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The Holy Mountain #2
The Dead Man's Empire
An innovative grimdark fantasy, with expansive world-building, powerful female characters and political intrigue, for fans of Brandon Sanderson and Scott Lynch. The follow up to the award winning The Last Blade Priest.
Growing tensions between the Mirolene Empire and the League threaten the stability of the world, spreading fear and mistrust across the land. Their rivalries threaten the religion that worships Craithe, the God Mountain, and the resurgence of the fabled, and utterly insane, elven race, it’s not a good time to be a reluctant bride about to be married off to seal an alliance between ancient rivals.
Princess Syzenne’s attitude is famed across the kingdom, but she’s hiding a secret. She’s a Scourge - a powerful being armed with terrifying abilities at her fingertips. And as political tensions come to a head, it turns out she may not be the only one with the potential to change the world…
The Dead Man’s Empire revisits the characters and the trials of The Last Blade Priest, adding powerful new characters and plot twists into the growing crisis that is sweeping the world.
Growing tensions between the Mirolene Empire and the League threaten the stability of the world, spreading fear and mistrust across the land. Their rivalries threaten the religion that worships Craithe, the God Mountain, and the resurgence of the fabled, and utterly insane, elven race, it’s not a good time to be a reluctant bride about to be married off to seal an alliance between ancient rivals.
Princess Syzenne’s attitude is famed across the kingdom, but she’s hiding a secret. She’s a Scourge - a powerful being armed with terrifying abilities at her fingertips. And as political tensions come to a head, it turns out she may not be the only one with the potential to change the world…
The Dead Man’s Empire revisits the characters and the trials of The Last Blade Priest, adding powerful new characters and plot twists into the growing crisis that is sweeping the world.
- GenresFantasy
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 6, 2026
I didn’t realize this is the second book in the series- totally my bad. It was manageable to read as a standalone, but knowing the characters and world building from the first book would’ve definitely helped.
I’d did enjoy the author’s prose, the well developed female characters whose POVs we see, the overall unique fantasy plot and tone.
Will definitely try to read the initial book as well.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Angry Robot for a copy!
I’d did enjoy the author’s prose, the well developed female characters whose POVs we see, the overall unique fantasy plot and tone.
Will definitely try to read the initial book as well.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Angry Robot for a copy!
March 31, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
The Dead Man's Empire is the second book in the grimdark series The Holy Mountain, written by W.P. Wiles and published by Angry Robot. While this is a sequel to The Last Blade Priest, set after its events, it is a story that can be enjoyed as a standalone, with several refreshing new characters in the center of the action, while it continues expanding the world and building over the consequences of the previous book.
In this case, we will be following four women who must navigate an unstable world, especially as the tensions between the League and the Mirolene Empire grow. Princess Syzenne is sent to a decadent empire, trying to secure an alliance to what was once a powerful empire; a moldering court full of vipers trying to get their own influence over the throne, and that's without taking into account Syzenne's secret.
Readers of the previous instalment will recognize Duna and enjoy more of her becoming the weapon as she comes into her powers; meanwhile, in the mountain, Anzola, is seeing how her win is turning into ashes, circled by the Elfs and threatened by dangers they didn't even thought about. And finally, we have Elecy, a fanatical priest who is willing to burn the world to save her faith. Four stories that will be slowly interwoven, creating an engaging plot.
Balancing all those characters was definitely a challenge, but Wiles uses it as a way to paint a more complete picture of what's happening in the world. While I found Syzenne to be a rather interesting character to start, I found Anzola's chapters to be the most interesting ones, especially as we have a rather complex character having to deal with how her win is becoming a death trap; I'm sure each reader might find a different character to be their fave.
The pacing is pretty much on the spot, especially as the action picks rather quickly, keeping us in a constant tension while learning more about the rich worldbuilding that has been a characteristic of this series. Be warned, it is a bleak world, and the author is not afraid of reflecting it.
The Dead Man's Empire is a really enjoyable novel, a worthy sequel to The Last Blade Priest (but can be read as a standalone), perfect if you are looking for a grim but rich worldbuilding and a story full of action and tension while being really original!
The Dead Man's Empire is the second book in the grimdark series The Holy Mountain, written by W.P. Wiles and published by Angry Robot. While this is a sequel to The Last Blade Priest, set after its events, it is a story that can be enjoyed as a standalone, with several refreshing new characters in the center of the action, while it continues expanding the world and building over the consequences of the previous book.
In this case, we will be following four women who must navigate an unstable world, especially as the tensions between the League and the Mirolene Empire grow. Princess Syzenne is sent to a decadent empire, trying to secure an alliance to what was once a powerful empire; a moldering court full of vipers trying to get their own influence over the throne, and that's without taking into account Syzenne's secret.
Readers of the previous instalment will recognize Duna and enjoy more of her becoming the weapon as she comes into her powers; meanwhile, in the mountain, Anzola, is seeing how her win is turning into ashes, circled by the Elfs and threatened by dangers they didn't even thought about. And finally, we have Elecy, a fanatical priest who is willing to burn the world to save her faith. Four stories that will be slowly interwoven, creating an engaging plot.
Balancing all those characters was definitely a challenge, but Wiles uses it as a way to paint a more complete picture of what's happening in the world. While I found Syzenne to be a rather interesting character to start, I found Anzola's chapters to be the most interesting ones, especially as we have a rather complex character having to deal with how her win is becoming a death trap; I'm sure each reader might find a different character to be their fave.
The pacing is pretty much on the spot, especially as the action picks rather quickly, keeping us in a constant tension while learning more about the rich worldbuilding that has been a characteristic of this series. Be warned, it is a bleak world, and the author is not afraid of reflecting it.
The Dead Man's Empire is a really enjoyable novel, a worthy sequel to The Last Blade Priest (but can be read as a standalone), perfect if you are looking for a grim but rich worldbuilding and a story full of action and tension while being really original!
November 23, 2025
A worthy successor to the excellent first book in this series. Some of the most unusual (complimentary) fantasy I’ve encountered in years. Already excited to read the next one!
July 2, 2026
A grimdark fantasy with a really great cast of characters. Full of political intrigue and magic.
Can't wait for book 3.
Can't wait for book 3.
Read
May 10, 2026I reviewed the first book in W. P. Wiles’s The Holy Mountain series,* The Last Blade Priest, for Locus. I said very nice things about it because it’s an excellent novel. This was not a surprise to me. Will Wiles is an excellent writer.
Anyway, my Locus editor decided to give the second book to the also very excellent Abigail Nussbaum to review (which was fine by me).** You could do yourself a favour and just read her review, because it captures everything that’s great about The Dead Man’s Empire.*** But much like the MC who says that person X needs no introduction and then embarks on a thirty-minute dissertation about said individual, I’m gonna add my two bob’s worth.
If you haven’t read The Last Blade Priest, a lot of what I’m going to say is not going to make sense. I don’t have the time or patience to precis down a book I’ve already precis-ed. Just read my review from four years ago**** or, better yet, read the novel.
So.
In The Last Blade Priest, the narrative was split between two men, Inar and Anton. With The Dead Man’s Empire, Wiles toggles between two women, Syzenne and Duna. You know who Duna is: a ruin scourge who, at the end of The Last Blade Priest, uses her powers to break the walls of Edith-Tench, the home of the Tzanate, ensuring that control of the holy mountain sits with the League of Nations. Having wrought this destruction (and immediately regretting it), she’s now on the run with a cadre of Tzanate, led by the fanatical blade priest Elecy. They’re heading to a neighbouring kingdom to seek support against the League. But there are goblins on their tail, and behind the goblins, something far worse.
Syzenne is a new character, and very much a breath of fresh air (not that the air was especially musty). She is a princess of Penzique, sent to the Mirolene Empire to marry the Emperor. She’s all airs and graces, that is, until she realises that (a) the Mirolene court could not give two hoots about her — she’s a distraction, more than anything else — and (b) her father wanted her as far away from Penzique as possible. The reason for (b) introduces us to a new and fascinating aspect of Wiles’s world that I’m not going to reveal because that’s how I roll. With Syzenne, we get the sort of palace intrigue we’ve all come to expect from secondary-world fantasy, though here it’s all a bit more tawdry and tainted, epitomised by Syzenne’s relationship with the chief torturer, Maxavier.
There’s a lot going on in both narrative threads. The politics and backstabbing of Syzenne’s arc are juxtaposed with the cinematic battle scenes and religious fanaticism of Duna’s storyline. But despite all the action, of which there’s plenty, as with The Last Blade Priest, it’s the character work that stands out. I especially enjoyed Wiles’s take on Elecy: more than just a zealous priest, he’s a charismatic, albeit flawed, leader.
Abigail and I will now be fighting over the review of the final novel. Although, knowing our editor, he’ll do another shifty and give it to someone else. Not that it matters. I’m fully invested and will be reading the next volume whatever the case.
*I had no idea that’s what the series was called until I googled The Dead Man’s Empire for this review. It’s not the most thrilling of umbrella titles, but it is accurate; the action does revolve around a holy mountain. The individual titles are, thankfully, more evocative (and also very literal. You might think The Dead Man’s Empire is figurative. You would be wrong).
**We had stern words, of course.
***I can’t link to it because the online version hasn’t gone up yet. So, ya know, subscribe to Locus.
****Here’s the link: https://locusmag.com/review/ian-mond-... (SUBSCRIBE TO LOCUS).
Anyway, my Locus editor decided to give the second book to the also very excellent Abigail Nussbaum to review (which was fine by me).** You could do yourself a favour and just read her review, because it captures everything that’s great about The Dead Man’s Empire.*** But much like the MC who says that person X needs no introduction and then embarks on a thirty-minute dissertation about said individual, I’m gonna add my two bob’s worth.
If you haven’t read The Last Blade Priest, a lot of what I’m going to say is not going to make sense. I don’t have the time or patience to precis down a book I’ve already precis-ed. Just read my review from four years ago**** or, better yet, read the novel.
So.
In The Last Blade Priest, the narrative was split between two men, Inar and Anton. With The Dead Man’s Empire, Wiles toggles between two women, Syzenne and Duna. You know who Duna is: a ruin scourge who, at the end of The Last Blade Priest, uses her powers to break the walls of Edith-Tench, the home of the Tzanate, ensuring that control of the holy mountain sits with the League of Nations. Having wrought this destruction (and immediately regretting it), she’s now on the run with a cadre of Tzanate, led by the fanatical blade priest Elecy. They’re heading to a neighbouring kingdom to seek support against the League. But there are goblins on their tail, and behind the goblins, something far worse.
Syzenne is a new character, and very much a breath of fresh air (not that the air was especially musty). She is a princess of Penzique, sent to the Mirolene Empire to marry the Emperor. She’s all airs and graces, that is, until she realises that (a) the Mirolene court could not give two hoots about her — she’s a distraction, more than anything else — and (b) her father wanted her as far away from Penzique as possible. The reason for (b) introduces us to a new and fascinating aspect of Wiles’s world that I’m not going to reveal because that’s how I roll. With Syzenne, we get the sort of palace intrigue we’ve all come to expect from secondary-world fantasy, though here it’s all a bit more tawdry and tainted, epitomised by Syzenne’s relationship with the chief torturer, Maxavier.
There’s a lot going on in both narrative threads. The politics and backstabbing of Syzenne’s arc are juxtaposed with the cinematic battle scenes and religious fanaticism of Duna’s storyline. But despite all the action, of which there’s plenty, as with The Last Blade Priest, it’s the character work that stands out. I especially enjoyed Wiles’s take on Elecy: more than just a zealous priest, he’s a charismatic, albeit flawed, leader.
Abigail and I will now be fighting over the review of the final novel. Although, knowing our editor, he’ll do another shifty and give it to someone else. Not that it matters. I’m fully invested and will be reading the next volume whatever the case.
*I had no idea that’s what the series was called until I googled The Dead Man’s Empire for this review. It’s not the most thrilling of umbrella titles, but it is accurate; the action does revolve around a holy mountain. The individual titles are, thankfully, more evocative (and also very literal. You might think The Dead Man’s Empire is figurative. You would be wrong).
**We had stern words, of course.
***I can’t link to it because the online version hasn’t gone up yet. So, ya know, subscribe to Locus.
****Here’s the link: https://locusmag.com/review/ian-mond-... (SUBSCRIBE TO LOCUS).
April 3, 2026
Although this is the second book in the Holy Mountain series, set directly after the events in The Last Blade Priest, it can certainly be read and enjoyed on its own. Personally, I loved the first book, so I highly recommend reading that one as well. In this installment, we have all of the same characters from the previous book, and Wiles introduces some new faces. Like the previous book, this story is told from alternating chapter perspectives, this time from two central female characters: Syzenne and Duna. It was fantastic to see Duna, who was introduced in the first book, grow as a person and in her power, both literally and figuratively as she goes through some gut-wrenching trials. While Syzenne, a princess sent to the Miroline Empire seeking an almost certainty doomed alliance, is a compelling character, I wasn’t as smitten with her story as the others. Another female side character introduced in the previous book, Elecy (a 6’2”, armored, shaven-headed warrior priest), gets center stage in the Duna chapters, and I adored her! I desperately need some character art here, friends. Rounding out the amazing female cast, Anzola, Duna’s earstwhile mother-figure and merite for the Empire, also features prominently again, watching all she’s worked for begin to fall apart.
Wiles gifts us with the same fantastic world building, continuing to flesh out the mythology and magic of this fantasy epic. While weaving the stories of these fantastic women together, Wiles maintains a brisk pace, turning the screw on the characters with everything from the horror-inspired elves, necromantic bindlings, and powerful lichs. For those of you who like the politics, we also continue to explore those of Miroline and its relationships with other political powers.
A huge thank you to Angry Robot for the advanced finished copy; I’m really so happy I got to discover this world and these characters.
“Righteousness and magic were alike. They were intoxicating, and it was easy to find excuses for them.”
Wiles gifts us with the same fantastic world building, continuing to flesh out the mythology and magic of this fantasy epic. While weaving the stories of these fantastic women together, Wiles maintains a brisk pace, turning the screw on the characters with everything from the horror-inspired elves, necromantic bindlings, and powerful lichs. For those of you who like the politics, we also continue to explore those of Miroline and its relationships with other political powers.
A huge thank you to Angry Robot for the advanced finished copy; I’m really so happy I got to discover this world and these characters.
“Righteousness and magic were alike. They were intoxicating, and it was easy to find excuses for them.”
April 5, 2026
4.5 upped to 5
A powerful, character‑driven sequel, fully on par with the first book, a fantasy that translates our world into a fantastic one with clarity and emotional weight.
Wiles returns to this universe with confidence, creating a story that feels both expansive and intimate. The political tension, the religious fractures, the slow unravelling of institutions, all of it is handled with the same precision and atmosphere that made the first book so compelling. The new perspectives deepen the emotional landscape, especially the young women at the center of the narrative, each navigating power, belief, and the consequences of choices made by people far above them.
Syzenne emerges immediately, a young woman raised inside power yet never fully shielded by it. Her arc moves between fear and resolve, her identity both burden and weapon, and that tension gives her chapters a sharp emotional pull. Duna brings a quieter strength, shaped by belief and by the weight of expectations she never chose. Her path is about reclaiming space in a world eager to define her. Together, the two young women become the supporting columns of the novel, carrying both the story’s momentum and its emotional truth. Their internal journeys shift and deepen as the world around them changes, creating a sense of growth that mirrors the upheaval of the plot.
The novel reflects our own moment through these characters, not through direct allegory but through emotion. The fraying institutions, the brittle myths, the rising dread, all become sharper because we see them through people who are trying to survive them. Fantasy becomes a way of telling the truth at an angle.
A rich, thoughtful sequel, equal to the first, and carried by characters who feel alive on the page.
Highly recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
A powerful, character‑driven sequel, fully on par with the first book, a fantasy that translates our world into a fantastic one with clarity and emotional weight.
Wiles returns to this universe with confidence, creating a story that feels both expansive and intimate. The political tension, the religious fractures, the slow unravelling of institutions, all of it is handled with the same precision and atmosphere that made the first book so compelling. The new perspectives deepen the emotional landscape, especially the young women at the center of the narrative, each navigating power, belief, and the consequences of choices made by people far above them.
Syzenne emerges immediately, a young woman raised inside power yet never fully shielded by it. Her arc moves between fear and resolve, her identity both burden and weapon, and that tension gives her chapters a sharp emotional pull. Duna brings a quieter strength, shaped by belief and by the weight of expectations she never chose. Her path is about reclaiming space in a world eager to define her. Together, the two young women become the supporting columns of the novel, carrying both the story’s momentum and its emotional truth. Their internal journeys shift and deepen as the world around them changes, creating a sense of growth that mirrors the upheaval of the plot.
The novel reflects our own moment through these characters, not through direct allegory but through emotion. The fraying institutions, the brittle myths, the rising dread, all become sharper because we see them through people who are trying to survive them. Fantasy becomes a way of telling the truth at an angle.
A rich, thoughtful sequel, equal to the first, and carried by characters who feel alive on the page.
Highly recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review: This had some great movement within an expansive world. What I at first perceived as a slow walk with princess dummay, turned the action corner quick.
Princess dipshjt does wear a bit on the senses what with her constant scanning of nymphs that are hers to control, and ends up doing jack shjt with it. "Ooooh, you are so in trouble I could at anytime destroy you but here I am still tied to a chair being choked to death...." . Riiiight. One step or two back and the antagonist is safe from her scorn. Duna is also quite dumb with her addiction, rash behavior and emotional immaturity. I guess that is why a certain group of readers sign on for YA in the first place. If we really looked into the age stratification of who really reads YA drivel, my guess is 45-60 year old white women with type II diabetes.
Spoiler Alert****
The only story line fail were the plot vehicles mired with foreshadowing. For example: A priest captured is found making a zombie that kills a guard and thrown into a cell. Later he is walking around freely to summon an ancient and evil shade. All the while he sneers, plots, smirks and gloats while Captain dipshjt wonders if he should still be killed, but does nothing. Are we the reader not entitled to cogent story line development? Nothing is worse than the characters you follow behaving like dumbfuks. Kinda makes the reader one, no?
Like I said, this is a novel with great movement and world building. The supporting caste steals the show as the MCs kinda suck the wind out of the storyline. A bit long winded but still, a real solid novel.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.4/5
Princess dipshjt does wear a bit on the senses what with her constant scanning of nymphs that are hers to control, and ends up doing jack shjt with it. "Ooooh, you are so in trouble I could at anytime destroy you but here I am still tied to a chair being choked to death...." . Riiiight. One step or two back and the antagonist is safe from her scorn. Duna is also quite dumb with her addiction, rash behavior and emotional immaturity. I guess that is why a certain group of readers sign on for YA in the first place. If we really looked into the age stratification of who really reads YA drivel, my guess is 45-60 year old white women with type II diabetes.
Spoiler Alert****
The only story line fail were the plot vehicles mired with foreshadowing. For example: A priest captured is found making a zombie that kills a guard and thrown into a cell. Later he is walking around freely to summon an ancient and evil shade. All the while he sneers, plots, smirks and gloats while Captain dipshjt wonders if he should still be killed, but does nothing. Are we the reader not entitled to cogent story line development? Nothing is worse than the characters you follow behaving like dumbfuks. Kinda makes the reader one, no?
Like I said, this is a novel with great movement and world building. The supporting caste steals the show as the MCs kinda suck the wind out of the storyline. A bit long winded but still, a real solid novel.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.4/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sequel to 2022’s to The Last Blade Priest, one of my favorite fantasies of recent years, The Dead Man’s Empire is a more-than-worthy next installment in the series.
Four women stand at the center of the action: Duna, the secret weapon coming into her powers; Syzenne, the unwanted princess struggling to keep her head above water in the moldering, decadent court of what was once the most powerful empire in the world; Anzola, the politician watching as her victory turns to ashes; and Elecy, the fanatic priest willing to burn the world with her faith.
A tale of dead -- and not-so-dead -- demigods, decaying empires, drug-pushing elves, necromantic horrors, secret powers, and incipient holy war intersects with questions of faith and identity to create a yarn with depth.
Laden with action and intrigue in equal measures, this is a fantasy that will appeal to all fans of the genre. I look forward to the next installment with eager anticipation!
Four women stand at the center of the action: Duna, the secret weapon coming into her powers; Syzenne, the unwanted princess struggling to keep her head above water in the moldering, decadent court of what was once the most powerful empire in the world; Anzola, the politician watching as her victory turns to ashes; and Elecy, the fanatic priest willing to burn the world with her faith.
A tale of dead -- and not-so-dead -- demigods, decaying empires, drug-pushing elves, necromantic horrors, secret powers, and incipient holy war intersects with questions of faith and identity to create a yarn with depth.
Laden with action and intrigue in equal measures, this is a fantasy that will appeal to all fans of the genre. I look forward to the next installment with eager anticipation!
March 18, 2026
(3.5/5⭐️)📚 Thank you NetGalley, Angry Robot, and W.P.Wiles for the eArc of ‘The Dead Man’s Empire’. This is book two in The Holy Mountain series. I thoroughly enjoyed book one, having read it in preparation for this arc. However, I wasn’t as sucked into the world as I was in the first book. The new characters, although refreshing, didn’t grip me. I preferred Duna’s POV to anyone else’s as it built upon the context of book one (which I was invested in). The first half was slow paced and perhaps too detailed, causing my attention to sway. That’s not to way the second half did pick up and there was more politics, action and consequences. Overall, good book but I preferred the first instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.0 Stars
I adored the first book in this series, The Lady Blade Priest, because it was fresh and innovative. So I was understandably excited to read more by this author.
The plot and setup of this one was unfortunately quite different from the previous novel. To be specific, it was very safe and trope with a premise that I have read many times in recent years. I'm not quite sure what warranted the shift but it left me wanting more.
To be clear, this was a good fantasy book that I would still recommend to fans who love everything in this genre and never get tired out by familiar tropes. My rating and review are largely a reflection on wanting something more.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher
I adored the first book in this series, The Lady Blade Priest, because it was fresh and innovative. So I was understandably excited to read more by this author.
The plot and setup of this one was unfortunately quite different from the previous novel. To be specific, it was very safe and trope with a premise that I have read many times in recent years. I'm not quite sure what warranted the shift but it left me wanting more.
To be clear, this was a good fantasy book that I would still recommend to fans who love everything in this genre and never get tired out by familiar tropes. My rating and review are largely a reflection on wanting something more.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read and loved “The Last Blade Priest” and was expecting a continuation of the epic world, religion, and characters. The newest book focuses on female main characters with great potential. I felt they could’ve been a little stronger and I didn’t connect with them as I did the characters in book one. The book is well written but there are places where the story’s momentum gets lost in the details and it was hard to keep my enjoyment level up. I did enjoy the read and will continue to look for the next book in the series.
Thank you Angry Robot for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheDeadMansEmpire #NetGalley
Thank you Angry Robot for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheDeadMansEmpire #NetGalley
April 2, 2026
The Dead Man's Empire is certainly the true worthy successor to the first book ( The Last Blade Priest ) and is a grimdark fantasy of the very highest order.
With sweeping, descriptive world building, and some great twists and turns, it expands on the first book, adding some great new characters and the pace is nice and speedy.
Always good to see strong female characters in novels. Being a Father of three girls, it's always something I appreciate.
Throughly enjoyed this.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
With sweeping, descriptive world building, and some great twists and turns, it expands on the first book, adding some great new characters and the pace is nice and speedy.
Always good to see strong female characters in novels. Being a Father of three girls, it's always something I appreciate.
Throughly enjoyed this.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gorgeously interesting story, but at points the plotting felt a little too tangled to pull off some of the things you'd hope. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Waited impatiently for this book after reading The Last Blade Priest, and I was not disappointed. And now I have to wait for the next one.
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