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The Falling Empires Saga #2
Gods of Gunpowder
War Rages Onward.
Erlon won an epic victory at the Battle of Neuse and turned the tide of the war for the falling empire. But as winter gives way to spring, the fierce Kurakin Horde marches once again. Elisa Lannes is thrust into the heart of another sprawling campaign with Marshal Lauriston and the last Erlonian generals fighting at her side. She steps bravely into the next battle, but unknown powers and devious enemies scheme against her and Erlon's brave soldiers.
General Duroc and the Horde army approaches. The allies are ready. But will old conflicts and ancient evils prove too strong to overcome as the Continent's last great war explodes into chaos?
Gods of Gunpowder is book two of The Falling Empires Saga from author Robert H. Fleming. The magic and gods of the series clash as the incredible struggle across this epic and wide-reaching fantasy world continues.
Pickup Gods of Gunpowder to continue the series in this military fantasy saga today!
Erlon won an epic victory at the Battle of Neuse and turned the tide of the war for the falling empire. But as winter gives way to spring, the fierce Kurakin Horde marches once again. Elisa Lannes is thrust into the heart of another sprawling campaign with Marshal Lauriston and the last Erlonian generals fighting at her side. She steps bravely into the next battle, but unknown powers and devious enemies scheme against her and Erlon's brave soldiers.
General Duroc and the Horde army approaches. The allies are ready. But will old conflicts and ancient evils prove too strong to overcome as the Continent's last great war explodes into chaos?
Gods of Gunpowder is book two of The Falling Empires Saga from author Robert H. Fleming. The magic and gods of the series clash as the incredible struggle across this epic and wide-reaching fantasy world continues.
Pickup Gods of Gunpowder to continue the series in this military fantasy saga today!
- GenresFantasy
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2020
26 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 7, 2025
I called the first book a great one trick wonder - magnificent battle scenes - and much of the strengths and weaknesses of the first book are present in the second.
The world is a solid muskets and magic sort of world, and is well mapped out. The reasons for fighting are, whilst still unclear, motivated by the gods and makes sense. Magic is rarely used but when it is used it is devastatingly powerful - having an important role but keeping the muskets part very much in the mix as well. There are a few clever elite units on both sides which add to the armies without detracting too much from the Napoleonic feel. Oh, and there's a bit of mystery and uncertainty too.
Combined with yet more amazing battle scenes this makes the book strong. And given it is mostly battle related in this novel this makes it a better read than the first.
The weaknesses still remain. The characters remain woefully shallow, which really prevents this from being a much better series. The characters are disappointingly weak and no amount of excellent battles can overcome this fully. There's also the issue of the book dragging with too many filler chapters that really slow down the novel. Take 10-20% of this book away, and a trimmer book would be a much stronger read.
Despite these weaknesses, given the massive emphasis on battles - I really loved the final battle - and the mysteries developing in the plot, this is a stronger effort. I'm not sure whether the writer will overcome the weaknesses in the final two books, but this one did leave me eager to read on.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
The world is a solid muskets and magic sort of world, and is well mapped out. The reasons for fighting are, whilst still unclear, motivated by the gods and makes sense. Magic is rarely used but when it is used it is devastatingly powerful - having an important role but keeping the muskets part very much in the mix as well. There are a few clever elite units on both sides which add to the armies without detracting too much from the Napoleonic feel. Oh, and there's a bit of mystery and uncertainty too.
Combined with yet more amazing battle scenes this makes the book strong. And given it is mostly battle related in this novel this makes it a better read than the first.
The weaknesses still remain. The characters remain woefully shallow, which really prevents this from being a much better series. The characters are disappointingly weak and no amount of excellent battles can overcome this fully. There's also the issue of the book dragging with too many filler chapters that really slow down the novel. Take 10-20% of this book away, and a trimmer book would be a much stronger read.
Despite these weaknesses, given the massive emphasis on battles - I really loved the final battle - and the mysteries developing in the plot, this is a stronger effort. I'm not sure whether the writer will overcome the weaknesses in the final two books, but this one did leave me eager to read on.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
September 11, 2022
What It's About: In this second book in the Erlon series, readers are taken deep into the war for the empire's future.
What I Thought: This is definitely the most purely military fantasy of the series, and as such, was my least favorite. Again, I can tell the plotting is really well-executed, but it didn't win me over into a subgenre that i usually find less than engrossing.
Who Should Read It: I would, however, recommend it to people who find the battle sequences to be their favorite parts of epic fantasy stories! They're both extensive and well-done here.
What I Thought: This is definitely the most purely military fantasy of the series, and as such, was my least favorite. Again, I can tell the plotting is really well-executed, but it didn't win me over into a subgenre that i usually find less than engrossing.
Who Should Read It: I would, however, recommend it to people who find the battle sequences to be their favorite parts of epic fantasy stories! They're both extensive and well-done here.
March 17, 2020
Fantastic Gunpowder Fantasy
I've read pretty much all of the Napoleonic era Fantasy books, and this and The Fall of Erlon easily match the other authors out there. I'm surprised to have found it, more people need it, and more people need to write it! It's a great story, written well and you easily submerge yourself. A lot of authors write good stories that I've given up on, as they're still beginning at page 100 and you regret buying it. This isn't one.
I've read pretty much all of the Napoleonic era Fantasy books, and this and The Fall of Erlon easily match the other authors out there. I'm surprised to have found it, more people need it, and more people need to write it! It's a great story, written well and you easily submerge yourself. A lot of authors write good stories that I've given up on, as they're still beginning at page 100 and you regret buying it. This isn't one.
April 19, 2021
Interesting but rather cold
Fantasy series set in a napoleonic type setting, which for me is great to see. The books so far are mainly a series of battles which are well written and interesting. The biggest flaw is the characters which are cold and uninteresting and to be honest it's hard to care who lives or dies. I'll finish the trilogy to see how it pans out but doubt I'll feel much for the winners and losers.
Fantasy series set in a napoleonic type setting, which for me is great to see. The books so far are mainly a series of battles which are well written and interesting. The biggest flaw is the characters which are cold and uninteresting and to be honest it's hard to care who lives or dies. I'll finish the trilogy to see how it pans out but doubt I'll feel much for the winners and losers.
July 6, 2021
The battle scenes are pretty good, so that compels me. I have some issues with the prose and dialog. Fleming repeats himself often in order to build tension. It's unnecessary. We all know what's about to happen.
January 5, 2026
Great military tactics and riveting character development!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews