This is the second of a trilogy and was surprisingly better than the first book, the Justice of Kings, where the main characters were introduced in the hinterland of the Empire of the Wolf (an apparent nod to Rome). After thwarting the seditious plot of an obscure priest of the imperial Neman Church (which had a vague resemblance to the early Catholic Church), the heroes head home to the Imperial Capital city of Sova, only to find the Magisterium Order of Justices in disarray and apparently partially subverted by said plot against the empire. Life in the capital is wonderfully complex here and I quite enjoyed the world building here (which seemed to leverage a surprising amount of historical detail that was so gratifying with each new connection made … there was obviously a tremendous amount of background research here and it paid off in spade). Pretty prose and the inclusion and slight modification of archaistic terms and word play added another element of fun for someone that enjoys such.

The world felt like what might have come to pass within the Carolingian Empire if it have the power of magic behind it with the addition of Crusading Knights (specifically the Templars and their rumored history of heretical practices). Additionally the politics and intrigue was gritty AND felt frustratingly realistic at times as we see some of the character flaws of the main characters, to include pride and hubris. All of the main characters are independent of each other and the intersections and relationships easily believable, with some very interesting moral situations briefly explored. What magic had previously been fairly limited, is revealed to be much more powerful, dark and terrifying here, along with 9 levels of hell that seems to be linked to the practice and the larger plot is finally revealed to set up the concluding story coming next. Although hinted at early in the first book, this story gives us a breathtaking ride along side the fall of the powerful Empire as it destroys itself from within.

By the end, I found the story to have ticked off nearly all of my own personal interests so that the whole trilogy has made it to my favorites list and I can barely wait for the final installment.

#TheTyrannyOfFaith #EmpireOfTheWolf #NetGalley

Wow. This is the second installment in the series, and it really kicked things up a notch. Building on the events of the first novel, Vonvalt and Co head tot he Empire's capital to report on the growing threat--and things start to fall apart. The treachery deepens, as do the questions of law, but my favorite parts are the new aspects of magic that we learn, along with Helena. This one was better than the first book, in my opinion--the plot goes and goes but there is still a lot of character work and introspection.

Every time I read a Richard Swan book, I feel like I gain an IQ point or two. Which may only be an illusion, but after reading Tyranny of Faith, at least I can fool everyone into believing that, since I now know what 'otiose' means.

Personal gains aside, the sheer intelligence that powered Justice of Kings is on even more evident display here.. Compared to book 1, the world in Tyranny of Faith telescopes outward until Rill becomes a distant memory. But the story never feels overshadowed by the breadth and depth of the worldbuilding. If anything, Sova and the Empire provide the perfect scaffolding for a tangled political plot that lets the reader delve even deeper into the richly rendered characters of Vonvalt, Helena, Bressinger, and--my personal favorite--Sir Radomir. (I love me a character who can swear with that level of inventiveness.)

Helena, specifically, more than earns her place at the center of this book. Apparently, some reviewers of Justice of Kings felt it necessary to nitpick about her very appropriate youthfulness in book 1, but I could not disagree more. It was perfect for that story and, I'm sure, very intentionally done, because here, Helena really starts to come into her own. Watching the beginnings of her transformation was perhaps my favorite aspect of the book. Helena begins to question her world, her mentor, and her unshakable faith in them, and her evolving independence of thought is infinitely more meaningful because of her prior self-involvement (and sometimes petulance) in Justice of Kings. Even better, Helena begins to blossom while Vonvalt begins to collapse, and as a reader, I could not have appreciated the inverse symmetry of that more. Pure artistry.

Lest I accidentally spoiler anything, I'll try not to get too specific, but Tyranny has all the elements that made book 1 great and knits in enough additional worldbuilding, political maneuvering, mysterious kidnappings, and canine sidekicks to produce something really awe-inspiring. I loved every minute. So...4.87 stars for fabulous storytelling, plus another .12 stars for wielding words with laser precision, and another .01 stars for the author being exceptionally handsome. End result? A conveniently perfect 5 stars' worth of literary enjoyment that has me already checking to see when book 3 comes out.

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The Tyranny of Faith is a perfect sequel to The Justice of Kings. While the first novel was small in scope, this one expands on previous issues by expanding the world that the characters live in. We are introduced to the capital of Sova, where Sir Konrad and his retinue are quickly embroiled in political intrigue and scandal, and the Frontier, where Claver has building up support to overthrow the Autun. As the story is once again told through the eyes of Helena, we get to experience her further growth and her developing, complex relationships with Sir Konrad, Bressinger, and Sir Radomir. These relationships are the heart of the novel and perhaps the best part. I cannot wait for book three to arrive!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

After loving the first book in the series, this was one of my most anticipated books of 2023. I wish I could say that I loved it, but I found the first 75% of the book to be slow, and not in a good way. I enjoy the setting up of a story and character development, but this seemed more like "filler" and wasn't that interesting. There was also a shift in this book to more supernatural elements which just took me out of the story. I was interested in the people here.

The last 25% off the book got back on track with more action, conflict, mystery, and character development which were all the reasons why I loved the first book so much.

I will read the next one, but this one was a dip in the series for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan
5/5 stars
Tyranny of Faith is the phenomenal sequel in the dark, political fantasy series Empire of the Wolf. Book one laid a very strong foundation for this series through its world building and characterization. However I feel as though book two took these elements to the next level with the exploration of an intriguing magic system and world expansion while maintaining the prose and engagement of the previous novel. In my opinion, Tyranny of Faith turned this series from good to great. I cannot wait to continue on with this series!

This is a solid book 2. Once again it is written as if Helena is journaling about the past, we follow Helena, Vonvalt, Bressinger and Radomir wade into the politics and chaos that is the Empire’s capital. They know what is at stake and who the real enemy is, but others have other ideas and set them to other trials. It’s interesting to watch Helena continue to grow and see the world as less black and white. I will say that Claver is the character that intrigues me most, even though he gets very little air time in this book. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Pick this series up if you like political intrigue, grey morals, magic intertwined and solid characters. Be forewarned though, it is a pretty dark book

Disclaimer: ARC provided by the author in exchange for honest and fair review

This book series is one that continues to intrigue me even though admittedly I’m not the biggest fan of the way the POV is written.

In The Tyranny of Faith we pick right back where we left off with the team heading to the Capital from the POV of Helena Sedanka to report their findings but just like in The Justice of Kings threats are looming around every turn and you are left with a sense that the things could make a turn for the worse at any moment. I’m not shocking anyone when I say it doesn’t take long for things to implode and the team to once again be put to the task of upholding justice for the empire.

The Justice of Kings felt horribly slow to me (I know I’m in the minority here) but I’m happy to say that the pacing was better with this book compared to book first. I continued to be fascinated by Swan’s portrayal of the Justices and the way magic plays a part of them upholding the law. Once again he did a fantastic job of weaving the complexity of morality from the viewpoint of both the Law and the Church/Religion even though they can differ quite a bit at times.

I also really liked how we learned more about not only the magic Vonvalt possesses but also that of other forms of magic long tucked away or so everyone thought. Honestly if you liked book 1 then I feel confident you will love this book as it feels very much like a continuation of Swan’s winning formula.

Thank you to the publisher Orbit for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Helena’s accounting of her journeys with Justice Konrad Vonvalt continues! I strongly recommend reading this directly after the first—as Tyranny picks up right after the events of Justice of Kings and builds upon the already established tensions and conflicts.

Justice of Kings left off with character relationships taut, grander political-magical dynamics fraught, and our main characters changed (perhaps for the worse?). That first novel in the trilogy barely skimmed the surface of the emotional depth and complex character interactions that enrich this sequel. Swan’s character work is nuanced and resonant. Helena Sedanka, the protagonist and narrator, is a young woman with the flaws of youth and passionate feelings, but she does not come off as whiny nor does the author allow her personal monologue to overrun the telling of the broader story. Her youth was already disrupted in the events of the first book, and here, she once again experiences growing pains, trauma, and tough choices.

With a tone of chilly grandeur, author Richard Swan leads us on a harrowing pursuit of truth, resplendent with vivid imagery. Swan takes the time to draw out evocative descriptions and yet sharply wields language surrounding visceral magic and blunt violence. On that note, the violence is swift, brutal, and precise. I like that the reader gets an uncensored view of the hardness of this world but is not forced to revel in it.

The type of magic used in this book would normally be a turn-off for me, but Swan’s writing is so alive and emotionally evocative. I could not resist following the investigations of this tortured crew: Helena, Vonvalt, Bressinger, and Radomir.

The Empire of the Wolf is under threat. Having discovered a conspiracy of factions hoping to seize power, Sir Justice Konrad Vonvalt and his clerk Helena have returned to the capitol city of Sova to root out the traitors. But no sooner has Vonvalt made progress in his investigation than the grandson of the emperor is kidnapped. With the city on the brink of unrest, Vonvalt, Helena, and their allies must work quickly to recover the grandson, a feat that becomes increasingly difficult when it becomes clear that their enemies have otherworldly allies on their side.

THE TYRANNY OF FAITH is a gripping tragedy of empire infused with gothic horror. From sentence one of THE JUSTICE OF KINGS, readers have known that this series is about the fall of an empire, and THE TYRANNY OF FAITH starts moving that portion of the plot forward in earnest. A layer of foreboding and tension hangs over events right out of the gate in the sequel, with everything from foreshadowing to the descriptions of the dark looming architecture reinforcing the oppressive atmosphere.

Our motely band is back, with Helena once again the POV character as she works with Sir Konrad, Sir Radomir, and Bressinger to try and keep the empire from completely falling apart. Readers have already seen Sir Konrad dealing with his view of the world order being shaken, and he continues to grow into an increasingly flawed character. He is one of the only people who can stop the schemes of the Templars, but the only way he can see to do so is to violate the very laws he swears to uphold. It’s part of a central theme of the book, the struggle of whether applying laws strictly by the book truly leads to “justice,” if standing by your principals is the right thing when your enemies are willing to do whatever it takes.

THE TYRANNY OF FAITH also sees a deeper dive into the necromantic powers of the Justices, including one character visiting the afterlife itself. Those sections are written with perfect dream logic, abrupt cuts between scenes showing the disjointed ways one traverses this strange plane. Most haunting of all are the afterlife’s denizens, demons and gods that have their own designs on the mortal plane. Most of the story remains grounded, but the supernatural is beginning to spill more and more into the “real” world, and the consequences are dramatic.

THE TYRANNY OF FAITH in my estimation has moved the EMPIRE OF THE WOLF series from Good to Great. It capitalizes on the groundwork laid in the first book and leans into the tragedy of knowing that things will not end well, even as our heroes try to prevent the worst. You won’t find a particularly happy ending, and yet I found myself no less compelled to read. We already know the outcome of this story; all that remains is to see what things Helena, Konrad, and the others can salvage as everything falls to ruin.

This book is pure adrenaline and action. I was in the edge of my seat the entire time. I was never bored once. I can't wait sore the next installment of Sir Konrad.

Book two picks up right where book one leaves off. And the action is quick to follow. There's so much revealed and I felt the tension the entire time. The character development was superb. I felt emotionally connected to the characters in many ways. I cried and cheered throughout the book for these characters. The political intrigue was very well done. Interesting but not overdone or complicated. Highly recommend.

This was a much better read for me than Justice of Kings. The third book should cover things that will me wanting to read it for sure, but that book won't be out for awhile. There was action, intrigue, and just a good story that kept me engaged. All the political maneuvering was not the best part for me but central to this story I think. I think there some things I could say but then I don't want go into spoilers and people will.read this book and enjoy it. I wanted more.of the magic system and that was explored.more but still could have done with it this book. In the next book magic should be used more probably but will any characters be using it more is what I am wondering. I didn't reread Justice of Kings but I am already thinking about rereading this one again. I may wait until the next book to come out or try to read later in the year. The loss of some characters was unexpected but then will there be anyone new ones to take their spots in this story.What will happen between Helena and Linear is something I am also wondering. I will look forward to finding out though. Thanks to net galley and Orbit for the chance one a great book at the start of my year. I am giving this 4 and half stars but I think this book will make people's five star list.

I received an advanced copy from Orbit in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars
Picking up shortly after the events of the first book, this second installment wastes no time in picking up action. I loved the first book, but I thought the second was an improvement in all aspects. The mystery aspect of the Emperor's grandson's abduction was more intriguing than the mystery in the first book. We also get a more in depth look into the tangled web of politics in Sova and the Empire, as well as more insight into the magic system. Probably my favorite thing about this book was the character relationships. I loved seeing the deep friendship between Helena, Bressinger, and Sir Radomir, as well as the complicated relationship between Helena and Sir Konrad. Overall, a really thrilling read and I am very excited for the third installment.

I received a courtesy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. If you need a refresher on what happened in book 1, the author has a detailed summary on his website (love this!).

Words cannot express how pumped I was for this release. Book 1 was my top read of 2022, and (review, not plot) spoiler - this book was even better.

It is the second entry from the author's "Empire of the Wolf" series. Helena Sedanka continues to be our POV character, and is even more of a focus this time around (for reasons I will not delve into to avoid spoilers). Picking up where we left off in Book 1, Sedanka, Vonvalt and team are heading back to the capital to hopefully address the threats facing the Empire of the Wolf. Unsurprisingly, things do not go as planned.

With regards to the story, the role of law, right vs. wrong and religion continue to play critical roles in the plot. The character growth here is also strong, as the characters demonstrate the impact the events are having on them (i.e., Helena and Konrad’s complex relationship, Konrad’s “changing” connection to the rule of law, etc.). In other words, this book was definitely darker than book 1, but not in a morbid way. I should also point out that Swan’s prose is sophisticated, compelling, and easy to read. You won’t want to put this down.

I’ve also seen some complaints about the “side quest” aspect of the story. My response to that would be to preach patience. First, I don't think it was slow at all. I found it interesting on its face (it makes sense that the enemy would do whatever it takes to succeed and that a ruler could care more about his blood than his people) and also how it relayed character development (Konrad's changing personality and Helena's maturation). Second, when you get to the incredible ending, you will be blown away with how Swan peels away the layers and connects the various threads.

And while I wish the main villain had a larger direct presence in this book, the villain's fingerprints are all over the factual developments, and Swan tied the various plot elements introduced in book 2 so amazingly by the end, my only disappointment is that book 3 isn’t out yet.

If you have not yet read the Empire of the Wolf, you need to change that as soon as possible!

People who were pleased with book 1, the Justice of Kings, seem to be happy with book 2, The Tyranny of Faith.
However, book 2 was like a middle book in the trilogy: a plot without a strong ending or a firm ending. I think this kind of dry narration and wandering focus is part of the appeal of this series. It lends a reality and weight to the account, as if it's in a 1800's style.

In the very beginning, I was intrigued. However, as the book went from political side quest to and fro, I grew bored. The detached style of the narration and the passivity of our narrator didn't help.

The ending, I admit, was much faster paced than the beginning. The plot twists us farther and deeper into dark magicks, and the result is powerful and heart-wrenching. The farther into the annals of this book you get, the dread and anxiety-ridden politics twist ever more. I, personally, felt that it wasn't worth the boring first half.

Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for a copy to review. All opinions are my own.

The Justice of Kings was my first 5 star read of 2022 (and also my first read of that year) so I've been eagerly awaiting the sequel for twelve entire months. The Tyranny of Faith lived entirely up to my expectations and went from a simple fantasy murder mystery to something of a much larger scale. Reader, prepare yourself for the beginning of the fall of the Empire of the Wolf. This book delved into the horror aspect of the Justice's magic in a truly unforgettable way and showed us that even those who might be considered heroes have a dark side.

Konrad, Helena, Dubine, and Radomir are making their way back to the capital of the Empire of the Wolf to personally inform the Emperor of what occurred at Galen's Vale and impress upon him the threat of Obenpatria Fischer. Much to Konrad's despair, the Emperor is more focused on other matters which ultimately result in Konrad being appointed Head of the Magistratum. Konrad's flagging health, the kidnapping of the Emperor's grandson, and the threat of Obenpatria Fischer make for a tense tale with an abundance of plot threads. As with the first book, everything is told from a much older Helena's point of view, so she does throw in some additional commentary about events, but largely about her immaturity at the time. 

Though narrator Helena comments rather harshly on her younger self, she has matured markedly since the first book and traumatic events have clearly hardened her. Konrad is clearly in a downward spiral caused by the mysterious Illness that plagues him and the ever growing demands placed upon him. His drastic change disconcerts Helena, who has relied on him as both a strong mentor figure and a paragon of justice since becoming his apprentice and scribe. When the group delves into the cause of his illness and Helena ends up in the underworld face to face with the horrific moth-headed beast parasitizing his life force, I was thoroughly disturbed as well. The scenes set in this world beyond the living were memorable and I'm unlikely to forget the aura of ancient mystery surrounding them. It was like a fever dream, with beaches of bone, ghastly temples to elder beings, and trapped spirits. 

The Tyranny of Faith was an incredible story that once again left me wanting the sequel right away. The blend of investigative elements, action, horror, and politics keeps this entertaining from the very first page all the way until that absolute zinger of an ending! I cannot begin to predict what might happen next, other than perhaps a final showdown between Vonvalt and Fischer, both wielding destructive power. With such a strong sequel, I think I can confidently say this will go down as one of my favorite fantasy series of all time.

*4.5 stars

In the sequel to The Justice of Kings, Helena, apprentice to Justice Sir Konrad Vonvalt, is back to tell us more of Vonvalt’s story as the Emperor’s Justice. While The Justice of Kings focused on the mystery of a small town, we now get a wider view of the Empire, beginning at the capital’s heart, Sova, and moving to the southern frontier.

After the Emperor’s grandson goes missing, Vonvalt, Helena, Bressinger, and Sir Radomir are tasked with finding him amidst the stirrings of rebellion. They once again face Bartholomew Claver and his templar knights, as well as a host of other dark powers.

Themes of justice, law and power dominate. Helena and Vonvalt butt heads when Vonvalt makes choices that cause Helena to view him in a new light. It explores how good and evil and the space in between can often be a slippy slope. If you love a good philosophical discussion, you are in for a treat!

I enjoyed Helena’s character even more in this sequel. She’s already endured trauma and goes though even more. Although still naive, she understands that the world cannot be viewed in terms of black and white. Helena struggles with her decisions and of those close to her and the consequences of those decisions. I sympathized so much more with her and look forward to even more growth from her in the next books.

While the politics and plot line were slow to progress, the last half of the book was so fast paced and exciting! The Justice of Kings had little fantasy elements, but now the supernatural and fantastical take a much bigger role in the plot. And the slow buildup of the politics truly paid off in the end with a complex, intricate and very engaging conclusion.

The ending made me VERY excited for the end of this trilogy! The first two books in this series have come very close to 5 stars, but I have a feeling that book three will be the best book yet in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Orbit for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

The second installment in the Empire of the Wolf series took the characters development and the magic system to the next level. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the conclusion. If it wasn’t for some pacing issues in the middle of the book, this would have been a 5 star read for me.

DNF @55%

I really want to like this book. It is very well written, smooth and very visual. Unfortunately I cannot personally connect with the characters in a meaningful way. I believe it is the fact that I know it is the main character writing about something in her past. I feel no worry for the characters and could not get myself emotionally invested which is what I try to do when I read.

4.5/5 stars

Let me just say straight off the bat, that the addition of Radomir to Vonvalt's retinue is perfection. With the addition of this man the book is funnier and the budding friendships between him, Dubine, and Helena really add so much to your love of the characters.

Tyranny of Faith did not disappoint. It follows similar format to Justice of Kings, lots of seemingly unrelated plot points that all just converge into one big bang! Swan, once again, does a fantastic job of weaving law, ethics and practicality so well into the story. The expansion of world and the magic system is also very well done. I truly appreciate how Helena's POV has both matured and remains naiive as she's introduced to this larger world without info dumping upon the reader.

Similar to Justice of Kings, Tyranny of Faith wraps up fairly well.. though I'd say there is a semi-cliff hanger like ending that has me quite eager for the next installment.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.