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The Triempery Revelations #5
The Walled City
Even Time won't stop him...
As the god-infected sorcerer Nammuor continues his conquest of the Triempery, the rightful heir to Essera's throne, Handurin Stauberg Randolph, has raised a ragtag army of Khelds to resist. Handurin's alliance with Dorilian Sordaneon seems shattered as Dorilian is forced to flee north--but Handurin isn't counting Dorilian out.
Indeed, Dorilian is gathering his godborn powers in preparation for two inevitable the evil Nammuor, and the Time-spanning entity of the Wall.
As the god-infected sorcerer Nammuor continues his conquest of the Triempery, the rightful heir to Essera's throne, Handurin Stauberg Randolph, has raised a ragtag army of Khelds to resist. Handurin's alliance with Dorilian Sordaneon seems shattered as Dorilian is forced to flee north--but Handurin isn't counting Dorilian out.
Indeed, Dorilian is gathering his godborn powers in preparation for two inevitable the evil Nammuor, and the Time-spanning entity of the Wall.
- GenresFantasy
629 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2025
39 people want to read
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October 28, 2025I read this book twice to do any sort of review justice - and still, it defeated me: just read this series, it is brilliant and deep and original. Suffice to say this volume deepens all of the conflicts introduced in the first three books. Youthful mistakes, compounded by ancient hatreds, and the wreckage left by a disastrous ruler cast long shadows over the shining, near to impossible dream of a dead man, and the wicked plot that shattered the peace and shed blood that left the world's alliances tattered and broken. As strife sweeps the plot of the mastermind perpetrator into full play, an unlikely alliance attempts to maneuver the thicket of thorns and snarled, old hatreds.
Perfectly setting up for a finale that will rock the foundations of the world's creation - read this series. It has the stunning scope, the nuance, and the complex characters I crave the most in the finest of fantasy.
Perfectly setting up for a finale that will rock the foundations of the world's creation - read this series. It has the stunning scope, the nuance, and the complex characters I crave the most in the finest of fantasy.
September 29, 2025
This was one of the most engrossing books I've ever read and the ending was amazing. The Triempery Revelations has become one of my favourite series of all time and I can't stop thinking about it. I need the last book now!
May 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★
Review of The Walled City (Triempery #5)
I just finished The Walled City, and I’m absolutely thrilled to see this series finally receiving the recognition it deserves. The fifth installment is every bit as compelling as its predecessors, showcasing the same brilliance in storytelling, character depth, and immersive world-building that has defined the Triempery series from the start.
With this latest entry, L.L. Stephens firmly establishes herself as one of the most talented and important voices in contemporary fantasy. Every chapter pulls you deeper into a world that feels both vast and intimate, full of intrigue, heart, and unforgettable characters. A must-read for fans of richly layered fantasy.
June 8, 2025
Three weeks ago, I read Sordaneon by L.L. Stephens and declared it a revelation in political fantasy. Since then, I’ve read the next four books, finishing the fifth and latest instalment, The Walled City, just moments ago. The subsequent books after Sordaneon ranged from good to very good to great, in my opinion, though they fell slightly short of the high bar set by the first book. However, The Walled City has all the making to stand as the best in the series, were it not for my strong affection for Sordaneon.
Setting aside my personal bias, this instalment is at least as good as Sordaneon, delivering the payoff for much of what the previous two—if not all four—prior books built up to. This is evident in both the metaphysical and narrative elements. The nature of the Rill and the Wall is clearest here, with newly revealed layers that were not only superbly foreshadowed but also thought-provoking in their own right. These elements spark reflection on their in-world mechanics and their metaphorical connections to real-life phenomena, bridging faith and science. The devices—magic artefacts, are also at their most compelling, and the warfare is just as engaging and multifaceted as the series’ intricate court politics.
The history and lore of this world, interwoven seamlessly with the main narrative, rival the feats of fantasy’s greatest authors. This series reminds me of the essential metaphysical underpinnings of fantasy itself—a quality often neglected in modern fantasy. Many contemporary writers shy away from such depth in favour of realism, or when they do engage with it, the metaphysical elements feel fragmented from the story, resembling the mechanical texture of video game-inspired magic systems that dominate popular fantasy today. This fragmentation stems from the very concept of rigid magic systems imo.
I digress, but this book is nearly perfect. Beyond the strengths already mentioned, the narrative payoffs for character arcs and plotlines in the series are strongest in this book. Dorilian’s seemingly odd choices and passivity in the prior three books now make sense, revealing him as a masterful schemer. And these are all capped by a compelling romance subplot, as the icing on the cake.
This remarkable book and series have secured a place among my top 10 fantasy series, with Dorilian ranking among my top five characters of all time. The wait for the finale will be unbearable but that's what rereading is for ig, so we'll do that.
Setting aside my personal bias, this instalment is at least as good as Sordaneon, delivering the payoff for much of what the previous two—if not all four—prior books built up to. This is evident in both the metaphysical and narrative elements. The nature of the Rill and the Wall is clearest here, with newly revealed layers that were not only superbly foreshadowed but also thought-provoking in their own right. These elements spark reflection on their in-world mechanics and their metaphorical connections to real-life phenomena, bridging faith and science. The devices—magic artefacts, are also at their most compelling, and the warfare is just as engaging and multifaceted as the series’ intricate court politics.
The history and lore of this world, interwoven seamlessly with the main narrative, rival the feats of fantasy’s greatest authors. This series reminds me of the essential metaphysical underpinnings of fantasy itself—a quality often neglected in modern fantasy. Many contemporary writers shy away from such depth in favour of realism, or when they do engage with it, the metaphysical elements feel fragmented from the story, resembling the mechanical texture of video game-inspired magic systems that dominate popular fantasy today. This fragmentation stems from the very concept of rigid magic systems imo.
I digress, but this book is nearly perfect. Beyond the strengths already mentioned, the narrative payoffs for character arcs and plotlines in the series are strongest in this book. Dorilian’s seemingly odd choices and passivity in the prior three books now make sense, revealing him as a masterful schemer. And these are all capped by a compelling romance subplot, as the icing on the cake.
This remarkable book and series have secured a place among my top 10 fantasy series, with Dorilian ranking among my top five characters of all time. The wait for the finale will be unbearable but that's what rereading is for ig, so we'll do that.
July 25, 2025
WOW, WHAT A BOOK!!!
This is the best out of the released books so far and it offers so much layers to both Dorilian and the Triempery. It shows how Dorilian hides himself in the myth the people create of him and how he utilizes it for his own purposes
That ending. That freaking ending. It's one of the highest peaks I've read in my life. I've gone back to read that moment again and again and I still get goose bumps
Staubaun society is changing. They are beginning to see the consequences of their previous actions and inactions when they chose petty politics and profit over the broader vision
I love the progress with the Kheld people, and how, through Handurin, they are beginning to learn not to cling to the stereotypes that Staubaun society have of them
This is definitely one of my favorite books of all time
This is the best out of the released books so far and it offers so much layers to both Dorilian and the Triempery. It shows how Dorilian hides himself in the myth the people create of him and how he utilizes it for his own purposes
That ending. That freaking ending. It's one of the highest peaks I've read in my life. I've gone back to read that moment again and again and I still get goose bumps
Staubaun society is changing. They are beginning to see the consequences of their previous actions and inactions when they chose petty politics and profit over the broader vision
I love the progress with the Kheld people, and how, through Handurin, they are beginning to learn not to cling to the stereotypes that Staubaun society have of them
This is definitely one of my favorite books of all time
July 18, 2025
The Walled City
Book 5 of The Triempery Revelations continues the saga of the attempt to retake Essera from Nammuor and Erenor.
At the end of The God Spear, Handurin and Dorilian were forced to separate for safety, and it appeared their alliance might be in jeopardy. Dor went north into Essera where he met up with his army and called on his former enemies to rally them to the cause. He met with resistance and the friction of old grievances, but we see his maturity through how he deals with these situations.
Hans heads west toward Stauberg via a route along the river where he must gather his own allies and catch up with the Mormantaloran army led by a general armed with magical devices. He must grow into his own as a leader and tactician as he carries out the campaign backed by his Kheld army. Part of this involves calming tensions with the Esserans, who hold deep-seated hostility toward his people. Hans shows his intelligence and daring with how he finally catches and confronts the army that had been ravaging the Kheld villages along the river. This also lets us see his true character in how he deals with victory.
The climactic scenes at Stauberg are mind-blowing as Dorilian concocts a risky plan to overcome the city’s protection, the magical Wall of Ergeiron which has stood impregnable for thousands of years.
I eagerly await the 6th volume, The Rill Lord, to find out how this will all come to a head. There were certain developments in Walled City that will play a major role. One involves the feisty Aubrey Amundda and the results of a choice she made with Dorilian. We know she has some Staubaun blood, but I think more secrets of her past will be revealed in the final book.
There is also the matter of the blood oath Hans and Dorilian formed. We see a few hints of how this has affected Hans, but I expect it to become a major plot point in book 6.
The Walled City finished with a satisfying climax while leaving some unfinished business that will need to be resolved in The Rill Lord. Handurin will need to learn how to be a king and Dorilian still must confront Nammuor, the one person in the world he least wants to face. I hope Levyathan and Fahme will have major screen time in the final book.
-Profe Steve
Book 5 of The Triempery Revelations continues the saga of the attempt to retake Essera from Nammuor and Erenor.
At the end of The God Spear, Handurin and Dorilian were forced to separate for safety, and it appeared their alliance might be in jeopardy. Dor went north into Essera where he met up with his army and called on his former enemies to rally them to the cause. He met with resistance and the friction of old grievances, but we see his maturity through how he deals with these situations.
Hans heads west toward Stauberg via a route along the river where he must gather his own allies and catch up with the Mormantaloran army led by a general armed with magical devices. He must grow into his own as a leader and tactician as he carries out the campaign backed by his Kheld army. Part of this involves calming tensions with the Esserans, who hold deep-seated hostility toward his people. Hans shows his intelligence and daring with how he finally catches and confronts the army that had been ravaging the Kheld villages along the river. This also lets us see his true character in how he deals with victory.
The climactic scenes at Stauberg are mind-blowing as Dorilian concocts a risky plan to overcome the city’s protection, the magical Wall of Ergeiron which has stood impregnable for thousands of years.
I eagerly await the 6th volume, The Rill Lord, to find out how this will all come to a head. There were certain developments in Walled City that will play a major role. One involves the feisty Aubrey Amundda and the results of a choice she made with Dorilian. We know she has some Staubaun blood, but I think more secrets of her past will be revealed in the final book.
There is also the matter of the blood oath Hans and Dorilian formed. We see a few hints of how this has affected Hans, but I expect it to become a major plot point in book 6.
The Walled City finished with a satisfying climax while leaving some unfinished business that will need to be resolved in The Rill Lord. Handurin will need to learn how to be a king and Dorilian still must confront Nammuor, the one person in the world he least wants to face. I hope Levyathan and Fahme will have major screen time in the final book.
-Profe Steve
August 10, 2025
This instalment focuses more on the war between Dorillan/Hans and Nammuor. Nammour really shows how sick and twisted he is in this book. There are more epic themes to be found here and the way Dorillan reminded me of elements of Wheel of Time - especially when the Aes Sedai kneel to Rand. I loved how Marc Frederick continues to be at the forefront of the entire plot, and how Hans is becoming more like him in every book. A bonus was the return of Endelarin!
May 11, 2025
Great series continues. Both excited and sad that this series wraps up next year. What a great ride!
September 30, 2025
Finally I got to dive again into the Triempery world: the wait has been long but certainly worth it. In book 5 the war against the evil sorcerer Nammuor really kicks off. Dorilian having had to flee Amallar, he and Hans are now each moving their army separately. Allies are found, battles are won and important cities are conquered, but the war is far from over.
Warning: minor spoilers ahead.
To be honest, it took a while for me to start appreciating this book. I adored book 1 because of its beating heart: the beautiful relationship as it developed between Dorilian and Marc-Frederik. After that one having ended so tragically, by the end of book 4 I’d finally completely warmed up to Dorilian and Hans’ relationship. Now however they are both off their separate ways, and at first I found their war journeys not really entertaining. Neither was the seemingly endless list of new characters being introduced, mainly new allies or foes.
Ironically it is Aubrey, aka Miss Chaos, who brought some juiciness to the story and finally had me immerse myself again completely into the world of the Triempery. I do continue to have really mixed feelings about her even I understand why Dorilian likes her kind of spice. I suppose she is to represent a free and brave spirit, very different from Staubaun women and the way they are supposed to behave in the patriarchic Esseran society. The author describes her as “wonderfully human (intelligent, spirited, frustrating)”. To me however she comes across as completely gobsmacked whenever she’s in Dorilian’s presence, with her brain scattered all over the ballroom floor (but then … who wouldn’t be?), and irritatingly self-obsessed when she’s far away from him. She repeatedly esteems herself indispensable to one or another mission, which each time ends up with her getting into trouble (even to the point of nearly getting herself killed). Each time she needs rescuing. By a man. … Wut ?? I can’t help myself: I miss Palimia.
Meanwhile Hans and Dorilian, despite being apart, seem more in sync than ever. … Did I start to ship them ? Maybe I did. (Dordurin?) The excerpt from book 6 at the end of this one is a true gift: I can’t wait for them to catch up again.
Special mention of Marenthro and the tiny little tip of the veil that is lifted about his identity. And as always, to me there will never be enough Levyathan in any of the books.
End of the spoilery parts.
In conclusion: I got completely sucked into this world again. And the wait for the next and final book is going to be excruciatingly long once more. Luckily the author is very actif on her social media and website, posting multiple excerpts from the books as well as lore posts: the perfect way to stay immersed in the fascinating world of the Triempery!
Warning: minor spoilers ahead.
To be honest, it took a while for me to start appreciating this book. I adored book 1 because of its beating heart: the beautiful relationship as it developed between Dorilian and Marc-Frederik. After that one having ended so tragically, by the end of book 4 I’d finally completely warmed up to Dorilian and Hans’ relationship. Now however they are both off their separate ways, and at first I found their war journeys not really entertaining. Neither was the seemingly endless list of new characters being introduced, mainly new allies or foes.
Ironically it is Aubrey, aka Miss Chaos, who brought some juiciness to the story and finally had me immerse myself again completely into the world of the Triempery. I do continue to have really mixed feelings about her even I understand why Dorilian likes her kind of spice. I suppose she is to represent a free and brave spirit, very different from Staubaun women and the way they are supposed to behave in the patriarchic Esseran society. The author describes her as “wonderfully human (intelligent, spirited, frustrating)”. To me however she comes across as completely gobsmacked whenever she’s in Dorilian’s presence, with her brain scattered all over the ballroom floor (but then … who wouldn’t be?), and irritatingly self-obsessed when she’s far away from him. She repeatedly esteems herself indispensable to one or another mission, which each time ends up with her getting into trouble (even to the point of nearly getting herself killed). Each time she needs rescuing. By a man. … Wut ?? I can’t help myself: I miss Palimia.
Meanwhile Hans and Dorilian, despite being apart, seem more in sync than ever. … Did I start to ship them ? Maybe I did. (Dordurin?) The excerpt from book 6 at the end of this one is a true gift: I can’t wait for them to catch up again.
Special mention of Marenthro and the tiny little tip of the veil that is lifted about his identity. And as always, to me there will never be enough Levyathan in any of the books.
End of the spoilery parts.
In conclusion: I got completely sucked into this world again. And the wait for the next and final book is going to be excruciatingly long once more. Luckily the author is very actif on her social media and website, posting multiple excerpts from the books as well as lore posts: the perfect way to stay immersed in the fascinating world of the Triempery!
November 11, 2025
One of The best series I have read. It’s crazy that so few people know about these books
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews