Tchaikovsky does it again in this third entertaining Tyrant Philosophers story. He opens this novel with an illegal duel and pirates, and shows a country under pressure: an elderly Alkhand (king) whose heart isn’t in ruling anymore, the peaceful son named heir and the martial one biding his time, the Pals approaching after their takeover of Lorithi (in book two), and simmering political and religious tensions.

This time he takes us to Usmai, a kingdom with an ailing, blind king who rules a nation of various faiths including one with a frog god, lizard people known as Ibaleth, and terrifying warrior priests known as Louse Monks by the Usmai but who are Tesemer from another world. The Alkhand Oparan is neutral in his support and attitude to the Pallaseen. He has three sons and a daughter:
-the eldest Gorbudan is a warrior who loathes the Pallaseen; Oparan has banished him for being a little too violent in his approach to the Pals
-the second eldest Dekamran, educated by the Pals, and who feels diplomacy with the wider world is important and necessary
-the two younger siblings are Palmath, who worships the death god and wants to join an order, and
-Elshiri, the princess, destined for a marriage of alliance, but who is eager to not just buck tradition but to knife it then kick it out a window.

Other important players this time around are
-the Pallaseen Resident Angilly ("Gil"), the head of diplomatic office in Usmai. Gil is also a highly skilled duelist and canny politician
-Gil's new aide Loret, who is mostly naïve and untrained for her role, and mouse-like until she’s reveals how terrifyingly dangerous she can be, and
-a small contingent of the healers we waded through blood and gore with in book two; they’re deserters from the Pallaseen army, and are in Usmai under assumed names: Ollery now Oathan, Jack now Happy Jack, Tallifer now Tally and Alv as the Reckoner, Caeleen now the Viper, and Kilbery, Ollery's adopted son. They live in the Sand Lanes, a rough, poor and dangerous area of the city, but they are safe as they treat all who enter the Fever Lodge.

Tchaikovsky brings all these people together in Alkhalend, main city of Usmai, and turns the political temperature up: the Pals are softening up Usmai through the Resident’s office and efforts, and are determined to perfect this nation’s gods and traditions entirely away.

Oparan is ailing and melancholic, pining for his wife who left him years before for a religious order. Gorbudan and Dekamran have philosophical differences, which cannot be glossed over any longer when Gorbudan grabs a chance to rule, upsetting many different groups' plans in Usmai. There is much violence, political intrigue, plotting, betrayals, and tragedy over the course of this intense story about political and religious ideologies, assassinations, conquest, civil war, grief and love.

Though there are characters from book two here, this could be read as a standalone. I think, however, that one would more deeply appreciate the more sympathetic way Tchaikovsky presents the Pals for the first half of the book in the form of Gil, before pulling the curtain back and saying, "Nah, fooled you!" Gil is the Pal ambassador in Usmai, and has in some sense gone soft on the customs and traditions of the country, particularly as she has fallen into a relationship with Dekamran. Her adaptability and willingness to compromise is a stark contrast to her fellow Pals, who gradually move into the country with all the upheaval, seeing this as the perfect opportunity to extend the Pallaseen Sway into this messy country.

Tchaikovsky again deals with colonial attitudes and asks us to think about whether powerful countries with distinct cultures and traditions can live peacefully together, especially when one intends on gobbling up everyone else.

I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in this series, and though long, it never dragged. I love this author's work, and hope there are more stories in this world.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Bloomsbury USA for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Adrian Tchaikovsky continues to do some cool things with this series. Once again the book switches locations and perspectives entirely (putative series protagonist Yasnic a.k.a. "Maric Jack" is still present but as an extremely ancillary character who is barely involved in the plot), picking up in a new city which is outside of the sway of the Palleseen empire whose expansion is a major throughline of the previous two books - initially, that is. The bulk of the plot here circles around a succession crisis between two brothers, one of whom manages to land the support of the Palleseen (with all the political jockeying that entails). This is going to scratch a lot of the same itches that something like <i>Navola</i> does: it feels substantially like a historical fiction novel circling around some peripheral kingdom dealing with, say, British or Roman imperial meddling in local politics (and Tchaikovsky specifically calls out Mike Duncan and the History of Rome podcast as a research source, in his afterword), except there are weird monks with tongue-eating louse parasites and regiments of demons and giant frog gods running around.

It's not clear to me whether there are supposed to be further books in the series; trilogies are <i>de rigueur</i> but Tchaikovsky is no stranger to longer fantasy series, and the peripatetic nature of the books so far seems well-suited to further entries. Certainly it feels like something is missing without a book set in the Palleseen homeland to round out certain subplots bubbling in the background. I eagerly await what comes next, if anything.

With Days of Shattered Faith, Adrian Tchaikovsky further cements Tyrant Philosophers one of my all-time favorite series. At its core, this is a novel of succession, for the nation and for the individual. Combining the breadth of City of Last Chances and the narrow focus of House of Open Wounds, Tchaikovsky creates a grand yet intimate look at Alkhalend. With depictions of gothic-like terrors of necromantic and nautical religions and of conflicts between political ideologies, we follow the characters brand new and familiar, carried over from both City of Last Chances and House of Open Wounds. I cannot wait for further explorations of both tyranny and philosophy.

Tyrant Philosophers is a tremendous series that should be more widely read.

This one is even more contained than HOUSE which was more contained than CITY, but Tchaikovsky's prose continues to impress and his ability to get us to care about the 'bad guys', the conquerors and imperialists, even as they do conquest and imperial things is mind-boggling. Sometimes while reading this, I thought to myself, 'you know, these guys need some Perfection a la Palaseen Sway because I personally can't stand them'. These books, more than any others I've read by Tchaikovsky, always keep you guessing at how they'll turn out and the 'good guys' do not, in fact, always win.

This book, even more than HOUSE and CITY discusses the destruction of culture, the coexistance of diametrically opposed (foes) societies, warring ideologies, and that the <i>right</i> thing is often not the <i>best</i> thing, which is something that gives me the heebidy-jeebidies. Stellar military action, crushing heartbreak, and discussions on belief, duty, and where our loyalties truly lie.

5 stars, but is probably my least favorite of the three but only just. I felt a little adrift at times, wondering where we were all headed, especially in the last third, one POV in particular, but that doesn't alter the fact that this is one of the great series of our times.

The third book in the Tyrant Philosophers series was a wild ride. Each book in the series stands well on its own and this one took another wide turn. Focused more on politics than the previous installment and I really liked the main characters and their dynamics with each other. A bit more action would of worked well for the story but otherwise another solid read from Tchaikovsky

These books fill me with joy, and I sort of think this is the best of the trilogy.

First off, there's an underlying theme about how inflexible and absolutist philosophies fall apart when faced with real-world conditions. This is most obvious with the Paliseen Sway, but can also be read into the narrative arcs of characters such as Yasnic (Jack) and the war-like usurper king in this latest book.

Angilly and Loret are teriffic new additions to the sprawling cast of characters in the Tyrant Philosophers series (I think the first major characters who actually buy into the Pal ideology). But there's so many through-lines in this book.

This is a detailed, rich fantasy setting with so much spilling off the edge of the page that it's easy to miss just how well-thought-out the details are.

Adrian Tchaikovsky is quickly becoming a favourite author of mine, and these are some of his best books.

Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Days of Shattered Faith is a remarkable achievement that solidifies his reputation as one of the most imaginative and skilled authors in speculative fiction. This novel expertly weaves together intricate world-building, profound philosophical questions, and a compelling storyline that captivates readers from beginning to end.
Set within the richly developed universe of Tchaikovsky’s Tyrant Philosophers series, the narrative explores the intricacies of faith, ethics, and survival in a fractured world. It examines the consequences of societal breakdown, where characters grapple with the remnants of their broken beliefs and the emergence of new ideologies. Tchaikovsky’s exceptional ability to portray alien perspectives is evident, providing a thought-provoking examination of how sentient beings confront ideas of divinity and existence.
The prose is exquisite—graceful yet accessible, filled with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the haunting allure of the setting. Tchaikovsky’s knack for crafting unique ecosystems and intelligent species is unparalleled, making the extraterrestrial feel surprisingly relatable. His characters, whether human or otherwise, are multifaceted and engaging, with their emotional journeys resonating profoundly.
What truly distinguishes Days of Shattered Faith is its thematic richness. The novel encourages readers to reflect on the essence of faith and the human inclination to seek meaning in the midst of turmoil. Tchaikovsky skillfully navigates these complex themes, integrating them into a fast-paced plot that never loses momentum. Fans of Tchaikovsky will find this a valuable addition to his oeuvre, while newcomers will discover a thought-provoking and enthralling entry into his expansive imagination. Whether you’re drawn in by the intellectual explorations, the vivid storytelling, or the breathtaking world-building, Days of Shattered Faith offers something for everyone.

I don't fucking know how Tchaikovsky keeps building on this world the way he does but my god is he a master and I am fucking here for the whole of whatever this becomes. We get to see the Palleseen actually taking over a nation in real time in this one, complete with the slaughter of a god, and we get lead in from last book too (characters and plot threads) in the best kind of way. Tchaikovsky is a master at threading his plot across all these POV characters, and winding them all up and watching them go. It sounds like we might be getting more of this (fingers crossed), and I am so here for it. Highly recommended series.

This is the third book (I think) about the Palleseen Sway, an expansionist fascist empire, with some recurring characters. Palleseen is having some troubles back home, but still interested in taking over new lands and sucking their magic dry. The Palleseen resident in one city-state is allied with, and maybe in love with, a ruler’s younger son who has suddenly come into favor, but his warlike older brother has other plans. That’s only one fragment of the story, which is rich with politics and other maneuvers. Basically everyone in the story was unlikeable—primarily out for themselves if they had any self-control at all; making bad decisions if they didn’t. It was not the right book for me to read at this point; there were at most a few flashes of grace.

Really liked this next installaion and I think Tchaikovsky really shines in this series. The world is so interesting and relevant!

I read everything this author writes. He is a world builder with impressive skill with character. This book is one of his best. The thread of characters that come from the prior novels continue to move along here. We start the story with a new transfer from the Palleseen sway. She finds her way to the Palleseen resident ( think ambassador) in the country of Usmai in the city of Alkhalend. The Pals are interested in Usmai on multiple levels and the resident is here to make their desires reality. While back home odd behaviors, based on actions in the prior books, make news erratic here in Alkhelend a brutal war of succession is on the verge of happening. The characters in this book are very fleshed out and their choices have unintended results that can spell the destruction of an ancient empire. Gods are very real here and not at all happy about the Pals desires to draw Usmai into the sway. This book twists and turns with fascinating people, powerful deities and all too real fears. It was amazing and I feel grateful to have been allowed an advance reading.

A spectacular followup to House of Open Wounds, DoSF takes us to a brand new city and has a different type of story to tell. A brave decision with the structure similar to M.L. Wang's Sword of Kaigen will probably result in the same interesting discussion, but I think in this case it'll be better received because the focuses of the third section are very different in this case than in SoK. Entertaining and wonderful! Full thoughts on Youtube.

Love the author very classic sci fi fantasy feel to their writing and love how it's so different from what I've come to expect from him in a good way didn't actually like the Witcher books weirdly like these

Another excellent entry in the Tyrant Philosopher's series. The world that Tchaikovsky builds is grim and brutal at times, with the grit of a dirty city. You feel the tension surrounding the main events of this book.

This left me foaming at the mouth for more. I breezed through this book in only a day and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I didn't even takes notes for my review like I usually do since I couldn't put this down. I just want the next book out now.

I found the POV shifts here frustrating. It made it hard to get a sense of what was going on until way later into the novel and not getting to truly stick with one character made it too hard to really get into this story.

The Tyrant Philosophers has been that rare series in fantasy fiction that can be read as stand alone. And with the exception of some characters and a building up of understanding of the different aspects of this world, Days of Shattered Faith did not shatter that feeling. This story seems to take grains of thought from British imperialism but transforms the seeds into a robust story through the author's incredible world building and rich prose. The main characters in this story give distinct perspectives at colonialism and revolution, but more than just being archetypes of a particular group, each is filled with their unique vibrancy of character that made me interested in their own personal story. The interplay of characters, each story crossing into someone else's, made the narrative more curious and complex. There was a fitting ending to match the thought-provoking tale, but there were also threads that hint that this is not the end of tales from this world. I am certainly hopeful to see entries to this series and more aspects of this world. For those that have not read the previous books in this series, this book does not necessarily require those predecessors, but for anyone who enjoys good storytelling, complex characters, and getting immersed into a different world, three tales are better than one.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Bloomsbury USA - Head of Zeus) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.