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Seven Forges #5
The Godless
The eagerly anticipating fifth book in the Seven Forges series
The long war with the Sa'ba Taalor has ended, but the land of Fellein does not know peace - only ceaseless change.
A spate of murders draw the interest of Darsken Murdrow of the Inquisition, until the hunter becomes the hunted. Andover Lashk of the Iron Hands seeks a home in a world in which he no longer fits. An unholy necromancer steals souls, makes sacrifices, and sows fear.
And in the barren wastelands of the Wellish Steppes, the army of the Godless gathers. Driven from their homeland, abandoned by their deities, the Godless now follow the banner of a new Master, and are thirsty for blood.
The long war with the Sa'ba Taalor has ended, but the land of Fellein does not know peace - only ceaseless change.
A spate of murders draw the interest of Darsken Murdrow of the Inquisition, until the hunter becomes the hunted. Andover Lashk of the Iron Hands seeks a home in a world in which he no longer fits. An unholy necromancer steals souls, makes sacrifices, and sows fear.
And in the barren wastelands of the Wellish Steppes, the army of the Godless gathers. Driven from their homeland, abandoned by their deities, the Godless now follow the banner of a new Master, and are thirsty for blood.
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
360 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2021
17 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
James A. Moore
231 books764 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 14, 2025
I’ve now read five books in the Seven Forges series. When I started with book one back in 2021, I gave it 4 stars and felt excited about the unique world and intriguing mix of races. Book two was just as strong for me (4 stars), but after that, things started to slide book three dropped to 3 stars, book four to 2 stars, and unfortunately, book five (The Godless) stays at that same level.
While this one is slightly better than book four, the story still feels stretched out, with no clear destination. A single chapter often jumps between multiple characters’ points of view, which can be confusing more than once I had to stop and figure out who was speaking and where the scene was set.
The original concept remains interesting, and Moore’s worldbuilding is still a strength. But the sheer number of POV characters, combined with limited character growth, means I never formed a real attachment to anyone. Without that, even a fascinating world can start to feel empty.
Over the past four years, I’ve discovered new series that simply do this better, sharper plotting, more focus, and stronger character arcs. For now, I’m putting Seven Forges on the shelf and moving on. I’d only recommend this to readers already deeply invested in the series and willing to accept a slow, meandering pace. If you’re new to Moore’s work, maybe start with book one and see if his style clicks for you.
While this one is slightly better than book four, the story still feels stretched out, with no clear destination. A single chapter often jumps between multiple characters’ points of view, which can be confusing more than once I had to stop and figure out who was speaking and where the scene was set.
The original concept remains interesting, and Moore’s worldbuilding is still a strength. But the sheer number of POV characters, combined with limited character growth, means I never formed a real attachment to anyone. Without that, even a fascinating world can start to feel empty.
Over the past four years, I’ve discovered new series that simply do this better, sharper plotting, more focus, and stronger character arcs. For now, I’m putting Seven Forges on the shelf and moving on. I’d only recommend this to readers already deeply invested in the series and willing to accept a slow, meandering pace. If you’re new to Moore’s work, maybe start with book one and see if his style clicks for you.
November 17, 2021
A long setup for what's next
It feels as if this entire book could have been made into an extended prologue for what's to come. Very little actually happens in this story. Still a good read and excited for what's coming next.
It feels as if this entire book could have been made into an extended prologue for what's to come. Very little actually happens in this story. Still a good read and excited for what's coming next.
November 7, 2025
4.5/5 Stars
March 21, 2025
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5
Looking over my review of book #4 in the Seven Forges series, I clearly believed that to be the final book. Five years later and The Godless was published, which I read and reviewed in October of 2021. Although my review was previously posted, I read the five books of the series in order (some for the first time, some for the second time) and decided I would repost my review as it originally appeared.
# # # # #
Just because a war has ended doesn't mean everyone (or anyone) suddenly knows peace. The long war with the Sa'ba Taalor has ended, but in the land of Fellein there is restlessness due to the constant change. And what do those who've spent their lives fighting wars do? Andover Lashk of the Iron Hands, once revered for his power, now feels like a man without a country.
This has been a series of battles, supported by gods, but those who would now be considered the 'losers' have not only been driven from their lands, but they've been abandoned by their gods. They are now The Godless and they are gathering in the wastelands ready to follow a new master.
Just two days before I picked up this book I had looked up on my blog to see when I last read a James A. Moore book. I really look forward to Moore's strong, adventure/fantasy.
The Godless doesn't have quite the excitement level that we were left with in book 4, The Silent Army, but what it lacks in sword-point action it makes up for with the intense anticipation that Moore gives us.
One of the many things I like about a James A. Moore book is that there are no wasted characters. Everyone we meet seems to be a real person and they have a purpose in the book. Our main cast of characters give us quite varied viewpoints and each chapters offers up multiple storylines. It's important for the reader to make careful note of whose story they are reading.
Sometimes it was hard not to be more interested in one story over another and in general I was really eager to read more when it was Whistler's story (not The Whistler). But even as I write that I think about Jeron, and Desh , and Andover, and how could I ever suggest their stories didn't hold as much interest as any other story, because that's not true. And then I want to start listing all the characters because, as I mentioned, there are no wasted characters in a Moore book. If every page isn't a nail-biter you can bet there will be moments for each character that will stand out.
One of the most intense moments in the book for me started with Nachia Krous' story. "Being the Empress might have many advantages, but holding court was not one of them," she states as she attends/hosts a soirée. which looks to be a rather dull time until ten Sa’ba Taalor show up, including King Swech Tothis Durwrae. Nachia remains calm and willing to listen. The next portion of the chapter is then the story from Swech's point of view. And although this happens late in the book, it's an important set-up moment.
But this is the one problem I have with this particular book... the entire novel feels like a set-up for the next chapter in the Seven Forges epic.
This isn't to say that there isn't great world-building and characters. Nobody is writing this 'sword & sorcery' fantastic fantasy better than Moore. And there is a slow build of action within the book. But the primary purpose of the books appears to be setting the stage for the next installment.
That's okay. I'd still rather read Moore's set-up novel than most other books.
Looking for a good book? The Godless by James A. Moore is the fifth book in The Seven Forges series. The book doesn't have the same excitement level as the previous book in the series, but the good news is that it's pretty clear that there will be more books in the series.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Looking over my review of book #4 in the Seven Forges series, I clearly believed that to be the final book. Five years later and The Godless was published, which I read and reviewed in October of 2021. Although my review was previously posted, I read the five books of the series in order (some for the first time, some for the second time) and decided I would repost my review as it originally appeared.
# # # # #
Just because a war has ended doesn't mean everyone (or anyone) suddenly knows peace. The long war with the Sa'ba Taalor has ended, but in the land of Fellein there is restlessness due to the constant change. And what do those who've spent their lives fighting wars do? Andover Lashk of the Iron Hands, once revered for his power, now feels like a man without a country.
This has been a series of battles, supported by gods, but those who would now be considered the 'losers' have not only been driven from their lands, but they've been abandoned by their gods. They are now The Godless and they are gathering in the wastelands ready to follow a new master.
Just two days before I picked up this book I had looked up on my blog to see when I last read a James A. Moore book. I really look forward to Moore's strong, adventure/fantasy.
The Godless doesn't have quite the excitement level that we were left with in book 4, The Silent Army, but what it lacks in sword-point action it makes up for with the intense anticipation that Moore gives us.
One of the many things I like about a James A. Moore book is that there are no wasted characters. Everyone we meet seems to be a real person and they have a purpose in the book. Our main cast of characters give us quite varied viewpoints and each chapters offers up multiple storylines. It's important for the reader to make careful note of whose story they are reading.
Sometimes it was hard not to be more interested in one story over another and in general I was really eager to read more when it was Whistler's story (not The Whistler). But even as I write that I think about Jeron, and Desh , and Andover, and how could I ever suggest their stories didn't hold as much interest as any other story, because that's not true. And then I want to start listing all the characters because, as I mentioned, there are no wasted characters in a Moore book. If every page isn't a nail-biter you can bet there will be moments for each character that will stand out.
One of the most intense moments in the book for me started with Nachia Krous' story. "Being the Empress might have many advantages, but holding court was not one of them," she states as she attends/hosts a soirée. which looks to be a rather dull time until ten Sa’ba Taalor show up, including King Swech Tothis Durwrae. Nachia remains calm and willing to listen. The next portion of the chapter is then the story from Swech's point of view. And although this happens late in the book, it's an important set-up moment.
But this is the one problem I have with this particular book... the entire novel feels like a set-up for the next chapter in the Seven Forges epic.
This isn't to say that there isn't great world-building and characters. Nobody is writing this 'sword & sorcery' fantastic fantasy better than Moore. And there is a slow build of action within the book. But the primary purpose of the books appears to be setting the stage for the next installment.
That's okay. I'd still rather read Moore's set-up novel than most other books.
Looking for a good book? The Godless by James A. Moore is the fifth book in The Seven Forges series. The book doesn't have the same excitement level as the previous book in the series, but the good news is that it's pretty clear that there will be more books in the series.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2022
Good story. A bit different than the other 4 books. Not much happened in this book. Mostly set up for the next. The only thing that I did not like was the way the point of view changed within each chapter. The previous books did not do this. So, that makes this more of a 3.5 stars instead of 4.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews