The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley
(Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1)
Released: January 14, 2014 | Genre: Epic Fantasy
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The circle is closing. The stakes are high. And old truths will live again...
The Emperor has been murdered, leaving the Annurian Empire in turmoil. Now his progeny must bury their grief and prepare to unmask a conspiracy.
His son Valyn, training for the empire’s deadliest fighting force, hears the news an ocean away. He expected a challenge, but after several ‘accidents’ and a dying soldier’s warning, he realizes his life is also in danger. Yet before Valyn can take action, he must survive the mercenaries’ brutal final initiation.
Meanwhile, the Emperor’s daughter, Minister Adare, hunts her father’s murderer in the capital itself. Court politics can be fatal, but she needs justice. And Kaden, heir to an empire, studies in a remote monastery. Here, the Blank God’s disciples teach their harsh ways – which Kaden must master to unlock their ancient powers. When an imperial delegation arrives, he’s learnt enough to perceive evil intent. But will this keep him alive, as long-hidden powers make their move?
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Brian Staveley had taught ancient history and comparative religion, and he used that background heavily when building the book's world. The Annurian Empire was partly modeled on Tang-era China, while the Kettral were his attempt at creating a fantasy equivalent of modern special forces.
REVIEW
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆
I’m sure there’s a good story in here somewhere.
The world-building is incredible, full of fascinating characters, intriguing places, and unique creatures. The giant warbirds are awesome, and the assassins (whose name I honestly can’t even remember) are total badasses.
But here’s the problem: the writing is painfully bland. It takes a rich, imaginative world and smothers it under a flat, uninspired narrative that’s hard to push through. Even scenes that should feel intense and exciting lose their impact because the prose just drones on.
Honestly, even after finishing the book, I couldn’t clearly tell you what it was about. I caught myself zoning out more than once, bored and disengaged, which probably explains why I can’t remember half the names.
I really wanted to like this book, and the series as a whole. But after starting and stopping twice before, I only finished it out of sheer determination. I’ll likely continue the series, but probably not anytime soon. Maybe one day I’ll give it another shot, because the potential is definitely there.
