Seven Deaths of an Empire

I’ve waited what felt like ages for this one, and I couldn’t be happier with the story I got to read!

Seven Deaths of an Empire is a grimdark fantasy that is inspired by roman legions and forest tribes. It combines a lot of my favourite things, so in this book you’ll find political manoeuvring, loyalties and betrayals, a whole pile of bodies, action and fighting along with quiet and contemplative bits, magic as well as a realistic feeling world where actions do have consequences.

I especially enjoyed the two different POVs and main characters. One being a battle weary old general trying to hold the young heir and the empire together.

"Age was an enemy no one could defeat with cunning strategy, clever tactics, or sharp sword. It cut through armour, flesh, bone and blood without pause or care."


The other POV being a young and still rather naive magician and his sage master.

"Kyron looked down at the intricate carving, not understanding. A state of being he was used to."


These different styles and manners kept me well hooked and breezing through the chapters as I always wanted to know what would happen on the other side of the empire. I clicked with the early characters early on and found them well rounded and enjoyed seeing them grow over the cause of the book. Besides the darkness there’s also a little bit of humour and banter sprinkled throughout the book, which made the world a bit less bleak and helped to get a good balance overall. Like this one after jumping at shadows:

“I will be stabbing a tree in a minute,” he said.
“Me too, sir,” the soldier said.
“Get your own tree,” Bordan said, his smile growing wider. “Plenty to choose from.”


Another bit of the book I absolutely loved is the prose. Most of it is effective but unobtrusive, doing its job well without drawing attention to itself as more purple passages might. And then you get those little bits of more introspection, and it contrasts so well with the unembroidered style. I wouldn’t want to read a whole book this way, but the little bits and pieces strewn throughout worked incredibly well for me.

"Bordan chose each word with more care than he sharpened his sword. A cut here would not be healed with a simple bandage, but could put him in a grave of his own, next to the messenger, no doubt."


The setting also caught my interest quickly. I loved traveling the forest, and while I found the empire rather familiar having read quite a bit about the Romans, I was so very intrigued by the tribes! I really hope we might get to see more of them and their culture in later books of the series, but only time will tell! I didn’t even know who I was rooting for… I definitely hoped and feared for both sides of this conflict, which made the whole reading experience even more gripping to me. I can’t say I noticed even one infodump in the whole book, and the blend of new and well known to me cultures made it a good balance that was both fresh and yet not overwhelmingly new.

"Even as the sun rose above the trees, turning morning’s gemstone dew into a thin grey mist which drifted to the canopy above, the sense of despondency settled anew into his heart. The aroma of loss overpowered the smoke from the fires and the scent of porridge charring in the pots. He drew it down with every breath, feeling it sweep through his limbs on each pulse of his heavy heart, draining the energy from his legs, and every step became a struggle against lethargy."


I love grimdark as a genre, because it so often just feels more realistic than the classics. If you get an arrow in the stomach, it is very unlikely you will get up again later on. Actions do have consequences and the stakes just are a lot higher if you have no idea if your favourite characters will actually make it to the end. It can turn too dark and end up completely hopeless, which will lose my interest, if I can’t see any way forward for the characters at all. GR Matthews always dangles just enough hope in front of you to keep you always ploughing on, hoping for the best while also fearing the worst. So I’ll leave you with one last quote, and hope you’ll do yourself a favour and go read this one!

One spark is it all it will take for them to burn us down.”
“Let us hope for rain then,” Bordan said.
“Always,”

This book was a fantastic read, one which I really enjoyed becoming not only sucked into the overall story, but invested in the main characters. Written from a duel point of view, we have Bordan the old General and Kyron a young magician. 
The worst thing that could of happened to an Empire at the height of its power, the Emperor has died. This throws the Empire into a period of flux, as the Emperor's body is sent back from the battlefield, where his army has been subduing the Northern Tribes along a perilous route with a minimum force to protect him and Kyron along with his master and a Barbarian guide.
Meanwhile in the capital General Bordan is faced not only with the devastating news, but now the political wrangling, a balancing act between the faith of the flame and the Mages, but also protecting the heir to the throne as they await the arrival of his fathers dead body to officially crown the new Emperor. A job made all the harder by the fact the heir to the throne has his own ideas of ruling and seems unwilling to except that until power is transferred his position is precarious at best. 
The author handles this all expertly with a fine line between politics and action, with some beautiful prose and some expert timing. For a  fairly large read this moved at a good pace. Both Bordan and Kyron being tested at every turn. It had some excellent side characters and all had a part to play in bringing this book to an action packed ending. I eagerly await book two. 

I received an advance copy of this book through Netgally.

First I want to note that I was given a free ARC of Seven Deaths of an Empire in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. I have read other books by G.R. Matthews and follow him on social media, but I do not know him personally. 

Seven Deaths of an Empire is a new fantasy world loosely based around the idea of Roman legions. I specify the legions rather than the government, because the government in Seven Deaths is more like a traditional European Empire than the one based in Rome. The structure, weapons, dress, and culture of the military is very Romanesque, though. There are other similarities between the world of Seven Deaths than a Roman style military, the conflict with indigenous forest tribes evokes a sense of familiarity for those who are familiar with Rome’s conquest of Europe, particularly the locals like the Goths, or the Picts and Celts of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Other familiar themes peek through--the conflict between the Emperor and the Lords, the Emperor and the military, the church and paganism. 

Self interest vs Service and Honor. 

Matthews chose a dual POV for the book. Generally, I prefer a singular POV, but I have both loved and hated the way some authors used multiple POVs—sometimes in the same book. Matthews does a good job with the two: The General and the Magician; I’m happy that he limited it to two, and I’m happy that he alternates between them each chapter with metronome-like predictability. 

That predictability, that familiarity, all lull the reader into believing he knows what will happen. The themes are familiar ones, after all, but from the start Matthews muddies the water just enough to keep us off balance. The good guys are harder to pin down, their motives, the way they work both with and against their consciences in attaining their goals, the justifications they make for their action or inaction, the way neither they nor the presumptive bad guys are all of one or the other. Almost to the end, the reader is unsure who to believe, who even to root for. The characters are just that bit too selfish, or petty, or naïve, or lost to throw oneself fully behind. 

The two points of view are from opposite ends of the same story. One at the end of his service to the Empire, the other just beginning. There is some teasing, some sense of familiarity in the two stories, the very fact of two separate POVs with no clear or explained connection makes the reader wonder if there even is one. There is just enough to make us unsettled in our familiarity that I found myself hesitating to make my usual readerly conclusions. I think the author did a masterful job at keeping us guessing
. 
The book opens with the death of the Emperor. It’s no spoiler, since it happens quickly in the first chapter. The General struggling with how to deal with the news that he has to deliver to the royal family. How to manage the succession. The next POV is the Magician, an apprentice traveling with the Northern Army in conquest of the Northern Forest Tribes led by the Emperor when he loses his life, who must now leave with the honor guard which will escort the body of the Emperor and the Amulet which contains the memories—perhaps the souls—of all the past emperors back to the Capital to be passed on to the Heir. 

Shenanigans ensue.

The two POVs shuttle the reader back and forth between youth and age, between starts and finishes, between beginnings and endings. The juxtapositions of their disparate views, like the world which is familiar and strange at the same time, is unsettling and engaging. It kept me reading and interested. I felt like I learned real things about real people, and when I finally knew who the good guys and bad guys were, I was truly ready to chose sides and pick a hero. We all get there at the same time, and it’s very well done. 

I look forward to the rest of the series and will eagerly pick up the following volumes.

Seven Deaths of an Empire is one of best fantasy books I have ever read, right up there with The Way of Kings. This book takes many influences from different cultures and pieces of history. Namely the romans and the Greeks. I got completely lost in the story, the setting, and the characters because it was well written. 

The character is the general is practiced, and disciplined while still being emotional. He is not completely stiff, or stoic - it is shown that he feels emotion, he is just disciplined enough to know when to reign his feelings in. Which is great, because I worried how stoic the character of the general would be.

I was at the mercy of this story, and cried a few times. I would highly suggest it, as it delivers on all its promises of political suspense.

Thank you sincerely to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this remarkable story. Plan on picking it up.

"The hardest truth is the realization that sometimes there is nothing you can do"

Seven Deaths of an Empire is a tale about the turmoil that succession of power can lead to. The book takes place in an Empire heavily influenced by the Romans. The titular Empire is in a long-lasting conflict with the tribes surrounding its borders and one of the military campaigns leads to the death of the old Emperor. The novel focuses on people having to pick up the pieces after such an event happens. The book is divided between two protagonists: The General who has faithfully served the old Emperor his entire life and The Magician who is just beginning to grasp the extent of his powers.

"A sword might end a single life, but a word can lead to the death of thousands"

General Bordan has to keep The Empire from dissolving into chaos during the power vacuum until the new Emperor is crowned. He has to deal with plotting dukes, rebelling crowds and a reckless crown prince who is not handling the situation very competently. It is up to Bordan to ensure The Empire remains strong while an entirely different mission is underway.

The Magician Kyron is an apprentice to a powerful mage and has the task of protecting the old Emperor's dead body and escorting it back to The Empire from behind enemy lines. On the journey back he has to deal with bloodthirsty natives and zealotry priests who treat magicians as abominations of the natural order.

"Fire cleansed, the priests taught, but Kyron now saw the truth, heard it in those screams. It burned. It destroyed. Lumos of charred meat, scorched store, night dark charcoal wood, the residue it left behind was a husk of all it had once been. Smoke rose upon the air, spreading the pollution, the reach of the fire, to everyone and everything, tainting with its touch.
It was not holy to be cleansed, to be cremated, it was destruction. It was not a new beginning: it was the end.
Fire did not create, it consumed."

I had a great time reading this book and it was thoroughly entertaining all the way through. The pacing is quite fast and the chapters rather short. Structurally the PoVs alternate every chapter which worked really well for the story. It was easy to get in the "One more chapter" mindset. The plot was gripping and offered plenty of action alongside some mystery and even a few emotional gut-punches. I liked the way the novel tackled the juxtaposition of progressiveness and tradition. We saw the cultured Empire slowly dismantle the traditional lifestyles of the tribal community in favour of a progressive lifestyle. At the same time, The Empire faced a problem where their religious faction relied on tradition to weed out the magicians who were originally a huge part of the Empires own progressiveness.

I was happy with the overall experience and I do strongly recommend it although it does come with a small caveat. The author has said that the novel is a complete story but has a sequel written. The sequel is currently at the agent but it isn't completely clear how many books are actually going to be released. This is where the caveat comes into play: I do not believe that it is a completed story. It works really well as a part of a series and it feels like it is designed this way from the start. Having it remain a standalone would hurt the experience and there is a lot of potential to be tapped. I really do wish to see more of this world!

A fantastic fantasy adventure for all tastes.

I mostly read social commentary pieces, but I enjoyed this publisher's other title so had to give this a go and I'm glad I did.

The mash up of traditional fantasy story with ancient Roman influence was wonderful, and the strong characterisation of the General was perfection. I wasn't overly keen on the magician, but I think that's a credit to the author as the arrogance of his youth was grating at times! His female companion was fantastic however and I can't wait to read more about her. 
The seven deaths were played out well, but the last one was absolutely fantastic. 

A great page turner.

“The desire for revenge can destroy a person or fuel them for a time, but when revenge fulfilled is an empty thing. In the end, it is how we deal with our losses that define and guides our future.”

Seven Deaths of an Empire is a Roman-inspired fantasy set in a world where the empire is actively trying to conquer and control the “barbarians” in the forests. However, due to the sudden passing of the Emporer, the whole empire is struck by uncertainty and fear. This book follows two POVs, Bordan, a general that has gained a reputation of being loyal and skilled through his many years of service, and the apprentice Kyron, who is being trained by his Master Padarn, to become a magician.

G.R. Matthews does a phenomenal job at introducing the reader to the world and its characters. The reader is introduced to a world with a focus on forbidden magic, politics, discrimination and rebellion. Although there is a lot of political manoeuvring, the reader is never left confused. Matthews writing style is very accessible, and the pacing is phenomenal, making the reader feel immersed in this world from the first page. This book reads like a classical fantasy, but the fast pacing and the unexpecting plot twists make this story feel exciting and new.

General Bordan and the apprentice Kyron are great characters, with a lot of depths and complex motivations. Matthews does a terrific job at making the reader feel invested in the character’s story by explaining their thoughts, feelings and giving the reader some insights into these characters past. Moreover, these characters are put through challenging situations, forcing them to act on their intuition and showcase their character. Having the reader follow these two characters, which are different by age, location, and occupation keeps this story fresh throughout the book. Matthews is also analysing some fantastic themes in this book, such as identity, the value of human life and the cost of being loyal.  

The world-building is also great. The world is inspired by the Roman empire, which is reflected in the Empire's motivations, how the Roman numerals used at the start of each chapter and the mention of gladiators. The reader is introduced to a priesthood, magicians, soldiers, generals, tribes, forest, lore and forbidden magic. The magic system is based around the weave of motes into constructs but has its limitations and rules, making it feel like a “hard magic” system. My primary “criticism” is that the reader is left wanting to know more about the world, such as the tribes, the magic system and the empire’s history. Although we learn about these aspects, the reader does not get extensive knowledge about this, and the reader is left wondering what else there is to discover in this world (which can be a good thing!). Hopefully, we will learn more about this world in the sequel.

In conclusion, Seven Deaths of an Empire is a classical fantasy with fantastic pacing, memorable characters and satisfying plot twists. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. If you are looking for something new to the fantasy genre, I wouldn’t recommend this book. However, if you are looking for a classical fantasy, done well, then I can highly recommend this book. Although this is a thick book, it didn’t feel long or drawn out. I will definitely be continuing with this series. My only ‘criticism’ is the lack of explanation about the tribes, the lore and the magic system. Hopefully, we will learn more about these aspects in the sequel.

4.25 / 5 stars

Thanks to Rebellion Publishing and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Deaths of an Empire is a story of a conquering empire at the peak of its power but the sudden death of the Emperor during a campaign leaves a power vacuum.

The Magician Apprentice Kyron, a naive, young man struggling to find his place in the Empire. He and his master were tasked with overseeing the safe return of the Emperor's body and the amulet to the citadel.

Enter General Bordan, an old man who dedicated his life to serving the royal family. He has a strong sense of honor and duty and he needs to keep the Empire from falling into chaos and protect it from machinations until the body of the emperor and the amulet is safely returned to the citadel and the new Emperor is crowned.

—

Seven Deaths of an Empire is a grimdark fantasy based on the Roman Empire. Told in two POVs, switching every chapter between General Bordon and Magician Apprentice Kyron.

This was a refreshing and engaging read, a traditional fantasy for the modern reader. It has political intrigue, betrayals, great battle scenes, and a well-crafted world. This was a political and character-driven story.

It's well written and executed skillfully. The prose is straightforward, clear, and precise. It has a solid and intricate plot. GR Matthews did a great job balancing politics, fantasy, and magic. The plot moved reasonably well.

The characters are complex and realistic. I especially enjoyed seeing Kyron's development. Bordan and Kyron's POV complement each other.

The world-building is top tier and well researched. It's Romanesque with its structure, culture, weapons, the conflict between the Church and the magicians, and the Empire and the tribes. The battle scenes are well written and realistic. The magic system is described well. The hows of it are simple enough to follow and visualize. It's not that powerful but it has its merits.

I do hope this will not be standalone. This is a promising to great fantasy series.

I recommend this for someone who's fed up with all the mainstream fantasy (heh) and would love to try something new.
Thank you Netgalley, GR Matthews, and Rebellion for an opportunity to read this amazing book!

The story is told from two different perspectives. First we have the young magician Kyron, who travels with the army to protect the body of the late emperor from the tribes living on the lands they travel through. Kyron is young and because of this a pretty naive character, who we slowly see become a more matured man. The other perspective is that of the old general Boran, who resides in the capital to serve the royal family. Because of his lifetime of experience Boran is a wise, patient man. The contrast between these two characters kept the story very interesting and made me want to keep reading.

The plot surprised me in a good way. In the beginning I thought the story was going to be a straightforward quest, which isn't my favourite, but I was quickly proven wrong by the plot twists. While they weren't the best I've ever seen, they were extremely interesting and added a lot to the story, especially at the end of the book.

The pacing of the book was also really good. The constant switch of perspective after each chapter was easy to get used to and it kept my interest in the story.

The world building was amazing. Since we followed the story from two different settings, we got to know more about the empire itself, but also about all the tribes living in the lands surrounding the empire. The culture of the empire was also fascinating to learn about, and I would love to learn more about it and also about the culture from the tribes. The world is full of political issues, most notably the conflict between the clergy and the magicians, which is present throughout the whole book. All these things combined made the story even more intriguing to read.

I do want to note that the ending wasn't fully satisfactory to me. I believe a sequel to this book is coming, which I would love to read. It would be a shame if this book would remain a standalone.

In conclusion, this was an amazing book, definitely one of the best ones I've read this. If you're into high fantasy, I highly recommend you pick this one up once it comes out on June 22nd!

Fantasy books are, at times, books that I struggle to get in to. Any book that gives me a chapter or two of pure world-building and history to start the book loses my interest as I just want to get on with the story. Build the world as you go, weave it into the story. Too much information about the world at the beginning and I won't remember half of it anyway so it'll be lost on me, so I tend to stick with a select few fantasy authors that I know. No one wants to start a book and be bored straight away. Ones that drip in bits of the world around the story, even if it's someone explaining how magic works later in the book, are the fantasy books that I like. So I'm selective, that is until I had the opportunity to read/review Seven Deaths of an Empire, by G.R. Matthews and Rebellion Publishing imprint Solaris, as something about the description and that beautiful cover (I know, shouldn't judge it by the cover) just screamed at me that I needed to read it - and boy am I glad that I read it!

The story is about seven lives and seven deaths that seal the fate of the Empire. Each chapter switches between the two main characters of the story - General Bordan and the apprentice Magician Kyron. The seven deaths and lives are scattered throughout and shape the Empire and the two characters we follow. The side characters, whether they live or die, all have a part in shaping how the book unfolds.

The two main characters though are General Bordan, a man who has dedicated his life in service of the Empire, in charge of the army and protecting the heir to the throne, and Apprentice Magician Kyron, assigned with escorting the late Emperor's body and his honour guard on the long road back to the capital of the Empire whilst battling tribes in the forests and the priests who hate magicians. Whoever controls the Emperor's body, controls the succession to the throne, so getting the body back to the capital is paramount. 

Seven Deaths of an Empire is easily one of the best fantasy books I have ever read. My favourites are books like The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson, and I honestly didn't think I'd find a book that came close to enjoying as much as I do Sanderson's work. There's a lot of Roman influences in the story that is apparent throughout with the use of Roman numerals for each chapter, mentions of gladiators, soldiers using gladius swords, and how the soldiers appear. It's a delight that gives you little nods towards the Romans without actually being Roman. You get introduced to the priesthood, magicians, soldiers, generals, tribes, forest, lore and forbidden magic and the world in general, but not too much. There's definitely plenty of room to expand, but is there a need to when the real joy is how well-balanced everything is? There's politics, action, brutality, humour and sadness. Magic explained enough that you know how it works but still have some questions. You know bits of the history of the Empire, and like our own world it's passed down information so might not be entirely accurate. Everything is expertly delivered with nothing feeling out of place and nothing feeling like filler to add to a word count.

We need to talk about the prince for a moment though. I had Game of Thrones Joffrey level hate for him. A young prince grieving the loss of his dad, by my God was he awful. Get's good advice and just ignores it all and wants everyone to bow down to him and to kill anyone that doesn't conform to his way of thinking. A proper rule by fear would-be Emperor. Granted, things could have gone differently, but he was an awful, scared boy who ultimately just wants to be a strong Emperor.

Throughout the story, it's clear that something is wrong in the Empire - a trailer, someone that wants to be Emperor that isn't in line to gain it. I was pretty sure I knew who was the traitor was, even though I had moments of doubt. I was right, partly, with there still being room for a surprise which was great. I thought I had it all sussed out but did not and looking back there are plenty of reasons why I picked why I knew who it was as well as plenty of reasons to doubt that. But like any good story, it's never that simple and the eventual reveal of what's been going on just made everything fall into place.

There are more surprises though than just who has been trying to take over the Empire. Each chapter starts with a snippet of the past which are easy to follow through to the end, which near the end becomes part of a reveal that I definitely did not see coming. The reveal happens in the main story which is then picked up again in the pre-chapter snippets and suddenly they all make sense.

Overall, it'll take one hell of a book to top this one in 2021. It's a complete story but I'd like to think that the ending has left a door open for a sequel. Even if there's not, I hope that this isn't the last we see of this world that G.R. Matthews has created as there's so much potential here for more. I enjoyed it so much I even went and bought some of his previous books to read.

The story is told in a very cool manner as each chapter alternates between two main viewpoints: one the magician's apprentice Kyron, and the other loyal General of the Empire, Bordan.  There are also mini-flashbacks that begin each chapter that count down from 10 years prior to a couple of years before the events that are currently taking place.  All of this is done for a particular reason and starts to make sense with the overall story as you read further.  Frankly, I loved this method of storytelling and it just made the experience that much better in my opinion.

As SEVEN DEATHS OF AN EMPIRE unfolds we see an Empire somewhat in turmoil and uncertainty with the death of the long-reigning Emperor.  Stability must be regained at all costs, for the risk of opportunistic enemies who would take advantage of the transition between rulers is both very real and potentially catastrophic.   It is incumbent upon the main characters in the story to play their own part in service to the Empire, yet each have their own daunting challenges that confront them.  One wields the weapon of magic (albeit raw and untested), while the other uses the force of military might.  It is interesting to see the dichotomy between the two play out as tensions rise and danger looms.

This is a book that has a good deal of intrigue and political maneuvering in it, which I am a huge fan of.  If done right, it can propel a standard fantasy tale into something much more engaging.  And this one is done right.  Matthews never spoon-feeds the reader and it seemed like I was always kept on my toes as one treacherous act is followed by another that I didn't see coming.  Predictability is a big turn off for me but I'm happy to say that so many things happen in this book that made my jaw drop, especially in the final 100 pages or so.

The aspect that makes this book a cut above your normal fantasy read though is the growing anticipation of something transformative building as you turn the pages.  There's a creeping sense of dread as the characters desperately try to hold on to some semblance of the status quo in the face of treachery and setbacks galore.  Throw in the fact that many of the factions who are attempting to salvage the Empire don't really trust one another, and the task is an onerous one for sure.

SEVEN DEATHS OF AN EMPIRE is an excellent book that I recommend to anyone who loves their fantasy with loads of intrigue, deception, action, and magic.  A fascinating book about what happens when a once powerful Empire shows a brief moment of weakness, and in doing so, exposes its throat to predators both internal and external.  This is a fantasy book that pulls no punches and keeps you ensnared in its clutches from start to finish.  I can't wait to see what G.R. Matthews comes up with next.  The book isn't officially out until June 22nd, but it can be preordered now to be delivered on release day.

Best fantasy I've read in a long time

A wonderful fantasy novel that pays homage to ancient Roman lifestyle and warfare. I loved the two POV characters and the General was just everything. He never expressed his emotions, but they were there in his silence and reactions - great writing.
The 7 deaths were excellent, and I found myself often counting them to see where we were! I didn't like the last one...damn you, Matthews!

The magic system in this novel was incredibly unique and we'll constructed. The constructs, connection and spells that weave together was a joy to read.

this is pitched as a standalone - no way. this actually can't be read as a standalone as there are too many questions and open ended story threads. 

Definitely coming back for more from this author

I just want to start of by saying that this read was awesome, an absolute gem of fantasy writing and surely to be a contender for best fantasy book of the year. This is my joint favourite read of the year alongside Mike Shackle’s A Fool’s Hope. From the moment I started it, the pages flowed, where one day I found that I had read 40% of the novel throughout the day. I just couldn’t help myself.

The story starts in a very simple yet big way: The emperor is dead! The world is dominated by an ever expanding Empire, who are trying to force their way across the map, pushing their ideals onto everyone around them, whether they want them or not. The Empire is suddenly left without their beloved Emperor, who mysteriously dies and the vacuum is filled with politics, assassination and constant accusations. There are those desperate to preserve tradition and are loyal, others who seem to be sniping for power and others trying to fill the shoes of those before themselves. These elements of the story are largely from the perspective of The General, a man who had served the Empire with pure loyalty, desperately trying to rescue his precious Empire and bring his Emperor’s body back safety. He himself is only trying to preserve tradition, but is thrown into trying to discover who was behind the murder, which is difficult when surrounded by potential suspects. I absolutely loved this character, finding him down to earth and extremely humble.

The second perspective within the book is The Magician, Kyron, who at the start of the story is an apprentice mage, training alongside his master. He finds himself escorting the Emperor’s body back through the dense forests, which are dominated by the tribal people they have fighting. It is through Kyron that we get a brilliantly understanding of the conflict between magic and religion, playing on the ignorance within religion and their attempts at removing anything that questions its own ideals. This made for some fantastic interactions between characters, adding a real depth to the Empire throughout the novel. Matthews also does a great job not over explaining the lore within the world, instead building our understanding alongside that of Kyron’s, as he moves away from regimented understanding through the Empire, to a more broad and questioning take on the world. 

My favourite part of this book is the subtly in which the author drops clues, never being too in your face and always causing me to predict at what or who might at play under the surface. Now I know what happens at the end, I can clearly see the bread crumbs Matthew’s had left for me along the way. And it was these hints that kept me wanting more, always wondering if my theories were correct. 

The other characters within the book are all equally fantastic, each playing their part brialliantly in the story. One of my favourite characters is Kyron’s tribal guide, who throughout the book adds in the perspective from the tribes. The theme running through the book of forced acquisition was brilliant, and the scenes between the two characters did a stunning job highlighting this side of the story. 

Overall, Seven Deaths of an Empire is a brilliant read, the pacing and chapter lengths makes a slightly longer novel seem much shorter, with interesting characters and a plot full of subtle twists. This is easily a must read for the year! I happily gave this book a 5/5!

Warning... this is a page turner. 

You may find yourself reading this at the wee hours of the morning, thinking, ‘just one more page.’

Like a literary version of the TV show 24, the chapters have a way of leaving you on either a cliff-hanger or on the verge of a new discovery.

All my reviews are spoiler free, but I do give a short a blurb - something similar to what you’ll see on the back of the book - just so I can discuss the concept and world. This only goes into events in the first couple of chapters. 

The Emperor is dead.

The amulet that he wears must be given to his son, Prince Alhard, before he can be crowned... The only problem is that the Emperor has died far away from the capital.

General Bordan orders a cohort of soldiers to escort the body home, through a forest where thousands of newly conquered barbarians live. A magician and his master travel with the cohort, using their magic to preserve the body of the dead emperor.

The journey is fraught with danger, not only from the hostile barbarians, but also from the scheming Dukes of the capital. For whoever has the amulet is the new Emperor - and not everybody wants Prince Alhard in charge of an Empire.

And so there we are - a great premise - and two fantastic POV characters to follow. 

The General, who tries to protect Prince Alhard, and his sister, Princess Aelia, from the dangers of court. And a magician apprentice, Kyron, who is learning how to use his magic as he protects the body of the dead Emperor.

We also have a great supporting cast. Religious zealots, a spoilt royal family, slimy dukes, and a barbarian tracker with questionable loyalties.

I enjoyed both POV characters and they were both different enough to give their chapters a distinctive flavour. Themes of loyalty, the meaning of empire, of peace and freedom are explored, but not in a preachy way. This isn’t a book that lets itself get bogged down in lengthy expositions and both sides of the argument are observed by the main characters. 

In terms of setting, this is based on the Roman Empire. The link is very tangible. In fact, I don’t even remember the name of the capital, in my mind it’s just Rome. 

I love historical fantasy and I love this era of history in particular, so I found this actually quite immersive. I felt like I knew what the city looked like, as well as the northern forests that the cohort must march through to get home. For those wanting a unique setting, this perhaps won’t satisfy, though there is enough to differentiate it for someone who doesn’t mind.

I would also add that the magical system is NOT based on the pagan gods of the Roman Empire and the main religion of ‘The Flame’ isn’t the same as Christianity. These both give another layer of difference.

The chapters weave together really well. At times you know trouble is coming before the character does, at other times you know a character has just lied because of something you’ve discovered from the other perspective. There is also a mystery to unfold. At the start of every chapter there is a short extract.  

Who is the boy? Who is his grandfather? 

This mystery is linked to the narrative and at the end everything comes together. As I have mentioned, the pace is brisk, and once we get to the last 1/3 it moves very rapidly. It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a plot move me along at this speed, and I enjoyed that. I’m usually in the “character-driven” camp when it comes to stories, but I found this had enough of that to sustain the more plot-driven sequences.

There were also some shocking twists. On two occasions I was very sure I knew where the story was heading, only to have the opposite happen. This again really elevated the story and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

Overall this is a great debut. I’d say it will be a hit for fans of The Last Kingdom and Simon Scarrow - as well as those who have enjoyed historical influenced fantasy like Game of Thrones or Blood Song.

🔥⚔ BOOK REVIEW ⚔🔥 

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 by @g_r_matthews

🌟 🌟 🌟🌟 🌟 /5

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲.

What a start fucking start to a series! I devoured this over two days, but had life not got in the way it would have been one sitting.

This book tells us the story about what transpires after the Emperor dies suddenly  through the POVs of two great characters.

The first is that of an old General who has been loyal to the Emperor and Emipre since he was young. His story introduces us to the imperial family, political players and just the absolute shit show of trying to hold it together and protect the heir to the Empire alive until he can be crowned the new Emperor.

Our second POV is from a young magicians apprentice called Kyron. He and his master are part of the escourt that are returning the dead Emperors back to the capital city to be buried and pass on the special, shiny, emperors medallion. Through Kyron and the characters he is travelling with we learn the magic system, the state of the empire outwith the capital and the religious ways of the Empire.

Matthews has done fantastic character and world building.  This book ticks a lot of my boxes - scheming, morally grey characters, a good magic system, stabbing, drawn aspects  from actual history.

I'm normally good at sussing a plot out, but this threw me off  and kept me guessing. 

I cannot wait to own this in hardback as I LOVE the cover soooo much.

I would say that if you like Joe Abercrombie's First law books, then check this out.

Thanks to @Netgalley for giving me an earc copy for an honest review.

G. R. Matthews is not currently a well known author but I think he'll gain popularity with this book. I loved it. The plot drew me in from the start and I loved the forest settings and the rather unconventional heroes.

General Bordan is sixty and starting to feel his years. When his friend, the Emperor, dies whilst on campaign, Bordan must hold together the capital until the heir can be crowned. Far away to the north, Apprentice Magician Kyron and his Master are tasked with accompanying the Emperor's body as it's returned to the capital through enemy territory.

The plot seems simple at first but gains complexity and momentum as it goes. It's the first time I've read a book where the title played an active role in how I read the story. I knew to expect seven deaths, so when the plot slowed but we'd only had four, I knew that there was a lot more to look forward to. (Oddly, I'm not sure we ever did reach seven deaths but that proved unimportant by the end.)

The story is told from two different perspectives and the protagonists couldn't have been more different. Kyron is seventeen and a nervous, diminutive boy. He's well intentioned and does his best, but is slow to learn and doesn't always think for himself. He does, however, inspire friendship and loyalty in others – sometimes more than he, perhaps, deserves – and won't be pushed over or trodden on. I found him sweet (though I did want to give him a good kicking at times), and I enjoyed watching him grow and learn.

Bordan, meanwhile, is both a soldier and a politician. He'll make the hard choices when he has to, but isn't going to throw away the lives of his men for frivolous pursuits. He can lead, and does his best to guide the leadership of others, but, at the end of the day, he will do what his monarch demands of him, no matter the cost. He was far more patient and understanding with Prince Alhard and Princess Aelia than I would ever have been, and far more friendly and trusting of Godewyn and Vedrix than I would have expected. Both warmed him to me and increased my admiration of him tenfold.

Emlyn, the tribal guide, I knew I'd like from the start, if only because my brother is called Emlyn and I've never seen the name in a book before. I found her surprisingly diligent in her work and knew there had to be more to her story than first appeared. Padarn, Kyron's Master, I loved. He was wise and sweet and an inspiration to teachers everywhere.

The story itself was inspired by Roman history has an interesting underlying commentary on the value and consequences of imperialism. It's set in a secondary world which reminded me somewhat of Britain, perhaps because of the dimensions of the continent or perhaps because of the forest setting, its tribal residents, and the magic system based upon motes and nets and the power of life itself. I hope we get to see more of this in the next book.

There's no doubt at all that I will be reading the next book. The ending took a far darker turn that I was expecting, especially given how moderate the rest of the book was, and I'm desperate to know what happens next. I'd definitely recommend this if you're looking for a well written, epic fantasy novel. As epic fantasy goes, it's an easy read but gives good bang for its buck.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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This was terrific! I was not sure if this had a Roman military setting until I started reading and that was the first of many pleasant suprises!

The pacing is immaculate and likely to keep you anticipating the start of each chapter. Although I initially felt the writing to be a bit lacking in terms of description and character interactions, it was quickly remedied by around the 5% mark. The rest of the book had a consistently vivid and smooth writing style.

I truly loved the characters and how developed they were. The action sequences was really well-written and explained military maneuvers and terms without infodumps. The magic system was awesome! I'm eager to see where Matthews takes it in the next book.

I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an amazing start to a new series focusing on Roman politics and military.

Overall rating: 5/5 stars!

I love it when a book manages to pull you right into the story from the very first page, and "Seven Deaths of an Empire" did just that. It is a fantastic story, it's written brilliantly, has great characters, is set in a solid and believable world, and just has that feeling of "rightness" that I look for in a fantasy. Definitely one for the re-read shelf.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

"Seven lives and seven deaths to seal the fate of the Empire."

Seven Deaths of an Empire is a Grimdark Fantasy that draws most of its inspiration from the history of the Roman Empire. We're thrown straight into action of a conquest to conquer the Northern tribes and bring them into the ever expanding territory of the Empire. Everything is thrown into turmoil with the death of the emperor and the desperate need to get his body back to the capital. This leads to an epic journey with shocking betrayals, brutal politics and an intriguing magic system.

The characters in Seven Deaths of an Empire are definitely one of the strongest aspects of the book. We follow two main POV's that are polar opposite so we get to see story from two completely different perspectives. The first POV is General Bordan, a solider through and through whose spent his life protecting the Empire and its people. Bordan reminded me of Maximus in Gladiator, a wise General whose respected by all and as loyal as they come. The second POV is Apprentice Kyron, a magician whose joining the army on his first ever campaign. Kyron is tasked with protecting the emperors body whilst it makes its dangerous journey through the forests of the tribes and back to the capital. I absolutely loved the characters in this book. Not only were the two main characters believable and extremely interesting, they had their own unique personalities that left you cheering for them throughout the book. Then again, I also found the smaller characters to be fleshed out and very engaging. There was definitely characters that I loved and others I absolutely hated. This just goes to show the authors skill when it came to characters.

The world-building was on point. We spend most of are time flicking back and forth the forest of the northern tribes to the Palace in the capital which were very detailed and imaginative. Both the characters experienced hostile surroundings whether it's protecting the emperors body in the forest or having to deal with the poisonous politics from power hungry Dukes. We only really get to see the capital, parts of the forrest and the odd village or town yet Matthews made it feel like a massive adventure.

My favourite part of Seven Deaths of an Empire is no doubt the fighting and the magic system. The fighting was a classic illustration of the Roman war tactics and fighting styles. It doesn't matter how many times its been used in books, I still find it absolutely fascinating. Matthews doesn't hold back when it comes to how brutal and gruesome war can be, you have to appreciate the level of detail that was put into the fight scenes.

The magic system in this book is solid and something I really enjoyed reading about. As we follow Kyron, we slowly get to know more about the history, schools and how it's used which is shown through Kryons development as a magician. I absolutely loved the use of magic during the fights. I've always found Roman fighting techniques and strategies extremely interesting, so when this is combined
 with magic it lead to some explosive and entertaining battles and fighting scenes.

For me, Seven deaths of an empire ticked all the boxes, engaging characters, intriguing magic system, solid world-building and a fascinating plot that was completely gripping from start to finish. Seven Deaths of an Empire is one of the best books of 2021 and a must read book for fantasy readers!