Takes a story of family, loss, conspiracy and revenge and gives it new legs. It’s epic fantasy with a sharp, jagged edge to it, a modern sensibility, prose as tight as the leather wrapped about a sword’s hilt, and characters that you can relate to and give a damn about. I look forward to the next installment of Staveley’s chronicle.” —R. S. Belcher, author of The Six-Gun Tarot It took me a little while to get into it because of that, but once this book got going, it was really quite good. Our story opens with a horrific prologue in which a bunch of immortal Vulcans-on-steroids (meaning they don't respect other lifeforms) are exterminating their "diseased" children b/c they're:

Dune: The Sardaukar Are Scarier Than You Realize | Den of Geek Dune: The Sardaukar Are Scarier Than You Realize | Den of Geek

Slowly, Kaden opened his fingers, reluctant to let the thrush escape his grasp. It seemed important that he hold her, for some reason, that he clutch her to him … but Tan had said to let her go and so, ever so lightly, he let her slip from his fingers. Of course i love your books and i must say the way of writing you use i fantastic. I love reading it.Okay, so it wasn't a 5 start review but I still liked the book. I will admit the book is full of a lot of arseholes that are evil! Kaden, the heir, is sent to live with a bunch of monks. Presumably to learn discipline, humility, etc. The other problem I had with her was that she’s supposed to be highly trained in the intricacies of politics but not much of it was evident in here and there were lots of inconsistencies in her actions. Her capability was often impeached by committing impetuous and, occasionally, stupid acts for, I'm presuming, no other reason than furthering Staveley’s plot. Staveley lives in Vermont, and is married. He taught literature, philosophy, history, and religion before beginning to write fiction. [1] Work [ edit ] The Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne [ edit ]

The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley A Boy and His Toys: The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley

At a glance it feels like we’ve seen this song and dance before. An army of white-armored soldiers stand in perfect square formations beneath the comings and goings of Offworld spaceships. They’re soldiers; the supposed elite; the Emperor’s very own Sardaukar hit squad. But to anyone who’s watched a Star Wars movie or nine, they’re not that threatening, right? This supposed scourge off the Empire—excuse me, Imperium—is built up to be unbeatable until our protagonists start mowing them down by the dozen. Molly Templeton Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega Are Probably Going to Have a Very Bad Weekend in A24’s Death of a Unicorn 4 hours agoIt is the hardest thing to write a review for a book you absolutely love. There is no way that I can get across how marveled by this story I am. The Emperor’s Blades is probably the best new High Fantasy book of the year. Okay so it’s only January but I’m just going to say that the bar has been set extremely high and I unless George RR Martin’s Winds of Winter the 6th book of the A Song of Ice and Fire makes it out this year (highly unlikely) then Brian Staveley’s debut novel might hold this spot in my head and heart all year. I couldn’t believe that this is a debut novel, I’m floored by the depth of the story and this is just the beginning. Brian Staveley will, in all probability, just improve as time goes on and I can’t wait to read anything else he writes. Molly Templeton There’s Something in the Barn … and It Does Not Like American Christmas 2 hours ago I don’t think it is too much to ask of authors that they ensure their female characters are fully-fleshed out. I’ve almost finished your awesome book! I love the way you’ve built your world but still maintained high quality characters. The best book I’ve read since The Name of the Wind. Firstly, why are you so invested in seeing women raped and POC victimised in your fiction? I think this says more about you then me.

Brian Staveley - Wikipedia

Grimdark is a subgenre that describes a particular the tone, style or setting of speculative fiction (especially fantasy) that is, depending on the definition used, markedly dystopian or amoral, or particularly violent or realistic.Kaden learned the prologue lesson in earnest. Triste remains an eager enigma. And the ending has me baited foe the release of the third installment. Please hurry. Do you find these laughable? Possibly offensive? How would you have felt if the scenario in Blades had looked like this: Thanks so much for your kind note, Marietha. I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying the book — the good news is that you don’t need to read TOO slowly. The Providence of Fire will be out in just a few months, and it’s longer than TEB, so should take you some time. But what bothered me most about this novel was its treatment of female characters. Now this rant does not entirely belong to The Emperor’s Blades. Rather it is the result of hundreds of fantasy books, normally written by male authors, committing the same error. There are three POV characters in this novel, but I’ve only mentioned the two princes. That’s because the princess’s chapters are very few. What’s worse, in each of her chapters we are constantly reminded that this girl cannot be emperor, that she has no role in this man’s fantasy world. I don’t like “strong” female characters who are constantly told that they’re a rarity, that sexism does not want them where they currently have fought to be. Because honestly this just reinforces the idea that it is unnatural for women to be in positions of power. It suggests, quite unconsciously but regardless, that ambitious and successful women are an aberration. Give me a fantasy novel where men and women are equal and absolutely nothing has to be said about it because it’s normal!

Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Series - Goodreads

If you’ve never read Herbert’s 1965 novel or any of the Dune sequels, trust us, the Sardaukar are so much worse than you realize. How Sardaukar Are Made Secondly, fiction has real- world consequences. Negative and positive. The Birth of a Nation inspired the formation of the second era of the Klu Klux Klan. 12 Years a Slave and other true accounts were essential in the political fight against slavery. James Davis Nicoll on Five SF Visions of Society Free From Rules, Regulations, or Effective Government 1 second agoAs the heir, one would expect Kaden’s story to be centered on court life and political machinations, but Mr. Staveley sidesteps that tired narrative device – instead placing the future Emperor in a monastery on the fringes of civilization. His thoughts and concerns more on news from the outside world and not being beaten by his master for yet another failure in his monastic training than royal ambitions. Brian Staveley is an American fantasy writer. He has written an epic fantasy trilogy, The Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, the first volume of a sequel series, Ashes of the Unhewn Throne, a prequel novel, Skullsworn, and a selection of short fiction. ish)% of the plot "twists" were obvious as soon as the foundation was laid. Of the remaining 50(ish)%, most took the next most obvious path. There were only one or two things I didn't guess by the second try.