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Empire of Storms #3
Blood and Tempest
The thrilling conclusion to Jon Skovron's adventure fantasy series, two young people from a fracturing empire spread across savage seas must find a way to keep their nation together.
Still reeling from the events at Dawn's Light, Hope struggles to understand what it means to be a warrior who has vowed to never again take up a sword.
Red is enjoying his new role as imperial spy. Perhaps a bit too much. But his loyalties will be tested when his employer, Lady Hempist, relents and assigns him the one task he's been begging for all along: recruiting Hope and Brigga Lin to help rid the empire of biomancery once and for all.
Fate brought them together; it will tear their empire apart.
The Empire of Storms
Hope and Red
Bane and Shadow
Blood and Tempest
Still reeling from the events at Dawn's Light, Hope struggles to understand what it means to be a warrior who has vowed to never again take up a sword.
Red is enjoying his new role as imperial spy. Perhaps a bit too much. But his loyalties will be tested when his employer, Lady Hempist, relents and assigns him the one task he's been begging for all along: recruiting Hope and Brigga Lin to help rid the empire of biomancery once and for all.
Fate brought them together; it will tear their empire apart.
The Empire of Storms
Hope and Red
Bane and Shadow
Blood and Tempest
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 21, 2017
44 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
November 26, 2017
Book 1: 5*
Book 2: 5*
Book 3: 4.5*
Satisfying ending to a great series.
Although this book was thoroughly enjoyable the story wasn't quite as good as the first two books. The characters and world are so good it made up for it. I do hope he continues the story in another trilogy with the same characters. Lady Merivale in particular I'd love to see more of. There were a number of very strong female characters in this series but I just loved her sassy clandestine scheming.
To enjoy this series you cannot be put off by a big of dock lang like cock spittle and such. I wouldn't describe this series as Grimdark. It's definitely more gritty with aristocratic society clashing with wrong side of the track element in a steampunk setting.
If you like character driven series, pirates, steampunk, ninjas, strong female characters, gritty wrong side of the track action, an elemental magic that has a wrongness to it bordering on today's chemical companies and steampunk this is a great series for you.
For this book in particular I enjoyed it cover to cover but things took a long time to get going and the ending was a bit convenient with everything typing together too neatly but against because the writing is so good coupled with the characters and world I still loved it.
Book 2: 5*
Book 3: 4.5*
Satisfying ending to a great series.
Although this book was thoroughly enjoyable the story wasn't quite as good as the first two books. The characters and world are so good it made up for it. I do hope he continues the story in another trilogy with the same characters. Lady Merivale in particular I'd love to see more of. There were a number of very strong female characters in this series but I just loved her sassy clandestine scheming.
To enjoy this series you cannot be put off by a big of dock lang like cock spittle and such. I wouldn't describe this series as Grimdark. It's definitely more gritty with aristocratic society clashing with wrong side of the track element in a steampunk setting.
If you like character driven series, pirates, steampunk, ninjas, strong female characters, gritty wrong side of the track action, an elemental magic that has a wrongness to it bordering on today's chemical companies and steampunk this is a great series for you.
For this book in particular I enjoyed it cover to cover but things took a long time to get going and the ending was a bit convenient with everything typing together too neatly but against because the writing is so good coupled with the characters and world I still loved it.
December 22, 2017
An incredibly underrated, well-written political fantasy. If you like your fantasy light on the romance, heavy on the characters and world-building, and creative in its stance on race, colonialism, technology, and even gender roles, then pick this one up. I, for one, can't wait to see what Skovron comes up with next.
November 22, 2017
A great ending for an even greater trilogy.
Hope has left the Pirate Bane days behind her. She's now back in Bleak Hope where everything started, trying to find a semblance of inner piece. Hope's former crew is scattered across the Empire. Brigga Lin and Jilly are part of another pirate crew, Alash is secluded in an island, and none knows what happened to the rest. Finally, Red has get rid of the Biomancers' control and now enjoys his days as an employ of Lady Hempist. Or at least he did, up until he discovers some new information about the Biomancers' plans, which now involve their new allies, the infamous Vixen. Those plans include the death of the old Emperor, as well as something that is labeled as "the ultimate sacrifice". And so, Red is assigned a new job. He has to travel across the empire, find Hope, Brigga Lin, and the rest of the crew, assemble a team, and finally bring the Biomancers to an end, before it is too late for the rest of the Empire.
"In the end, I see now that my gravest mistake was in thinking that I must carry the burden on my own. But progress is never borne on the shoulders of one person. Instead it happens when many people come together with a unity of purpose.
Unfortunately, I cannot imagine a situation so dire that it would unite the people of this fractured empire. What a glorious and terrible day that would be..."
Hope and Red was an as pleasant as it gets surprise. A book dropped out of nowhere, without huge promotion and from a yet unknown in the genre author, that came to be declared by many (including me) as one of the greatest fantasy books of 2016. The sequel, Bane and Shadow, was a great read as well, but this time it didn't come as a surprise, and since it followed the exact same script of the first book, at some points even seemingly copying some situations, it didn't get as much critical acclaim as the debut. Blood and Tempest, the final conclusion to this epic trilogy, is somewhere in between.
Although this is the final installment of the trilogy, Skovron kept expanding and exploring his world-building, adding new elements that played a vital role to the finale. This helped to address some problems but it also left other issues unresolved. Issues that were raised even from the first book, and should have a conclusion, such as the prophecy about the invasion. On the other hand, this leaves the possibility of new installments open, and I sure as hell would be down for more Hope and Red.The same applies to the characters and their development; likable and authentic, they kept growing and changing, coming to conflict with their inner self and facing the consequences of their beliefs and actions.
Skovron's prose was once again excellent, proving that he is an experienced and talented author with a bright future ahead of him, be it for this genre or another. The pace shifted throughout the book, and although some events felt a little bit rushed, the flow of the story wasn't disrupted. Finally, the ending was epic, full of mesmerizing action sequences and with a satisfying conclusion.
All in all and as the heading said, Blood and Tempest is a great ending for an even greater trilogy, and I'm looking forward to more books by Jon Skovron!
Hope has left the Pirate Bane days behind her. She's now back in Bleak Hope where everything started, trying to find a semblance of inner piece. Hope's former crew is scattered across the Empire. Brigga Lin and Jilly are part of another pirate crew, Alash is secluded in an island, and none knows what happened to the rest. Finally, Red has get rid of the Biomancers' control and now enjoys his days as an employ of Lady Hempist. Or at least he did, up until he discovers some new information about the Biomancers' plans, which now involve their new allies, the infamous Vixen. Those plans include the death of the old Emperor, as well as something that is labeled as "the ultimate sacrifice". And so, Red is assigned a new job. He has to travel across the empire, find Hope, Brigga Lin, and the rest of the crew, assemble a team, and finally bring the Biomancers to an end, before it is too late for the rest of the Empire.
"In the end, I see now that my gravest mistake was in thinking that I must carry the burden on my own. But progress is never borne on the shoulders of one person. Instead it happens when many people come together with a unity of purpose.
Unfortunately, I cannot imagine a situation so dire that it would unite the people of this fractured empire. What a glorious and terrible day that would be..."
Hope and Red was an as pleasant as it gets surprise. A book dropped out of nowhere, without huge promotion and from a yet unknown in the genre author, that came to be declared by many (including me) as one of the greatest fantasy books of 2016. The sequel, Bane and Shadow, was a great read as well, but this time it didn't come as a surprise, and since it followed the exact same script of the first book, at some points even seemingly copying some situations, it didn't get as much critical acclaim as the debut. Blood and Tempest, the final conclusion to this epic trilogy, is somewhere in between.
Although this is the final installment of the trilogy, Skovron kept expanding and exploring his world-building, adding new elements that played a vital role to the finale. This helped to address some problems but it also left other issues unresolved. Issues that were raised even from the first book, and should have a conclusion, such as the prophecy about the invasion. On the other hand, this leaves the possibility of new installments open, and I sure as hell would be down for more Hope and Red.The same applies to the characters and their development; likable and authentic, they kept growing and changing, coming to conflict with their inner self and facing the consequences of their beliefs and actions.
Skovron's prose was once again excellent, proving that he is an experienced and talented author with a bright future ahead of him, be it for this genre or another. The pace shifted throughout the book, and although some events felt a little bit rushed, the flow of the story wasn't disrupted. Finally, the ending was epic, full of mesmerizing action sequences and with a satisfying conclusion.
All in all and as the heading said, Blood and Tempest is a great ending for an even greater trilogy, and I'm looking forward to more books by Jon Skovron!
March 5, 2018
I don't write many reviews because for as much as I read, I'm very word-challenged, and I always end up saying "great" and "awesome" way too much (which is pretty self-explanatory since I put 4 or 5 stars). But I decided to make an effort here because I think more people should know about this serie.
The story is a classic : revolution against the oppression. But the best in these books are the characters, especially the women (not that I didn't like the men). Most of the characters had a rough start in life, whether it was because of poverty, bad parents or dead parents, or because of their gender.
The Empire of Storms is a society where the upper-class (the lacies) is mysoginistic and homophobic, and yet, we see women who becomes warriors, biomancers, pirates, or even spies; we also see a few characters who are gay or bisexual, and then we have Brigga Lin.
It's rare to see women like Brigga Lin in fantasy (or maybe I don't read enough and haven't find them). Brigga Lin is a biomancer, and because of her knowledge she was able to transform her body from a man's to a woman's. Her first motivation for doing this was power, because women biomancer are more powerful than men (but because of the mysoginistic view of society, women were thought too stupid to learn it), but then she realizes that it was who she was meant to be :
"She held up the platter at arm's length and looked at herself. Something in her mind clicked into place and she thought, Yes. It took her a little by surprise. She hadn't realized it until now but whenever she'd looked at herself before, she'd always thought, No, as if the reflection had seemed wrong somehow. But this was right. For the first time in her life, she felt whole"
I could talk and talk about these books, about Brigga Lin, Hope, Red, and all the others but I think it's better to read and see for yourself, all I can say is that the story is amazing, the characters are great (I had to put these words somewhere 😄), and like I said, I really wish more people knew about these books!
Just in case, I'd like to add that these books have a lot of violence (missing limbs, spilling guts, mentions of rape,...) and quite a lot of sex. You've been warned!
And I'll finish by saying Bless the Circle.
The story is a classic : revolution against the oppression. But the best in these books are the characters, especially the women (not that I didn't like the men). Most of the characters had a rough start in life, whether it was because of poverty, bad parents or dead parents, or because of their gender.
The Empire of Storms is a society where the upper-class (the lacies) is mysoginistic and homophobic, and yet, we see women who becomes warriors, biomancers, pirates, or even spies; we also see a few characters who are gay or bisexual, and then we have Brigga Lin.
It's rare to see women like Brigga Lin in fantasy (or maybe I don't read enough and haven't find them). Brigga Lin is a biomancer, and because of her knowledge she was able to transform her body from a man's to a woman's. Her first motivation for doing this was power, because women biomancer are more powerful than men (but because of the mysoginistic view of society, women were thought too stupid to learn it), but then she realizes that it was who she was meant to be :
"She held up the platter at arm's length and looked at herself. Something in her mind clicked into place and she thought, Yes. It took her a little by surprise. She hadn't realized it until now but whenever she'd looked at herself before, she'd always thought, No, as if the reflection had seemed wrong somehow. But this was right. For the first time in her life, she felt whole"
I could talk and talk about these books, about Brigga Lin, Hope, Red, and all the others but I think it's better to read and see for yourself, all I can say is that the story is amazing, the characters are great (I had to put these words somewhere 😄), and like I said, I really wish more people knew about these books!
Just in case, I'd like to add that these books have a lot of violence (missing limbs, spilling guts, mentions of rape,...) and quite a lot of sex. You've been warned!
And I'll finish by saying Bless the Circle.
March 17, 2018
The third and final book of the Empire of Storms provides Hope and Red with an ending. While it may not be THE ending, this particular trilogy certainly does come to an epic conclusion.
4.0 / 5.0 stars.
A great end to a great trilogy—if not the epic that you were expecting.
The entire Empire of Storms has been thrilling, epic and tirelessly entertaining. While Blood and Tempest is easily the shortest installment of the trilogy, it still manages to conclude a fantastic story with a thoughtful but epic conclusion that in no way seems dictated by length or lack of time.
SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOKS I & II OF THE EMPIRE OF STORMS
I read Hope and Red maybe a month after its release in 2016 and was instantly in love. Since then the story has grown in scope—starting from the two title characters to encapsulate maybe a dozen or so (shall we say) “minor” characters that help lead Hope and Red to their conclusion. Be aware: this is THEIR story. The empire, the isles, the supporting cast are all involved, all living their own story as well—but for now, Hope and Red take center stage. And while the empire, the world itself may accompany them on this particular journey, the epic conclusion of EoS resolves their story, but not necessarily that of the world itself. This isn’t by any means a deal-breaker. It isn’t where I thought we were headed from HaR, but is entertaining all the same.
The plot of Blood and Tempest picks up where Bane and Shadow left off, with Hope having left the Sword of Sorrows—and presumably violence—behind her. In her private quest for meaning she wanders the south of the empire, searching for answers in her own past. Red, having escaped Biomancer control, continues to search for atonement following his period as the Shadow Demon, attempting to spite the very masters he once served. He serves as a spy for the Empress, although he’s… not terribly good at it. Lacks subtlety, that one. After a few not-so-minor setbacks, Red is given the one task he’s wanted all along: recruit Hope and Brigga Lin to the Empress’s cause.
Brigga Lin has shrugged off Hope’s sudden departure well enough. She’s off fucking a pirate captain, engaging in small time piracy. Her pupil, Jilly, struggles to fit in with the pirates—all of whom seem to be ragged, smelly dudes—while trying to cope with the life she’s been thrust into and the consequences of Hope’s betrayal and departure. The rest of their crew has split as well: Nettles becoming the Black Rose of Paradise Circle, Filler and Sadie and many more dead and gone, Missing Finn and Alash and others disappeared.
Hope, meanwhile, discovers peculiar mysteries in the south—not precisely the answers she was looking for. Red discovers a not-so-subtle plot that could mean the end of the empire itself. Together, with a motley cast and crew, their adventures and experiences will help change the shape of the world.
While not the perfect ending I was looking for, Blood and Tempest provides an ending, at least one to the saga that began in Hope and Red. While it may not be THE ENDING—a door is left open here for more in this world—Jon Skovron certainly provides a conclusion to the story he set out to tell. And it was a worthwhile conclusion to discover. So long as you don’t expect too much—as not all my questions were answered.
If you were after a conclusion to Hope and Red’s journey—you will not be disappointed. Hopefully. I hope to see more of Skovron in the future. Possibly a further glimpse into the Empire as well.
4.0 / 5.0 stars.
A great end to a great trilogy—if not the epic that you were expecting.
The entire Empire of Storms has been thrilling, epic and tirelessly entertaining. While Blood and Tempest is easily the shortest installment of the trilogy, it still manages to conclude a fantastic story with a thoughtful but epic conclusion that in no way seems dictated by length or lack of time.
SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOKS I & II OF THE EMPIRE OF STORMS
I read Hope and Red maybe a month after its release in 2016 and was instantly in love. Since then the story has grown in scope—starting from the two title characters to encapsulate maybe a dozen or so (shall we say) “minor” characters that help lead Hope and Red to their conclusion. Be aware: this is THEIR story. The empire, the isles, the supporting cast are all involved, all living their own story as well—but for now, Hope and Red take center stage. And while the empire, the world itself may accompany them on this particular journey, the epic conclusion of EoS resolves their story, but not necessarily that of the world itself. This isn’t by any means a deal-breaker. It isn’t where I thought we were headed from HaR, but is entertaining all the same.
The plot of Blood and Tempest picks up where Bane and Shadow left off, with Hope having left the Sword of Sorrows—and presumably violence—behind her. In her private quest for meaning she wanders the south of the empire, searching for answers in her own past. Red, having escaped Biomancer control, continues to search for atonement following his period as the Shadow Demon, attempting to spite the very masters he once served. He serves as a spy for the Empress, although he’s… not terribly good at it. Lacks subtlety, that one. After a few not-so-minor setbacks, Red is given the one task he’s wanted all along: recruit Hope and Brigga Lin to the Empress’s cause.
Brigga Lin has shrugged off Hope’s sudden departure well enough. She’s off fucking a pirate captain, engaging in small time piracy. Her pupil, Jilly, struggles to fit in with the pirates—all of whom seem to be ragged, smelly dudes—while trying to cope with the life she’s been thrust into and the consequences of Hope’s betrayal and departure. The rest of their crew has split as well: Nettles becoming the Black Rose of Paradise Circle, Filler and Sadie and many more dead and gone, Missing Finn and Alash and others disappeared.
Hope, meanwhile, discovers peculiar mysteries in the south—not precisely the answers she was looking for. Red discovers a not-so-subtle plot that could mean the end of the empire itself. Together, with a motley cast and crew, their adventures and experiences will help change the shape of the world.
While not the perfect ending I was looking for, Blood and Tempest provides an ending, at least one to the saga that began in Hope and Red. While it may not be THE ENDING—a door is left open here for more in this world—Jon Skovron certainly provides a conclusion to the story he set out to tell. And it was a worthwhile conclusion to discover. So long as you don’t expect too much—as not all my questions were answered.
If you were after a conclusion to Hope and Red’s journey—you will not be disappointed. Hopefully. I hope to see more of Skovron in the future. Possibly a further glimpse into the Empire as well.
April 28, 2021
Alors mes vieilles gamelles, il est temps de finir une nouvelle trilogie, vous croyez pas ? C’est la fin des aventures de Hope, Red et tous leurs poteaux, et on va voir ce que ça donne. Attention si vous avez pas lu les tomes précédents, le paragraphe suivant peut être spoilant (le reste ça va).
Après le petit carnage du tome 2, Hope se barre toute seule et cherche une autre voie, elle dépose les armes et revient à ses origines. Pendant ce temps, à la capitale, Red s’est enfin libéré de l’emprise des biomanciens et se voit confier une mission : ramener Hope et Brigga Lin à l’impératrice. Les deux renégates de leurs ordres respectifs sont les seules à pouvoir lutter contre la nouvelle alliance des vinchens et des biomanciens. Avec tous leurs alliés, il est temps de faire front mais nos héros ne sont pas très habitués à bosser pour les rupins, va falloir négocier un peu.
Pas de surprise ici, on reste sur un très bon niveau de fantasy d’action et de fun, la bande de héros attachants et classes est toujours un régal à suivre. J’apprécie énormément cette bande de joyeuses crapules qui évoluent chacun à leur manière, on comprend les choix et les parcours de chaque protagoniste. Ça ne rend que plus satisfaisant ce dernier tome qui termine la trilogie en apothéose, les enjeux sont énormes, les risques aussi, mais faut y aller alors on se bouge. Il y a de l’initiative et de la personnalité, et toute une bande de compagnons qui se retroussent les manches pour leurs camarades. Et je suis toujours surpris de m’être un peu attaché à cet argot bizarre et rigolo qui pouvait agacer au premier tome, signe que l’univers à réussi à me convaincre. Le seul défaut de ce tome serait une résolution finale un peu abrupte au conflit, mais ça reste très positif dans l’ensemble.
Jon Skovron nous sert un troisième tome qui, contrairement à ce que pourrait laisser penser la couverture, s’éloigne de l’univers marin pour se concentrer sur les intrigues terrestres, et la politique commence à avoir de l’importance sans être trop lourde. On a même une vraie portée sociale dans ce tome, puisque les bouleversements du gouvernement vont amener quelques personnes à négocier avec le pouvoir pour le compte de Cercle Paradis et ses habitants. Bien amené (est c’est le cas ici), c’est toujours un bon point. Ça s’ajoute évidemment à l’aspect social qui était déjà en place sur les stéréotypes de genre.
Mais le cœur du roman reste ce combat mené par nos héros contre les ordres pervertis de l’empire, et on nous réserve quelques grands moments d’action et de tension extrêmement bien géré par l’auteur. Il nous pose quelques grandes scènes très iconiques qui resteront dans les mémoires, du duel épique à une grande bataille de la dernière chance, on est pris dans cet enchaînement de grandes scènes gérées de main de maître, immersives et réjouissantes, boostées par notre attachement à tous ces personnages dont la vie est en jeu.
Il y a une certaine bienveillance générale qui est très appréciable, encore une fois j’aime les histoires positives et j’ai apprécié ici qu’on cherche toujours à résoudre les problèmes avec empathie et compréhension. Les héros trouvent toujours le moyen de combattre leur ennemi ultime mais ne sacrifient pas les sbires ou les innocents qui peuvent être raisonnés. La trilogie est remplie de personnages qui étaient d’un côté de la barrière, qui auraient pu faire des ennemis tout à fait crédibles mais se sont révélés de precieux alliés. C’est pour ça qu’on se retrouve avec un groupe de héros très variés qui viennent de tous les côtés du conflit. C’est génial parce que ça donne à chacun une trajectoire propre et ça apporte une fraîcheur à l’ensemble, une manière de contrebalancer la cruauté de quelques individus. Quand tout un ordre s’en prend aux innocents on va trouver ses membres qui sont dégoûtés et renverser sa hiérarchie en leur montrant le chemin, quand un monstre saccage une ville on va chercher qui le contrôle et comprendre sa position. L’auteur a une vraie démarche dans la résolution de conflit qui m’a beaucoup plu et donne une saveur particulière à L’empire des tempêtes.
Je conseille vivement les aventures de Hope & Red à tous les amateurs de fantasy d’action, de bonne humeur et de personnages positifs. La saga est passée un peu inaperçue, j’ai l’impression, donnez-lui sa chance ! Ce troisième tome vient également de sortir en poche, faut juste accepter une couverture immonde et complètement hors-sujet.
https://ours-inculte.fr/blood-tempest/
Après le petit carnage du tome 2, Hope se barre toute seule et cherche une autre voie, elle dépose les armes et revient à ses origines. Pendant ce temps, à la capitale, Red s’est enfin libéré de l’emprise des biomanciens et se voit confier une mission : ramener Hope et Brigga Lin à l’impératrice. Les deux renégates de leurs ordres respectifs sont les seules à pouvoir lutter contre la nouvelle alliance des vinchens et des biomanciens. Avec tous leurs alliés, il est temps de faire front mais nos héros ne sont pas très habitués à bosser pour les rupins, va falloir négocier un peu.
Pas de surprise ici, on reste sur un très bon niveau de fantasy d’action et de fun, la bande de héros attachants et classes est toujours un régal à suivre. J’apprécie énormément cette bande de joyeuses crapules qui évoluent chacun à leur manière, on comprend les choix et les parcours de chaque protagoniste. Ça ne rend que plus satisfaisant ce dernier tome qui termine la trilogie en apothéose, les enjeux sont énormes, les risques aussi, mais faut y aller alors on se bouge. Il y a de l’initiative et de la personnalité, et toute une bande de compagnons qui se retroussent les manches pour leurs camarades. Et je suis toujours surpris de m’être un peu attaché à cet argot bizarre et rigolo qui pouvait agacer au premier tome, signe que l’univers à réussi à me convaincre. Le seul défaut de ce tome serait une résolution finale un peu abrupte au conflit, mais ça reste très positif dans l’ensemble.
Jon Skovron nous sert un troisième tome qui, contrairement à ce que pourrait laisser penser la couverture, s’éloigne de l’univers marin pour se concentrer sur les intrigues terrestres, et la politique commence à avoir de l’importance sans être trop lourde. On a même une vraie portée sociale dans ce tome, puisque les bouleversements du gouvernement vont amener quelques personnes à négocier avec le pouvoir pour le compte de Cercle Paradis et ses habitants. Bien amené (est c’est le cas ici), c’est toujours un bon point. Ça s’ajoute évidemment à l’aspect social qui était déjà en place sur les stéréotypes de genre.
Mais le cœur du roman reste ce combat mené par nos héros contre les ordres pervertis de l’empire, et on nous réserve quelques grands moments d’action et de tension extrêmement bien géré par l’auteur. Il nous pose quelques grandes scènes très iconiques qui resteront dans les mémoires, du duel épique à une grande bataille de la dernière chance, on est pris dans cet enchaînement de grandes scènes gérées de main de maître, immersives et réjouissantes, boostées par notre attachement à tous ces personnages dont la vie est en jeu.
Il y a une certaine bienveillance générale qui est très appréciable, encore une fois j’aime les histoires positives et j’ai apprécié ici qu’on cherche toujours à résoudre les problèmes avec empathie et compréhension. Les héros trouvent toujours le moyen de combattre leur ennemi ultime mais ne sacrifient pas les sbires ou les innocents qui peuvent être raisonnés. La trilogie est remplie de personnages qui étaient d’un côté de la barrière, qui auraient pu faire des ennemis tout à fait crédibles mais se sont révélés de precieux alliés. C’est pour ça qu’on se retrouve avec un groupe de héros très variés qui viennent de tous les côtés du conflit. C’est génial parce que ça donne à chacun une trajectoire propre et ça apporte une fraîcheur à l’ensemble, une manière de contrebalancer la cruauté de quelques individus. Quand tout un ordre s’en prend aux innocents on va trouver ses membres qui sont dégoûtés et renverser sa hiérarchie en leur montrant le chemin, quand un monstre saccage une ville on va chercher qui le contrôle et comprendre sa position. L’auteur a une vraie démarche dans la résolution de conflit qui m’a beaucoup plu et donne une saveur particulière à L’empire des tempêtes.
Je conseille vivement les aventures de Hope & Red à tous les amateurs de fantasy d’action, de bonne humeur et de personnages positifs. La saga est passée un peu inaperçue, j’ai l’impression, donnez-lui sa chance ! Ce troisième tome vient également de sortir en poche, faut juste accepter une couverture immonde et complètement hors-sujet.
https://ours-inculte.fr/blood-tempest/
April 23, 2025
Swift read and I did have a lot of fun with this one, but ultimately there were just way too many little things that frustrated me to rate it any higher.
The end came too quickly and too conveniently, a lot of loose ends were still left open and the characters often made decisions that made little sense to me and the bits at the end that did feel good, felt unearned. Skovron also continued her trend of keeping the two main characters separated for most of the story, after I already expressed my displease with that in books 1 and 2, you can imagine that I was none too happy with it now.
I’ve seen people call this a character driven novel, which I don’t really understand, apart from the two MC’s, the rest of the cast either remain stale or even regress as characters and their story arcs are not resolved. Hope’s arc still doesn’t make sense to me and she and Red ended up in the end where I would have wanted/expected them to have been halfway through book 2.
The book for me fails rather heavily in character development (except for Red perhaps) and character relationships and those happen to be some of the most, if not the most important aspect for me to really love a story. So many of the characters were set up and hinted at, but ultimately went nowhere. Skovron doesn’t even tell us what happened to a lot of them after the climax. There are a few minor ones where I’m not even sure they’re alive or not. So ultimately, while I don’t think it’s bad by any means, this series just wasn’t for me. So much of the character work felt rushed and unsatisfying.
Still, it wasn’t a bad series by any means, I had fun reading it, but no desire to reread it and there are a lot of things I would have done differently. But if you like Fantasy with good world building, some good plot ideas, big and varied cast of characters, not too bad on the diversity, light on the romance (which I didn’t like) and with some political intrigue, this could be for you.
The end came too quickly and too conveniently, a lot of loose ends were still left open and the characters often made decisions that made little sense to me and the bits at the end that did feel good, felt unearned. Skovron also continued her trend of keeping the two main characters separated for most of the story, after I already expressed my displease with that in books 1 and 2, you can imagine that I was none too happy with it now.
I’ve seen people call this a character driven novel, which I don’t really understand, apart from the two MC’s, the rest of the cast either remain stale or even regress as characters and their story arcs are not resolved. Hope’s arc still doesn’t make sense to me and she and Red ended up in the end where I would have wanted/expected them to have been halfway through book 2.
The book for me fails rather heavily in character development (except for Red perhaps) and character relationships and those happen to be some of the most, if not the most important aspect for me to really love a story. So many of the characters were set up and hinted at, but ultimately went nowhere. Skovron doesn’t even tell us what happened to a lot of them after the climax. There are a few minor ones where I’m not even sure they’re alive or not. So ultimately, while I don’t think it’s bad by any means, this series just wasn’t for me. So much of the character work felt rushed and unsatisfying.
Still, it wasn’t a bad series by any means, I had fun reading it, but no desire to reread it and there are a lot of things I would have done differently. But if you like Fantasy with good world building, some good plot ideas, big and varied cast of characters, not too bad on the diversity, light on the romance (which I didn’t like) and with some political intrigue, this could be for you.
September 6, 2022
Hacía bastante tiempo que había leído los dos anteriores libros de esta trilogía por lo que tenía miedo de leer el desenlace y aunque me costó un poco entrar en la historia creo que es el final perfecto para la historia de Red y Hope. En este último libro se sigue ampliando el mapa y recorremos varios lugares diferentes junto a los personajes que aparecen ya e la mayoría está separada buscando su propio camino o aliados. La verdad es que el mundo creado por el autor me ha gustado, creo que es muy original y al presentarnos tanta variedad de personajes de diferente clases sociales ayuda a desarrollar mundo tan rico y extenso. También me ha gustado la pluma del autor, es ágil y te mete de lleno en la historia, además es muy rica en descripciones y sabe darle el toque de ligereza y humor en los momentos adecuados. Si bien es cierto que algunas expresiones o comentarios de los personajes me sobraban. En cuanto a los personajes, que creo que son el punto fuerte de esta historia, me siguen gustando, tanto los personajes principales como los secundarios están muy bien desarrollados, todos tienen su papel en la historia además resultan bastante cercanos y es fácil ponerse en su piel. Son un grupo variopinto entre los que te puedes encontrar desde desde piratas, monjes guerreros (los Vinchen), magos poderosos (biomantes), nobles o petimetres, a fulanos de los bajos fondos. Además me ha gustado ver la gran evolución que la mayoría de ellos ha experimentado sobre todo Red y Hope. Otra cosa que me ha gustado es que por fin en este libro todo cobra sentido, los personajes al fin se reencuentran y luchan todos con un mismo fin además el autor no deja tramas abiertas y eso es siempre de agradecer. La única pega que le pondría es el romance que no me convenció pero por lo demás es una historia muy completa a la que no le falta de nada que estoy segura que todos los amantes de la fantasía disfrutarían.
December 15, 2017
*Source* Library
*Genre* Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Blood and Tempest is the third and final installment in author Jon Skovron's Empire of Storms. Although this series has mostly focused on Bleak Hope and Red over the last two books, Skovron has added other characters and given them much broader narrative in this series than perhaps was absolutely necessary. As this story picks up, Red has taken control over his darker side; his shadow side that was put there by the biomancers who used him to kill off those who were causing trouble.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Blood and Tempest is the third and final installment in author Jon Skovron's Empire of Storms. Although this series has mostly focused on Bleak Hope and Red over the last two books, Skovron has added other characters and given them much broader narrative in this series than perhaps was absolutely necessary. As this story picks up, Red has taken control over his darker side; his shadow side that was put there by the biomancers who used him to kill off those who were causing trouble.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
April 2, 2025
Hat mich zwar nicht ganz so gepackt wie die beiden Vorgängerbände, aber gefallen hat es mir trotzdem. Das Ende war etwas abrupt, hat sich dann doch alles sehr schnell und nahtlos ineinandergefügt. Verglichen mit der komplexen Handlung also etwas einfach. Trotzdem finde ich diese Reihe sowohl im Deutschen als auch international underrated.
► Gelesen im Rahmen der The 52 Book Club’s 2025 Reading Challenge - Prompt 41: Cover font is in a primary color
► Gelesen im Rahmen der The 52 Book Club’s 2025 Reading Challenge - Prompt 41: Cover font is in a primary color
October 28, 2018
Den Abschlussband von Empire of Storms habe ich so schrecklich schnell durchgelesen und mich auch darüber geärgert, weil ich so gerne einfach mehr von der Geschichte und mehr von den Personen lesen wollte, leider ist die Reihe jetzt vorbei und ich schaue etwas wehmütig darauf zurück. Mit einem Knall und vielen Kämpfen, heiklen Momenten verabschieden sich Red & Hope von uns und der Autor überrascht mich vielleicht in einigen Jahren mit einem vierten Band? Man darf ja noch hoffen!
In diesem Band sind wieder alle von der Partie und das Hauptaugenmerk liegt dabei auf Hope & Red. Doch der Autor scheut auch nicht davor, selbst im dritten Teil neue Personen einzuführen und neue Wege zu beschreiten, die man einfach nicht kommen sieht. Wo im letzten Teil Red eine Entwicklung durchmachen musste, ist es hier eher Hope, die sich mit ihrem Dasein als Vinchen-Kriegerin und ihrer Vergangenheit auseinander setzen muss. Dabei kommt so einiges ans Licht und sie muss sich für das, was ihr bevorsteht, verändern.
Besonders schön ist es dann immer wieder, wenn die beiden zusammen kommen und das geht natürlich nicht immer reibungslos und ist begleitet von so einigen blutigen Auseinandersetzungen. Ich denke der Autor kann es nicht lassen und muss es einfach immer bis auf die Spitze treiben! Daher ist auch immer Spannung oder Action da und die Geschichte hört einfach nicht auf zu rollen… es passiert so viel noch im letzten Band und ich hätte zu gerne noch einen vierten Teil.
Wobei das Ende durchaus gut war und vieles wurde abgerundet, die Handlung weitgehend abgeschlossen (er lässt leicht offen, wie die Zukunft aussehen könnte) und man ist als Fan der Reihe, wenn ich es so sagen kann, sehr zufrieden mit all den Entwicklungen und dem Ende.
Es war für mich besonders einfach wieder in die Geschichte reinzutauchen. Klar, ein paar Details vergisst man schnell, aber es gibt immer wieder kleine Denkstützen und nach wenigen Seiten ist man einfach wieder drin in der Kehre, erinnert sich wieder an die gewissen Ausdrücke und an die Personen sowieso, kein Charakter ist hier leicht zu vergessen. Schade war es nur, dass es hier kein Glossar mehr gab, wäre nicht fehl am Platz gewesen auch im dritten Band es noch drinnen zu lassen. Der Autor hat einerseits sehr schöne Beschreibungen drinnen, anderseits ist vieles auch sehr derb, weil es das Leben und die Situationen einfach wiederspiegelt und er hat seine “eigene” Gossensprache eingebaut, die immer aufkommt.
Mein Fazit wird sich jetzt nicht nur auf den einen Band beziehen, sondern auch auf die ganze Reihe.
Nach vielen bangen Momenten und Entbehrungen haben unsere Helden es geschafft. Sie haben die Welt in ihren Grundmauern erschüttert und verändert, es gibt kein zurück mehr zu dem vorherigen Dasein und es war nicht nur aufregend zu lesen, sondern auch teilweise traurig. Nicht alle sind mehr dabei und auch das greift der Autor in einigen Momenten wunderbar auf und lässt einen schmerzlich an die Verlorenen erinnern.
Die Reihe hat unheimlich viel zu bieten, von Seeschlachten, unheimlichen magischen Praktiken, politischen Verstrickungen, kriegerischen Bruderschaften bis hin zu einer handvoll starken weiblichen Heldinnen und viel Action. Es ist eine geballte Fantasytrilogie, die einen ganz eigenen Charme hat und mich immer wieder von neuen packen konnte!
Es ist eine ganz klare Leseempfehlung für alle Fantasyfans, die es derber und bunter mögen!
In diesem Band sind wieder alle von der Partie und das Hauptaugenmerk liegt dabei auf Hope & Red. Doch der Autor scheut auch nicht davor, selbst im dritten Teil neue Personen einzuführen und neue Wege zu beschreiten, die man einfach nicht kommen sieht. Wo im letzten Teil Red eine Entwicklung durchmachen musste, ist es hier eher Hope, die sich mit ihrem Dasein als Vinchen-Kriegerin und ihrer Vergangenheit auseinander setzen muss. Dabei kommt so einiges ans Licht und sie muss sich für das, was ihr bevorsteht, verändern.
Besonders schön ist es dann immer wieder, wenn die beiden zusammen kommen und das geht natürlich nicht immer reibungslos und ist begleitet von so einigen blutigen Auseinandersetzungen. Ich denke der Autor kann es nicht lassen und muss es einfach immer bis auf die Spitze treiben! Daher ist auch immer Spannung oder Action da und die Geschichte hört einfach nicht auf zu rollen… es passiert so viel noch im letzten Band und ich hätte zu gerne noch einen vierten Teil.
Wobei das Ende durchaus gut war und vieles wurde abgerundet, die Handlung weitgehend abgeschlossen (er lässt leicht offen, wie die Zukunft aussehen könnte) und man ist als Fan der Reihe, wenn ich es so sagen kann, sehr zufrieden mit all den Entwicklungen und dem Ende.
Es war für mich besonders einfach wieder in die Geschichte reinzutauchen. Klar, ein paar Details vergisst man schnell, aber es gibt immer wieder kleine Denkstützen und nach wenigen Seiten ist man einfach wieder drin in der Kehre, erinnert sich wieder an die gewissen Ausdrücke und an die Personen sowieso, kein Charakter ist hier leicht zu vergessen. Schade war es nur, dass es hier kein Glossar mehr gab, wäre nicht fehl am Platz gewesen auch im dritten Band es noch drinnen zu lassen. Der Autor hat einerseits sehr schöne Beschreibungen drinnen, anderseits ist vieles auch sehr derb, weil es das Leben und die Situationen einfach wiederspiegelt und er hat seine “eigene” Gossensprache eingebaut, die immer aufkommt.
Mein Fazit wird sich jetzt nicht nur auf den einen Band beziehen, sondern auch auf die ganze Reihe.
Nach vielen bangen Momenten und Entbehrungen haben unsere Helden es geschafft. Sie haben die Welt in ihren Grundmauern erschüttert und verändert, es gibt kein zurück mehr zu dem vorherigen Dasein und es war nicht nur aufregend zu lesen, sondern auch teilweise traurig. Nicht alle sind mehr dabei und auch das greift der Autor in einigen Momenten wunderbar auf und lässt einen schmerzlich an die Verlorenen erinnern.
Die Reihe hat unheimlich viel zu bieten, von Seeschlachten, unheimlichen magischen Praktiken, politischen Verstrickungen, kriegerischen Bruderschaften bis hin zu einer handvoll starken weiblichen Heldinnen und viel Action. Es ist eine geballte Fantasytrilogie, die einen ganz eigenen Charme hat und mich immer wieder von neuen packen konnte!
Es ist eine ganz klare Leseempfehlung für alle Fantasyfans, die es derber und bunter mögen!
March 15, 2018
A justified and warranted ending to a thrilling trilogy by Skovron.
October 17, 2018
Um mundo rico em piratas, samurais e mutantes, é o que nos oferece Empire of Storms de Jon Skovron. Apesar de ter gostado menos deste livro do que do anterior, é importante realçar que este Império das Tormentas é uma trilogia bem homogénea, com um volume inaugural mais centrado na apresentação de personagens e um segundo volume mais político e coeso, também mais negro em virtude da verdadeira matança que o autor levou a cabo, mas sobretudo porque soube explorar as nuances mais negras das personagens.
Destruição e Redenção veio fechar a narrativa bem distribuída pelo segundo volume. Ainda assim, apesar de a poder catalogar como uma boa trilogia de entretenimento, o Império das Tormentas não é um livro de grande complexidade. Ele cai em muitos momentos nos lugares comuns da literatura juvenil, com foco nas paixões e no lado mais pueril dos protagonistas. Não obstante, o mundo vai sendo bem trabalhado pelo autor de uma forma que aqui e ali se torna credível.
Neste volume, Jon Skovron explora bastante bem o Império das Tormentas, um mundo peninsular em que se destaca a norte a ilha de Pico de Pedra, onde se localiza o Palácio Imperial, ao centro Nova Laven e a sul as Ilhas Meridionais, a região menos civilizada do Império. O Império é controlado pelos biomantes, que controlam a seu bel-prazer o Imperador Martarkis, que recorre aos serviços dos servos especializados para manter o seu domínio. Os Vinchen e os biomantes são as figuras mais poderosas nessa cadeia de poder.
Desde os tempos de Manay, o Leal, que os Vinchen mantêm o juramento de proteger o Império, sem qualquer reverência ao Imperador, porque mantinham a crença de que os homens seriam facilmente corrompidos e não deviam prestar-lhes serviço por graus de poder. Escondidos no seu reduto em Charneca, os Vinchen viveram por muitos anos longe da corrupção do Império, mas após a morte de Hurlo, o Astucioso, o seu sucessor não parece comungar plenamente dessa percepção.
De facto, Racklock alia-se aos biomantes numa verdadeira caça à mulher, ou melhor dizendo, às mulheres. Esperança Sombria, a ex-protegida de Hurlo, e Brigga Lin, a ex-biomante, que após enfrentarem os exércitos zombies dos Lordes Chacais se tornaram uma verdadeira ameaça à hegemonia dos biomantes. O que eles não esperavam era que as duas guerreiras se separassem, após os terríveis eventos de Luz da Aurora.
Esperança Sombria ruma à sua terra natal, ou ao que restou dela, em busca de respostas sobre o seu passado. Ali encontra um sinistro menino de cabelo branco que tem como atividade preferida matar, para transformar as vítimas em seus amigos. Na verdade, através do blanqueamento, ele aprendeu uma forma de reviver seres mortos e fazê-los responder à sua vontade, seguindo os métodos dos seus mestres, os Lordes Chacais.
A guerreira Vinchen torna-se amiga do rapaz, de seu nome Uter, e tenta mostrar-lhe que há uma forma mais saudável de fazer amigos. Pelo caminho, reencontram a Velha Yammy, que revela mais uma vez ser muito mais do que a velhinha adorável que aparenta. Desde a procura de respostas sobre o seu passado, à tentativa de honrar a sua educação Vinchen, Esperança acaba por dirigir-se à ilha de Walta. Enquanto isso, também os restantes membros do grupo se separaram.
Com Alash, Finn e Vaderton em locais distintos e Urtigas à frente dos destinos de Círculo do Paraíso, Brigga Lin e a pequena Jilly permaneceram no navio de Gavish Grisalho, Raio Veloz, onde a ex-biomante se tornou amante do capitão. A jovem grumete é que não parece ter ficado muito satisfeita. Depois de ter sido abandonada por Esperança Sombria, que prometera ensinar-lhe a arte dos Vinchen, também Brigga Lin parece não ter grande paciência para lhe ensinar os dotes dos biomantes, limitando-se a dar-lhe livros e mais livros para ler.
No Palácio Imperial conhecemos ainda nuances de um outro mundo, o reino de Aukbontar, através das personagens Nea Omnipora, uma embaixadora, o seu guarda-costas Catim, a mecânica Drissa e um curioso estudioso da flora chamado Etcher, que a acompanham. Depois de ter travado amizade com o Príncipe Leston, escapado à influência dos biomantes e descoberto uma grande conspiração encabeçada pela Dama Merivale Hempist, Ruivo é enviado por esta com uma missão que não lhe desagrada nada: procurar Esperança Sombria e Brigga Lin, e recrutá-las para a luta contra os biomantes.
Então, é obrigado a enfrentar Círculo do Paraíso e os acontecimentos calamitosos que marcaram a sua ausência, desde a nova identidade de Urtigas, agora sempre acompanhada pelos sinistros Moxy Poxy e Senhor Cabeleira, mas também aceitar as mudanças que ocorreram em si mesmo, depois de se ter transformado num demónio às mãos dos biomantes e sobrevivido para os ultrapassar. Mas é em Posto de Vance que a ação tem lugar. E que ação!
Destruição e Redenção foi mais uma boa leitura com o carimbo Bang! da Saída de Emergência. Depois de um início bem inferior aos volumes anteriores, acabou por ser um livro tão bom quanto eles. Adorei os finais, apesar de não ter gostado muito do excesso de volte-faces a envolver criaturas sobrenaturais, nem da fácil aceitação final do Conselho de Biomantes, com frases bem clichés. As aventuras de Rixidenteron e Esperança Sombria chegaram ao fim, e apesar de ser uma história quase juvenil, teve vários momentos de grande interesse, e um final bem amarrado.
Império das Tormentas foi uma trilogia competente. Se o primeiro volume teve alguns dos melhores momentos, perdeu devido ao manancial de novos termos implementados pelo autor, que tornaram a leitura muito pouco fluída. O segundo volume foi mais moderado e eu estava já mais familiarizado com as expressões, mas também teve mais revelações, intrigas e mortes imprevisíveis, pelo que foi o meu preferido.
Destruição e Redenção fechou com chave de ouro aquela que podia ser uma trilogia maravilhosa, não chegou a tanto, mas teve os seus momentos de qualidade. Venham mais trilogias e sagas, que estarei aqui para as ler e comentar. Jon Skovron é um nome que não ombreia, nem de perto nem de longe, com os meus escritores preferidos, mas é de louvar o trabalho da Saída de Emergência. Acima de tudo, a aposta em novos autores e em novas ideias é sempre bem-vinda.
http://noticiasdezallar.wordpress.com
Destruição e Redenção veio fechar a narrativa bem distribuída pelo segundo volume. Ainda assim, apesar de a poder catalogar como uma boa trilogia de entretenimento, o Império das Tormentas não é um livro de grande complexidade. Ele cai em muitos momentos nos lugares comuns da literatura juvenil, com foco nas paixões e no lado mais pueril dos protagonistas. Não obstante, o mundo vai sendo bem trabalhado pelo autor de uma forma que aqui e ali se torna credível.
Neste volume, Jon Skovron explora bastante bem o Império das Tormentas, um mundo peninsular em que se destaca a norte a ilha de Pico de Pedra, onde se localiza o Palácio Imperial, ao centro Nova Laven e a sul as Ilhas Meridionais, a região menos civilizada do Império. O Império é controlado pelos biomantes, que controlam a seu bel-prazer o Imperador Martarkis, que recorre aos serviços dos servos especializados para manter o seu domínio. Os Vinchen e os biomantes são as figuras mais poderosas nessa cadeia de poder.
Desde os tempos de Manay, o Leal, que os Vinchen mantêm o juramento de proteger o Império, sem qualquer reverência ao Imperador, porque mantinham a crença de que os homens seriam facilmente corrompidos e não deviam prestar-lhes serviço por graus de poder. Escondidos no seu reduto em Charneca, os Vinchen viveram por muitos anos longe da corrupção do Império, mas após a morte de Hurlo, o Astucioso, o seu sucessor não parece comungar plenamente dessa percepção.
De facto, Racklock alia-se aos biomantes numa verdadeira caça à mulher, ou melhor dizendo, às mulheres. Esperança Sombria, a ex-protegida de Hurlo, e Brigga Lin, a ex-biomante, que após enfrentarem os exércitos zombies dos Lordes Chacais se tornaram uma verdadeira ameaça à hegemonia dos biomantes. O que eles não esperavam era que as duas guerreiras se separassem, após os terríveis eventos de Luz da Aurora.
Esperança Sombria ruma à sua terra natal, ou ao que restou dela, em busca de respostas sobre o seu passado. Ali encontra um sinistro menino de cabelo branco que tem como atividade preferida matar, para transformar as vítimas em seus amigos. Na verdade, através do blanqueamento, ele aprendeu uma forma de reviver seres mortos e fazê-los responder à sua vontade, seguindo os métodos dos seus mestres, os Lordes Chacais.
A guerreira Vinchen torna-se amiga do rapaz, de seu nome Uter, e tenta mostrar-lhe que há uma forma mais saudável de fazer amigos. Pelo caminho, reencontram a Velha Yammy, que revela mais uma vez ser muito mais do que a velhinha adorável que aparenta. Desde a procura de respostas sobre o seu passado, à tentativa de honrar a sua educação Vinchen, Esperança acaba por dirigir-se à ilha de Walta. Enquanto isso, também os restantes membros do grupo se separaram.
Com Alash, Finn e Vaderton em locais distintos e Urtigas à frente dos destinos de Círculo do Paraíso, Brigga Lin e a pequena Jilly permaneceram no navio de Gavish Grisalho, Raio Veloz, onde a ex-biomante se tornou amante do capitão. A jovem grumete é que não parece ter ficado muito satisfeita. Depois de ter sido abandonada por Esperança Sombria, que prometera ensinar-lhe a arte dos Vinchen, também Brigga Lin parece não ter grande paciência para lhe ensinar os dotes dos biomantes, limitando-se a dar-lhe livros e mais livros para ler.
No Palácio Imperial conhecemos ainda nuances de um outro mundo, o reino de Aukbontar, através das personagens Nea Omnipora, uma embaixadora, o seu guarda-costas Catim, a mecânica Drissa e um curioso estudioso da flora chamado Etcher, que a acompanham. Depois de ter travado amizade com o Príncipe Leston, escapado à influência dos biomantes e descoberto uma grande conspiração encabeçada pela Dama Merivale Hempist, Ruivo é enviado por esta com uma missão que não lhe desagrada nada: procurar Esperança Sombria e Brigga Lin, e recrutá-las para a luta contra os biomantes.
Então, é obrigado a enfrentar Círculo do Paraíso e os acontecimentos calamitosos que marcaram a sua ausência, desde a nova identidade de Urtigas, agora sempre acompanhada pelos sinistros Moxy Poxy e Senhor Cabeleira, mas também aceitar as mudanças que ocorreram em si mesmo, depois de se ter transformado num demónio às mãos dos biomantes e sobrevivido para os ultrapassar. Mas é em Posto de Vance que a ação tem lugar. E que ação!
Destruição e Redenção foi mais uma boa leitura com o carimbo Bang! da Saída de Emergência. Depois de um início bem inferior aos volumes anteriores, acabou por ser um livro tão bom quanto eles. Adorei os finais, apesar de não ter gostado muito do excesso de volte-faces a envolver criaturas sobrenaturais, nem da fácil aceitação final do Conselho de Biomantes, com frases bem clichés. As aventuras de Rixidenteron e Esperança Sombria chegaram ao fim, e apesar de ser uma história quase juvenil, teve vários momentos de grande interesse, e um final bem amarrado.
Império das Tormentas foi uma trilogia competente. Se o primeiro volume teve alguns dos melhores momentos, perdeu devido ao manancial de novos termos implementados pelo autor, que tornaram a leitura muito pouco fluída. O segundo volume foi mais moderado e eu estava já mais familiarizado com as expressões, mas também teve mais revelações, intrigas e mortes imprevisíveis, pelo que foi o meu preferido.
Destruição e Redenção fechou com chave de ouro aquela que podia ser uma trilogia maravilhosa, não chegou a tanto, mas teve os seus momentos de qualidade. Venham mais trilogias e sagas, que estarei aqui para as ler e comentar. Jon Skovron é um nome que não ombreia, nem de perto nem de longe, com os meus escritores preferidos, mas é de louvar o trabalho da Saída de Emergência. Acima de tudo, a aposta em novos autores e em novas ideias é sempre bem-vinda.
http://noticiasdezallar.wordpress.com
May 6, 2021
This is the third book in the "Empire of Storms" trilogy by Jon Skovron. Hope and Red is the story of two very different people who have been thrown together in an effort to fight against the wicked Biomancers and a seemingly uncaring Emperor. Hope has been trained in secret as a Vinchen warrior even though it is forbidden for women to belong to this ancient warrior clan. Red began life as an upper-class citizen but through misfortune has been driven into a life as a street person and educated by a notorious criminal matriarch. Together they will attempt to change an entire world.
In this one Red has escaped his forced servitude to the evil Biomancers. He has is secretly working as an imperial spy in an effort to protect his friend the Prince until he can become the new Emperor. Hope has renounced her role as the pirate Dire Bane and sworn never to use weapons or take a human life ever again. They will both be called upon to reunite once again if they are to help the people they love and save the Empire from the ruthless rule of the Biomancers.
This book is a grand conclusion to this trilogy.
In this one Red has escaped his forced servitude to the evil Biomancers. He has is secretly working as an imperial spy in an effort to protect his friend the Prince until he can become the new Emperor. Hope has renounced her role as the pirate Dire Bane and sworn never to use weapons or take a human life ever again. They will both be called upon to reunite once again if they are to help the people they love and save the Empire from the ruthless rule of the Biomancers.
This book is a grand conclusion to this trilogy.
January 26, 2018
3,5-3.75 stars. I want to give a solid 4 but not completely up there. Still rounding up though, because I don't want to give a 3 star
Good ending to the trilogy!
Okay I'm gonna try to be crystal here. While the trilogy was indeed a good fun ride, it did often feel like stuff needed to be more developed, gone deeper into. All of them could have done well with a little more pages. Especially book 2 and 3. Some stuff just happened so fast and quickly moved on to the next thing.
Also for some reason, which I noticed in this book, was that travels by sea which should have taken the characters days(!), ended up taking only hours? Also what happened with Red's glasses? At some point people (Hope) mentioned his eyes but stopped mentioning his glasses, even though he needs them at daytime and no one can properly see his eye through them.
A few threads were kept loose as well. I do hope for more books in this world. I quite liked it and all the people in it. Red will always be my best wag, but Jilly, Nettie and Lady Hempist ain't that bad either. Also Uter was the most precious child ever, with his backwards way of wanting to befriend everything.
Good ending to the trilogy!
Okay I'm gonna try to be crystal here. While the trilogy was indeed a good fun ride, it did often feel like stuff needed to be more developed, gone deeper into. All of them could have done well with a little more pages. Especially book 2 and 3. Some stuff just happened so fast and quickly moved on to the next thing.
Also for some reason, which I noticed in this book, was that travels by sea which should have taken the characters days(!), ended up taking only hours? Also what happened with Red's glasses? At some point people (Hope) mentioned his eyes but stopped mentioning his glasses, even though he needs them at daytime and no one can properly see his eye through them.
A few threads were kept loose as well. I do hope for more books in this world. I quite liked it and all the people in it. Red will always be my best wag, but Jilly, Nettie and Lady Hempist ain't that bad either. Also Uter was the most precious child ever, with his backwards way of wanting to befriend everything.
February 28, 2019
3.75/5
Fin de esta historia de aventuras, con personajes juveniles, pero con más trasfondo de lo que uno podría imaginar y con unos personajes protagonistas muy carismáticos.
Sigue siendo una novela muy entretenida, igual que sus predecesoras, y que se lee en dos ratos.
Esta saga ha sido una grata sorpresa en todos los aspectos y la recomendaría a aquellos que busquen una historia de personajes, con una ambientación trabajada y muy muy entretenida. Por supuesto, tiene sus fallos, sobre todo a veces la trama se resuelve de formas demasiado conveniente para el autor, pero en global es una saga de notable.
Fin de esta historia de aventuras, con personajes juveniles, pero con más trasfondo de lo que uno podría imaginar y con unos personajes protagonistas muy carismáticos.
Sigue siendo una novela muy entretenida, igual que sus predecesoras, y que se lee en dos ratos.
Esta saga ha sido una grata sorpresa en todos los aspectos y la recomendaría a aquellos que busquen una historia de personajes, con una ambientación trabajada y muy muy entretenida. Por supuesto, tiene sus fallos, sobre todo a veces la trama se resuelve de formas demasiado conveniente para el autor, pero en global es una saga de notable.
April 27, 2019
I delayed reading this third part in the trilogy, mainly because I didn't want the story to end. But I also wanted to find out what happens to Hope and Red. What a marvellous finish to this excellent series! Skovron skillfully combines humour, horror, thrills and adventure. Within his fantasy setting, the humanity of his creations shines through. Hugely enjoyable, highly satisfying, this is the fitting farewell I wanted for this characters. Now, I'll just have to go back to Book One and read them all over again.
November 15, 2020
A satisfying but maybe a tad too convenient ending to a great trilogy where humour, fantasy, thrill, horror and adventure are very skillfully combined. There are also some narrative threads where I missed a proper conclusion, but in the end I really enjoyed reading this and in a reading year like that, that matters a lot.
May 2, 2022
vivan red y hope viva la patria carajo
September 22, 2023
In the end, i really liked the series. It was a nice conclusion and almost everything was wrapped up. Here and there some lingering questions (what was Hope’s real name??), but it was intentionally left out. I do think, because it was a dutch audiobook, some things got lost in translation (not the authors fault) and in the end I struggled the most with remembering all the names. There where way to many characters.
October 14, 2025
Je savais que le dernier tome allait faire exploser mon cœur, c’est chose faite.
Le meilleur slow burnt de l’histoire de la fantaisie, un développement des personnages absolument extraordinaire, sans mettre personne de côté.
De la magie extrêmement bien placée et des valeurs qui sont juste respectées à la perfection.
Pitié je veux déjà les relire rendez moi Red
Le meilleur slow burnt de l’histoire de la fantaisie, un développement des personnages absolument extraordinaire, sans mettre personne de côté.
De la magie extrêmement bien placée et des valeurs qui sont juste respectées à la perfection.
Pitié je veux déjà les relire rendez moi Red
June 20, 2021
4/5
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Livre lu en VO. Cette décision du passage à la VO n’a rien à voir avec le problème actuel de son éditeur VF (pour d’autres livres qui viendront après ça a été le cas, mais celui ci j’avais décidé de revenir sur la VO depuis au moins un an).
Mon choix avait été décidé par le fait que j’avais lu le premier tome en VO, et le second en VF. Et sur la VF j’avais eu beaucoup de mal à me faire au vocabulaire « de la rue » présent dans la traduction. Je pense qu’il aurait fallu que je lise le premier en VF pour que ça passe, mais changer au milieu n’a pas fonctionné.
Mais du coup on peut dire que c’est bien tombé.
Je suis contente de mon choix parce que c’est passé tout seul. On est sur une bonne fin pour cette trilogie.
Dans l’ensemble j’ai trouvé ce tome plus simple à suivre que les précédents. Surtout dans le sens où maintenant on a une bonne idée d’où l’intrigue va mener. Ça joue moins sur les révélations ou les retournements de situation et plus sur comment remplir les objectifs des personnages principaux.
Traumatisée par les événements du tome précédent, Hope entreprend un périple pour retrouver les lieux de son passé et se chercher elle même. Ce faisant elle tombe sur un secret de son passé, en liaison avec le passé complexe des Iles de l’Empire.
Red de son coté joue toujours aux espions. Et il se trouve que la couronne en a une spécialement calibrée pour lui : retrouver Hope. En effet on espère que sa présence arrivera à regrouper le peuple pour combattre les biomenciens qui deviennent de plus en plus agressifs maintenant que leur emprise sur le pouvoir s’effrite car l’empereur se meurt …
Un final explosif qui était le bienvenue !
Ce qui est bien avec cette série c’et qu’on a vraiment pas le temps de s’ennuyer. Et pourtant on ne peux pas non plus dire que c’est une série d’action, non. Le rythme est très équilibré mais tout avance toujours de façon à toujours nous donner de nouveaux éléments qui nous tiennent en haleine
Franchement c’était une bonne lecture, à l’image de la série. Avec suffisamment de nouveautés pour ne pas décevoir toute personne ayant aimé les précédents.
Si je devais donner un petit défaut (mais qui n’en sera peut être pas un pour d’autres personnes, c’est personnel comme gout) ça serait que finalement l’intrigue sur le passé a eu moins d’importance que j’imaginais. Enfin si, elle en a, mais uniquement pour utiliser cet élément dans l’intrigue du présent.
Mais au final on ne saura jamais si tout ce qu’ils ont supposé était vrai, le passé reste le passé et seul le présent a de l’importance.
Finalement ça change des fantasy habituelles, où en général quand il y a un élément du passé il a toujours une grosse importance et permet de nombreuses découvertes. Ici non, ça prend ce point en contre-pied en gros.
Du coup étant habituée à ce principe, ça m’a un peu fait lever un sourcil qu’on n’ai pas plus de développement et que ça n’ai pas vraiment d’importance. J’ai eu un peu l’impression qu’on m’avait dérobé une partie de l’intrigue dont j’étais curieuse.
Mais sinon franchement ça n’est qu’un détail que j’ai remarqué après coup. Pendant ma lecture ça n’a pas marqué. Résultat même avec ça je peux dire que c’était vraiment une bonne lecture !
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Livre lu en VO. Cette décision du passage à la VO n’a rien à voir avec le problème actuel de son éditeur VF (pour d’autres livres qui viendront après ça a été le cas, mais celui ci j’avais décidé de revenir sur la VO depuis au moins un an).
Mon choix avait été décidé par le fait que j’avais lu le premier tome en VO, et le second en VF. Et sur la VF j’avais eu beaucoup de mal à me faire au vocabulaire « de la rue » présent dans la traduction. Je pense qu’il aurait fallu que je lise le premier en VF pour que ça passe, mais changer au milieu n’a pas fonctionné.
Mais du coup on peut dire que c’est bien tombé.
Je suis contente de mon choix parce que c’est passé tout seul. On est sur une bonne fin pour cette trilogie.
Dans l’ensemble j’ai trouvé ce tome plus simple à suivre que les précédents. Surtout dans le sens où maintenant on a une bonne idée d’où l’intrigue va mener. Ça joue moins sur les révélations ou les retournements de situation et plus sur comment remplir les objectifs des personnages principaux.
Traumatisée par les événements du tome précédent, Hope entreprend un périple pour retrouver les lieux de son passé et se chercher elle même. Ce faisant elle tombe sur un secret de son passé, en liaison avec le passé complexe des Iles de l’Empire.
Red de son coté joue toujours aux espions. Et il se trouve que la couronne en a une spécialement calibrée pour lui : retrouver Hope. En effet on espère que sa présence arrivera à regrouper le peuple pour combattre les biomenciens qui deviennent de plus en plus agressifs maintenant que leur emprise sur le pouvoir s’effrite car l’empereur se meurt …
Un final explosif qui était le bienvenue !
Ce qui est bien avec cette série c’et qu’on a vraiment pas le temps de s’ennuyer. Et pourtant on ne peux pas non plus dire que c’est une série d’action, non. Le rythme est très équilibré mais tout avance toujours de façon à toujours nous donner de nouveaux éléments qui nous tiennent en haleine
Franchement c’était une bonne lecture, à l’image de la série. Avec suffisamment de nouveautés pour ne pas décevoir toute personne ayant aimé les précédents.
Si je devais donner un petit défaut (mais qui n’en sera peut être pas un pour d’autres personnes, c’est personnel comme gout) ça serait que finalement l’intrigue sur le passé a eu moins d’importance que j’imaginais. Enfin si, elle en a, mais uniquement pour utiliser cet élément dans l’intrigue du présent.
Mais au final on ne saura jamais si tout ce qu’ils ont supposé était vrai, le passé reste le passé et seul le présent a de l’importance.
Finalement ça change des fantasy habituelles, où en général quand il y a un élément du passé il a toujours une grosse importance et permet de nombreuses découvertes. Ici non, ça prend ce point en contre-pied en gros.
Du coup étant habituée à ce principe, ça m’a un peu fait lever un sourcil qu’on n’ai pas plus de développement et que ça n’ai pas vraiment d’importance. J’ai eu un peu l’impression qu’on m’avait dérobé une partie de l’intrigue dont j’étais curieuse.
Mais sinon franchement ça n’est qu’un détail que j’ai remarqué après coup. Pendant ma lecture ça n’a pas marqué. Résultat même avec ça je peux dire que c’était vraiment une bonne lecture !
December 20, 2017
Good ending. However I preferred the first half of the book.
March 12, 2018
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
The end of Bane and Shadow left our main characters apart and adrift. Hope finds herself questioning her Vinchen teachings. She has forsaken violence and revenge, and refuses to pick up a blade again. In coming to terms with her new stance, she’s given up the moniker of Dire Bane, left the ship (and her crew) and went in search of answers in the only place she thought to find any, back where it all started: Bleak Hope.
Meanwhile, Red is no longer under the biomancers’ control as the Shadow Demon, but he keeps up the guise hoping to get more information about what the biomancers’ true endgame is. When this doesn’t happen Red does the only thing he can think of: he comes clean about his treachery, and then immediately flees Stonepeak following in the trail of the Vinchen who are looking for Hope.
Tensions are high in the Empire, and there’s nothing that can be done to stop it from boiling over. Red and Hope will need to try to ban together both the commoners and aristocracy if they want even a chance of coming out of the conflict alive.
This story was built up so well within the first two books—as well as the character development—that this third and final installment in the trilogy was basically just an afterward. It was the natural conclusion in a battle of good vs. evil.
There were some wonderful singular moments spread throughout the story. Namely, the drive to get Hope and Red back on page together and what happens afterwards. They have been apart for over a year and shared no page time whatsoever in Bane and Shadow. They both changed exponentially in the second book. So seeing how they reacted to one another, if they could pick up where they left off was a highlight for me. I do have to say that the romance in these books was like a drop of fresh air among the darker and oftentimes grosser aspects of the books, yet never overwhelmed the main idea of the story.
Without a lot of world and/or character building needed for this conclusion, I felt like Job Skovron ended up starting a few new story threads that, should he decide, could be picked up and turned into a nice spin-off series.
I’ve really enjoyed and appreciated the female strong perspective that has been put into these books. For me, Blood and Tempest really showcases the female friendships and dedication to one another that have been built up between Hope, Brigga Lin (a female biomancer) and their student Jilly. But I really like the message that violence does not have to be the automatic answer for solving conflicts. There’s no one who wants to cross Hope with or without her sword.
Overall, this series is highly recommended. The strong, centralized female characters and the sweet romance are a big plus. If there are more stories to tell in the Empire of Storms world, I would gladly welcome them.
The end of Bane and Shadow left our main characters apart and adrift. Hope finds herself questioning her Vinchen teachings. She has forsaken violence and revenge, and refuses to pick up a blade again. In coming to terms with her new stance, she’s given up the moniker of Dire Bane, left the ship (and her crew) and went in search of answers in the only place she thought to find any, back where it all started: Bleak Hope.
Meanwhile, Red is no longer under the biomancers’ control as the Shadow Demon, but he keeps up the guise hoping to get more information about what the biomancers’ true endgame is. When this doesn’t happen Red does the only thing he can think of: he comes clean about his treachery, and then immediately flees Stonepeak following in the trail of the Vinchen who are looking for Hope.
Tensions are high in the Empire, and there’s nothing that can be done to stop it from boiling over. Red and Hope will need to try to ban together both the commoners and aristocracy if they want even a chance of coming out of the conflict alive.
This story was built up so well within the first two books—as well as the character development—that this third and final installment in the trilogy was basically just an afterward. It was the natural conclusion in a battle of good vs. evil.
There were some wonderful singular moments spread throughout the story. Namely, the drive to get Hope and Red back on page together and what happens afterwards. They have been apart for over a year and shared no page time whatsoever in Bane and Shadow. They both changed exponentially in the second book. So seeing how they reacted to one another, if they could pick up where they left off was a highlight for me. I do have to say that the romance in these books was like a drop of fresh air among the darker and oftentimes grosser aspects of the books, yet never overwhelmed the main idea of the story.
Without a lot of world and/or character building needed for this conclusion, I felt like Job Skovron ended up starting a few new story threads that, should he decide, could be picked up and turned into a nice spin-off series.
I’ve really enjoyed and appreciated the female strong perspective that has been put into these books. For me, Blood and Tempest really showcases the female friendships and dedication to one another that have been built up between Hope, Brigga Lin (a female biomancer) and their student Jilly. But I really like the message that violence does not have to be the automatic answer for solving conflicts. There’s no one who wants to cross Hope with or without her sword.
Overall, this series is highly recommended. The strong, centralized female characters and the sweet romance are a big plus. If there are more stories to tell in the Empire of Storms world, I would gladly welcome them.
December 18, 2024
A nice ending to a nice trilogy. It felt a bit rushed in the last chapters. I would have take more about the aftermath, but it was overall satisfying.
April 12, 2023
So, I'm not so good at writing reviews, and this is one of my first on Goodreads, but I will do my best to express myself. Also, this is a review of the whole series...
Personally, I think the first book was the best. It seriously left me crying on the ground. There was this balance between adventure, humor and romance, and although Hope was a bit native, it didn't matter because she was a fast learner and she adapted to her situation. She wasn't one of those girls that come in a new world and just cry because they have too much self-pity.
I like Red. He is selfconsious, but isn't really arrogant. Also, he trows knives. I have this thing with people who trow knives. I somehow instally like them.
I really liked that we could see how they grew up, with Hope at the Vinchen and after that on the merchant ship. She wants vengeance, but isn't so totally consumed by it that she makes stupid decisions. And Red in Paradise Circle, with Sadie on the pirate ship, with Filler, how he met Nettles... Really good.
Then the end. I personally hated Jon at this moment, because I had to wait for at least five minutes before I could read the next book. But then I read that Red didn't change so much that he was unrecognizable, and that Hope had become a pirate. Bit ironic that a navy officer ended up being one of her friends, and I really had to laugh when Old Yammy told him. It was just at the end of the second book that I felt disappointment for the first time. How Hope ended up where she began, it was just really sad. And she made that vow to never pick up a sword again... Arghh! And the Sword fell in the hands of Racklock... But, she came back! With that new ability to suppress time, of course. In the end, it all was good, although I would like to know how Uter and Jilly ended up...
So hey, if you have time, would you please review my review? English isn't my mother language, and I would like to know if I write this right... Thanks!
Personally, I think the first book was the best. It seriously left me crying on the ground. There was this balance between adventure, humor and romance, and although Hope was a bit native, it didn't matter because she was a fast learner and she adapted to her situation. She wasn't one of those girls that come in a new world and just cry because they have too much self-pity.
I like Red. He is selfconsious, but isn't really arrogant. Also, he trows knives. I have this thing with people who trow knives. I somehow instally like them.
I really liked that we could see how they grew up, with Hope at the Vinchen and after that on the merchant ship. She wants vengeance, but isn't so totally consumed by it that she makes stupid decisions. And Red in Paradise Circle, with Sadie on the pirate ship, with Filler, how he met Nettles... Really good.
Then the end. I personally hated Jon at this moment, because I had to wait for at least five minutes before I could read the next book. But then I read that Red didn't change so much that he was unrecognizable, and that Hope had become a pirate. Bit ironic that a navy officer ended up being one of her friends, and I really had to laugh when Old Yammy told him. It was just at the end of the second book that I felt disappointment for the first time. How Hope ended up where she began, it was just really sad. And she made that vow to never pick up a sword again... Arghh! And the Sword fell in the hands of Racklock... But, she came back! With that new ability to suppress time, of course. In the end, it all was good, although I would like to know how Uter and Jilly ended up...
So hey, if you have time, would you please review my review? English isn't my mother language, and I would like to know if I write this right... Thanks!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2018
I keep feeling like I missed something. Was there was an epilogue that I missed? Because there was so much that was left unresolved I feel like there must be another half of a book out there. For example, the triumvirate? What was the point of hinting at it for two books now, introducing the history of the jackal lords, all for it to never be brought up again? What about the impending invasion? What about the information the empress was keeping from her son? What about the information the ambassador was keeping from all the them? What about Jilly? Is she with the vichten, the biomancers or somewhere else? What about all the unresolved "couples"? Brigga Lin and Alash? And no, seeing them talk doesn't count as resolving anything. The emperor and Nea? Black rose and whatever attraction was being hinted at with Lady Miravale. Why even bring it up if you don't plan to follow through? What teach Hope time control if it played absolutely no role in the final battle at all. In fact, none of the three main characters played any significant role in the final battle since the biomancers surrendered. It was all just resolved too easily and after the darkness of the past novels it felt weird. Everyone just magically comes out of their funks. Red and Hope pretty pick up where they left. Overall, it was all just too easy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2018
Großartiges Finale der Piraten-Splatter-Trilogie mit starken Heldinnen!
Schwur der Kriegerin ist das große Finale der Empire of Storms-Trilogie, des blutigen Piraten-Fantasy-Epos mit über 1700 Seiten politischer Verwicklung, Seeschlachten und Schurkenaction. Neben abwechslungsreichen Schauplätzen und etlichen Figuren lebt die Story vor allem von ihren starken Heldinnen, die allesamt tragische und tiefe Lebenswege bestritten, um zu diesem Finale zu gelangen. Auf dass es grandios werde…
Zur Reihe: Empire of Storms
Protagonisten sind der Straßenjunge Red, der in den letzten Bänden seinen Weg aus der Armut der tiefsten Gosse des Hafenviertels fand, sowie die Vinchen-Kriegerin Hope, die gegen den Kodex heimlich ausgebildet wurde, aber das Kloster verlassen musste, als ihr Meister aufflog. Sie kämpfen mit unzähligen Verbündeten gegen die Biomanten, düsteren Magiern, die Menschen per DNA-Magie zu Monstern mutieren lassen können und vor keinem noch so grausamen Experiment zurückschrecken. Ein blutiges Spektakel.
[Da es sich um einen direkten Nachfolgeband handelt, kann diese Rezi ab hier Ereignisse der Vorgängerbände spoilern. Rezi zu Band 1: Pakt der Diebe auf meinem Blog.]
Was passiert?
Seit Vinchen-Kriegerin Bleak Hope dem Pfad der Kriegerin abschwor, ist sie unbewaffnet auf der Suche nach dem Versteck des Schakalkults, dessen dunkler Magie sie auf der Insel Morgenlicht entgegentreten musste. Dort, wo sie die Basis der Schamanen vermutet, findet sie einen weißhaarigen Jungen namens Uter, der gefühlskalt mit seinem Blut Vögel wiederbelebt und sie seinem Willen unterwirft. Als einziger Überlebender des grausamen Rituals der „Wesung“ ist er auch die letzte Spur zu Hopes Feinden, und so nimmt sie sich seiner an. Doch kann sie die Rolle eines Lehrers einnehmen und den Jungen, der nie Mitgefühl gelernt hat, geschweige denn zwischen Gut und Böse zu unterscheiden, zu einem verantwortungsvollen Menschen erziehen?
Noch immer lebt Straßenjunge Red als Lord Pastinas am Hofe des Kaisers. Nachts schützt er im Auftrag von Lady Merivale Hempist, die Leiterin des imperialen Geheimdienstes, die Stadt vor den schrecklichen DNA-Experimenten der Biomanten, die bis vor kurzem den Imperator und auch Red selbst unter ihrer Kontrolle hatten. Nun aber ist Red frei und Progul Bon tot: Der Imperator wird sterben und ein neues Zeitalter wird anbrechen. Doch wer das Imperium der Stürme an sich reißen wird, ist ungewiss: Auch die Verhandlungen mit Botschafterin Omnipora, erste Gesandte von Aukbontar seit ewiger Zeit, stehen kurz bevor und sorgen für Unruhen im Land.
Höchste Zeit für Red, alte Allianzen neu zu schmieden und offene Gefallen einzufordern. Das Imperium braucht eine Befreiung von den Biomanten, und die Revolution muss sich in allen Gesellschaftsschichten zusammenbrauen: Von der Paradieskehre bis zum Adelshof, über Seefahrer, Soldaten, Vinchen und allen Abenteurern, die loyal zu ihren Gilden stehen.
Worum geht’s?
Starke weibliche Helden, Pflicht und Loyalität sowie politische Machenschaften in verschiedenen Gesellschaftsschichten des Imperiums.
In Empire of Storms gibt es kein generelles „Gut gegen Böse“, es gibt clevere Schachzüge und zweckmäßige Allianzen, todesmutige Kämpfer für eigene Ziele und zahlreiche Opfer für ein großes Ziel. Viele überraschende Tode haben etwas in den den Protagonisten bewegt; sie verloren Freunde, Gefährten, Mentoren und Vorbilder. Die meisten Figuren sind mit ihrem ehemaligen Ich nicht mehr zu vergleichen. Für mich zeichnet das starke Romanreihen aus: Schließlich bangt man mit den Figuren, sich nicht der falschen Seite zuzuwenden, im Spiel der Mächte gegeneinander. Denn hier wäre wirklich alles möglich.
Jeder Kampf, jede Qual und jeder Verlust hat tiefe Spuren in den Seelen der Figuren hinterlassen, die Jon Skovron nun perfekt ausspielt: Er mischt Emotion mit politischem Kalkül, Rachegedanken mit blanker Verzweiflung und schafft so einen explosiven Cocktail, der die Revolution anheizt. Dem kommt zu Gute, dass wir Leser der Reihe die detaillierten Schauplätze und ihre Bewohner in den letzten Bänden liebgewannen: „All or nothing“ für die Heimat dieses Piratenabenteuers!
Wie war’s?
In Empire of Storms 3: Schwur der Kriegerin finden alle Lebenswege wieder zusammen - und das ist wunderbar. Dabei ist der Roman sogar noch blutiger und skrupelloser als die Vorgänger - und wer bis hier her durchgehalten hat, der weiß das definitiv zu schätzen!
Der Einstieg in die Empire of Storms-Reihe fiel mir sehr schwer, obwohl ich die vorherigen Bände gelesen habe. Und diesmal war das Sprachbild, der Dialekt der Paradieskehre, kein großes Problem. Schwieriger war es, mich an den Ausgang des zweiten Bandes: Schatten des Todes zu erinnern. Denn am Ende des zweiten Bandes überschlugen sich die Ereignisse, und im Nachfolgeband hat wirklich jede Figur, die nicht in der Schlacht starb, einen erneuten Auftritt. Dabei weiß aber nicht jeder Protagonist von allen Ereignissen: So ist Hopes Kenntnisstand bspw., dass sie Red an die Kontrolle der Biomanten verloren hat, was längst nicht mehr stimmt. Sie bangt über viele Seiten vor einem Treffen, während der Leser die Wahrheit längst kennt.
Dennoch: Allein die Anzahl der auftauchenden Figuren ist schon gewaltig. Dazu kommt: Jede von ihnen verfügt dazu über einen eigenen Background, eigene Sympathien, selbst in großen Gilden, unabhängig der Ausrichtung des Verbands. Und tatsächlich nimmt Jon Skovron für das letzte Abenteuer noch neue Perspektiven auf: Der junge Stephan, Mitglied im Orden der Vinchen, beginnt an der Führung seines Meisters zu zweifeln. Ich hätte mir ein Personenverzeichnis gewünscht - und wo ist das Glossar der Vorgänger abgeblieben?
Im Laufe des Abenteuers fand ich dann aber fix zurück in die Story und fieberte mit: Schwur der Kriegerin ist das kurzweiliges und spannendes Finale einer tiefgreifenden Geschichte um das Imperium der Stürme, seine Heldinnen und Drahtzieher, fast ohne Romantik. Keine Young Adult-Romanze, sondern deftiger Fantasy-Stoff für echte Abenteurer!
[Vielen Dank an Heyne für dieses Rezi-Exemplar.]
[Alle Rezis zur Empire of Storms-Reihe auf meinem Blog.]
Schwur der Kriegerin ist das große Finale der Empire of Storms-Trilogie, des blutigen Piraten-Fantasy-Epos mit über 1700 Seiten politischer Verwicklung, Seeschlachten und Schurkenaction. Neben abwechslungsreichen Schauplätzen und etlichen Figuren lebt die Story vor allem von ihren starken Heldinnen, die allesamt tragische und tiefe Lebenswege bestritten, um zu diesem Finale zu gelangen. Auf dass es grandios werde…
Zur Reihe: Empire of Storms
Protagonisten sind der Straßenjunge Red, der in den letzten Bänden seinen Weg aus der Armut der tiefsten Gosse des Hafenviertels fand, sowie die Vinchen-Kriegerin Hope, die gegen den Kodex heimlich ausgebildet wurde, aber das Kloster verlassen musste, als ihr Meister aufflog. Sie kämpfen mit unzähligen Verbündeten gegen die Biomanten, düsteren Magiern, die Menschen per DNA-Magie zu Monstern mutieren lassen können und vor keinem noch so grausamen Experiment zurückschrecken. Ein blutiges Spektakel.
[Da es sich um einen direkten Nachfolgeband handelt, kann diese Rezi ab hier Ereignisse der Vorgängerbände spoilern. Rezi zu Band 1: Pakt der Diebe auf meinem Blog.]
Was passiert?
Seit Vinchen-Kriegerin Bleak Hope dem Pfad der Kriegerin abschwor, ist sie unbewaffnet auf der Suche nach dem Versteck des Schakalkults, dessen dunkler Magie sie auf der Insel Morgenlicht entgegentreten musste. Dort, wo sie die Basis der Schamanen vermutet, findet sie einen weißhaarigen Jungen namens Uter, der gefühlskalt mit seinem Blut Vögel wiederbelebt und sie seinem Willen unterwirft. Als einziger Überlebender des grausamen Rituals der „Wesung“ ist er auch die letzte Spur zu Hopes Feinden, und so nimmt sie sich seiner an. Doch kann sie die Rolle eines Lehrers einnehmen und den Jungen, der nie Mitgefühl gelernt hat, geschweige denn zwischen Gut und Böse zu unterscheiden, zu einem verantwortungsvollen Menschen erziehen?
Noch immer lebt Straßenjunge Red als Lord Pastinas am Hofe des Kaisers. Nachts schützt er im Auftrag von Lady Merivale Hempist, die Leiterin des imperialen Geheimdienstes, die Stadt vor den schrecklichen DNA-Experimenten der Biomanten, die bis vor kurzem den Imperator und auch Red selbst unter ihrer Kontrolle hatten. Nun aber ist Red frei und Progul Bon tot: Der Imperator wird sterben und ein neues Zeitalter wird anbrechen. Doch wer das Imperium der Stürme an sich reißen wird, ist ungewiss: Auch die Verhandlungen mit Botschafterin Omnipora, erste Gesandte von Aukbontar seit ewiger Zeit, stehen kurz bevor und sorgen für Unruhen im Land.
Höchste Zeit für Red, alte Allianzen neu zu schmieden und offene Gefallen einzufordern. Das Imperium braucht eine Befreiung von den Biomanten, und die Revolution muss sich in allen Gesellschaftsschichten zusammenbrauen: Von der Paradieskehre bis zum Adelshof, über Seefahrer, Soldaten, Vinchen und allen Abenteurern, die loyal zu ihren Gilden stehen.
Worum geht’s?
Starke weibliche Helden, Pflicht und Loyalität sowie politische Machenschaften in verschiedenen Gesellschaftsschichten des Imperiums.
In Empire of Storms gibt es kein generelles „Gut gegen Böse“, es gibt clevere Schachzüge und zweckmäßige Allianzen, todesmutige Kämpfer für eigene Ziele und zahlreiche Opfer für ein großes Ziel. Viele überraschende Tode haben etwas in den den Protagonisten bewegt; sie verloren Freunde, Gefährten, Mentoren und Vorbilder. Die meisten Figuren sind mit ihrem ehemaligen Ich nicht mehr zu vergleichen. Für mich zeichnet das starke Romanreihen aus: Schließlich bangt man mit den Figuren, sich nicht der falschen Seite zuzuwenden, im Spiel der Mächte gegeneinander. Denn hier wäre wirklich alles möglich.
Jeder Kampf, jede Qual und jeder Verlust hat tiefe Spuren in den Seelen der Figuren hinterlassen, die Jon Skovron nun perfekt ausspielt: Er mischt Emotion mit politischem Kalkül, Rachegedanken mit blanker Verzweiflung und schafft so einen explosiven Cocktail, der die Revolution anheizt. Dem kommt zu Gute, dass wir Leser der Reihe die detaillierten Schauplätze und ihre Bewohner in den letzten Bänden liebgewannen: „All or nothing“ für die Heimat dieses Piratenabenteuers!
Wie war’s?
In Empire of Storms 3: Schwur der Kriegerin finden alle Lebenswege wieder zusammen - und das ist wunderbar. Dabei ist der Roman sogar noch blutiger und skrupelloser als die Vorgänger - und wer bis hier her durchgehalten hat, der weiß das definitiv zu schätzen!
Der Einstieg in die Empire of Storms-Reihe fiel mir sehr schwer, obwohl ich die vorherigen Bände gelesen habe. Und diesmal war das Sprachbild, der Dialekt der Paradieskehre, kein großes Problem. Schwieriger war es, mich an den Ausgang des zweiten Bandes: Schatten des Todes zu erinnern. Denn am Ende des zweiten Bandes überschlugen sich die Ereignisse, und im Nachfolgeband hat wirklich jede Figur, die nicht in der Schlacht starb, einen erneuten Auftritt. Dabei weiß aber nicht jeder Protagonist von allen Ereignissen: So ist Hopes Kenntnisstand bspw., dass sie Red an die Kontrolle der Biomanten verloren hat, was längst nicht mehr stimmt. Sie bangt über viele Seiten vor einem Treffen, während der Leser die Wahrheit längst kennt.
Dennoch: Allein die Anzahl der auftauchenden Figuren ist schon gewaltig. Dazu kommt: Jede von ihnen verfügt dazu über einen eigenen Background, eigene Sympathien, selbst in großen Gilden, unabhängig der Ausrichtung des Verbands. Und tatsächlich nimmt Jon Skovron für das letzte Abenteuer noch neue Perspektiven auf: Der junge Stephan, Mitglied im Orden der Vinchen, beginnt an der Führung seines Meisters zu zweifeln. Ich hätte mir ein Personenverzeichnis gewünscht - und wo ist das Glossar der Vorgänger abgeblieben?
Im Laufe des Abenteuers fand ich dann aber fix zurück in die Story und fieberte mit: Schwur der Kriegerin ist das kurzweiliges und spannendes Finale einer tiefgreifenden Geschichte um das Imperium der Stürme, seine Heldinnen und Drahtzieher, fast ohne Romantik. Keine Young Adult-Romanze, sondern deftiger Fantasy-Stoff für echte Abenteurer!
[Vielen Dank an Heyne für dieses Rezi-Exemplar.]
[Alle Rezis zur Empire of Storms-Reihe auf meinem Blog.]
December 9, 2017
when the story focused on Red and Hope and Jilly and Brigga Lin and Alash and Finn and Vaderton and everyone else on the original pirate ship the story really drew me in and made me want to keep reading until the end
but the politics part with Prince Leston and Lady Hempist (even Empress Pysetcha) was just tedious and boring. So many other characters felt interesting, but all of the lacies (royals) had the dumbest and most inconceivable story lines (also dumb as all get out and couldn't find their way out of a paper bag)
Too many loose threads:
What was the real purpose of having Aukbontar ambassadors in this book?
Why weren't the biomancers punished for brutally mutilating and murdering thousands of their own people?
What is the Haevanton Triumvirate?
What was the purpose of Uter?
There are others, but I want to stop now
but the politics part with Prince Leston and Lady Hempist (even Empress Pysetcha) was just tedious and boring. So many other characters felt interesting, but all of the lacies (royals) had the dumbest and most inconceivable story lines (also dumb as all get out and couldn't find their way out of a paper bag)
Too many loose threads:
What was the real purpose of having Aukbontar ambassadors in this book?
Why weren't the biomancers punished for brutally mutilating and murdering thousands of their own people?
What is the Haevanton Triumvirate?
What was the purpose of Uter?
There are others, but I want to stop now
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