Tears of the Maelstrom

The Legacy of Boulom #2

by Timothy Wolff

The realm has been saved, but at what cost?

With Vaynex on the brink of civil war, Tempest Claw struggles for peace among his people, many of whom seek vengeance for their lost deity. As the recession grows deeper, one thing remains clear: Tempest will either find common ground with his brethren, or a tomb buried within the sand.

Serenna Morgan struggles in her new role as Guardian leader. With insufficient time to mend the emotional scars from the last Harbinger, she must prepare a scattered team to defend the realm from old enemies reemerging in the South, along with a new divine nemesis scheming in the West.

David Williams finds service to a goddess much like his time as a Guardian: endless and hopeless. With their growing influence infecting every kingdom, he goes rogue for a new purpose:

To create a realm without gods.

Genres: Fantasy

396 pages, ebook

Published December 22, 2023

Reviews

[P.L. Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see below the link to my YouTube review/overview of the series!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDX1N...

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And I was given a copy of the book by the author himself for an honest review !! (so thank you, Tim )

Good action scene’s, great characters , great names for characters . At least the book starts where we left off pretty much like a half a year later give or take!
Serranna , Zeen , David are definitely going through some inner turmoils , the author really connects your to there feelings all throughout!

“Choose a champion. Do not dishonor me by losing all three contests.” ( Love that line)

The rest you’re gonna have to get book one and then book two and then by July you’ll have book 3 in there for you to finish.

I’m not the type to kiss and tell and tell you the whole thing I hope I gave you enough nuggets to keep you intrigued.

[Once Upon a Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tears of the Maelstrom is book two of the Legacy of Boulom series. If you haven't read book 1; Platinum Tinted Darkness yet, I'd definitely recommend reading that first (feel free to look up my review on the first book).

The storyline is amazing, it takes off right where the first book left off. I missed the characters so much. I'm trying to describe the gravity of everything that happens in this book without spoilers, which is harder then expected. All I can say is that if you loved book one, you'll love book two! It has everything we love about book 1 and more. From Gods, Harbingers of the Gods, wars, political intrique, romance, humour, magic, different species, creatures and kingdoms. A glorious book, indeed 🤭!

Personally I can't wait to continue in the final and third book of this trilogy series. I definitely recommend this book and series in general to High Fantasy lovers. 📚✨

[Jamedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally on JamReads

Tears of the Maelstrom is the second instalment in the dark fantasy series The Legacy of Boulom, written by Timothy Wolff. A novel that picks up seven months after what happened in Platinum Tinted Darkness, taking the opportunity to explore more about the characters while developing a story that is more complex than what we saw in book 1.

Despite the cast remains unchanged, a lot of things have changed in the last seven months; Serenna is dealing with her functions as the Guardian Leader, but confronting Francis as the emperor is too much for her. Wisdom is still whispering behind his ear, and slowly preparing the things to assume the control; Vaynex is in a delicate situation, and Sardonyx shows a non-so-great face, especially regarding his son Tempest (a narrative arc where you can see how Wolff has won a lot of confidence as writer, allowing himself much more freedom, giving us an excellent addition to the main story).

During a big chunk of the book, Wolff delves further into the characters and their motivations, humanizing them and allowing us to understand why they behave like that. Still, we have more Harbinger battles, keeping the MMORPG style with certain characters ascribing to roles, but they have become more chaotic, while still being easy to follow; the danger is felt while reading.

The world is further explored, expanding what we knew about the powers, and unveiling the truth behind some of the deities; some aspects that were ignored in Platinum are rescued in this one, enriching the narrative frame for the complete series.

As a sequel, Tears of the Maelstrom is a step-up over Platinum Tinted Darkness, an excellent continuation which only leaves me craving what will happen in Age of Arrogance; if you want a dark fantasy series with MMORPG inspiration and kill god vibes, you should try The Legacy of Boulom.

[Miriam Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When reality becomes unacceptable, it must be changed.
By any means necessary.”

Tears of the Maelstrom by Timothy Wolff is the second installment of the Platinum Tinted Darkness trilogy.

The Guardians have broken and taken different paths. Under the watchful eye of Wisdom, they're bound to reunite again but will they remain allies or will their own desires shape an outcome neither expected?

There’s a small time gap between books one and two that isn't hard to catch up with the recap page. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed book two a lot more than the first. We follow Francis a bit more, who holds the herald of Arrogance and is now the emperor of Terrangus. We also learn about vanguards and what they do but I won’t spoil that here. Like in book one, David goes into a downward spiral, his memories of Melissa still haunting him, however it becomes much deeper when he looks at what has become of the Guardians and the burden crumbling on Serenna's shoulders. Zeen and Tempest being bros and fleshing out Rinso’s story was enjoyable! (To which the author cleverly used to deliver an emotional punch in the gut.)

"I was born to be a storm. A storm that leaves hope in its wake."

Sardonyx didn't disappoint in being that morally grey GLORIOUS ruler I enjoy reading, but surprisingly, I got close to his opposite, softer-in-nature, and creative son, Tempest. Compared to Sardonyx or Bloom (she was fun to read as well) he's quite the opposite, having never really conformed or measured up to his father's expectations. I truly admire how Wolff progresses on his character with Tempest asking ask himself who he was born to be with his "I was born to be a storm" line changing to a different outlook until we reach the emotional end of book two. I’m looking forward to finish the last book in the trilogy!

[Jeanette Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will use the words of the great Warlord Sardonyx: What a glorious continuation!

I love that Tim is giving us a recap. Sometimes, it can be a book or two in-between a series, so this is really helpful, especially with names.😊

We are headed back, and it has been about seven months since we saw them all last.
I was just as surprised as our main characters to see some surprising partnerships, yet others are developing... might some even end?

I still enjoy our characters, I have gotten to know them even better now, and they are quite the splashes of colour some of them.😂 And I could definitely get used to having some of that magic.😁

🔹️
“This new power is terrifying. “
🔹️

I still enjoy the sense of humour as well. Let me just say, my dear writers and authors, just be glad you do not have an editor like the one in this book.😂

🔹️
"No spoilers!"
🔹️

With truces and the prospect of peace as fragile as the thinnest of glass, war, and mutiny are as close as ever.
We fight crawlers, colossals, and harbringers alike.
You know this is going to be GLORIOUS!😉

🔹️
"I am nothing. I am forever. I am the end."
🔹️

Did I mention that there is a map? Don't you just love maps of new worlds?🤗

[Zack Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're reading this because you liked the first one well enough but are on the fence about continuing...

Run, do not walk, to pick this up.

Wolff's writing has increased from Platinum and he's turning into a maelstorm-esque force. Dude has a natural born talent and is only becoming more and more dangerous with it.

Complex characters and smatterings of genius phrases and dialog laced throughout. It did take me about 100 pages to fully dive in, but man, it becomes unable to be out down after that first chunk.

Great book that has confirmed that Wolff is officially an auto-buy author

P.s. Tim if you read this I'm still mad about Born to be a Storm

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love reading an author’s works in order of release so I can see how they’ve grown. I can definitely see so many improvements in the writing style and pros in TOTM. Yet, I’m not a self-proclaimed picky pain-in-the-ass for nothing. So, let’s discuss.

TOTM picks up about seven months after PTD. The guardians have essentially been torn apart, with Serenna trying to pull everyone back together and keep them there. Zeen has been unconscious all this time, and when he finally wakes, he discovers the world is a lot different from how he left it, with many of the gods interfering with… well… everything. David is one of the many who finds himself caught up in this while concurrently trying to face his own personal demons—so as you can tell he’s having a great time. And, on top of it all, we have the downward spiral of Tempest, which is actually where I want to start this review.

When I first started reading TOTM, it was actually unintentional. I was just flipping through my ebook trying to see the chapter and page count when I stumbled upon the—would you call it the epigraph? Regardless, it definitely caught my attention. And when I saw the prologue immediately following was from Tempest’s perspective, it was caught even more. Now, having finished, I honestly have nothing bad to say about the prologue. It definitely sucked me in, established some intriguing conflict between Tempest and his father, and the pacing was perfect to me.

Continuing this pros list: the combat sequences? One of my major qualms with PTD was the overexplanation attached to the action sequences. It definitely established that TW knows sword play, but it also made the sequences themselves feel like tutorials if that makes sense. What’s most important about an action sequence—at least in my oh so humble opinion—is the pacing of it all and if you can keep track of everything in your head. Knowing why a certain strike was used or the specific footwork/battle stance? Not so much. But here, TW really seemed to find the balance. The movement beats were all there, they were fast-paced and engaging, and nothing was really bogged down by unnecessary detail. Hooray for growth! Similarly, the way that the first major death was handled compared to PTD’s deaths was massively improved. We actually got to sit with Tempest and see what that felt like for him, and it continued to impact him throughout the story. This, however, is where we start to get into my other thoughts.


I just said how with this death, we got to see and feel Tempest’s grief, which is true. Yet, at some points, it just felt… forced? Unnatural? And it’s only in regards to the dialogue, not the internal-monolog. Here’s an example to help illustrate what I’m saying:
“”Now? But what is now, if not the prelude to forever? In this moment, Father’s wrath cannot harm me. The despair drowns out everything else. It is the ultimate form of power. You can train for five lifetimes and never feel this invulnerable. I feel nothing.”
Here’s the thing. This clearly shows TW knows exactly how Tempest is feeling… but it just feels off to me to put it in dialogue. I just can’t imagine someone, lizard person or not, actually saying this out loud, you know? The emotions are all valid, and they’re explained pretty well. But putting it in dialogue when it could have been thought, or even better, shown? It feels like TW didn’t know how else to get this across. This can be said about a good chunk of the dialogue: excellent understanding of characters’ emotional states, but still trying to figure out how to get that across. It's a completely valid struggle to have, and who knows, maybe I’m the only one not a huge fan of this remedy. I just thought I’d point it out. My other main comment has to do with the tone of the story itself.

I feel like TW has two writing styles: the silly, kind of goofy Good Omens vibe, and the dark, philosophical Victor Frankenstein kind. I think when you separate both of these voices, they’re solid. But in TOTM, it seems like TW is trying to blend them together? What results is this story where I think it’s supposed to be a dark and grim fantasy, but then you have characters in combat talking about how their tail itches. You have these silly goofy interactions between characters, just for some profound and insightful comment to be slid in, and you’re left wondering “Where did that come from?” I think there are definitely ways to bring humor into darker works, just as there are ways to bring insight and depth into lighter works. Yet, when you have such a fifty-fifty distribution going on, it doesn’t really feel like the comic relief in a tense moment, or the hidden deeper layer beneath the silliness. To me, it feels like the story can’t decide what it wants to be. In part, I would assume that’s because TW is still trying to decide how he wants to write; what is his voice—which is honestly a struggle all writers go through when first writing full-length works.

My only other comment is about the final death. I get why it happened, why it needed to happen, and why it happened the way it did… but there was such a missed opportunity between Zeen and Serenna in the aftermath. I think it definitely established a theme of forgiveness, but it’s just such an emotionally complex situation! There’s so much that could have been done with it! There was such an opportunity to dig into Zeen’s character and still have that forgiveness theme in the end… but we didn’t go there. I also just love a complicated internal conflict, and TW seems to prefer more external conflict, so that could also just be a difference in opinions/interest… ugh but it could have been so good.

Overall, TOTM is definitely a display of how writers get better with every book they write. The combat sequences were nicely polished, the characters’ emotional states were more expressed and explored. I’m just struggling with some of the stilted dialogue and clashing tones of the story..

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tears of the Maelstrom is the sequel to Platinum Tinted Darkness and I had just as much fun in this one as I did in Platinum Tinted Darkness. Platinum Tinted Darkness pulled me in to this world and I was fully invested in the character's lives. I felt that the sequel also had no problem pulling me in and keeping me invested in the world and the different character's lives. In Platinum Tinted Darkness, I felt that there was more of a build up to the action packed scenes and it focused more on getting to know the characters and their lives which makes sense because it's the first book in a series. The sequel is more action-packed and I felt that we were just thrown into the action but I enjoyed being kept on my toes and guessing what was going to happen next! Looking forward to 2024 for when the finale of this series will be released!

[Timothy Wolff]

Tears of the Maelstrom is out today! If you enjoyed Platinum Tinted Darkness but felt it needed more lizard-people, this book is for you

[TA Fehr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not one to get pleasure from lower ratings, and I understand many will chastise me and suggest I refrain. But just as the author must be vulnerable in placing their work to public scrutiny, I must be honest in giving my impressions of said works.

Tears of the Maelstrom, the second book in Timothy Wolff’s Legacy of Boulom series, is an ambitious epic fantasy brimming with gods, warriors, and political intrigue. Following Zeen’s awakening from a coma, the Guardians—led by Serenna and joined by David, Tempest, and others—battle a new Harbinger, navigate divine conflicts, and face personal betrayals in a gritty world of zephum and emperors. While the novel’s scope and dark tone may captivate series fans, I unfortunately found it unengaging and difficult to follow, despite its evident passion. I will fully admit this may be due to my failings and taste rather than the author. I would not consider this a poor book, or a bad novel, and such a sentiment is clear in that there are many who have found this book to be excellent.

I did find the book’s sprawling cast and complex plot a rather large hurdle, considering the rather limited pages in which all the events take place. With numerous characters—Zeen, Serenna, David, Francis, Tempest, and Vanguards, to name a few—introduced alongside dense lore about gods like Wisdom (Arrogance) and Fear, I struggled to connect emotionally, though I could see where the author intended the emotional connection to happen. The stakes, from cosmic threats to personal struggles, often felt abstract, buried under rapid perspective shifts and heavy exposition.

The narrative’s pacing and prose were fine, which adds to my frustration as to why I was not drawn into the story. I wish I could point to a specific item and say "this needed fixing and it would be great," but unfortunately for me, the issue persists in the "je ne sais quoi". Perhaps it may be a matter of "more being too much" as compared to other fantasy works I've been quite impressed with having much fewer plot arcs and characters to keep track of. The frequent jumps between subplots, made the story feel fragmented, and the occasionally clunky dialogue didn’t help clarify motivations. Which is unfortunate as I know Wolff has the capacity to really hit with his prose. His book "The whisper that replaced God" is still one of my favourite independent books simply due to the brilliance in psychological descriptives and quotable lines.

That said, Tears of the Maelstrom has qualities that will certainly appeal to others. Its intricate world-building, with zephum culture and manipulative gods, offers richness for epic fantasy enthusiasts. The gritty tone and themes of trauma and honour could draw readers who enjoy morally grey tales like those of Joe Abercrombie. Series fans invested in the Guardians’ arcs will find the payoffs rewarding.

Ultimately, Tears of the Maelstrom didn’t click for me due to its overwhelming complexity and lack of emotional pull. If you enjoyed the first entry of Legacy of Boulom, I assure you will find this book equally pleasing. It is certainly geared toward those who love dense, action-packed epics, but newcomers or casual readers might share my struggle.

[Dimitris Kopsidas · Rating 3 out of 5]

On par with the first one. The action is more or less on the same level and since this is a middle book in a trilogy not a lot of progrees is made, but everything is boiling to the big finale.
I would like to mention some things that bothered me though and hope that the author considers them.
Firstly the inner thoughts of all the protagonists could be toned down. It gets a bit much and is a bit distracting. (more show, less tell)
Then it's the childish/epidermic way of how the romance is treated. Constant back and forths and then the recurring question, "Do you still love me?"
Finally the world even though is imaginative, feels empty besides the protagonists (the Guardians and the Gods). The people are a non factor here.
Still fun in it's quirky way.

5,7/10

[D.M. Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I've had a few days to work through my thoughts regarding this second book in the Legacy of Boulom series, and unfortunately I still don't know what to say. I loved it, yes, but that seems wholly inadequate somehow. I mean, the characters, the world, the story - all of it just rocks. There were the laugh-out-loud moments as well as the highly emotional moments that enriched the story so well, and the non-stop action sequences that kept the story moving quickly. Highly enjoyable and highly recommended, this is a book that will not disappoint.

[Cat Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.

Now, this is how you do a follow up! I love how carefully crafted this is! The characters, the world, the plot—it’s all exactly how you’d expect it to pan out after book 1 but then the meddling gods show up!

I think that’s my favorite aspect of the story. The meddling gods. We’ve learned, naturally, that the gods are powerful, not to be trifled with, and here they are screwing with our mortals again and this time, they’re targeting free will which is just such a terrifying concept. I loved seeing their shenanigans and watching our characters try to compensate.

The characters remain amazing. I love that the author has struck this lively balance between having them change due to the circumstances but not change too much. It feels very much how real people evolve—slow, with setbacks and some elements don’t shift at all. It’s one reason I adore these characters so much. They’re layered, dynamic and flawed!

I can’t wait to see more

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a series and still as great as the first. Full review to come

[Bill Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC by Mr. Wolff and here is my honest review:

Tears of the Maelstrom is the second book in the Legacy of Boulom series by Timothy Wolff and picks up some seven months after the conclusion of the first book, Platinum Tinted Darkness. It's fair to say that this book is one heck of a follow-up.

In my humble reading opinion, there is nothing better than a well-paced, uncomplicated story with excellent character arcs, interesting concepts, and engaging prose. Bonus points for meddling gods. Anything with meddling gods goes right to the top for me.

After the events of PTD, the Guardian team is left in tatters and it is up to Serenna Morgan to piece it all back together. But the God of Wisdom/Arrogance is scheming to remove free will and create a perfect world, with former-Guardian-now-emperor Francis as his mortal tool, much to his pregnant lover (and former Guardian) Mary's sigh-happy fears. Zeen's been knocked out cold since his brush with death and subsequent revival after Strength's sacrifice, and when he wakes, everything is different, except his loyalty to his friends and his love for Serenna. And David, well, he's got a lot going on, a lot of reckoning to handle, both with his goddess Fear and his own demons (dare I say his own personal Harbingers???). Which leaves Tempest Claw to carry the load of plot driver (hence why he's on the cover).

The characters are what really corralled me in the first book and wanted to continue reading their stories. They are fallible, they are brash, they are broken, they are funny & love to snicker, they are glorious! What makes a good story is characters who feel lifelike and Mr. Wolff's cast is extremely realistic, and like real people, they run the gamut of pessimistic to overly optimistic. Zeen, oh Zeen. This is a character who is so unflappable in his honesty and hopeful outlook that he's difficult to not like, he's just so damn good, almost to a fault. On the flip side, David is so broken, so depressed that it's practically impossible to not root for him, and his plan to make a world without gods comes across as misantropic as it sounds, but he believes it for very human reasons. Francis is still a snob but I absolutely love his inner dialogue (They're looking at me. I should say something.) and the fact he merely just wants to be loved. Mary, it was great to get more of her perspective, she's got a vulgar mouth and a strange aversion to cats. Serenna is forever fearful of losing what matters most to her and I love her warring juxtaposition of 'am I suited to this' v 'I must do this' Guardian role. Tempest had a very intriguing arc, one of loss and of growth as a leader, equally sad and joyful. Won't lie, at first I was very disappointed in my GLORIOUS zephum Sardonyx as he was pretty much a jerky mcjerkface, but then he turned a corner with an honorable roar and was once again Top Character of 2023.

And because of my appetite for meddling gods, I found this plot more entertaining and arresting than PTD's because of how these gods' actions truly affected our cast. Whereas PTD read more like a 'putting the team together to battle bosses' type of story, TotM was more reactionary to said boss battles (aka the Harbingers) and the fallout from the gods' grand schemes. Don't get me wrong, there are some epic battles, but because the gods are more active in the plot, there is more drama, more tension, more growth, more distrust of former friends. The introduction of almost zombie-like Vanguards by Arrogance was quite a neat concept, especially since the villain of book one, Nyfe (still love that name btw) becomes one, and he still manages to maintain some control of his free will. That said, the climax....top notch and dastardly by Mr. Wolff!

It's always refreshing to witness an author's skill level up with each successive book and this clearly happened in this book. Mr. Wolff takes his clean, natural prose from PTD and turns it up to 11 in TotM while still maintaining a consistent read throughout. There is this level of elegance to the dialogue that doesn't make it feel hokey or shoehorned in to fit the scene. Instead, it feels absolutely relatable and rational to each character, especially since many of the characters are down in the dumps mentally.

Here's an example:

Serenna leaned down to hold Zeen, letting him clutch her while tears ran down his eyes. "It means nothing to you?" he asked, glaring at Bloom, then Five. "Nothing at all?"

"We all mourn in our own way, Master Zeen. Do not accuse silence of apathy. The true loss is not of the individual, but of the chains of faded love that tighten around those forced to remain."

There is wisdom in this exchange that hits the exact emotional notes but doesn't sound out of place or out of character. There are tons of examples of this, and I, for one, am here for this type of prose. I could fill an entire blog with these exceptional turns of phrase, so just go ahead and read the book to see what I mean. The prose is amazing.

There is one really interesting, almost meta concept in this story and it is the use of an in-book book series written by one of the main characters. Lovable Zeen is such a big fan of the Rinso the Blue book series and uses them as inspiration. Turns out, one main character (no spoilers) wrote them, and from then on out, both Zeen and author quote the series. This in itself isn't wholly original, but Mr. Wolff uses this in-book series as a way to drive the plot or character growth for some characters as well as skewer tropes about books in general (for example they discuss breaking up two lovers again and insert a love triangle and Zeen essentially says that's a stupid idea to do because it isn't original). It's also humorous because most other characters cannot stand the books, constantly criticise them, or just downright laugh at the absurdity of it. I can't get enough of this concept.

I must also call out the Chapter Titles. Every one has this poetic meaning behind it as they show up in the chapter, and every one is a banger. Seriously want Mr. Wolff to do chapter titles for me.

Tears of the Maelstrom is a smashing sequel and I cannot wait to get the conclusion of this series next year.

[C.B. Lansdell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Platinum Tinted Darkness introduced us to this world of feuding gods and the Guardians who stand in their way to minimise collateral damage. The second book is an even stronger entry in The Legacy of Boulom.

There are many moving pieces on this chessboard, with significant events happening in different places, sometimes simultaneously. Every move in the game is executed precisely (possibly because the god of wisdom / Arrogance is behind the scenes). The team members of the Guardians are reshuffled in the most unexpected ways.

As with Book 1, we have an ensemble cast, with one or two characters pulling focus. Tempest, the son of zephum (lizard) warlord, Sardonyx, was a great addition to the POV characters. Early in the story, we discover that he leads a double life, assisting his father in his rule of Vaynex, and writing Zeen’s beloved Rinso novels. As an aside: I need to read more excerpts of Rinso the Blue. The little oddities of Tempest’s writing style make it all the more endearing. Descriptions of humans from his zephum perspective are hilarious. Example: “...his human stare burning through Hyphermlo.”
The humour continues to act as a welcome counterweight to the more grimdark aspects of this series. The title hints at Tempest’s inner turmoil, which becomes all too clear as the plot progresses. He is an idealist, a lizardman of culture, in a society that prides itself on violence. It was a treat to see more of his fractured relationship with his scene-stealing father. Their arcs are intertwined in this book and are very well handled. Although Sardonyx is a better fit for Vaynex culture than his son, it was fun to learn what they have in common. Both have a flair for the dramatic and are gifted storytellers. I won’t share the context, but Sardonyx’s encounter with a unicorn in this book is quite unlike his last. The result is *glorious*.

Character deaths come as early as the first 3rd of the novel and hit hard. I must start advocating for the wives and girlfriends here. Losing Melissa in the first book was bad enough. Quotable meditations on life continue to come up as each character is faced with distinctive internal and external conflicts.

Zeen wakes from a coma and has to rapidly regain his strength and prepare for storms brewing on the horizon. The boy has retained his golden-retriever personality through some tough times, but as challenges take a more personal turn, he shows signs of strain.

Serenna grapples with leadership of the Guardians and finds a surprising new guide/mentor. She understandably has a hard time putting her worries aside and fully enjoying the good moments as they come.

David and Fear have another interesting dynamic. There is grudging respect between them and a little more distance than before. We find David time-hopping and aimless in his first chapter. After attempting to take his own life in PTD, then numbing himself to life, this book sparks the fight back into him.

Back in Terrangus, Arrogance is building an army of conditioned vanguards to support him in his quest for “serenity”. Francis, the Alanammus mage-turned emporer, and Mary, his warrior lover, are thoroughly wrapped in Arrogance’s schemes. Paranoid, anti-social and overly critical, Francis isn’t always a sympathetic character. For every word that comes out of his mouth, there are hundreds more he is agonising over. Perhaps his tendency to spend too much time in his head is all too relatable for many readers. Overthinking does little to prepare him to make good impulse decisions when things take a chaotic turn.

Mary has it tough. She is not officially Empress, but she is expecting Francis’s child. Wisdom / Arrogance isolates her and Francis, putting impossible decisions before them. There is little she can do but watch friends and allies walk away from her. She brings out a nobler side in her partner. In another life, they could make a great complementary couple. While I hope things work out for them, I am not placing any bets on both making it out of the last book in one piece.

Being a diva, Arrogance is poised to cause a real scene in the next book. All the gods are as fascinating as ever. Increasingly, their archetypes and big personalities are revealed to be exaggerations of their mortal selves. They are extremely jaded people who have seen cycles repeating for far too long. We learn more about Fear and Arrogance, and some new gods put in an appearance, too.

Content warnings: Nothing is described in grisly detail, but people and creatures are set on fire, exploded and chopped up. Some characters curse liberally. A sex scene is included, but it is fade-to-black.

While still featuring a few MMORPG-style Harbinger battles, Tears of the Maelstrom also introduces more personal stakes than its predecessor. Every member of the cast develops in unexpected ways, creating tension between characters and making for some compelling entertainment. The endgame of this trilogy will be a blast.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tears of the Maelstrom by Timothy Wolff

Challenging, dark, emotional, reflective, sad,
and tense

Slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5 ⭐

When I entered this book, I was a little on my "left foot" and I knew it. The first book was "okay" to me, but I really never felt like I connected to the characters. I also acknowledged...that this may have been a ME problem...so I opened this book with the desire to "fall in love" with one, or more of the characters.

Fast forward to the end, that didn't happen, BUT...I will say, the last third of this book "clicked" for me. I'm NOT suppose to love these characters. This is a tragedy. Over-reach, ambition, betrayal, greek and arrogance are on display in this story.

The idea of power and the seductiveness of it. The incrimental changes that occur when you betray your morals for pandering and settling.

I wasn't supposed to LOVE these characters, I was supposed to learn from them, and not emulate them.

Obviously, I have come to understand the weaknesses and strengths of these characters. I hope that they'll learn from book to book (as time passes), but unfortunately...they are devolving.

Yes, they are achieving power and glory, but to what end? Like what Francis says, that he doesn't want to die alone, but I fear...that is his future. He knows it, but he keeps backing into and away from truth peace.

He is a tragic figure. Tempest too. Zeen, Valor, Serenna, etc.

I thought that I was done with this universe, but NO! you've pulled me back in. Ugh. So, June of 2024. I will have to reread these two books...to re-evalute what I know, re-experience the stoires...that I might have judged TOO harshly. To prepare myself for this depressing world of intrigue and alliances...that lead to ever deepening betrayal and greed. Why do I do this to myself. Hmmmm?

[Adam Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first instalment in the Legacy of Boulom series (Platinum Tinted Darkness) and really enjoyed it so I was eager to read its sequel. It did not disappoint!

Maelstrom sees the return of the Guardians, an elite force who combine their skills and powers to protect the realm from harbringers. The gods and goddesses who manipulate for their own ends also return, and of course the zephum (lizard-people, a bit like the Mwellrets from Shannara, but with more depth). The characters are all so different, and play off one another nicely, which I think this is a real strength of the book. Everyone has different motivations but for the guardians, at least, they must resolve their issues and fight together, especially when their final enemy is not who they expect.

The settings of this story are well realised. Set in a vast world, the guardians can get around via portals. I found I enjoyed the little descriptions of places, as I really had a picture in my mind of where the characters were. The battles were enjoyable too, and gave everything a bit of an RPG feel.

The zephums, of course, reign supreme. The book takes a deeper dive into their world this time, and their culture is actually one of the most interesting parts of the story. In fact, these zephums are a real plus of this whole series. They even have a cult following among the writing community online, especially their leader, Sardonyx. The word 'glorious' has become synonymous with Boulom! To up their ante in this book was a real masterstroke.

The relationship between Tempest (from the cover) and Sardonyx, his father, was surprisingly touching, and I loved its culmination at the end. I didn't think the author would have been able to make this happen, based on previous events, but I was proved wrong!

Malestrom has a mixture of comedy and tragedy. The plot flow feels natural and the story had a great pace. I found this an immensely enjoyable and satisfying read. I read it over a few weekends, and I found I could pick up what was going on really well each time. I believe the next book is out soon, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

TEARS OF THE MAELSTROM is the second book in Timothy Wolff’s excellent epic fantasy series. I enjoyed so many things about this novel, but I especially want to talk about how much I connected with the characters and their journey and struggles with death and grief following events in book one and this book. You know you’ve found a well written novel when character losses have an impact, both on other characters and the reader, and the individual struggles in this one, of David who is in mourning for someone we lost and struggling to find his way, of Tempest Claw (who was a favorite character!) who struggles not only with the same, but also with a difficult relationship with his father as he is expected to lead the lizard people (and one suspects maybe part of Tempest just wants to sit in a Starbucks somewhere and happily write that darn book—I cackled in places as the book was used for comedic relief—too funny.) Can Zeen and Serenna have any hope of a future or is hoping for such things in times of war just setting your heart up to be destroyed? I loved these characters, loved spending more time with them in this installment, and am excited to see what book three brings us. 5/5 stars.

[J. Flowers-Olnowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both this story and the last story strike the exact brand of fantasy that’s my favorite. I’ve read a lot of stories, and it’s rare for me to not even notice how far I am into the manuscript while reading through; the pages slipped by without notice, and I was so immersed in the story that somewhere in the back of my mind was the hope that it’d never end. The characters, the themes, the unexpected developments and twists, the way things build up to compelling moments and interesting situations, and—most of all—the blend of love, tragedy, and grief as impetus for calamity and redemption: it all comes together to create a thrilling story that’s an absolute joy to get to read. In short, I love this story.

[Amber Lilyquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love watching authors grow in their abilities, and it is clear that Timothy majorly upped his game. The first book was good, but the writing in this one is notably stronger. I cried hard several times because the events unfolding were so impactful. Timothy is definitely a writer to keep an eye on, because he is clearly working hard to level up his skills.

[Chris Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if the God's are just petty and vindictive morons?
What if the Heroes are just as broken as you and I?

An excellent follow-up to Platinum Tinted Darkness! The characters will make you laugh, cry, or shake your head in confusion.
A series definitely worth disappearing into.

[Ayrton Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow, I'm impressed. This was a step up from the first book. Loved the expansion on the worldbuilding and the events that unfolded, even though my favorite character got done dirty.

I very much recommend this book (and trilogy) and will pick up book 3 soon.