This book has, in my eyes at least, the rare accomplishment of being at least twice as good as the first book. The first book was outstanding. The character development is deeper than I’m used to with most fantasy novels and the book does not shy away from some very difficult topics. It’s also is completely consuming, I read this book cover to cover over two days. I place this series up there with my favourites from Mark Lawrence and Joel Abercrombie . ( )

One cannot review a book like this other than through the prism of one of the greatest low fantasy sub-genre novel of the 20th century; with Abercrombie and its subsequent revolutionary following we have witnessed the full demise of epic fantasy fiction. However, as regards 21st century imprints for the fantasy novel, the sheer lust and blood lust of Zola's most potent episodes of IIIe Republic Sturm and Drang Thérèse Raquin the obvious primer, “La bête Humaine” in full proto-modernist maturity while “La Curée” (translated as The Kill) is the lesser known but quite magnificent study of the murderous decadence of a provincial petit bourgeoisie on its way up during the decadent 2nd Empire. The 2nd empire here is Abingon. No killer whacking their victims over the head with a frozen leg of lamb and then roasting the lamb in the oven...It's all so much grimdarkish.

It's not always easy to comprehend the pervasive extent of Mafia corruption in a Low Fantasy novel. Tomas Piety was brave in digging below the surface. Here and there, that stranglehold stares you in the face the tangle of unfinished roadworks, a Kafkaesque nightmare, in the centre of the island; or Ellinsburg, a horrific mess of a city blighted by mad 'development' and Mafia corruption a Low Fantasy setting.

Only the hope of reading a good Low Fantasy adventure novel, say, will re-acquaint folk under 45 today with amusement and pleasure as a feature of leisure. I go back to that word 'nonchalant'. Who reads but not to look nonchalant?; nobody does. We need to curl up in front of the fire with a good book again. Nobody curls up in front of so-serious TV shows of the modern age. Nobody curls up whilst playing video games. Nor curls up with a cuppa in front of the social media. The novel will show the way. Some novels will. If only. Entertain anyone with more humour in books might distract from the serious countenances that are portrayed on modern TV series.

Horses for courses. We may call it a restricted view but in many ways you can never read all the interesting books you see in bookshops and that actually makes me feel as if I need that knowledge but I won't have it a) because I won't ever have that much money to buy all those books, and b) because even if I could buy all those books, I will never have all that time available to me and new books are always being written. With each new visit to a bookshop, the sense of despair actually increased. Yes, many bookshops have a nice decor and atmosphere, but that's like bakeries using special fans to ensure the smell of their treats gets to people and they come in. I have come across many different kinds of literature by reading book reviews, and get recommendations from people. Too bad I just came across McLean on my own. ( )

McLean's writings! A strong voice in gritty military fantasy!

Tomas Piety had thought the war was over. He'd returned to Ellinburg to rebuild his gang holdings and his soldiers on the streets, The Pious Men.
He'd returned, along with his cohort of survivors who'd seen more atrocities than one could contain. Some didn't. Always the words Messia and Abingdon drew memories and fellow feelings that need never be explained. Much is forgiven the survivors. It's a byword that survivors don't talk about, they just nod and get on with things. Tomas is also a priest. A somewhat different priesthood with a very different way of operating. The trappings of his priesthood may seem strange but in the darkness that has been his and his fellow soldiers' lives, this is all the more appropriate.
At one stage Tomas describes his people to the Governor of Ellinburg in a throwing down of the gauntlet action, "We survived Messia, and we survived Abingon while you sat here on your arse and drank wine. You can hurt us, you can even make us bleed, but you can never make us fear.”
Tomas had been a spy for the Queen's Men and they do not let people go. Along the way Tomas has acquired a wife. His wife Ailsa is a Queen's Man. Of course this relationship is not simple.
Ailsa and Tomas go to Dannsburg, the royal city, where Tomas is introduced into the ways of high society. Dannsburg is a city of undercurrents where all is not as it seems. Here Tomas learns to "play the game of society manners. It was a vicious, deadly game where barbed insults took the place of daggers, but the damage done could be every bit as bloody."
And then there's the Magicians who have asked Tomas via the Queen's Men conduit to send people of 'cunning' to them for studying. Tomas did not send Billy. There are many things Tomas comes to understand. Billy is family and is growing in his cunning abilities daily.
A complex and intriguing novel that still has me thinking of the atmosphere so present in Steven Erikson's works--dark, gritty and without pretence, alleviated by pure moments of humanness and understanding.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley ( )

This book was amazing. I loved the first book in this series, Priest of Bones, so I was really looking forward to reading this installment. I had incredibly high expectations for this book and it not only met but exceeded those expectations. I actually spent a little more time reading this one than I usually would but I really enjoyed being able to savor this story and make it last just a little bit longer. I haven't been this excited about a new series in a long time.

This is a very dark fantasy. The story is often brutal and some of the situations feel almost hopeless. I really appreciate the fact that this series has proven to be a little more violent than your average fantasy. Despite the title, this is not a religious tale. Not at all. Yes, the main character, Tomas, is a priest but he is not a particularly religious one. He may listen to your confession but he is also just as likely to use his daggers when an example needs to be made. I think his role serves to make his character just a bit more interesting.

This book picks up shortly after the events of the first installment. This is a series that really needs to be read in order. Tomas and his gang have taken back their part of town. Not only are they trying to hold their area, but they are also following the orders being handed down by the Queen's Men. Things are never easy and there always seems to be a fight to tackle.

This story is told from Tomas's point of view. He is a natural leader that isn't afraid to make the difficult choices. He doesn't explain himself and demands complete obedience. One of Tomas's biggest strengths is his ability to pick the right people to support him and lead by example. He knows what to share and what to keep to himself to achieve the results he needs.

This story was really exciting. I thought that there was a really good balance of action and political maneuvers. There were times when I had no idea how things would work out and I found myself worrying about Tomas and his crew. There were some pretty surprising moments and some interesting character developments that kept everything really interesting.

I would highly recommend this series to fans of dark fantasy. I really would like to see this series in the hands of more readers because it is simply amazing. I cannot wait to read more of this fantastic series!

I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. ( )