I received an uncorrected proof copy of Priest of Lies in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Peter McLean and Ace Books for the opportunity.

We return to Ellinburg following the first person perspective of gangster boss Thomas Piety, the head of the Pious Men. The way that McLean writes led me to feel like I was actually walking the streets of The Stink, enjoying a mug of beer in the Tanner's Arms and that I was almost a member of the Pious Men myself. When a fantasy world has me that invested then it is difficult for an author to do much wrong. Since I read Priest of Bones I have read about 100 books so I always worry when returning to a fictional world after I've spent too much time away. Will I remember the characters? Political agendas? Warring factions? Etc... With Priest of Lies, I need not have worried. The reading experience at the beginning was like trying on a favourite hat that I thought I'd lost to find out that it still fitted perfectly and I still looked good in it! I fitted in with the world here again straight away and it was a great feeling.

In addition to the quality worldbuilding, which is set across two cities this time, War for the Rose Throne's greatest asset is the characters. They are a colourful bunch featuring many different characteristics and personalities, but they gel in sublime fashion under the guidance of Tomas, that they are a family. My favourites remain Tomas himself, his second Bloody Anne, and the young magician Billy the Boy - who is Tomas' adopted son. Some of the ensemble who were featured heavily in the first novel get less page time here but other players have real standout performances. Jochan, Tomas' slightly deranged half brother really shines as does the role Cutter - the mysterious and perhaps even nefarious assassin - plays. A revelation regarding the latter literally made my jaw drop! To say it's a group composed of war veterans and hard as nails mercenaries, I don't think there is a single member of the crew that I didn't like reading about.

Either I've become softer in my old age of McLean has really upped the Grimdark stakes here when compared to Priest of Bones! Deaths of likable characters. Yes. People being eaten alive by a bear? Of course. Betrayals, sedition, turpitude? Sure. And a scene featuring a grotesque ritual that showcases what happens if you betray the Pious Men from the inside. Peter McLean sees your hammer scene Anna Stephens and he raises you this!

Priest of Lies is written in a style that caused me to devour the entire novel within two days. The chapters are short and sharp each taking about ten minutes to read. Each chapter is focused, precise and keeps the plot moving and flowing expertly. Even though the narrative is quite short by fantasy standards with 368 pages the dramatis personae is overflowing with characters however none of them seemed two-dimensional filler. I even cared about more obscure individuals such as Tomas' barber which reflects the way he truly cares for those that are under his protection. If you cross his people you cross Tomas and the consequences to that can be drastic and I don't really fancy being buried alive.

Priest of Lies is pretty damn exceptional. The ending is stunning and I can't wait to see what comes next. I need to see Kurt's sword again! Both the books in this series are 9/10 standard. This is the third book I have read by McLean and I have never been disappointed at all. The only negative I have here, and it's very minor, is that Tomas says 'as I have written' far too many times and it niggled me a bit. Priest of Lies is stunning low fantasy by an author who is on top of his game. Start this series if you haven't already.

"Everyone has a lever that moves them, and everyone has their weakness, too. If you can’t find the lever to move someone, then you find the weakness, and you take hold of it, and you squeeze until they break."

Tomas Piety is a man that deals in absolutes. There is no ‘might, may,’ or ‘possibly’ in his vocabulary; things either are or they aren’t. He’s a simple man, really: some things he can let pass, and other things he cannot. For the things he cannot, he dispenses harsh justice. Sometimes harsh justice comes from his twin short swords, Mercy and Remorse, other times it can be much, much worse. Respect, power, and authority are the levers that move him, and the ends always justify the means… but the means have consequences. We followed his meteoric rise to power in taking back his city in Priest of Bones, but now the past is starting to catch up with him in the excellent sequel, Priest of Lies. There is a cost for the innocent blood Tomas and his Pious Men have shed. And one day, in one of the best scenes of the series so far, the cost comes knocking on his doorstep.

McLean wisely takes Piety out of his comfort zone in this book, both figuratively and literally. As the cost of his actions take a toll on Piety and his men, Tomas is forced to reckon with a new environment where he lacks his usual respect and power. It’s an interesting change to see how he reacts in situations where he doesn’t have his support network to rely on. We witness him evolve and learn more about himself, while realizing and accepting what kind of person he is.

There are so many things that this book excels at, but first and foremost is the McLean’s prose. The narrative voice of Tomas Piety is brilliantly written; much like how Piety addresses his men, his words are economical yet carry an understated strength. There is almost a complete lack of metaphors, as Piety speaks in a precise, direct language. It is a commanding, decisive language that catapults the reader ever forward. This book is so addictive that I’m convinced it is laced with the same poppy resin that the nobles score from the Golden Chains.

Although he’s a ruthless gangster who has killed countless innocents, Piety still tries to rule with his own sense of justice when his hand isn’t being forced. Unlike his rivals who base their rule on fear, Piety commands respect from his streets and ensures that his racketeering protection money does indeed protect his people. Honor, though? Where has honor ever gotten anyone? As his old captain used to say in the war, “Always cheat. Always win.”

"Fuck idealism. Where had that ever got anyone? Duty, honor, love. Fuck it all."

I can only guess as to the accuracy of its depiction, but the episodes of trauma-induced stress (known here as ‘battle shock’) that the soldiers experience was handled admirably. Piety’s brother Jochan appears to experience the worst of it over time, and its effects are exacerbated when he and other former soldiers find themselves in the midst of heavy gang violence. They all experienced the same untold horrors of war in recent years, and all have been forever scarred by it. It is something that they cannot ever hope to escape, but perhaps it can be managed. Battle shock drives some men away from the life, but for others like Jochan, it drives them deeper into madness, grief, and the bottle.

There is a wide cast of characters in the story, and I was impressed at how well developed they were – especially due to only seeing through Tomas’ point of view. “The right man for the right job” is one of Piety’s favorite adages, so it is on him to know which tool to use in which situation. There are many memorable characters like Luka, the chief minister of propaganda and social influence, or Ailsa a ruthless manipulator who does anything and everything for the crown. Bloody Anne is another favorite, acting as Piety’s second and perhaps his only true friend. There are dozens more, and they all have their place in the story, their own agency and goals. It’s remarkably impressive for a book that’s relatively short by modern fantasy standards.

It took me five days total to tear through both Priest of Bones and Priest of Lies. That should be enough of an endorsement in and of itself. McLean has crafted a memorable anti-hero in Tomas Piety, with a varied cast of criminals and enough cutting dialogue to make Elmore Leonard proud. This series is a grimdark delight, and I’m already jonesing for my next fix.

9.2 / 10

I really like Tomas Piety. He's a horrible gangster thug and does terrible things, but I really like him as a narrator. And he loves his people, even if he keeps having trouble keeping them alive or sane. This is another great chapter in this series and I can't wait to see what happens next.