City of Wonders

Seven Forges #3

by James A. Moore

Old Canhoon, the City of Wonders, is having a population explosion as refugees from Tyrne and Roathes alike try to escape the Sa'ba Taalor. All along the border between the Blasted Lands and the Fellein Empire armies clash and the most powerful empire in the world is pushed back toward the old Capital. From the far east the Pilgrim gathers an army of the faithful, heading for Old Canhoon.

In Old Canhoon itself the imperial family struggles against enemies old and new as the spies of their enemies begin removing threats to the gods of the Seven Forges and prepare the way for the invading armies of the Seven Kings. In the distant Taalor valley Andover Lashk continues his quest and must make a final decision, while at the Mounds, something inhuman is awakened and set free. War is Here. Blood will flow and bodies will burn.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, War, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adult, Magic, Fiction

364 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just say that all of the book covers in this series are awesome! I have loved every one of them and the last one is even more awesome, but I will get to that later!



He looked at her and winked. "In that tower is a 'queen.'" He frowned for a moment. Not because he was sad, but merely confused by the cultural differences. "For some reason they call their kings by that name when they have breasts. In any event, I must go meet this queen and kill her."

"And that makes you smile?"

Tusk nodded. "Yes, but I smile for a different reason. This queen, she is the protector of the Mother-Vine. That is the god of these people. It is all around us." He gestured and she looked, nodding.

"Yes." She paused a moment. "And?"

"If she must protect her god, either she is a very powerful warrior, or her god is very weak."

Stastha looked at him for a moment and then threw her head back, laughing so hard she could hardly breath.

The Sa'ba Taalor are killing everything in their path. That being said, I still like the Sa'ba Taalor. I guess you just have to read the book to understand.

I'm getting a better understanding of their gods. They do nothing unless their gods ask them to and if I'm not mistaken there are seven different gods.

Andover is still on a mission to meet and get accepted by all of the gods. Delil is on her own mission but she is with Andover along the way. I have a feeling something really EPIC is going to happen with Andover!

Drask is still doing whatever it is his god has asked him to do and I'm excited to find out what that could be AND he better not be killed. Drask seems to be very level headed though, just something about him.

There are some deaths and it was sad but that is the way of it. Right?

The ending gave me a few chills. The Silent Army has risen and what are they going to do? What is everyone going to do? I guess I will find out in the last book!

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars.

Bloody hell. Now that's what I call war and violence and gore and death and destruction and stuff! So delicious. Surprisingly enough, this scrumptiously grisly environment didn't sit so well with my little crustaceans. Believe it or not, my poor babies got slightly terrified as we were reading the book. Our Shrimpy Lord knows how much they usually love their bloody bed time stories, but this one got them all scared and panicky and stuff. So much so that Fleet Admiral DaShrimp actually had to administer a mild sedative to calm them down. It's kind of disappointing, really. You'd expect such a ruthless bunch of ferocious arthropods to have a much higher tolerance to bloodbaths and mass slaughters. I am afraid there has been a severe relapse in their training these past few weeks. I think it's high time to reinstate the good old "grow a backbone an exoskeleton or else you'll become paella material" threat. Always works like a charm. But I digress. Just a teensy little bit.



Soooo. City of Wonders. The first two books in this series were a complete joke compared to this one. Because, seriously, the level of devastation and carnage and annihilation and butchering is quite unprecedented here. Not to mention the very contagious Oh Hey Let's Slightly Massacre Everything/Everyone/Whatever that Stands in our Way Virus (OHLSMEEWtSioV™) that seems to be going around. No one/nothing/no nothing is spared here: men, women (bonus points for pregnant ones), kids, trees, plants, cities, villages, slugs, fluffy bunnies…Anything goes! It's Equal Opportunity Extermination Time (EOET™), yay! Courtesy of whom? Of my used-to-be-yummy Sa'ba Taalor, of course! I have to admit that my utter lust moderate affection for them kinda sorta started going downhill when I read book 2 and found out what was behind their freaking veils EW EW EW YUCK YUCK YUCK. And now I am most definitely done done done with them. To think I once considered them to be the hottest savages around. Alas, it turns out they are naught but a bunch of bloodthirsty zealots who can't won't think for themselves and do naught but blindly follow their freaking gods' obliterating commands. They are vicious and brutal and sadistic and evil and barbaric and cruel. Damn, they are so diabolically vile that even their kids are malevolent, murderous beasts.



This is more or less what the Sa'Ba Taalor kids look like when dear mommy prepares their beloved peanut butter jelly sandwiches. Imagine what delightful little urchins they turn into when faced with the enemy.

Okay, I bet you're wondering why I gave this book a 3.5-star rating. You're not? Well that's just too bad, since I'm about to tell you the reason behind that very acute rating anyway you're welcome: as much as I love blood, gore, violence yay! and homicidal maniacs, the whole Kill Kill Kill Die Die Die Business (KKKDDDB™) kind of gets old after a while. Especially when it's always the same team that's in charge of it. Plus, the Andover sub-plot was repetitively meh. Plus plus, something that I didn't want to happen happened so when it happened I wasn't really happy that it had happened. Because it was too predictable and convenient and stuff. And to be honest, I was going to go for a 3-star rating because of it. BUT. The Uber Cool Silent Army of Total Gloriousness (UCSAoTG™) made an appearance at the end of the book and almost all was almost well in the world again. More or less.

And now that the UCSAoTG™ is rockin' and rollin', it is high time for my Dream Team of Utter Awesomeness (DToUA™) aka MY Merros + Hugh Hefner Desh and his wondrous bunnies sorceresses + kick-ass empress Nachia to wake up, smell the whisky coffee, take charge, and beat the bloody shrimping crap out of the Freakingly Slaughterish Religious Fanatics of Doom (FSRFoD™).



That's the spirit! We are SO going to win this war, people of Fellein!

· Book 1: Seven Forges ★★★★
· Book 2: The Blasted Lands ★★★★
· Book 4: The Silent Army ★★

[Choko · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** 4 ***

A buddy read with the murderous mercenaries at BB&B! Another book, another bazillion people killed!!!

Love the brutality or hate it, one thing can never be taken away from this series and it is - ADDICTIVE! You just can't get enough! It is so packed with action and mystery, weird questionable g-ds and g-d like wizards, monsters, battles, and even plain massacres. The plot is easy to follow, despite the several POV's and multitude of maneuverings. This is the third book of a four book series, but it feels as if we are in one story, just separated in four parts. It is continuous and thank goodness I was introduced to it after all the books were published, because if I had to wait to read the next volume a year or tow, it would have driven me bonkers!!!

"..."“So is a murder rose until you decide to hold the blossom in your hand and sniff it. Perfectly inviting and even charming until the poisons burn your skull open.” “By the gods, man, where do you hear about these things?” ..."

We enter this book after in the previous volume the Sa'ba kings officially declared war against the Fellein Empire. ANd the Sa'ba Taalor are not kidding around - they attack with a punch on multiple fronts and it feels like the human inhabitants, as well as most of the animal life there, are fated for doom and destruction!!! And there is no forthcoming break or any mercy in sight! All the heroes form the previous books who are still alive make their mark here as well. It is satisfying to learn some of the secrets of the Sa'ba and we get some new ones which I expect are going to be answered in the last book. I can't wait to jump into this one!!! I really want to find some of my favorites to have some redeeming actions and qualities, but I am not holding my breath. Mr. Moore seems to delight in making the most attractive players be the most dubious in character... He only wishes to torture us, I am sure of it now!!!

"..."“Life is pain. War is change. The raw materials of life hammered and shaped into something with a purpose.” ..."

I would recommend this series to all the fans of more militant Fantasy and more bloodshed, and would caution those who like their Fantasy heroes to be paragons of virtue - there is no such thing here... Some find this difficult to read, since it is hard to choose someone to root for, and I do understand. However, I take this as it is meant to be - it is a story of war and conquest, so no unicorns, rainbows, or actual romance have place in this book...

Now I wish you all Happy Reading and Happy New Year, 'y'all!!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was exciting! The story was gory and extremely Grimdark. The action was non-stop. I wouldn't stand a hope in hell of trying to explain what was going on! The story is exciting-yes- but what is more exciting to a fairly seasoned fantasy reader is that 3 books in to a 4 book series, I am still being surprised by this very different storyline. It's impossible to see what's going to happen ahead of time. I have no idea how this series will conclude but I won't be wasting much time finding out!

[Luke Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

So what is City of Wonders?



Writing a trilogy is never easy, and a true epic saga less so, but in City of Wonders, James A. Moore grips the reader with iron hands and steals the breath from their lungs by delving the depths of his world's long-buried secrets and destroying its greatest cities and lands at the hands of one of the most fearsome enemies to saunter across the pages of recent memory. Throughout this journey, forged in unforgettable adventure and the peril of brutality, death, and war, characters play their roles as chess pieces in a grand scheme, with the world itself changing around them.



City of Wonders caught its stride better than the previous two books, but I chalk that up to Moore's comfort with his readers and his amplifying of the intensity, since The Blasted Lands was my favorite until City of Wonders came along. Also, it doesn't hurt that Swech swaggering across the cover of this gem, armed to the death with weapons galore looks a lot like Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road. Make sure you read the other two first, and pre-order the next, The Silent Army. James is well on his way to carving out his place in fantasy's library of greats.

Recommended for a weekend binge of the two previous books...

[Terence · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sa'ba Taalor and their Gods have declared war on the Fellein Empire. People are retreating to Canhoon, also known as the City of Wonders, as the Taalor annihilate everything in their path. Desh Krohan's peers and apprentice search for a way to stop them while a mysterious individual is gathering people and heading for Canhoon.

City of Wonders is truly brutal. The Sa'ba Taalor aren't like normal Invaders who wish to take everything for themselves. They are butchers and the entire Fellein Empire is the fattened calf. The book feels largely hopeless as the Taalor have been forged for battle since birth while those of the Fellein have never experienced anything that could truly be called a war.

No character except perhaps the mysterious Pilgrim stands out in this book. Everyone largely stays the same except perhaps Nachia who appears to have learned fear by the book's end.

There are a few moments that are massively unexpected and I truly appreciated each of those moments. One of which had me whispering no as it was revealed. I'm glad the book didn't stop providing surprises as the fighting began in earnest.

City of Wonders was a devastating book that has me eager to see the conclusion.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The best way to end a war is to make sure it never happens."

I will keep this review short and sweet. I enjoyed City of Wonders for the most part and it was a better installment than the previous book. It had the strongest beginning to any of the books in this series so far. The end sequence was very well done too. With several mysterious things happening and a character twist I sure as hell didn't see coming. But the middle of the book lacked in pacing as compared to the beginning and end. As I said in my previous review, it just seems to take forever for things to happen in between the big events.

The characters are still my favorite part of this series. The story has only spanned a few months from the beginning of book 1 to the end of book 3. But the characters have changed a lot in that time. The chapters that focused on the main characters were great, but there were chapters mixed in with various side characters that were just a one and done. I get that a lot of it was to give the reader more info into how the war is progressing, but these chapters just seemed like filler and didn't really enhance my enjoyment of the story. It was a little frustrating if anything.

"Wisdom often comes from those with the least to lose. Well, if not wisdom then certainly truth."

Only one book remaining in the series. I'm looking forward to finishing this series to see how everything plays out. It has been a little of a roller coaster for me, but I have enjoyed myself for the most part. I really hate being overly critical of books I actually enjoy, but I want to be honest as well. I'm really hoping this series ends with a bang.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars ***

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I spent so much time second guessing what was coming next and who was doing what to who as I did with this book. Three books in and there are still many many questions that have me on my toes waiting to start book 4.

A fun read with BB&B shortlist buddies for a boxing day start. Thanks Choko for putting up with my endless chatter and hypotheses.

City of Wonders pretty much picks up straight after The Blasted Lands. We learn a little more about the mounds, but still not enough to say how it will influence book 4, but you just know it is a major part in the story to be revealed. We see a little bit more magic from the home team and we see a lot, and I mean pages of it, of how deadly and destructive the Sa'ba are. Mostly this book puts you in a mind that there is no winning this war. How do you fight 50,000 fighters who can defeat armies with 100 to 1 odds? Who have mounts that make horses loosen their bowels and can pop up volcanoes in locations at will.

There are some dark parts in this book, when the enemy has no empathy and murder everyone, including the children, then there is very little hope and without hope it becomes bleak. But there is always a glimmer that a answer can be found. You have a gutsy young queen, a hard man general willing to do what's necessary and of course the Wizard and his hot Sisters.

Definitely a solid third book, one that I would imagine not many would say that they won't be carrying on. Sets up a very nice ending, I hope.

[Bookwraiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.

My rating is 4.5 stars.

With City of Wonders, James A. Moore has gifted readers with a new fantasy classic; a sword and sorcery series that mixes magic and combat, reality and supernatural into a potent and addictive brew. Howard’s Conan, Cook’s Black Company, Gemmell’s Drenai, and Moorcock’s Elric, I am hereby placing you on notice that another series will soon be proudly sitting among you: Seven Forges, because, yes, it is that good!

Huh, you want a more in-depth review? Why? I mean, I just anointed City of Wonders as the novel that catapults Seven Forges into the upper echelon of sword and sorcery fantasy ever written. Isn’t that good enough for you? It isn’t? Okay, okay, I’ll try to expand upon my glowing comments.

As readers of the series already know, James Moore has been slowly introducing all of us to his marvelous creation the Sa’ba Taalor. These mysterious, grey skinned warriors erupted from the pages of Seven Forges, instantly stealing the spotlight from their more pedestrian human discoverers. The subsequent tale of their journey to the Fellein Empire, their exploits there, and the shadowy motives for their actions might have been more good old-fashioned fun than the usual fantasy epic, but the story definitely held the promise that epic-ness was soon to come.

With The Blasted Lands, the veil across the Sa’ba Taalor began to be tantalizingly pulled back. Brief glimpses into their hidden world and almost unearthly culture only serving to whet a reader’s appetite to know more . . . more about the Sa’ba Taalor society, more about their hidden history, more about their living gods, and more about their plans for the rest of the world. And when the story ended with a huge, earth-shattering conclusion, it was clear that book three would finally, beyond any doubt, take this series into the epic realm, giving readers what they desperately wanted: the Sa’ba Taalor at war!

City of Wonders begins immediately after the Sa’ba Taalor reveal their true intentions toward their neighbors. Empress Nachia, Sorcerer Desh Krohan, and General Merosh Dulver are suddenly confronted with their worst nightmare: A land of god-led, near super human warriors whose only goal is to wipe humanity off the face of the world, starting with the Fellein Empire!

Talk about a damn bad situation to be in.

Our trio of Fellein leaders frantically attempt to stabilize the situation, concoct a defense plan, but before they can even begin in earnest, the hammer which has been slowly crafted for a thousand years in the Seven Forges starts to fall. Sa’ba Taalor armies swarm out of the Blasted Lands. Not one, but many. Each bringing death and destruction on an epic scale. Once sacred and unconquered places are not immune or impervious to these ancient enemies returned. Even the most guarded of places not safe as the Sa’ba Taalor – now clothed in the flesh of their enemies – wreck havoc, sowing the seeds of confusion and divisiveness, as they spy and kill at will. Each thrust of the Sa’ba Taalor campaign focused on destroying the heart of the Fellein Empire; the capital city of Old Canhoon sure to fall, unless a miracle saves this City of Wonders!

Mr. Moore tells this ambitious story through numerous points of view. Returning characters such as the Empress, Merosh Dulver, Desh Krohan, Tusk, Drask, and Andover headline a chapter or two before turning it over to a new character, who shines the spotlight on a certain section of the growing conflict. And while that might sound like too much is going on, it never seems that way when reading; Mr. Moore seamlessly mixing all these view points together into a coherent narrative which captures the epic nature of continental warfare, while maintaining the perfect pacing to keep you ripping through the pages.

As for all those mysteries about the Sa’ba Taalor, many of them are partially answered in this story, but Mr. Moore very smartly and very deftly foreshadows even more to come. The gods of the Sa’ba Taalor, now revealed, only hint at their true nature, their origins, and their plans. Desh Krohan begins to open up about the distant past . . . but only what he knows of it. The secret Fellein mission to the Mounds uncovers some amazing things, but what it truly is remains an unresolved issue for the next book. And, of course, there is Old Canhoon, also known as the City of Wonders, which finally lives up to its name, promising even more magical things to come.

Honestly, not only is City of Wonders an addictive fantasy story in its own right, it is also the perfect installment in the ongoing series, one that catapults Seven Forges into the lofty sword and sorcery realm I mentioned at the beginning of this review. Serious but not grim, entertaining but not sappy, action-packed but filled with wonder, it is a fantasy which is able to convey the horrors of war without making a reader feel ashamed for finding it all so damn fun. Because City of Wonders is just that: a fun book to read, just like The Coming of Conan, The Black Company, Legend, and Elric of Melnibon.

In my opinion, the only problem with the City of Wonders is that the next book in the series hasn’t been published yet, and I have to wait months to get my hands on it. Now that, my friend, is a damn terribly thing. A real travesty, in fact.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

[Bart · Rating 3 out of 5]

3GR* - My actual rating is 6 out of 10.

[Lynn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://lynns-books.com/2015/11/20/rev...
City of Wonders is book three in James A Moore’s Seven Forges series (Seven Forges being No.1 and The Blasted Lands No.2). Seven Forges got off to a very intriguing start, The Blasted Lands built strongly on that foundation and left us with a rather jaw dropping finish then City of Wonders came along and left no doubt that this series is firmly planted in the land of Epic. Truly this is turning into a series to be reckoned with.

I’m not really going to go over much into the plot because it’s going to be very easy to spoil elements of the story that are best revealed as the tale progresses and, whilst talking of spoilers, although I try to avoid them it’s quite possible that this review may contain some revelations for the first two books so please be aware of that. Also I would say that in order to enjoy the world created by Mr Moore you should start from book No.1 – at least I think so.

At the start of the story war is upon the Fellein Empire and masses of people are seeking refuge in Old Canhoon (or the City of Wonders as it is also known). The Sa’ba Taalor are swarming the borders and seem virtually unstoppable killing everything in their path. It seems like they’re not content just to kill their enemies, they seem to want to completely obliterate any trace of their existence.

Firstly, a little about the Sa’ba Taalor. This is a fearless and mighty race of warriors who seem to bare deep hatred towards the Fellein Empire and would see it destroyed. They’re not taking prisoners here but are aiming for complete annihilation. This is a race of men and women that are ruthless. They are unforgiving and value strength and courage above all other traits. Grey skinned and with their faces partially covered by a veil (the nature of which is revealed at the end of book No.2) they may come across as somewhat unorganised in terms of appearance and attitude. They wear no uniform as such, they forge their own weapons to suit their own particular style and taste and so there are no great swathes of co-ordinated swords and shields. They don’t march in formation and to all intents and purposes they appear almost unformed and unruly. And yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Sa’ba Taalor put great faith in their Gods and follow and obey them without question and in that respect their Gods orchestrate everything. They guide each of the leaders into whatever step is necessary next, placing them like pieces on a game board, until eventually they’ve maneouvered all the pieces into position for a perfect finish.

We follow a number of different stories which may at first seem a bit perplexing but pretty soon resolve themselves into a plan of quiet huge scope. We watch the Empress and Merros Dulver as they try to brace for battle, shoring up the defences and preparing the army, aided in no small way by Desh Krohan and his magical counterparts. We take a different route as we follow a small and beleaguered team of characters looking to uncover a secret, potentially a weapon that could assist in the defeat of the Sa’ba Taalor or then again maybe something the Sa’ba Taalor are also seeking. We continue to follow Andover Lashk as he visits the Gods in their forges and we also watch the Pilgrim as he gathers about him an army of followers who also march to the city of Old Canhoon.

The world building is really quite unique and to be honest fascinating. We range from places where the people seem to live not only in harmony with, but dependent upon, a huge ‘mother’ vine. We visit a city where to raise a weapon against the inhabitants results in rather dramatic results to the perpetrators. We come upon all manner of mighty and destructive creatures, watch necromancy in motion and spend time with one particular individual whose constant companion is a ghost. And in spite of all the aforementioned the real show stealer is the City of Wonders itself – which it turns out is very appropriately named.

In terms of action this is a fast paced and battle packed book. In fact I can’t deny that it’s kind of grim reading in parts when it seems like nothing can stop the unstoppable force of the Sa’ba Taalor as they march forward leaving bodies in their wake. In fact for me one of the criticisms I had with the book is that it’s almost difficult to form attachments to the characters and in that respect I’m not sure who I would say are my favourites. To an extent I like the King, Tuskandru and also Drask (who was one of the first characters we met). Or maybe like isn’t the right word because these certainly aren’t soft and cuddly characters. They’re both ruthless and fierce but this is in their nature so feels true somehow. Not very well explained perhaps, it’s just that they’re not acting in a particularly nasty or malicious way just more keeping in character. I liked Merros from the start and his character has definitely developed and become stronger and well respected – he’s even developing more of a friendship with Desh, who we are also starting to gain a little more information about albeit in tiny glimpses. I think this is perhaps the one area of the series that I think could be built on a little. We seem to have quite strong world building and a good deal of focus on the swordplay and fighting but I would like to spend a little more time with some of the characters. That being said there was a lot going on here and quite a few threads to follow so something has to give.

On the whole this is a series that seems to become stronger with each book. There is plenty of scope, a good deal of action. Fearsome characters and a unique world with plenty of surprises in store.

I received a copy courtesy of the publisher through Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

[Kdawg91 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is the complete bomb, Mr. Moore is now on a small list of authors I buy on sight (even if I get a arc, thanks Angry Robot!)

do yourself a favor, go read this series, all of them. you got time

[Liezl Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

City of Wonders is a deeply immersive book, one that will hook you from start to finish. The pace is fast and furious as this is the first book of the Great War. The Sa'ba Taalors attack with all their might in all directions, conquering the Fellein Empire from city to city, by way of land and by way of sea. Where a city fell, a burning mountain springs from deep within the earth in an instant. War truly has come.

I have been pining for this book since May 2014, the week I discovered the series, Seven Forges, on Netgalley. Fortunately for me, I read the entire series by ARCs alone (evil laughter).

For better reading experience, read this book while listening to music by Two Steps From Hell. The experience was really amazing to me.

The Seven Forges truly has such an awesome world-building. James Moore was able to create an impressive world for his characters to dwell, similar to what you'd feel watching animations by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, only brutal. Here in City of Wonders, James Moore was able to engross me with such a realistic fantasy as if I was really in Trecharch with his descriptive prose. It's way more immersive than the role-playing games I play.

City of Wonders reminds me a lot of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for his keen attention to details and James Cameron's film, The Avatar with Trecharch people's worship of a great vine and their city, a great green forest.

If the people of Trecharch could be said to worship any deities, they would be the Mother-Vine and the Walking Trees.

I never liked Avatar's premise. I was done watching the film with a raised brow. What James Moore created for the town of Trecharch was akin to that of Avatar and James the writer did it way better. It is important to note since it's what you will mostly experience in the book. Oddly enough, I'm reminded of the whole series by the world of Naruto with each town's varying conditions. Yes, towns differ. There's even a town where if you attack it, you'll vanish on the spot.

So where does Old Canhoon come into picture? And why is this book titled "City of Wonders"? It's in the climax of the book so I won't taco 'bout it.

The series also has an impressive characterization. The introductory part, Jost's POV whiplashed me with its awesomeness. I can't tell much to avoid spoiler. Of course, Swech does a lot here too. Hers is one that will shock you. Just wait for it.

The Sa’ba Taalor may be the stars of the show but they are such evil stars. Between the Sa'ba Taalor and the people of Fellein, I honestly don't know which one to root for despite the former's malevolent disposition.

Tuskandru has done terrible things but they never diminish my love for him. I have always known he's a merciless king. For certain, I will always be rooting for him. Everybody else can die in this book, it's him I want to stay. This is another thing I love about Seven Forges series: it paves way for fandom not because of romance but because of a character's sheer characterization.

As it turned out I wasn't wrong after all when I expressed in my review of the first book that the Daxar Taalor are gods of combat materials. Each of them is indeed a god of a specific matter and a god of a certain wisdom.

So far this is what I could gather:

Glo’Hosht – Chosen of the forge of Paedle (God of Mercury and of Silent Death) King in Mercury
Lored – Chosen of the forge of Ordna and King in Bronze
Tarag Paedori – Chosen of the forge of Truska-Pren and King in Iron
Unknown – Chosen of the forge of Wheklam (God of the Sea, of Lead and of group conflict) and King in Lead
Tuskandru – Chosen of the forge of Durhallem and King in Obsidian
Unknown – Chosen of the forge of Ydramil (God of Silver and Reflection) and King in Silver
Unknown – Chosen of the forge of Wrommish and King in Gold


Perhaps I could fill all that in by the last book. I certainly hope not. I want to know all about them soon.

Read more on zirev.com

[Keith West · Rating 5 out of 5]

With all the fantasy on the market today, it’s hard to know who to read. That’s why I’m here. I aim to help in that regard. For instance, if you’ve not been reading James A. Moore’s Seven Forges series, you’ve been missing out. (The first novel Seven Forges is reviewed here, and the second, The Blasted Lands, is reviewed here.) There’s time to get caught up, because the next installment, City of Wonders, is out in North America two weeks from the day I write this.

I’d like to very much thank Angry Robot Books for the review copy. Let me sum up my reaction to the book this way: I WANT MOAR!

Wait, what’s that? You want details? Well, I’ll try. (Geez, how am I going to do this without spoilers?) Here goes:

You remember that big, bad, earth-shattering thing that happened at the end of The Blasted Lands? City of Wonders picks up right after that. Empress Nachia has a big problem on her hands. Old Canhoon is about to be overrun with refugees soon to be followed by multiple invading armies. Merosh Dulver, now a general, has to lead an army against a foe that by all appearances is unbeatable. The Sa’ba Taalor are on the march, and there’s not much stopping them. Sorcerer Desh Krohan will face the death of a member of his family.

And if you think you know which direction this tale is going to take, don’t be so sure. Multiple times things went in a different direction than I was expecting. There is more than one surprise lurking in the pages, and schemes and plans that have yet to bear fruit are plentiful. If you were paying attention in The Blasted Lands, Moore introduced some plot lines that seemed to be setting things up for the next book. (He does that again, btw.) Remember the Pilgrim? We see that aspect of the story begin to unfold, but things are far from resolved.

In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that the story is just now getting interesting, except that would not be accurate. It’s been riveting so far, and really begins to take off as City of Wonders comes to a close. Turns out there’s a lot of backstory that even Desh Krohan has forgotten.

Moore does an excellent job of bringing his characters to life. From the central characters on both sides of the conflict down to the supporting cast, some of whom only have minor parts, the people you’ll meet in this book aren’t from central casting. They stand out as individuals.

The battle scenes are well choreographed and executed. Moore provides both the broad sweep of a battle and the immediacy of a sword thrust to the gut. You smell the smoke and the blood, hear the screams, and feel the heat of the flames and the thrust of the blade.

My only complaint is the way the book ended, or rather that it ended. I didn’t want to stop reading. Mr. Moore, do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be for me to wait until the next book comes out?

The Seven Forges series is epic fantasy the way it should be done, and City of Wonders is no exception. It’s character driven without sacrificing the action, intrigue, and wonder that’s at the heart of all good fantasy. That Moore throws in a dash of horror only makes his recipe better. Moore dedicated Seven Forges to Leiber and Howard. He’s proven he’s a worthy heir of those two giants.

Highly recommended.

[Amy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go. Get this series. Read. Now.

That's all that really needs to be said. Truly.

This third installment takes off like a shot. The action is full on from start to finish. The characters, especially the Fellein, are being challenged on every level. Their enemies are closing in, and battles are bloody, horrifying and altogether gut clenching.

The key players in this book are also continuing to develop and grow. Different shades of their personalities are getting more light. It's not hard to get hooked on them, wanting to see what choices they are going to make based on the situations they are thrown into.

And the question continues to be asked. Who is right? Who is wrong? What is right and wrong, and how are they defined? By beliefs? By actions? By the gods that are silent or the gods that speak?

The only way you are going to find out is to read. So go. Get. Read. Enjoy.

[Ryan Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent volume, one that kept me reading late into the night. One thing I love about this series is that Moore refuses to let his magic be bound by pesky rules, and as a result he can create some truly remarkable scenes. On the other hand, this book follows the exact same formula as before - position the key players then finish with a cataclysmic event that resolves nothing and creates only more questions.

its the journey that sells this book, the creativity, the imagery, you can tell Moore is a horror writer because he effortlessly takes vast and epic scenes and makes you feel claustrophobic

[Colleen Jefferies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest installment of Mr. Moore's "Seven Forges" series is another wonderful book. "City of Wonders" continues to flesh out the characters introduced in the first two books and expands our knowledge of the world Mr. Moore has created.

If you enjoy fantasy with an edge you need to read this book!

[Larry E Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book.

Outstanding series. This book continues the tradition of a well thought out storyline with characters fully developed. Well worth the read

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tough read, the ending was spectacular, yet I feel like I had to work so hard to get there.

[Quint Ashburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!!!!

This series gets better and better with each installment! The characters are complex and developed well over the course of the book!

If you are a fan of fantasy books, this series is for you!!!

[Dustman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving it a 5 star. A week 5. What a cliff hangrr finish. I mean WOW. I enjoyed the book immensely. Obviously anxious for the fourth.

[Mark Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, this series is getting better and better.
Roll on book 4

[Scott Goudsward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the hell out of this book, especially closer to the end. Now I have to wait for #4...

[Derek Fenelus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome,

The book is amazing I could not put it down I'm looking forward for the next one I highly recommend this book the whole series

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series. I just read it too fast

Love all the books in this series. I can't wait for the next one. James A. Moore is a true talent.

[Chris Berko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting bigger and better. My only gripe is that the fourth book is not yet out. Awesome story though.

[Gilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

can't wait for book 4!

[James Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. Great world building and characters.

[Ralph Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy crap! i need the next book!

[Claudette Gabbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read. Lots of fighting. Lots of bloodshed. A lot left to happen. A surprise, to me, at the end. I enjoyed this a lot.