Review: The Dead Man’s Empire, by W.P. Wiles

Book Description

Two in the  eye of the storm. Two in touch with the end. 

Syzenne. A princess?  Or a mere bargaining chip in a contest between two powers? 

Duna. A teenage girl dragged into a war by a fanatical priest? Or a child who can break mountains? 

As blood-thirsty elves sweep the land, as religions crumble and rumours spread of an empire of the dead revived it is two young women who hold the key. As the world spirals down into war, The Last Blade Priest must face the fear and wonder of The Dead Man’s Empire. In The Holy Mountain, W.P. Wiles has created an epic fantasy of incredible richness and originality. A celebration of the genre and breath of fresh air.

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My Review

Thanks to the team at Angry Robot for sending me a copy of this book. I have been waiting for this book since I finished reading The Last Blade Priest. Now I have to wait for the next book. There had better be another book, Will!

We join Duna and Elecy after the end of The Last Blade Priest as they travel across the Hidden Land and travel to a neighbouring kingdom to get support. At the same time we follow, Syzenne of Penzique as she arrives in the court of the Miroline Empire as a potential bride for the Emperor, a 16 year old boy. Things do not go well.

In the Hidden Land, things are going badly as Augardine cultists start to influence the leadership of the League army and then something really terrible actions…

Syzenne is a Scourge, who finds a Boon in Miroline, while Duna is a Scourge, who left her Boon in the Hidden Land. There must be more Boons and Scourges out there, and they have to decide whether they should stand together or against each other.

I really enjoyed the development of the story and expansion of the world. The description of the world was lush, while the complex politics of the various groups is engrossing to read. The court of Miroline is grotesque and reminds me of descriptions of the Imperial Roman court by those who hated certain emperors. Syzenne’s disgust is visceral and the conflict between her understanding of the world, and that of those around her, including the snobbery of the Mirolines about anyone not part of their crumbling empire, help her to develop as a diplomat. Her random chaos is enjoyable to read.

The new characters are complex and pushed the narrative forward. I enjoyed following Syzenne’s adventures as she tries to survive the Miroline court and Duna’s qualms about her abilities as she follows the religious fanatics across the continent. Their development as characters was fun to follow and made complete sense.

Duna’s use of her power in battle, entirely under her control, unlike the chaos of her first battle under the influence of the elves, is a magnificent way to defeat the titan and the Miroline Empire. I loved it.

Inar is definitely not safe and Augardine is up to something! I know he is.

I couldn’t put the book down and now I really need to know what happens next. Chop chop Will, get writing!