Generally when reviewing books in a series, I’m busy telling readers not to crash midway into series. This time around, it isn’t such a big deal. Though there are characters who make a return appearance from House of Open Wounds – a fair amount of time has elapsed since then and inevitably, some of the key characters have changed.

I absolutely loved House of Open Wounds – it was one of my outstanding reads of 2024. This book moves onto a different part of the world, where a vibrant, bustling city full of history and culture has caught the attention of the Palleseen, who are keen to bring the gifts of perfection and correctness to the populace. Tchaikovsky’s portrayal of a layered society with a long, eventful history at a time when the ruling family suffer an unexpected catastrophe is masterful. I was rooting for Gil to successfully negotiate the intricacies of diplomatic life when representing the Palleseen right from the word go.

However, in typical Tchaikovsky fashion – things go unexpectedly belly-up at court and the impact doesn’t just affect those in power, other folk are also caught up in the resulting chaos and difficulty. In amongst the inevitable death and tragedy, there are moments of high farce – such as the contingent of demons who suddenly appear to help prop up one of the warring factions. Tchaikovsky’s knack for writing unappealing characters with depth and sympathy comes to the fore as I found myself very much hoping the demons would prevail. This is a complex plot with all sorts of surprises and unexpected reversals.

As for villains – there are a couple I was hoping to see die from the moment they oozed onto the page. However, Tchaikovsky mostly writes nuanced characters who are struggling to do the best they can in difficult circumstances. It’s the quality of his prose and his ability to depict difficult situations with clarity and empathy that has me returning to his books. No one else writes quite like he does. This complex, vivid world which is threatened by a powerful regime convinced their culture is the ultimate answer for every person on the planet is a compulsive read that has me thinking about it and wondering what will happen next. While I wasn’t quite as much in love with Days as House – I’m still eagerly waiting to see where this remarkable series goes next. Very highly recommended for fans of well-written epic fantasy tales depicting complex characters and full of incident. While I obtained an arc of Days of Shattered Faith from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

The third entry in Tchaikovsky's 'Tyrant Philosophers' series, the action moves to a new location. Gil, the Palleseen resident in the city of Alkhalend, must grapple with her competing loyalties. While an ambassador of the a powerful empire which has it's greedy eyes on this foreign nation, she has developed a strong relationship with its heir to the throne. This could prove to be a carreer-defining moment for her or her complete destruction.

Tchaikovsky continues to populate this world with incredibly well-realised characters and even more magical and fantastical lore. While characters from the previous novels do appear, they take a back seat to the ongoing power struggle. The plot is fast-paced and gripping. Fans of the series so far will not be disappointed!

CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
🔲 well-written
✅ complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional

PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
✅ gripping
🔲 exceptional
🔲 mind=blown

WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
🔲 nicely detailed
🔲 meticulous
✅ even the last tree in the forest has its own story

ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book

PACING
🔲 dragging
✅ inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
🔲 page-turner
🔲 impossible to put down

It took me so long to finish this but now that it's over I'm sad :c

The Tyrant Philosphers sequence, or The Pallaseen Sway books (as I think of them) were the hardest of Adrian Tchaikovsky's books for me to get into. The first book: City Of Last Chances, in particular, used multiple viewpoint characters for each of its chapters, which was good for the world building but very difficult to identify the coherent narrative from initially. It was however worth the effort when it finally clicked, and the second book House Of Open Wounds clicked instantly for me - perhaps because the idea of a fantasy version of M*A*S*H was genius. Whilst the only continuity between the first two books was a single character, it was still a little disconcerting to be quite far into Days Of Shattered Faith before seeing any recurring characters. And they are minor characters here, important eventually but certainly not the protagonists. That said, whilst again this was a little slow to start, and a lot of chess pieces have been placed on the board initially, Tchaikovsky has more than earned my patience, and yet again, when it clicks - it clicks hard.

The Tyrant Philosophers of the Pallaseen Sway are an Empire driven by their view of perfection, and in particular that is driven by a fervently anti-religion and anti-superstition creed. There's a sense that they are Cromwellian, but for Atheism rather than Protestantism. And the big caveat being that in this world, magic and gods do exist, though the latter to the degree they are worshiped, and the raw material of magic can be refined into a generic power source (a finite one if we are looking for parallels). The first book saw a city under occupation, and how that affected the populace. The second took us into the Pallaseen Army, and in particular the hypocrisy and corrupting effect of actually using magic and religion in their warfare. Days Of Shattered Faith shows another facet of the the Pallaseen Sway's empire building, here we are in a non-aligned port city-state of Usmai, and our main character is Gil, The Pallaseen Resident - a sort of Ambassador to Usmai. She's been there a long time, has fingers in lots of pies and a relationship with one of the younger royals. The Pals have recently won more nearby territories (as seen in the previous book), and there is a succession crisis in Usmai. Add to this a mysterious new assistant, a prison for ghosts, a legion of demons, pirates and a massive frog god; the stage is set for spies, war, revolution and Machiavellian realpolitik.

Tchaikovsky isn't afraid of killing off characters, but he also manages to make you care about them first, be they woman, demon or massive frog god. The politics here are well thought-out, and therefore you cannot help but see real world analogues as you go along (all coincidental but there is very much the clash of six dimensional chess versus route one brute force on display here). It's a chunky book, but a lot happens, and I had to set aside three hours so I could read the second half in one sitting, which is what it deserved. The Tyrant Philosphers sequence is clearly becoming Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, taking the set-up of a particular fantasy, and then poking it rigorously. There are hints of the weaknesses of the Pallaseen Sway here, and potential antagonists for them are hinted at the end, whilst also promising a particularly personal story for our sole continuing character. But in itself Days Of Shattered Faith is a compelling standalone within a larger sequence, and I cannot recommend it more.

I received an ARC of this from Netgalley.

Im really sad to say that this book didnt work for me. I found it really hard to get through and spent much of the book not really understanding what was happening. As with the second book in this series the middle part just seemed too long and too confusing. I found the characters a little confusing and that may be 'cause it was so long since I read the first book. The demons seemed to be a little more at the forefront of this book and that I liked. I still consider AT my fav author just not this series.

Excellent! Tchaikovsky never misses. I probably liked this one slightly less than the other two but it was still so good. The themes of this series about fighting oppression are well done, and I liked the characters in this one quite a bit. This one isn't as much of a standalone as the first two, I do recommend reading 1 and 2 first.

As a massive fan of Tchaikovsky, I've been excited about this series the entire way through, despite the complex world and shifting characters.

The third book introduces us to a new set of characters to love and grow frustrated by. To start with, I wasn't sure how our regulars were fitting into this story, but they did make themselves known. They were more like secondary characters this time around until the end. The new players, however, were complex, engaging and prepared to challenge the status-quo in a similar way to the first two books. Gil and Kam especially were easy to get behind.

This third book is one full of politics, scheming, uprisings and, dare I say it, a little bit of love? It is the perfect representation of characters losing control of their own narrative and being forced to improvise as each new day brings unforeseen challenges. I loved the way we saw priorities shift and characters leave aside their strict rules and regulations to figure out how to survive.

People aren't who they appear to be. There's magic, sword-fights, gods that come in literally all shapes and sizes, and more old characters are reintroduced. By this point, I'd become accustomed to this world, which made this an easier read to get behind that the first and even the second books. It possibly helped that a lot of the strict regulations are left behind this time!

I loved the character development and the unpredictability of this one. There's development where you don't expect it and characters whose story arc doesn't get to where you thought it would. You've got to love a book that keeps you guessing about the outcome is going to be!

These aren't easy reads - the world is complex and you're constantly navigating new beliefs and rules. But if you're up for the challenge, it's a thoroughly enjoyable book that will draw you in and make you feel for these complicated and broken characters. If you love the underdog, you'll enjoy this one!

What a goal – to bring perfection and correction to an imperfect world … and such terrific characters to achieve it in this fantastical tale! The richness of language, the extent of the author’s imagination, the humour and the action are pure escapism. The ideal antidote to a world in need of perfection and correction.

More world-building in this successful fantasy novel.

Following on from House of Open Wounds, this final (presumably) part of the trilogy is entertaining and well worthwhile. A couple of caveats: I’m not a fan of battle scenes, nor of part sentences (I kept looking for the verb - how old-fashioned!). There’s a whole new bunch of interesting and well-developed characters and (my caveats aside) enjoyable writing. There’s plenty of political wrangling and manipulation. Recommended to lovers of fantasy fiction but worth reading the previous volumes. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Yet another superb entry into the Tyrant Philosophers series; standalone novels set within an interconnecting world, each brings us into a new area of the world(s).
With a huge cast of characters, this could easily have been a confusing read, but the disparate narratives weave together superbly, and the multiple storylines interact and crash brilliantly.
The characters have layers upon layers, every time I think that I’ve cracked the plot something new crops up, or another secret is uncovered.
Would absolutely recommend this to anyone who has or hasn’t read any of those series, it can act as an introduction or addition to the other titles.

Days of Shattered Faith is the third book in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s amazing Tyrant Philosopher fantasy series. The first book, The City of Last Chances focussed on a single city, under occupation by the fanatical Palleseen. The follow up The House of Open Wounds took readers to the front line of a Palleseen war of conquest. Days of Shattered Faith goes further back in the Palleseen process – starting with an envoy to the state of Usmai and moving its way through to conquest and colonisation. All three can be read as stand alone novels but this one in particular has a number of characters from earlier books and is starting to build on events in those volumes.
When Days of Shattered Faith opens, the Palleseen envoy Gil has managed to manoeuvre the ruler of Usmai to look favourably on the Palleseen at the expense of their defeated enemies. This has also meant disinheriting the militant heir to the throne and raising the second son to be heir. But as readers of the earlier books will know, the Palleseen do not make treaties, they take over, replacing all religion with their own atheistic and rule-based orthodoxy. And Gil is not really all that keen to actually see Palleseen rule imposed on Usmai. Very soon the politics of Usmai is thrown into disarray, creating both havoc and opportunities.
As with the other books in this series, Days of Shattered Faith ranges across a range of points of view while pushing the overall story ever forward. This includes a Gil, her new aide Loret (who has secrets of her own) and a number of the characters from The House of Open Wounds who have taken refuge in Usmai and have no wish to once again part of the Palleseen Sway. In taking this approach, Tchaikovsky can range across different strata of the city as the action develops.
While The Tyrant Philosophers series has a fantasy setting, with gods and magic and hosts of strange creatures, Tchaikovsky has very real world issues in mind. This series is really interrogating the rampant colonialism and empire building of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Issues like the coopting of locals into colonial armies, the aggressive use of trade as a political tool, the gaslighting of local populations and the plundering of cultural items of value are all given a run in this volume. In his author’s note Tchaikovsky says that he “attempted to learn at least something from the lessons of history” and particularly references William Dalrymple’s book The Anarchy which is about the rise of the British East India Company.
But philosophical and historical issues aside, this is just another great entry in a stellar fantasy series. Full of fascinating conflicted characters living in a complex, colourful, dangerous changing world. And as noted, while it could be read as a stand alone, more than a few characters from earlier books reappear and everything that happens has consequences. So that there are hints that bigger changes are coming to the Palleseen Sway down the line. More stories set in this fascinating world cannot come soon enough.

This is the third in a series of elaborate stories with multiple points of view, all lightly linked to each other through a character here and there and a continuing timeline. Days of Shattered Faith brings us again to a different country to the other books, introducing us to a new culture, setting, and political climate. We see strange gods, power plays, battle and romance, characters young and old and all very different. Adrian Tchaikovsky’s writing is incredibly impressive though I’m finding it difficult to explain how. There’s something unique to it, and whilst it can be overwhelming and confusing at the outset, once you get into the swing of the story and get a better picture of the different narrators and storylines being woven together, it turns into something fascinating and wholly unusual. I haven’t ever read anything else like it and have enjoyed all the books in the series so far (plus the covers are absolute works of art).

There’s plenty of humour woven in this book, particularly in Angilly’s character who is full of exasperation with her new employee, Loret, and perhaps for the Pallaseen laws, too, which she makes a bit of a habit of disregarding in creative ways, all the while trying to convince her superiors she’s as loyal as ever. We’re teased by Loret’s secrets, a little bit of magic, forbidden romance, and demons. This story has so many different elements, and so many different plot lines viewed through different characters POVs, ones which cross and run parallel and build up a whole world in the city of Alkhalend, one interpreted from many diverse perspectives. It’s certainly not an easy read due to the writing style, but for me it’s truly worth the effort and I hope other readers will take a chance on this bizarre series. Though I would say, it might make for an easier read in print than audiobook, if that option is available to you - I read this in a mix of both but really had to concentrate with the audio.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

An incredibly disappointing conclusion to this spellbinding trilogy.
As much as I loved and I mean really loved the first two books, this book read like drinking a flat lemonade in the burning heat. So much potential and yet stale, flat and yet containing so much anticipation.
Yes, there are good parts and some fascinating characters, but there is so much wadding and the pacing is way too slow.
And I still can’t understand what the central character’s ending was.

All of the books in this series have been excellent and this is no exception. Focusing on the diplomatic entanglements of a conquering empire, this is definitely a more political book than the previous one. There are some familiar faces here and a new cast of characters to enjoy and while this is probably my least favourite of the series so far, that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it immensely. I will continue to pick up all the books in this series and I recommend you all do the same.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I am increasingly impressed by this series. Each instalment reveals more of this fascinating world and introduces another host of believable and complex characters.

It's depiction of war, conquest, and the erosion of cultures is at once both realistic, horrifying and fascinating. The moral conundrums each character faces and how they react has you feeling sympathy for characters who then turn around and do something horrific, and vice versa.

This 3rd instalment has opened up the world still further, and yet it still feels like it has plenty of mysteries and secrets to reveal. I can't wait for the next installment!

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I don’t know how the author continues to create such amazing world building but here we are! It’s such an immersive world with a range of characters. Some new and some familiar from the previous books.. my favourite aspect of the book is Gil, I feel like she gives the ‘bad guys’ aka the Pallesteen a bit more humanity.

I’m looking forward to the next book!

A fantastic third instalment in the Tyrant Philosphers series. This time we meet new characters, and see some familiar faces too. Tchaikovsky is a wonderful storyteller, and this book is no exception. With broken gods and entrapped spirits, a city on the verge of rebellion and colonisers who refuse to accept the locals' ways, the story and the characters keep you enthralled all the way through. A great read that I highly recommend.

Days of Shattered Faith is the third novel (they can be read as standalones) in the science fantasy series Tyrant Philosophers, written by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and published by Head of Zeus. In this third novel, Tchaikovsky continues describing how the Palleseen are trying to shape the world, painting a choral story about Alkhalend's changes with the Pal influence, showing his skill to create a fully detailed part of the world, and to weave a story about colonialism and religion.

An instalment that also shows a different way of colonization, portraying the Palleseen taking advantage after offering their help to one of the parts of a succession conflict; and as a consequence, we become spectators of how, using that excuse, the Palleseen try to impose their "rational" way to see the world, creating another source of conflict over an Alkhalend, that, effectively, is shattering.

The cast of characters is wide, but Tchaikovsky manages to richly endow most of them, and with an especial attention to those non-humanoid characters, which tend to be overlooked in the genre. Each one has their own storyline that clashes at moments with the own historical moment happening over Alkhalend, a reflection of how the history doesn't stop for the individuals; but even in this situation, Tchaikovsky manages to make us connect with them.

My attention was fully caught by Tchaikovsky's full of detail descriptions, painting a vivid portrait of Alkhalend and their people; a place that has its own past and religion (which is deeply explored), and that will be changed by the foreign influence. Despite this is a relatively long book, I practically devoured it, as the pacing and the jumps between POVs greatly situated, making you crave for more.

Days of Shattered Faith is an excellent novel, a story that analyzes colonialism in a fantasy setting while giving its own set of individual stories; if you like science fantasy and history, this is the perfect pick. I can't wait to see how the Tyrant Philosophers series continues in the next instalments, but right now, it's shaping to be one of my favourites in the genre.

The Tyrant Philosophers is a rare series that works beautifully as a collection of standalone stories while gradually building a deeper, more intricate understanding of its richly imagined world. Days of Shattered Faith continues this tradition, blending recurring characters and layered world-building into a narrative that is as engaging for newcomers as it is rewarding for long-time readers.

Drawing inspiration from the shadows of British imperialism, the book sets itself apart by transforming these historical echoes into a vibrant, imaginative tale. The author’s skilful world-building and prose bring every corner of this universe to life. What truly captivated me, though, were the main characters, each offering a distinct perspective on colonialism and revolution. These characters go beyond mere archetypes, bursting with individuality and humanity that made me just as invested in their personal stories as in the larger narrative.

The interplay between the characters—how their lives intersect and influence one another—adds a layer of complexity and intrigue that kept me hooked until the very last page. The ending strikes a satisfying balance, tying up key threads while leaving just enough unresolved to hint at more stories yet to be told. I can’t wait to see where this world takes us next.

For those new to the series, Days of Shattered Faith stands confidently on its own. But for readers who love immersive storytelling, multidimensional characters, and a world that feels both familiar and fantastically unique, the entire series is well worth exploring.

I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Head of Zeus for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

AT has swiftly become of those epic high fantasy authors I auto buy to enjoy complex mind-boggling world build with a host of characters that are each unique and fully formed. An author I sit alongside Stephen Donaldson, Robert Jordan and Steven Erickson.

After two essentially stand-alone predecessors, Days of Shattered Faith marks The Tyrant Philosophers transition to a more liner classic book series. The book is huge, of course, and this broad scope has its upsides, with the implications that past events in books 1 and 2 have already begun to reshape the world's story and a return of some beloved characters from book 1 and 2.

This book parallels obviously to the real-world history of British colonialism in India but it's presented brilliantly, with AT presenting the ambiguities and ironies on both sides of the imperialist game that is easily ignored by books thay havent committed to such a complex and intricate world build.