The ending to any series is most difficult in my opinion. While The Justice of Kings successfully hooked me as a reader to the Empire of the Wolf series, The Tyranny of Faith kept me engaged, it was up to the final book to determine whether this would be a successful series. I am happy to report that the final book The Trials of Empire does in fact deliver a thematically apt and satisfying conclusion to the Empire of the Wolf trilogy.

Our protagonist Helena, her mentor Sir Vonvalt and secondary characters such as Sir Radomir all return to face one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after another. Difficult choices are made, with far-reaching consequences. And everyone is forced to confront the questions: what is Justice? What is the cost of Power? What does it mean to be human? And when one is forced to cross those barriers between the now and the beyond, can one ever truly be the same again. I kept turning the page to find out what happens to the Empire and our protagonists until the ending which felt tonally apt.

It was a very enjoyable reading experience. The writing, pacing, character work and storytelling were all on point. If there was one minor nitpick I had, it would be that some plot points felt a bit repetitive or perhaps a bit predictable given I had read the previous two books. But mostly, it was an engaging read.

The Trials of Empire delivers a very good and fitting conclusion to the trilogy. I recommend The Empire of the Wolf as a whole to readers of fantasy looking for an intriguing story which includes thought-provoking theming around power, justice and mortality through the perspective of a well-rounded cast of characters, especially our main protagonist Helena.

Many thanks to the publisher Orbit Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"The Trials of Empire" by Richard Swan is the third and concluding novel in the epic fantasy trilogy featuring Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice who serves as a detective, judge, and executioner all in one.

In this installment, the Empire of the Wolf is in a precarious state, and to save it, Sir Konrad Vonvalt and Helena must seek allies beyond its borders. They turn to the wolfmen of the southern plains and the pagan clans in the north, but old grievances pose challenges. The enemies they face, particularly the zealot Bartholomew Claver, wield infernal powers granted by a mysterious demonic patron. To stand against this formidable foe, Vonvalt and Helena must navigate alliances on both sides of the mortal plane, even as these alliances come with a heavy price.

The novel promises a gripping conclusion as battle lines are drawn in both Sova and the afterlife, leading to a final reckoning at the heart of the Empire. With themes of justice, tyranny, and the struggle for survival, "The Trials of Empire" brings the trilogy to a climactic end. If you enjoy epic fantasy with intricate world-building and complex characters, this series might be worth exploring.