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Echoes of Empire #2
The Obsidian Heart
A plot to overthrow the Shrīanese Federation has been quashed, but the bloody rebellion is far from over...and the struggle to survive is just beginning.
Warrior-mage Indris grows weary in his failed attempts to thwart the political machinations of Corajidin, and faces the possibility of imprisonment upon his return to his homeland. Moreover, Indris’s desire for Corajidin’s daughter, Mari, is strong. Can he choose between his duty and his desire…and at what cost?
Left alienated from her House, Mari is torn between the opposing forces of her family and her country—especially now that she’s been offered the position of Knight-Colonel of the Feyassin, the elite royal guards whose legacy reaches back to the days of the Awakened Empire. As the tensions rise, she must decide if her future is with Indris, with her family, or in a direction not yet foreseen.
As he awaits trial for his crimes, Corajidin confronts the good and evil within himself. Does he seek redemption for his cruel deeds, or does he indebt himself further to the enigmatic forces that have promised him success, and granted him a reprieve from death? What is more important: his ambition, regaining the love stolen from him, or his soul?
Warrior-mage Indris grows weary in his failed attempts to thwart the political machinations of Corajidin, and faces the possibility of imprisonment upon his return to his homeland. Moreover, Indris’s desire for Corajidin’s daughter, Mari, is strong. Can he choose between his duty and his desire…and at what cost?
Left alienated from her House, Mari is torn between the opposing forces of her family and her country—especially now that she’s been offered the position of Knight-Colonel of the Feyassin, the elite royal guards whose legacy reaches back to the days of the Awakened Empire. As the tensions rise, she must decide if her future is with Indris, with her family, or in a direction not yet foreseen.
As he awaits trial for his crimes, Corajidin confronts the good and evil within himself. Does he seek redemption for his cruel deeds, or does he indebt himself further to the enigmatic forces that have promised him success, and granted him a reprieve from death? What is more important: his ambition, regaining the love stolen from him, or his soul?
438 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2013
48 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
Mark T. Barnes
6 books100 followersMark Barnes was born in Sydney, Australia, in September of 1966. A strong athlete, he was also drawn to the arts at a young age, penning his first short story as a seven-year-old. He worked in finance and advertising before establishing himself in IT services management. Currently he owns and operates a freelance organizational change consultancy.
In 2005, when Mark was selected to attend the Clarion South residential short story workshop, he began to write with the intention of making it more than a hobby. Since that time, Mark has published a number of short stories, worked as a freelance script editor, and has driven creative consultancy for a television series.
Mark is the author of the Echoes of Empire series, published by 47 North. The series includes The Garden of Stones, and The Obsidian Heart. The Pillars of Sand is book three of the series. In 2014 the Garden of Stones made the Top 20 novels for the David Gemmell Legend Award for best novel, and was a finalist for the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut/Newcomer.
You can find out more at www.marktbarnes.com, his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/marktbarnes.author, or follow Mark on Twitter @MarkTBarnes.
In 2005, when Mark was selected to attend the Clarion South residential short story workshop, he began to write with the intention of making it more than a hobby. Since that time, Mark has published a number of short stories, worked as a freelance script editor, and has driven creative consultancy for a television series.
Mark is the author of the Echoes of Empire series, published by 47 North. The series includes The Garden of Stones, and The Obsidian Heart. The Pillars of Sand is book three of the series. In 2014 the Garden of Stones made the Top 20 novels for the David Gemmell Legend Award for best novel, and was a finalist for the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut/Newcomer.
You can find out more at www.marktbarnes.com, his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/marktbarnes.author, or follow Mark on Twitter @MarkTBarnes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 3, 2017
[7/10]
"The events of our lives often open our eyes to the unknown. To be alive is to awaken to a new world each day."
Such new, wonderful worlds to explore are offered to me in the pages of my epic fantasy series. Mark T Barnes is excellent, as in the first episode of the series, in his worldbuilding, adding in this second episode new layers of geography, history, people, culture to the already big canvas of his Shrian Empire. Familiar characters make the lecture easier to follow around than in the first book, although the introduction of new players was a bit abrupt for my taste (especially the band of rogue exiles who were dumped on me wholesale over a couple of pages).
Although the plot is centered in one city and is heavy in political infighting, the pacing of the story was good and the pages turned by themselves. Personally, I still find the actual writing skills detract from the power of imagination and the ambitious plot of the author, but since a lot of other readers praise the series unreservedly, I will call it a personal peeve and probably unfounded. I just found myself rolling my eyes more than usual here ( I do this with Jim Butcher, too). Barnes seems to have troubles in particular with the double negative, but probably he just needs a better editor. (" With friends such as these, Mary doubted there was little she could not do. ")
Recommended for fans of the first book and of big stories with everything thrown in : swordfighting, powerful magics, rich histories, romance, humour, politics, evil overlords, ghosts, demons, wizards, secret societies, etc...
"The events of our lives often open our eyes to the unknown. To be alive is to awaken to a new world each day."
Such new, wonderful worlds to explore are offered to me in the pages of my epic fantasy series. Mark T Barnes is excellent, as in the first episode of the series, in his worldbuilding, adding in this second episode new layers of geography, history, people, culture to the already big canvas of his Shrian Empire. Familiar characters make the lecture easier to follow around than in the first book, although the introduction of new players was a bit abrupt for my taste (especially the band of rogue exiles who were dumped on me wholesale over a couple of pages).
Although the plot is centered in one city and is heavy in political infighting, the pacing of the story was good and the pages turned by themselves. Personally, I still find the actual writing skills detract from the power of imagination and the ambitious plot of the author, but since a lot of other readers praise the series unreservedly, I will call it a personal peeve and probably unfounded. I just found myself rolling my eyes more than usual here ( I do this with Jim Butcher, too). Barnes seems to have troubles in particular with the double negative, but probably he just needs a better editor. (" With friends such as these, Mary doubted there was little she could not do. ")
Recommended for fans of the first book and of big stories with everything thrown in : swordfighting, powerful magics, rich histories, romance, humour, politics, evil overlords, ghosts, demons, wizards, secret societies, etc...
May 12, 2014
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
The Obsidian Heart is a prime example of a second book in a series that actually works. Here Mark T. Barnes has taken all the amazing world-building from The Garden of Stones, added to it a story that immediately sucks you into that mesmerizing world and then mercilessly hauls you along for an amazing ride with both its heroes and villains. Well written and conceived, this second act of the Echoes of Empire saga is quite simply a wonderful piece of fantasy literature and reinforces that Mr. Barnes is a brilliant new voice in the field; one that every fantasy fan should take notice of.
Continuing where the first book ended, The Obsidian Heart finds the fate of the Shrīanese Federation hanging in the balance. Indris Dragon-Eye and his friends are recovering from their previous battles and awaiting the despicable Corajidin’s trial before the ruling body of the Federation at the capital of Avenweh. But while the formalities of a trial must be met, everyone expects the determination of guilt to be quickly accomplished, for the evidence of Corajidin’s diabolical and bloodthirsty actions are overwhelming. However, as he showed in The Garden of Stones, Corajidin is not a man easily cowed by the greatest reversals of fortune, so instead of desperately trying to hold onto his rulership of House Erebus, he determines to roll the dice of chance yet again, willing to risk all, do all, break every moral code, and surrender everything – including his very soul! – in order to turn his supposed moment of shame into one of glory and become Asrahn of his people!
Sounds great, right?
And it is. Where The Garden of Stones created a world and set the table for an epic adventure The Obsidian Heart delivers on that promise in spectacular style! Here Mr. Barnes shows real progression in his storytelling ability, jettisoning some annoying writing habits and sharpening the focus of the story into more easily digested scenes. The action is fast and furious when it comes, the stakes fought for are higher, the moral choices more serious, and – above all else – the character’s come to life. Where before Indris was merely an intriguing magic user with a lost love, he now becomes a man of destiny, forced to deal with the consequences of his actions and come to terms with his past and his growing love for his enemies daughter. Mari, daughter of Corajidin and lover of Indris, really begins to shine in this novel, showing herself as a confident and skilled warrior who knows here place in the world but struggles against the inevitable that somehow she did not have to choose between her love for her father and her honor. And the “bad” guy himself, Corajidin, dazzles in his darkness, willingly falling into a deeper and more deliberate evilness, as his ambition seemingly overwhelms all sense of restraint. And as these characters strut and bound across the pages of The Obsidian Heart, they weave a breathless tale of power, betrayal, hope, and above all else love.
As you can no doubt tell, I really enjoyed this novel. In fact, I have loved the whole series thus far and wish that more of my reading friends knew about it. If not for stumbling upon The Garden of Stones on Netgalley and really liking the cover (I am a cover purchaser, I admit it.), I might have never even taken the time to try out this intriguing series. Thankfully, I did see it, and now, I am a Mark T. Barnes and Indris Dragon-eye fan for the foreseeable future. So if you’re looking for an interesting fantasy world that is different from the rest, then I highly recommend this series, but do start with The Garden of Stones, otherwise you will be playing catchup with all the interesting world-building and lore.
I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank both of them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
The Obsidian Heart is a prime example of a second book in a series that actually works. Here Mark T. Barnes has taken all the amazing world-building from The Garden of Stones, added to it a story that immediately sucks you into that mesmerizing world and then mercilessly hauls you along for an amazing ride with both its heroes and villains. Well written and conceived, this second act of the Echoes of Empire saga is quite simply a wonderful piece of fantasy literature and reinforces that Mr. Barnes is a brilliant new voice in the field; one that every fantasy fan should take notice of.
Continuing where the first book ended, The Obsidian Heart finds the fate of the Shrīanese Federation hanging in the balance. Indris Dragon-Eye and his friends are recovering from their previous battles and awaiting the despicable Corajidin’s trial before the ruling body of the Federation at the capital of Avenweh. But while the formalities of a trial must be met, everyone expects the determination of guilt to be quickly accomplished, for the evidence of Corajidin’s diabolical and bloodthirsty actions are overwhelming. However, as he showed in The Garden of Stones, Corajidin is not a man easily cowed by the greatest reversals of fortune, so instead of desperately trying to hold onto his rulership of House Erebus, he determines to roll the dice of chance yet again, willing to risk all, do all, break every moral code, and surrender everything – including his very soul! – in order to turn his supposed moment of shame into one of glory and become Asrahn of his people!
Sounds great, right?
And it is. Where The Garden of Stones created a world and set the table for an epic adventure The Obsidian Heart delivers on that promise in spectacular style! Here Mr. Barnes shows real progression in his storytelling ability, jettisoning some annoying writing habits and sharpening the focus of the story into more easily digested scenes. The action is fast and furious when it comes, the stakes fought for are higher, the moral choices more serious, and – above all else – the character’s come to life. Where before Indris was merely an intriguing magic user with a lost love, he now becomes a man of destiny, forced to deal with the consequences of his actions and come to terms with his past and his growing love for his enemies daughter. Mari, daughter of Corajidin and lover of Indris, really begins to shine in this novel, showing herself as a confident and skilled warrior who knows here place in the world but struggles against the inevitable that somehow she did not have to choose between her love for her father and her honor. And the “bad” guy himself, Corajidin, dazzles in his darkness, willingly falling into a deeper and more deliberate evilness, as his ambition seemingly overwhelms all sense of restraint. And as these characters strut and bound across the pages of The Obsidian Heart, they weave a breathless tale of power, betrayal, hope, and above all else love.
As you can no doubt tell, I really enjoyed this novel. In fact, I have loved the whole series thus far and wish that more of my reading friends knew about it. If not for stumbling upon The Garden of Stones on Netgalley and really liking the cover (I am a cover purchaser, I admit it.), I might have never even taken the time to try out this intriguing series. Thankfully, I did see it, and now, I am a Mark T. Barnes and Indris Dragon-eye fan for the foreseeable future. So if you’re looking for an interesting fantasy world that is different from the rest, then I highly recommend this series, but do start with The Garden of Stones, otherwise you will be playing catchup with all the interesting world-building and lore.
I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank both of them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
June 25, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
May 24, 2014
This book continues shortly after the events of The Garden of Stones.
I won't repeat most of what I have already said about the world building and magic system so if you haven't started this series I'll link to that review here.
This book, the tension between theAtreides House of Nasarat and the Harkonnens House of Erebus really heats up. Baron Harkonnen Corajidin and his plans to become Emperor of Shrian may have taken a pounding, but it turns out it was merely a temporary setback. This book the Empire strikes back!
This story has Corajidin consorting with the Drear, the darkest parts of theForce Ahm, to seek out the aid of creatures so malign that even Corajidin doesn’t know if there’s any coming back from what he plans to unleash on the world. To aid him, Corajidin aligns himself with the ancient enemies of the Jedi Seq, namely the Sith witches. The Seq’s privileged position as impartial observers outside the political mechanisations of Shrian is threatened
And where does this leave our star-crossed lovers -ObiWan Kenobi Indris and Princess Leia Mari? (Ok, now I’ve gone to far. But Luke Skywalker is too much of a pussy to mistake for Indris)
As you may have noticed, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between this series so far and Dune and Starwars. Sure, this is strictly fantasy and we don’t have space flight, but it still feels like it gleaned some of the fantasy elements from those iconic franchises - I mean come on, Mari even has a lightsaber – but she calls it a “Sun-Blade.”
There are quite a few running battles this book as violence erupts in the streets. The mage battles were pretty good. It’s hard to define the magic exactly, but “cyberpunk” comes to mind. When we see the magic in action, replace disentropy with internet or virtual net. Magic users travel circuits of disentropy, weaving and counterweaving algorithms, negotiating puzzles and navigating mazes where failure could mean being trapped in endless arrays of pathways, wandering endless formulae and slowly going insane - much like the elementals that have been trapped in the insidious Dilemma boxes.
And when talking of magic users, Indris is the ultimate Neuromancer. Indris is just badass. And he needs to be because his old masters are not content to let him disappear into retirement. And this time they are not taking no for an answer.
Is this book better than last book? Yes and no. It’s a middle book so everything is really being setup for the next book. And the favourite parts of The Garden of Stones was the stuff that happened in the Romarq. This time most of the action is confined to the capital. But I think the pace was better this book and I didn’t have to listen to Nick Podehl's audio narration.
Given there was a bit of a gap between reading the books, I had a small relearning curve with all the weird sounding names and terms and even throughout the book I still had to refer to the glossary as some minor character showed up or some obscure sounding term was used. If you liked the first book I would recommend not waiting too long before reading this one. I’m now going to take my own advice and get straight intoThe Pillars of Sand.
I’m giving this a slight mark up over the first book at
3.75 stars
PS - And what about Ekko - it's Chewbacca right?
PSS - I'll be seriously disappointed if the Death Star doesn't show up next book.
PSSS - I'm just waiting for the phrase "Use the Ahm Indris. Use the Ahm."
I won't repeat most of what I have already said about the world building and magic system so if you haven't started this series I'll link to that review here.
This book, the tension between the
This story has Corajidin consorting with the Drear, the darkest parts of the
And where does this leave our star-crossed lovers -
As you may have noticed, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between this series so far and Dune and Starwars. Sure, this is strictly fantasy and we don’t have space flight, but it still feels like it gleaned some of the fantasy elements from those iconic franchises - I mean come on, Mari even has a lightsaber – but she calls it a “Sun-Blade.”
There are quite a few running battles this book as violence erupts in the streets. The mage battles were pretty good. It’s hard to define the magic exactly, but “cyberpunk” comes to mind. When we see the magic in action, replace disentropy with internet or virtual net. Magic users travel circuits of disentropy, weaving and counterweaving algorithms, negotiating puzzles and navigating mazes where failure could mean being trapped in endless arrays of pathways, wandering endless formulae and slowly going insane - much like the elementals that have been trapped in the insidious Dilemma boxes.
And when talking of magic users, Indris is the ultimate Neuromancer. Indris is just badass. And he needs to be because his old masters are not content to let him disappear into retirement. And this time they are not taking no for an answer.
Is this book better than last book? Yes and no. It’s a middle book so everything is really being setup for the next book. And the favourite parts of The Garden of Stones was the stuff that happened in the Romarq. This time most of the action is confined to the capital. But I think the pace was better this book and I didn’t have to listen to Nick Podehl's audio narration.
Given there was a bit of a gap between reading the books, I had a small relearning curve with all the weird sounding names and terms and even throughout the book I still had to refer to the glossary as some minor character showed up or some obscure sounding term was used. If you liked the first book I would recommend not waiting too long before reading this one. I’m now going to take my own advice and get straight intoThe Pillars of Sand.
I’m giving this a slight mark up over the first book at
3.75 stars
PS - And what about Ekko - it's Chewbacca right?
PSS - I'll be seriously disappointed if the Death Star doesn't show up next book.
PSSS - I'm just waiting for the phrase "Use the Ahm Indris. Use the Ahm."
October 19, 2013
I was so excited when I got my hands on this that I opened it on the train home, and didn't stop reading. The cliff-hanger at the end of The Garden of Stones, as well as the intricate beauty of the world, the compelling characters, and the intricate story, had left me wanting more for months.
And Barnes didn't disappoint. The Obsidian Heart is a better, a different, book than his debut novel, which I loved. While we still have the amazing, unique, and rich world Barnes has created--unlike anything that exists elsewhere in the genre--we have a faster paced book with less of the world building, and more of the world living. Barnes has evolved his writing in short order, leaving me wondering what The Pillars of Sand will be like when it's released in May 2014.
In The Obsidian Heart the stakes are higher, the conflict sharper, and the story generally more relentless in its pace and revelations. Each character grows in the telling: Indris is forced to deal with the consequences of his actions in The Garden of Stones, and the Seq play a more active and challenging role; Corajidin raises his game by a few notches, and descends into a deeper and more deliberate darkness, showing us the face of a flawed, manipulative, broken man; and Mari really comes in to her own and shines through, more confident in her choices as part of her character development. The supporting characters too show their stripes, and there are more than a few surprises, outright shocks, and moments that had me breathless.
Where The Garden of Stones began a saga, The Obsidian Heart sharpens it. I wonder why The Garden of Stones hasn't had more exposure: there are so few reviews for what is a remarkable book. The Obsidian Heart had no coverage at all of which I'm aware. Had I not been looking for it, I'd not have known it existed, and would've missed out on something wonderful. This series should be up there with Game of Thrones, The Malazan Books of the Fallen, Magician, Wheel of Time, etc. The Echoes of Empire books should be filling the niche the old guard are leaving vacant.
And Barnes didn't disappoint. The Obsidian Heart is a better, a different, book than his debut novel, which I loved. While we still have the amazing, unique, and rich world Barnes has created--unlike anything that exists elsewhere in the genre--we have a faster paced book with less of the world building, and more of the world living. Barnes has evolved his writing in short order, leaving me wondering what The Pillars of Sand will be like when it's released in May 2014.
In The Obsidian Heart the stakes are higher, the conflict sharper, and the story generally more relentless in its pace and revelations. Each character grows in the telling: Indris is forced to deal with the consequences of his actions in The Garden of Stones, and the Seq play a more active and challenging role; Corajidin raises his game by a few notches, and descends into a deeper and more deliberate darkness, showing us the face of a flawed, manipulative, broken man; and Mari really comes in to her own and shines through, more confident in her choices as part of her character development. The supporting characters too show their stripes, and there are more than a few surprises, outright shocks, and moments that had me breathless.
Where The Garden of Stones began a saga, The Obsidian Heart sharpens it. I wonder why The Garden of Stones hasn't had more exposure: there are so few reviews for what is a remarkable book. The Obsidian Heart had no coverage at all of which I'm aware. Had I not been looking for it, I'd not have known it existed, and would've missed out on something wonderful. This series should be up there with Game of Thrones, The Malazan Books of the Fallen, Magician, Wheel of Time, etc. The Echoes of Empire books should be filling the niche the old guard are leaving vacant.
June 13, 2018
Book 1: 3*
Book 2: 3.25*
A worthy book two. I still feel the author could do a better job of giving context to different people, places and groups vs just throwing mythical names at them. But it's hard not to like the two main protagonists who drive the story.
Book 2: 3.25*
A worthy book two. I still feel the author could do a better job of giving context to different people, places and groups vs just throwing mythical names at them. But it's hard not to like the two main protagonists who drive the story.
September 23, 2018
Great pace and picks up right where the first book in the series ended.
Still has some of those inanely naive or artificially atrocious scenes that are just unnecessary and in fact take away from an otherwise superb story telling.
Got the third book in the series immediately after finishing this one.
Still has some of those inanely naive or artificially atrocious scenes that are just unnecessary and in fact take away from an otherwise superb story telling.
Got the third book in the series immediately after finishing this one.
July 8, 2024
Another epic book in the series that is becoming a top 10 or 15 series for me. Simply amazing. I’m digging these characters and this world so much!
November 9, 2013
“The gift of intellect is not knowing what questions to ask, rather questioning what you are taught.”
It has taken me a while, but I’ve come to the conclusion that The Garden of Stones was my most underrated novel of 2013. Don’t worry, though; Mark T Barnes’s second rings true. Not only is it a big improvement on the first, it manages to surpass most novels I’ve read this year. All from a seemingly unknown author.
Pair him and Andrez Bergen up, and you have a team of undiscovered talent.
But that’s tangents.
Compared to the first, the narrative structure is the same. Besides the obvious 3 POVs, the way Barnes dissects the two halves of the novel is in a way very much the same. We start off at a slow, very minute pace. Granted, The Obsidian Heart is much faster in this regard than its predecessor. But once we reach the halfway mark, everything goes to hell. And then we reach the 60 percent mark…and the 70. Barnes continues to crank up the action and suspense. He throws one of the best and most fitting endings for a middle novel I’ve ever read.
Is that overstatement? Probably, but I don’t care. There are very few novels I’ve EVER read that attack plot the way he does, in such a smart and risky way. That’s no exaggeration.
“The ripples of today were stones in the waters of yesterday. We form our truths from the facts of what’s gone before. You can’t separate what was from what is. You can only change what will be.”
However, because this is a second novel, Barnes has had the time to work around in his characters’ minds. This gives us a tighter look on life, a more character-oriented story. I didn’t exactly love the romantic pedaling, but luckily it wasn’t there for much.
While the worldbuilding does take a step back, I am happy to see more things happening in the world. Still, Barnes’s strong point is still his ability to craft a world and immerse you in it. And setting a scene at the beginning of anything, mostly chapters. Coupled with an amazing quote as always, the way words are strung together by his will to show how the sun is setting over the mountain or the bodies lie dead on the road is astounding.
It doesn’t have the snarky, flippant asides I usually love, but dainty verbosity is a winner when done like this. If you’re going to take the long way home, make sure to take notes from Barnes. Enjoy the scenery, even when an amenesqa comes to take your head off.
Further expounding upon a topic I made before, Barnes’s characters are the biggest improvement of the book, aside from the sharper prose and pacing. (It’s in general just a better book.)
Mari, one of the biggest problems I had with The Garden of Stones, removes her cloak of whining decisions and actually decides things. Her side is finally chosen, and I love it. She’s a hardass (in a good way) who’s a little broken and vulnerable underneath. What Barnes does is make this trope so much better, unlike The Quantum Thief or Fade to Black. Not the epitome of a “strong” woman, but as close as I’ve seen in a good while.
Corajidin is quite possibly becoming the best POV. We delve deeper into his darkness, see the depths and atrocities he’s willing to commit, all in the name of a crown. Sometimes the end doesn’t justify the means, and it’s great to finally see a “villain” that understands this, if only hazily. His personal journey was the strongest of the three, and I can’t wait to see how Barnes elaborates on these choices in the final installment.
“It was said the victor determined the right of what they had done, yet how far was too far?”
Indris, on the other hand, took a tiny backseat to these two. He was at the forefront at book 1, but now, his character stayed roughly the same. He’s not a weak POV, I just didn’t see as much of a growth as I did his lover and enemy. Least, not until the end. That’s not to say a consistent character is bad, but his story line had less pop than the first two. Although, the one critique and fear I have of Indris is his ability to become too strong. I worry he might dwell into easy plot territory, and that’s not something I would enjoy. Would be interesting, of course, but would lose the risk I so loved in his debut.
Aside from these three characters, the supporting cast is a strong coterie. Lots of evil brewing about between these pages. Nix and Omen in particular stood out for me, if only because they’re crazy. And one spouts poetry. Yeah, I’m a sucker for supposed “deepness.”
This book was not without its problems, though. The breaks were largely unnecessary most of the time. And when Barnes cut off the chapter or break mid-sentence, well, that only works some of the time. After the tenth one, it becomes annoying. Yeah, it did well with Indris’s imprisonment and Corajidin’s failing health, but little else.
And the coronation.
It did what it set out to do symbolically. Barnes gave us a ride into the abyss, and just as we’ve reached the top, we see every dark deed was for nothing. He presents us a hollow victory with no box on the box. As I said, it worked to that effect, but I like dramatics. I felt there were ways to combine these two. Barnes didn’t. And maybe there isn’t. I can’t think of any. Then again, that’s why I’m a reviewer.
“Everybody breaks and everybody talks because everybody, everywhere, has a point beyond which they cannot endure.”
Anyway, if you haven’t noticed by now, Mark T Barnes has become one to watch out for. His second novel is one of the best of the year, both stylistically and plot-wise. If you’re looking for an intelligent Science Fantasy novel that’s different from the rest, though not too weird, then I highly recommend The Obsidian Heart. It might be another six months till we see the ending, but I have faith that’s enough time to do it justice. Only took him five to outstrip his debut.
“The message in the spherical seats was clear: power is not meant to be comfortable. One could fall as easily as one could rise.”
It has taken me a while, but I’ve come to the conclusion that The Garden of Stones was my most underrated novel of 2013. Don’t worry, though; Mark T Barnes’s second rings true. Not only is it a big improvement on the first, it manages to surpass most novels I’ve read this year. All from a seemingly unknown author.
Pair him and Andrez Bergen up, and you have a team of undiscovered talent.
But that’s tangents.
Compared to the first, the narrative structure is the same. Besides the obvious 3 POVs, the way Barnes dissects the two halves of the novel is in a way very much the same. We start off at a slow, very minute pace. Granted, The Obsidian Heart is much faster in this regard than its predecessor. But once we reach the halfway mark, everything goes to hell. And then we reach the 60 percent mark…and the 70. Barnes continues to crank up the action and suspense. He throws one of the best and most fitting endings for a middle novel I’ve ever read.
Is that overstatement? Probably, but I don’t care. There are very few novels I’ve EVER read that attack plot the way he does, in such a smart and risky way. That’s no exaggeration.
“The ripples of today were stones in the waters of yesterday. We form our truths from the facts of what’s gone before. You can’t separate what was from what is. You can only change what will be.”
However, because this is a second novel, Barnes has had the time to work around in his characters’ minds. This gives us a tighter look on life, a more character-oriented story. I didn’t exactly love the romantic pedaling, but luckily it wasn’t there for much.
While the worldbuilding does take a step back, I am happy to see more things happening in the world. Still, Barnes’s strong point is still his ability to craft a world and immerse you in it. And setting a scene at the beginning of anything, mostly chapters. Coupled with an amazing quote as always, the way words are strung together by his will to show how the sun is setting over the mountain or the bodies lie dead on the road is astounding.
It doesn’t have the snarky, flippant asides I usually love, but dainty verbosity is a winner when done like this. If you’re going to take the long way home, make sure to take notes from Barnes. Enjoy the scenery, even when an amenesqa comes to take your head off.
Further expounding upon a topic I made before, Barnes’s characters are the biggest improvement of the book, aside from the sharper prose and pacing. (It’s in general just a better book.)
Mari, one of the biggest problems I had with The Garden of Stones, removes her cloak of whining decisions and actually decides things. Her side is finally chosen, and I love it. She’s a hardass (in a good way) who’s a little broken and vulnerable underneath. What Barnes does is make this trope so much better, unlike The Quantum Thief or Fade to Black. Not the epitome of a “strong” woman, but as close as I’ve seen in a good while.
Corajidin is quite possibly becoming the best POV. We delve deeper into his darkness, see the depths and atrocities he’s willing to commit, all in the name of a crown. Sometimes the end doesn’t justify the means, and it’s great to finally see a “villain” that understands this, if only hazily. His personal journey was the strongest of the three, and I can’t wait to see how Barnes elaborates on these choices in the final installment.
“It was said the victor determined the right of what they had done, yet how far was too far?”
Indris, on the other hand, took a tiny backseat to these two. He was at the forefront at book 1, but now, his character stayed roughly the same. He’s not a weak POV, I just didn’t see as much of a growth as I did his lover and enemy. Least, not until the end. That’s not to say a consistent character is bad, but his story line had less pop than the first two. Although, the one critique and fear I have of Indris is his ability to become too strong. I worry he might dwell into easy plot territory, and that’s not something I would enjoy. Would be interesting, of course, but would lose the risk I so loved in his debut.
Aside from these three characters, the supporting cast is a strong coterie. Lots of evil brewing about between these pages. Nix and Omen in particular stood out for me, if only because they’re crazy. And one spouts poetry. Yeah, I’m a sucker for supposed “deepness.”
This book was not without its problems, though. The breaks were largely unnecessary most of the time. And when Barnes cut off the chapter or break mid-sentence, well, that only works some of the time. After the tenth one, it becomes annoying. Yeah, it did well with Indris’s imprisonment and Corajidin’s failing health, but little else.
And the coronation.
It did what it set out to do symbolically. Barnes gave us a ride into the abyss, and just as we’ve reached the top, we see every dark deed was for nothing. He presents us a hollow victory with no box on the box. As I said, it worked to that effect, but I like dramatics. I felt there were ways to combine these two. Barnes didn’t. And maybe there isn’t. I can’t think of any. Then again, that’s why I’m a reviewer.
“Everybody breaks and everybody talks because everybody, everywhere, has a point beyond which they cannot endure.”
Anyway, if you haven’t noticed by now, Mark T Barnes has become one to watch out for. His second novel is one of the best of the year, both stylistically and plot-wise. If you’re looking for an intelligent Science Fantasy novel that’s different from the rest, though not too weird, then I highly recommend The Obsidian Heart. It might be another six months till we see the ending, but I have faith that’s enough time to do it justice. Only took him five to outstrip his debut.
“The message in the spherical seats was clear: power is not meant to be comfortable. One could fall as easily as one could rise.”
November 1, 2013
One of my books at 47North. Biased, but love it. Second book in the Echoes of Empire trilogy, and it has only increased my love for this world. I said it in my GARDEN OF STONES review, and I'll say it again: Mark is a talent that needs to be read by anyone who loves Steven Erickson, R. Scott Bakker, Joe Abercrombie, Peter Brett, and Brandon Sanderson. Like I said, I'm biased, but I fully stand behind those comparisons.
June 27, 2014
*I received this book via NetGalley*
Review also on www.jolasbookshelf.wordpress.com
The second book in 'Echoes of Empire' series picks right where the first one ends. I loved 'The Garden of Stones' and I'm thinking this installment is even better. The action, the characters, the plot twists and turns kept me captivated through the entire novel. I wish it could come out in Poland too, so I could make my family and friends read it too. Mark T. Barnes deserves more recognition definitely!
Review also on www.jolasbookshelf.wordpress.com
The second book in 'Echoes of Empire' series picks right where the first one ends. I loved 'The Garden of Stones' and I'm thinking this installment is even better. The action, the characters, the plot twists and turns kept me captivated through the entire novel. I wish it could come out in Poland too, so I could make my family and friends read it too. Mark T. Barnes deserves more recognition definitely!
November 27, 2013
As some of you may have noticed, I read a lot. Luckily most of the books I pick up I enjoy. If I’m not enjoying them I put them down very quickly. There are too many books waiting to be read to waste time on those that just don’t ‘do it’ for you.
Within a page of starting Gardens of Stone (Book One in the Echoes of Empire series) I knew that I was going to enjoy Mark Barnes work, I even had a sneaking suspicion that he’d push his way into the upper echelons of those authors I rate as amazing.
He did.
The Obsidian Heart is the second book in the Echoes of Empire series and where GoS was a lot of world building and furious velocity that drops the reader into the middle of a war zone at the story’s start (a la Steven Erikson) OH slows the pace and turn from blood soak fields of physical battle to the Machiavellian backstabbing, plotting and jockeying for position that is the battle field of politics.
Ever building, Barnes leads the reader through the exotically beautiful capital of Shrian and the deadly power play of the Great Houses, while ply us with hints of the rich history of one of the most magnificently realised worlds I’ve had the pleasure to read. In fact my admiration of his creation wars with a jealousy that I didn’t think of it first! Read more here.
Within a page of starting Gardens of Stone (Book One in the Echoes of Empire series) I knew that I was going to enjoy Mark Barnes work, I even had a sneaking suspicion that he’d push his way into the upper echelons of those authors I rate as amazing.
He did.
The Obsidian Heart is the second book in the Echoes of Empire series and where GoS was a lot of world building and furious velocity that drops the reader into the middle of a war zone at the story’s start (a la Steven Erikson) OH slows the pace and turn from blood soak fields of physical battle to the Machiavellian backstabbing, plotting and jockeying for position that is the battle field of politics.
Ever building, Barnes leads the reader through the exotically beautiful capital of Shrian and the deadly power play of the Great Houses, while ply us with hints of the rich history of one of the most magnificently realised worlds I’ve had the pleasure to read. In fact my admiration of his creation wars with a jealousy that I didn’t think of it first! Read more here.
November 7, 2013
In my review for Garden of Stones I wrote that I couldn't wait for the sequel and I was right. Book 2, Obsidian Heart, is even better than I'd hoped for, which is often not the case for middle books.
Obsidian Heart rips along with conflicts, hard decisions, and battles. In it the political intrigues established in Garden of Stones (don't you just love those titles? I do) reach multiple crisis points forcing the major characters to go one way or another, and make some really tough choices. The hero, Indris, is faced with almost impossible choices. We find out the depths that Corajidin will sink to achieve his goals. And, then there are the hard choices, his daughter, Maris has to make between love or family. Mari rocks: I just love a genuinely strong female character. Right versus wrong, but who decides which is which? This is another area where Barnes excels: nothing is totally one or the other in this continually spellbinding world.
I don't know what more to say without spoilers, but if you want higher stakes and greater losses and stunning magic, and a breathtaking world, then read this book.
I'm eagerly waiting the final in this trilogy: The Pillars of Sand, to find out who gets their comeuppance. I know who I want it to be!
August 11, 2016
With the world building out of the way, Barnes gets right into the plot with well developed characters and beautiful descriptions of the world around them. This second book is enjoyable to read and very well written. A free copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest unbiased review. Read more reviews, author interviews and enter giveaways on my blog.
January 8, 2014
As the first installment Mr Barnes gives us a world with Byzantine schemes and fierce action. In my opinion one of the most promising Fantasy author of the new generation.
That said, I´m favoring the first book regarding plot progression. I still gave 5 stars though so dont let that put you down.
Eagerly awaiting No.3 in the series.
That said, I´m favoring the first book regarding plot progression. I still gave 5 stars though so dont let that put you down.
Eagerly awaiting No.3 in the series.
November 3, 2013
Excellent book! I loved the world that was created and all the characters, so much depth and detail and still able to tell an awesome story. Can't wait for the next one to come out!
February 28, 2014
Originally published at Reading Reality
Just as with The Garden of Stones, the first book in the Echoes of Empire series, The Obsidian Heart left me with a terrible “book hangover”. When I turned the last page, I was just not ready to step away from this world. While it’s definitely not a place I’d want to live (at least at this moment in the story!) Shrian is certainly a place filled with compelling stories.
Even though The Obsidian Heart begins with a recap of previous events from the first book, the story as a whole owes some of its intense immersiveness to the way that the reader is dropped into a history that feels like it has gone one for centuries, and will continue after the book is closed, whether our heroes survive their particular tale or not.
The weight of Shrian’s past helps the reader to sink inside the tale.
And the tale that continues from The Garden of Stones is both epic and deeply personal. Lord Corajidin continues on his mad quest to fulfill the destiny he saw in a vision, a vision that told him that he would become the Emperor of a new Awakened Empire, and lead his people back to their former greatness.
But Corajidin’s vision has convinced him that the glory he has foreseen justify any means necessary to come to fruition; even means that his people would consider anathema. Not just political assassinations by the score (the history has precedents for that!) but by dealing with the demon and death-bringing witches of the dreadful Drear.
Corajidin reminds this reader all too much of Shakespeare’s Macbeth; he creates the conditions that the witches foretold because of the foretelling. He doesn’t see that the path his self-fulfilling prophecy has led him down will ruin him and all he thought he fought for in the end.
There are three point-of-view characters in The Obsidian Heart. One is Corajidin, voraciously chewing up everything and everyone in his path to achieve the destiny he believes should be his. Or perhaps has been led to believe to be his. I wonder.
Indris shows us a different side to Corajidin’s dreams of a new empire. Indris is a warrior-mage of the Seq. His order was born two millennia ago to fight the witches that Corajidin is bringing back to prominence. He wants to stem the tide of death and put the evil creatures back in the fell places where Corajidin’s allies found them.
But Indris, as we saw in The Garden of Stones, is also an heir of one of the rival Houses to Corajidin. He could take the throne himself, or at least return to being a leader of his own House. While his only desire is to be his own man and follow his own agenda, too many factions have plans of their own for him, and none of those plans are in Indris’ best interest. Even worse, Indris believes that those plans are not in the empire’s best interests.
While Indris wants to fight Corajidin, there are too many forces arrayed against him who try to force him, whether by physical threats or magical torment, to go down the path of their choosing.
The last perspective belongs to Mari, the warrior-poet daughter of Corajidin. She has never fit into her father’s plans for her, but there was a part of him that enjoyed her defiant spirit. But she believes that her father has gone mad as well as evil, and she betrayed him. Her family has chosen to believe that her betrayal was caused by her affair with Indris, and not by the convictions of her own mind. They want her back within the family fold, whether she wants to be there or not.
The Obsidian Heart is a story built of many overlapping layers. Corajidin’s manipulations to bring about his new Awakened Empire push the action forward, as Indris and Mari fight to remain together and to save what they can. The politics and the magic constructs that underlie the war make for fascinating reader, as each player follows an agenda that impacts the others.
As this installment of the story concludes, one is left breathless, wondering how much more can possibly go wrong for the forces of good. Always a dangerous question, but one that leaves the reader begging for more.
Escape Rating A: The Obsidian Heart is definitely the middle-book in this trilogy. As the story progresses, the situation gets darker and darker for Indris and Mari.
Shrian is a dark and dangerous place. Every person that we meet has their own agenda, and it’s almost always hidden. Indris and Mari spend a lot of this chapter of the story preventing other people’s nefarious plans, both for the empire and for themselves. The entire world they know seems to be arrayed against them. While they are not the only people working towards something like the greater good, they seem to be the required element that pushes so many people to get off their self-satisfied asses and do something about it.
The only thing required for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.
And so many of the plots regarding Indris’ and Mari’s potential futures are worse than nothing. Too many people are using the chaos to forward their own agendas, and they are more than willing to block our heroes from taking forward action.
The political backstabbing and level of assassinations and faked enemies that takes place in order to make Corajidin’s vision come to fruition reads like the layers upon layers of plotting in Kushiel’s Dart. It also reminds me of the original Dune, in that feeling that the machinations are part of a Great Game of politics and empires that has been going on since long before the current story; where this is but a chapter in some greater history.
But the downward progression is reminiscent of one of Murphy’s lesser known laws: Things are always darkest just before they turn completely black. The Obsidian Heart is rather like The Empire Strikes Back, in that the story ends on a breathless down-stroke.
I’m almost sorry that I didn’t wait until May, when the third and final chapter, The Pillars of Sand, is due to be released. Because I want to know what happens next, and I want to know now. But The Obsidian Heart was every bit as amazing as The Garden of Stones.
Just as with The Garden of Stones, the first book in the Echoes of Empire series, The Obsidian Heart left me with a terrible “book hangover”. When I turned the last page, I was just not ready to step away from this world. While it’s definitely not a place I’d want to live (at least at this moment in the story!) Shrian is certainly a place filled with compelling stories.
Even though The Obsidian Heart begins with a recap of previous events from the first book, the story as a whole owes some of its intense immersiveness to the way that the reader is dropped into a history that feels like it has gone one for centuries, and will continue after the book is closed, whether our heroes survive their particular tale or not.
The weight of Shrian’s past helps the reader to sink inside the tale.
And the tale that continues from The Garden of Stones is both epic and deeply personal. Lord Corajidin continues on his mad quest to fulfill the destiny he saw in a vision, a vision that told him that he would become the Emperor of a new Awakened Empire, and lead his people back to their former greatness.
But Corajidin’s vision has convinced him that the glory he has foreseen justify any means necessary to come to fruition; even means that his people would consider anathema. Not just political assassinations by the score (the history has precedents for that!) but by dealing with the demon and death-bringing witches of the dreadful Drear.
Corajidin reminds this reader all too much of Shakespeare’s Macbeth; he creates the conditions that the witches foretold because of the foretelling. He doesn’t see that the path his self-fulfilling prophecy has led him down will ruin him and all he thought he fought for in the end.
There are three point-of-view characters in The Obsidian Heart. One is Corajidin, voraciously chewing up everything and everyone in his path to achieve the destiny he believes should be his. Or perhaps has been led to believe to be his. I wonder.
Indris shows us a different side to Corajidin’s dreams of a new empire. Indris is a warrior-mage of the Seq. His order was born two millennia ago to fight the witches that Corajidin is bringing back to prominence. He wants to stem the tide of death and put the evil creatures back in the fell places where Corajidin’s allies found them.
But Indris, as we saw in The Garden of Stones, is also an heir of one of the rival Houses to Corajidin. He could take the throne himself, or at least return to being a leader of his own House. While his only desire is to be his own man and follow his own agenda, too many factions have plans of their own for him, and none of those plans are in Indris’ best interest. Even worse, Indris believes that those plans are not in the empire’s best interests.
While Indris wants to fight Corajidin, there are too many forces arrayed against him who try to force him, whether by physical threats or magical torment, to go down the path of their choosing.
The last perspective belongs to Mari, the warrior-poet daughter of Corajidin. She has never fit into her father’s plans for her, but there was a part of him that enjoyed her defiant spirit. But she believes that her father has gone mad as well as evil, and she betrayed him. Her family has chosen to believe that her betrayal was caused by her affair with Indris, and not by the convictions of her own mind. They want her back within the family fold, whether she wants to be there or not.
The Obsidian Heart is a story built of many overlapping layers. Corajidin’s manipulations to bring about his new Awakened Empire push the action forward, as Indris and Mari fight to remain together and to save what they can. The politics and the magic constructs that underlie the war make for fascinating reader, as each player follows an agenda that impacts the others.
As this installment of the story concludes, one is left breathless, wondering how much more can possibly go wrong for the forces of good. Always a dangerous question, but one that leaves the reader begging for more.
Escape Rating A: The Obsidian Heart is definitely the middle-book in this trilogy. As the story progresses, the situation gets darker and darker for Indris and Mari.
Shrian is a dark and dangerous place. Every person that we meet has their own agenda, and it’s almost always hidden. Indris and Mari spend a lot of this chapter of the story preventing other people’s nefarious plans, both for the empire and for themselves. The entire world they know seems to be arrayed against them. While they are not the only people working towards something like the greater good, they seem to be the required element that pushes so many people to get off their self-satisfied asses and do something about it.
The only thing required for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.
And so many of the plots regarding Indris’ and Mari’s potential futures are worse than nothing. Too many people are using the chaos to forward their own agendas, and they are more than willing to block our heroes from taking forward action.
The political backstabbing and level of assassinations and faked enemies that takes place in order to make Corajidin’s vision come to fruition reads like the layers upon layers of plotting in Kushiel’s Dart. It also reminds me of the original Dune, in that feeling that the machinations are part of a Great Game of politics and empires that has been going on since long before the current story; where this is but a chapter in some greater history.
But the downward progression is reminiscent of one of Murphy’s lesser known laws: Things are always darkest just before they turn completely black. The Obsidian Heart is rather like The Empire Strikes Back, in that the story ends on a breathless down-stroke.
I’m almost sorry that I didn’t wait until May, when the third and final chapter, The Pillars of Sand, is due to be released. Because I want to know what happens next, and I want to know now. But The Obsidian Heart was every bit as amazing as The Garden of Stones.
February 14, 2021
Wie schon der erste Band glänzt auch dieser mit seiner wunderbaren bildlichen Sprache. Die Figuren handeln im Einklang ihres Gewissens und dennoch wurde ich ein ums andere Mal sehr überrascht.
Die Geschichte ist geprägt von Verrat, Meuchelmördern und Entführungen, dennoch zeigt dieses Buch auch die Abenteuerlust tiefer Freundschaften. Die einzelnen Charaktere sind liebenswürdig, andere widerum verabscheuungswürdig.
Die Gruppe um Indris gefällt mir persönlich sehr gut. Ein Trupp der sehr viel auf Loyalität, Kameradschaft und Kampfgeist setzt. Vor allem Shar mit ihrem ab und an kratzbürstigen, aber vor allem liebevollen Verhalten Indris gegenüber mag ich sehr. Auch Ekko, der gegen Ende des ersten Teils zur Gruppe gestoßen kam, ist mutig und trägt das Herz auf der Zunge.
Vor allem die Geschichte bezüglich Indris Vergangenheit hat mich sehr neugierig gemacht und ich möchte unbedingt wissen, was damals geschehen ist.
Die Schreibweise aus verschiedenen Perspektiven, vorrangig aus der Sicht von Indris, Mari und Corajidin, sorgt für ordentlich Spannung.
Die Geschichte ist geprägt von Verrat, Meuchelmördern und Entführungen, dennoch zeigt dieses Buch auch die Abenteuerlust tiefer Freundschaften. Die einzelnen Charaktere sind liebenswürdig, andere widerum verabscheuungswürdig.
Die Gruppe um Indris gefällt mir persönlich sehr gut. Ein Trupp der sehr viel auf Loyalität, Kameradschaft und Kampfgeist setzt. Vor allem Shar mit ihrem ab und an kratzbürstigen, aber vor allem liebevollen Verhalten Indris gegenüber mag ich sehr. Auch Ekko, der gegen Ende des ersten Teils zur Gruppe gestoßen kam, ist mutig und trägt das Herz auf der Zunge.
Vor allem die Geschichte bezüglich Indris Vergangenheit hat mich sehr neugierig gemacht und ich möchte unbedingt wissen, was damals geschehen ist.
Die Schreibweise aus verschiedenen Perspektiven, vorrangig aus der Sicht von Indris, Mari und Corajidin, sorgt für ordentlich Spannung.
August 10, 2014
I am a bit torn when it comes to this review. I struggled with the book, it did not keep my attention. For that it was only ok. BUT the world building is just so rich. Mythology, politics, culture, fighting, everything is just so interesting. I do love the world. The story stagnated though.
Idris is still being good. Mari is still thinking her dad is bad, but nothing doing anything more. Corajidin is still being bad and wanting to take over everything. The leaders are still being idiots and should have Corajidin executed, but money can buy anything and everyone.
Ok lots happened, and nothing happened. People talked, thought about things, went back and forth. Accused each other of things they had not done. Fought. And then witches came. The end.
Something was missing, something that made me enthralled with book 1 (even if if it took two turns to finish it). But here I never became that enthralled, frankly I felt disappointed.
So the book was ok, the world was good. The world saves the rating, deserving? Maybe not. As it did not make me want to read more. A rating of the heart, not the mind.
1 day later. I changed my mind. Yes the world was good, but the mindless reading I did, no. Have to rate it just ok.
Idris is still being good. Mari is still thinking her dad is bad, but nothing doing anything more. Corajidin is still being bad and wanting to take over everything. The leaders are still being idiots and should have Corajidin executed, but money can buy anything and everyone.
Ok lots happened, and nothing happened. People talked, thought about things, went back and forth. Accused each other of things they had not done. Fought. And then witches came. The end.
Something was missing, something that made me enthralled with book 1 (even if if it took two turns to finish it). But here I never became that enthralled, frankly I felt disappointed.
So the book was ok, the world was good. The world saves the rating, deserving? Maybe not. As it did not make me want to read more. A rating of the heart, not the mind.
1 day later. I changed my mind. Yes the world was good, but the mindless reading I did, no. Have to rate it just ok.
February 20, 2014
I enjoyed the first book of the series "The Garden of Stones", though admittedly found it too heavy on the world-building. But I suppose now that is out of the way, Mr. Barnes is able to start focusing less on his world and its citizens and more on what is shaping up to be one entertaining story for the right audience.
Though Echoes of Empire has its share of fine characters, this is more about the fantasy and the politics than anything else. While I fear those looking for quirky and memorable characters leading the tale may grow restless, those fascinated by plot, intrigue, and relationships should find this worthy of sinking their teeth into. The Shrianese Empire tries to smooth its ruffled feathers in the wake of the chaos of the first book, leading to both stuffy courtroom decisions as well as some truly awesome violence, madness, and battle.
Barnes is a writer who likes his words. I did not find this as wordy as the first book and enjoyed the attention to impressive writing and storytelling. What Barnes does best, however, is bring in plenty of magic.
A sweeping novel that leaves me eager for the next book.
Though Echoes of Empire has its share of fine characters, this is more about the fantasy and the politics than anything else. While I fear those looking for quirky and memorable characters leading the tale may grow restless, those fascinated by plot, intrigue, and relationships should find this worthy of sinking their teeth into. The Shrianese Empire tries to smooth its ruffled feathers in the wake of the chaos of the first book, leading to both stuffy courtroom decisions as well as some truly awesome violence, madness, and battle.
Barnes is a writer who likes his words. I did not find this as wordy as the first book and enjoyed the attention to impressive writing and storytelling. What Barnes does best, however, is bring in plenty of magic.
A sweeping novel that leaves me eager for the next book.
August 9, 2016
Last week I reviewed the first in the excellent ECHOES OF EMPIRE series, THE GARDEN OF STONES (http://archiestandwoodsreviewsandwrit...) and mentioned that I had been "away" from the Fantasy genre for quite some time. I don't think such a hiatus will happen again, as long as authors like Mark T. Barnes continue to publish.
THE OBSIDIAN HEART is the second of the ECHOES OF EMPIRE series (Book 3 releases tomorrow, May 20, and my review will be posted then), but the author takes sufficient care that it can be read as a stand-alone, or as the first one of this series to.be read. Once again, Mr. Barnes' talented world-building and deep understanding of his characters results in an unstoppable reading experience.
THE OBSIDIAN HEART is the second of the ECHOES OF EMPIRE series (Book 3 releases tomorrow, May 20, and my review will be posted then), but the author takes sufficient care that it can be read as a stand-alone, or as the first one of this series to.be read. Once again, Mr. Barnes' talented world-building and deep understanding of his characters results in an unstoppable reading experience.
May 17, 2014
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I can honestly say that I enjoyed Book 2 in this series more than the first book. "The Garden of Stones" was heavy in world building where Book 2 is full of plot and intrigue.
If you are looking for quirky and memorable this is not the book for you as this is an author who likes to use words. It is this authors wordiness in Book 1 that made it hard for me to become involved in the story. Book 2 is less wordy and instead shows an amazing and impressive writing and storytelling ability.
I am looking forward to Book 3 to see where the author takes this story next.
I can honestly say that I enjoyed Book 2 in this series more than the first book. "The Garden of Stones" was heavy in world building where Book 2 is full of plot and intrigue.
If you are looking for quirky and memorable this is not the book for you as this is an author who likes to use words. It is this authors wordiness in Book 1 that made it hard for me to become involved in the story. Book 2 is less wordy and instead shows an amazing and impressive writing and storytelling ability.
I am looking forward to Book 3 to see where the author takes this story next.
May 23, 2014
Picks up where the last one left off and is even better.
Where I couldn't quite "feel" the age of the world in the last one, it seemed more natural in this one.
It's interesting to watch the characters evolve as well, while I don't always agree with the choices characters make given their motivations, I do understand them, which is a difficult challenge. Barnes also manages a surprisingly large cast of characters without leaving the reader feeling that they're all cutouts.
I will definitely be continuing the series. I give 4 stars pretty rarely, but this one definitely rises to that criteria.
Where I couldn't quite "feel" the age of the world in the last one, it seemed more natural in this one.
It's interesting to watch the characters evolve as well, while I don't always agree with the choices characters make given their motivations, I do understand them, which is a difficult challenge. Barnes also manages a surprisingly large cast of characters without leaving the reader feeling that they're all cutouts.
I will definitely be continuing the series. I give 4 stars pretty rarely, but this one definitely rises to that criteria.
April 15, 2014
Good but.....
when creating a new world with new political systems and theologies there is a fine line between being detailed and being difficult. I think a lot of the difficulty in keeping all of the people, their families, political alliances,and histories in these books comes from the authors choice of vernacular similar to that of the middle east. With the help of the list of characters and using Amazon's X-Ray feature though these books are totally worth reading though. especially so if you are not intimidated by such complexities.
when creating a new world with new political systems and theologies there is a fine line between being detailed and being difficult. I think a lot of the difficulty in keeping all of the people, their families, political alliances,and histories in these books comes from the authors choice of vernacular similar to that of the middle east. With the help of the list of characters and using Amazon's X-Ray feature though these books are totally worth reading though. especially so if you are not intimidated by such complexities.
February 17, 2014
A very enjoyable read. While I loved the world that Barnes created in his debut, the follow up is more visceral than its predecessor. Barnes continues to follow through on the promise he showed in Garden of Stones.
I am looking forward to the conclusion.
I am looking forward to the conclusion.
February 6, 2014
I enjoyed this. It took the stories in the first book, The Garden of Stones, and built on them. I have preordered the third book because I need to know how it all ends for the characters that I have become invested in.
March 22, 2018
I will gladly rate a series high if it sucks me into the story so deeply I have trouble putting the book down. This is one of those.
The "bad guy" is particularly well done. His inner dialogue is one of ever increasing justification for immoral acts. Driven first by illness and his need to live, then by the desire to impose his nationalist values on all his species. Finally; having made a deal with dark, evil gods to live and rule, he is allowing depraved, blood cults and monsters to act to achieve his newest goal...ruling the world. The catch of course is he is beginning to realize who is really in charge.
I'm glad I have all three books on hand!
The "bad guy" is particularly well done. His inner dialogue is one of ever increasing justification for immoral acts. Driven first by illness and his need to live, then by the desire to impose his nationalist values on all his species. Finally; having made a deal with dark, evil gods to live and rule, he is allowing depraved, blood cults and monsters to act to achieve his newest goal...ruling the world. The catch of course is he is beginning to realize who is really in charge.
I'm glad I have all three books on hand!
January 2, 2017
7.5/10
In ‘The Obsidian Heart’ Barnes shows a quite considerable improvement from his debut novel as in this one he focuses more on the characters, and less on the world-building; but also bringing and a much stronger, and entertaining, story with lots of action, more twists and even more unique ideas.
‘‘If a happy ending is what you’re after, stop the story where it makes you smile, or cry for laughter. In life, it’s the rare sweetness to have tears of joy, or painless endings. People feel. It’s what they know, and it’s why I write.’’
After the events of the machinations and the war of the Imperialists that caused chaos in Amnon the fate of Corajidin is now in the hands of the ruling council of the Federation of the Avān in their capital-city Avānweh, where they will have to make a decision for his actions; and that decision may well cost him not only the throne for the power of Shrīan, but also and his own life.
However, Corajidin is of those that should never be easily underestimated and, although he is now in the worst position that he could have ever been, with the help of a mysterious ally that will return from the past, he will try to get back in his hands the power of Shrīan, even if he must destroy first all those that oppose him. Only that when an enemy that he didn’t expect shows its true power a new turmoil will find Avānweh, and will bring chaos and destructions to the city.
Indris, along with the help of his friends, will try and face this new chaos only that this may prove something more difficult than he expected as, with the Iron League of the Humans seeming to preparing their own machinations, this new adventure will put him on a path that could bring the destruction of those he loves, and even of the whole Shrīan.
I have to say that I actually like the story of this book more than of ‘The Garden of Stones’ as Barnes’s writing here flows much better, and also bringing a better balance between the world-building and the characters, which in the end made connect with them a little more than before.
Of course, the book has certainly its flaws as ‘The Garden of Stones’ had some too, and especially with some of the secondary characters that I felt that they could have been developed a little more to become more interesting. But nevertheless, Barnes manages to pull a much better and stronger story here, as he gets us deeper to the secrets of the mysterious Sēq, the Scholars of Īa; while also the action scenes bring too a stronger feel, and showing that he has quite improved in that part, which made the book even more enjoyable in the end.
On the other hand, the world-building continues to impress and, although Barnes doesn’t focuses as much as in the first book, he shows that his ideas, and his imagination, are much greater than he, really, lets us know.
Overall, the book was definitely much better than ‘The Garden of Stones’ as Barnes manages to bring a more balanced and stronger, and certainly more entertaining, story, but also preparing us for an epic finale in the next, and final, book of the series.
In ‘The Obsidian Heart’ Barnes shows a quite considerable improvement from his debut novel as in this one he focuses more on the characters, and less on the world-building; but also bringing and a much stronger, and entertaining, story with lots of action, more twists and even more unique ideas.
‘‘If a happy ending is what you’re after, stop the story where it makes you smile, or cry for laughter. In life, it’s the rare sweetness to have tears of joy, or painless endings. People feel. It’s what they know, and it’s why I write.’’
After the events of the machinations and the war of the Imperialists that caused chaos in Amnon the fate of Corajidin is now in the hands of the ruling council of the Federation of the Avān in their capital-city Avānweh, where they will have to make a decision for his actions; and that decision may well cost him not only the throne for the power of Shrīan, but also and his own life.
However, Corajidin is of those that should never be easily underestimated and, although he is now in the worst position that he could have ever been, with the help of a mysterious ally that will return from the past, he will try to get back in his hands the power of Shrīan, even if he must destroy first all those that oppose him. Only that when an enemy that he didn’t expect shows its true power a new turmoil will find Avānweh, and will bring chaos and destructions to the city.
Indris, along with the help of his friends, will try and face this new chaos only that this may prove something more difficult than he expected as, with the Iron League of the Humans seeming to preparing their own machinations, this new adventure will put him on a path that could bring the destruction of those he loves, and even of the whole Shrīan.
I have to say that I actually like the story of this book more than of ‘The Garden of Stones’ as Barnes’s writing here flows much better, and also bringing a better balance between the world-building and the characters, which in the end made connect with them a little more than before.
Of course, the book has certainly its flaws as ‘The Garden of Stones’ had some too, and especially with some of the secondary characters that I felt that they could have been developed a little more to become more interesting. But nevertheless, Barnes manages to pull a much better and stronger story here, as he gets us deeper to the secrets of the mysterious Sēq, the Scholars of Īa; while also the action scenes bring too a stronger feel, and showing that he has quite improved in that part, which made the book even more enjoyable in the end.
On the other hand, the world-building continues to impress and, although Barnes doesn’t focuses as much as in the first book, he shows that his ideas, and his imagination, are much greater than he, really, lets us know.
Overall, the book was definitely much better than ‘The Garden of Stones’ as Barnes manages to bring a more balanced and stronger, and certainly more entertaining, story, but also preparing us for an epic finale in the next, and final, book of the series.
June 9, 2014
This review and others are available on my blog.
The Obsidian Heart continues Mark T. Barnes' Echoes of Empire series where the first novel left off. The dangerous Corajidin has seemingly been defeated and put on trial but instead he seizes the moment to put all of his ambitions into action and the result is a novel with all the twists and intrigue and battles of the first.
As a sequel, Barnes takes advantage of the fact that his core cast of characters and their relationships have been firmly established, and places them in new and more revealing situations. Indris, warrior-poet, and his enemy, Corajidin, were both the highlights of the first book and their battle continues apace. Mari, Corajidin daughter, was perhaps less well developed in the first novel and her romance with Indris was not as convincing as it could have been. Barnes makes an effort to rectify this and Mari is brought much more center stage this time around.
The world building remains as dense and well-thought out as ever. The reader is dropped into another world that feels real and lived in, with a visceral sense of history that is often lacking. The first novel dropped the readers in the deep end and slowly and organically revealed more and more of the intricate backstory and the world. Barnes again trusts the reader's intelligence and luxuriates in the fact that the central elements of the world have already been shown.
It is, however, the middle novel in a trilogy, and that shows. It is in many ways, over 400 pages of set up for the final confrontation. The Obsidian Heart builds on its predecessor nicely. The plot unfolds with more twists and cutthroat politics; the characters are richer, and the world itself is deeper.
**Received copy from NetGalley for review
The Obsidian Heart continues Mark T. Barnes' Echoes of Empire series where the first novel left off. The dangerous Corajidin has seemingly been defeated and put on trial but instead he seizes the moment to put all of his ambitions into action and the result is a novel with all the twists and intrigue and battles of the first.
As a sequel, Barnes takes advantage of the fact that his core cast of characters and their relationships have been firmly established, and places them in new and more revealing situations. Indris, warrior-poet, and his enemy, Corajidin, were both the highlights of the first book and their battle continues apace. Mari, Corajidin daughter, was perhaps less well developed in the first novel and her romance with Indris was not as convincing as it could have been. Barnes makes an effort to rectify this and Mari is brought much more center stage this time around.
The world building remains as dense and well-thought out as ever. The reader is dropped into another world that feels real and lived in, with a visceral sense of history that is often lacking. The first novel dropped the readers in the deep end and slowly and organically revealed more and more of the intricate backstory and the world. Barnes again trusts the reader's intelligence and luxuriates in the fact that the central elements of the world have already been shown.
It is, however, the middle novel in a trilogy, and that shows. It is in many ways, over 400 pages of set up for the final confrontation. The Obsidian Heart builds on its predecessor nicely. The plot unfolds with more twists and cutthroat politics; the characters are richer, and the world itself is deeper.
**Received copy from NetGalley for review
May 25, 2015
Second Classic in the Trilogy!
Starting with The Garden of Stones, and moving on to The Obsidian Heart, Mr. Barnes has written two novels that in my opinion are bound to be Epic Fantasy classics like Dune.
This second book is nicely done, leveraging a lot from the set up from Book 1, it does not suffer from sophomoric syndrome, but charges ahead with the story of evil conquering good. It then illustrates through action that when you get what you want, it is often not like you thought. The result is resounding dissatisfaction for virtually everyone.
I'm not sure they get much better than this series by appreciable degrees. Just buy it. Read it. Love it.
Highly Recommended! I am going to read a different book between this and Pillars of Sand, as I want to stretch out the goodness.
Starting with The Garden of Stones, and moving on to The Obsidian Heart, Mr. Barnes has written two novels that in my opinion are bound to be Epic Fantasy classics like Dune.
This second book is nicely done, leveraging a lot from the set up from Book 1, it does not suffer from sophomoric syndrome, but charges ahead with the story of evil conquering good. It then illustrates through action that when you get what you want, it is often not like you thought. The result is resounding dissatisfaction for virtually everyone.
I'm not sure they get much better than this series by appreciable degrees. Just buy it. Read it. Love it.
Highly Recommended! I am going to read a different book between this and Pillars of Sand, as I want to stretch out the goodness.
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