro-Micro switches between the investigation and the overall plot that worked so well in the first
-Shit escalates
-More of Vonvalt and Bressinger's history
-Explication of some of the magics
-Helena continues to explore her path in this grim world as more information is shown that rattles her world, and otherworldly views
-Honestly some Berserk vibes
-A very good dog
-Did not see that end coming

Cons:
-*Stares at all the events you can draw historical and current parallels to and tries not to go fetal*

This book is an anxiety-inducing, heartpounding mystery in this world and the next. Very different in scope and stakes than book 1 and just as good. I don't even know how I'll go another year without seeing how this concludes!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Richard Swan’s The Justice of Kings was one of my favourite reads last year, and certainly one of my favourite new fantasy books of a few yeast (joining Mike Shackle’s We Are the Dead as a best debut in a few years). The Justice of Kings was a great blend of mystery and fantasy, focusing on a conspiracy in a regional town, far from the politics and action of an imperial capital. Swan’s story was character-focused, interesting, and well-paced. The Tyranny of Kings was, therefore, one of my most-anticipated novels of 2023. I’m happy to report that I quite enjoyed it.

In this second novel, Swan brings his main characters back to the imperial capital: Sir Konrad, Helena, Bressinger and Sir Radomir arrive to discover that the Emperor’s son has been kidnapped. Unexpectedly and unwillingly installed as head of the Magistratum, Sir Konrad is tasked with rescuing the boy and bringing those responsible to justice. All the while, he is also trying to continue his campaign to stop Bartholomew Claver, the antagonist of the first book — an extremely dangerous figure, one who has apparently harnessed magics that should be denied to him. The Emperor, however, would very much like him to focus on his missing son. Sir Konrad, used to directing his own actions, chafes at the controls and limits placed upon him, and proceeds to get on the nerves of many people, as he investigates both cases.

The Tyranny of Kings expands readers’ understanding and picture of the world Swan has created for his characters. We learn more about the various political and regional factions that jostle for power and influence, and ultimately the ways in which the Emperor is not all-powerful. The novel took a while to get going, as the author spends time showing readers the capital and its bustling, grand and slightly chaotic nature. It’s perhaps too much time, to be honest, and the first quarter or so of the novel felt drawn out unnecessarily — I found myself a little impatient for things to get going. (There’s a reason for the gradual unrolling of the plot, so that’s not the issue — there was just a bit too much focus on painting the picture.) In the final third of the novel, the action picks up, events spiral out of control, and conspiracies are furthered and revealed. So much happens, in fact, that it started to feel a bit rushed and maybe a bit messy. Spreading out some of these events, I think, would have made for better momentum and a tighter story. There were also a few times when a mystery was so transparent that it bothered me that it was so obvious to me and the great investigator Sir Konrad couldn’t even come up with a hypothesis (not going to spoil things). The novel does set things up for a potentially epic and quite different final book, though, which helped regain my interest.

The cast of characters Swan has created are interesting and well-rounded, for the main. There are some new additions, each of which adds well to the story and plot. In fact, there were some minor characters who felt better written than some interactions between the protagonists. Specifically, Helena and Konrad’s relationship — it felt forced, and seemed to advance far more than it perhaps should/would have since the events of The Justice of Kings. Bressinger and Sir Radomir are still great, and my favourites in the series so far. This book also adds Heinrich as another favourite newcomer. Ultimately, I’m not sure what it was that didn’t work for me quite as much as in the first novel. I hope Swan figures this out for book three.

To conclude, The Tyranny of Faith is another good instalment in the series, but one that doesn’t quite rise to the quality and impact of the first. If you enjoyed the first novel, you should absolutely pick this up, and I have no doubt that you will find plenty to enjoy — especially the expansion of the world and magic system. Middle volumes in trilogies are often the weaker in any trilogy (I think the only one that truly breaks this norm is Joe Abercrombie’s Before They Are Hanged), of course, but I think this could have been a bit tighter and more focused. Despite this qualm, I am nevertheless really looking forward to the final volume in the Empire of the Wolf trilogy.

WHAT A SEQUEL OMG. I went into this with high expectations after loving the first one and I'm blown away. Second book syndrome WHO?!

Richard Swan's The Justice of Kings is one of the best fantasy books I have ever read and it ultimately ended up being my clear cut choice for top read of 2022. So it goes without saying that the sequel THE TYRANNY OF FAITH had a lot to live up to. Would it continue the action-packed pacing and brilliant intrigue that I loved so much in book one? Or would it fall prey to the "set-up" book syndrome where nothing much gets advanced in preparation for a rip roaring finish? Well turns out I needn't have worried too much because TTOF was not only book one's equal, but it may have surpassed it in pretty much every way possible.

THE TYRANNY OF FAITH picks up right where the amazing ending of the first entry left off. Konrad Vonvalt is now charged by the Emperor with trying to get a handle on a very tenuous situation where potential revolution is brewing on the outskirts of the center of the Empire Sova. Part of that is seeking out those religious fanatics who are fomenting dissent among the populace and snuffing them out when and where they are found. But it isn't going to be easy as the charismatic Patria Claver has gained much momentum and there is even talk that he may be gaining otherworldly powers through dealings with some dark and sinister friends.

A once stable Sova is now very vulnerable to Claver and his adherents as a conspiratorial powder keg is edging closer and closer to exploding. Throw into the mix that the Emperor's grandson is inexplicably kidnapped and the skills of Vonvalt, Helena, and company are pushed to their very limits as an almost inevitable collision is on the horizon between two incredibly powerful factions that both want the same thing - ultimate and overwhelming control of the empire.

I can't stress enough just how wonderfully written this series is. The plotting is beautifully laid out, the double-dealing and treachery is insanely good, the characters are all morally gray and never behave the way you might expect, and the magic and worldbuilding are simply breathtaking. I'm hard pressed to think of another fantasy series that left me this flabbergasted with what happened at the conclusion of book two. I have no idea how Richard Swan is going to tie everything up and resolve the incredible shit storm he has created here, but I'm not betting against him given what I've read thus far. And I'm sure that whatever he comes up with will be just as masterful and a finale for the ages.

If you haven't yet started the Empire of the Wolf series you are really depriving yourself of what I believe will be one of the great works of fantasy fiction when all is said and done. If you love the truly epic stories of Robin Hobb, Joe Abercrombie, and Tad Williams, then you should jump on this series immediately. It's supremely dark in all the right places, occasionally rips your heart from your chest, dazzles you with next level magic, and just flat out compels you to keep on reading by virtue of its unputdownable story. I don't like to gush because I feel like it can be viewed as unprofessional at times, but this book and series deserves to be gushed about in the grandest of fashion, it's really that impressive. Kudos to Richard Swan for delivering yet another overwhelming success in THE TYRANNY OF FAITH. I don't know how I'm going to deal with the anticipation for the next volume.