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The Broken Gods #2
Paths of Chaos
Blood. Betrayal. Chaos. A darkness shrouds the land of Takaara. Magic flees the world as the Empire of Light seeks to use the confusion to its advantage. Warriors from the Borderlands struggle to find an imprisoned friend and adjust to the new normal of life with their ancestral enemies - the Barbarians.
Others have been banished from the United Cities of Archania and flee to new lands in the hope of discovering allies to fight against the impending doom.
Through it all, Chaos has awoken and the Final War is on its way, threatening to wipe away the old world and start anew. The warriors of Takaara will be left with one choice as fear and blood consume the world around them. Embrace the Chaos. Or die.
Others have been banished from the United Cities of Archania and flee to new lands in the hope of discovering allies to fight against the impending doom.
Through it all, Chaos has awoken and the Final War is on its way, threatening to wipe away the old world and start anew. The warriors of Takaara will be left with one choice as fear and blood consume the world around them. Embrace the Chaos. Or die.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 13, 2022
5/5 Stars
“The physical pain is brief but the mental, the spiritual, those pains are more torturous than a thousand swords in the back.”
Paths of Chaos is the sequel in The Broken Gods trilogy by Aaron S. Jones. A self-published, grim dark fantasy series, that takes place in the world of Takaara, as chaos looms over the lands. It’s easily a competitor for one of my favorite sequels written.
The writing, story, world building, character exploration, all of it increased in skill and execution. This is another great example of an author taking their craft to the next level.
Paths of Chaos picks up a few months from where Flames of Rebellion leaves off and doesn’t skip a beat.
With multiple POV’s from Kane, Arden, Aleister and Sly, we continue to see all angles of the world, and story. Especially as the characters end up traveling more, the world is further developed, and we see a variety of cultures and religions. These differences also give us more insight into the conflicts between the kingdoms.
The characters developments and arcs are engaging, complex and well crafted. The character work in Paths of Chaos builds on the characters we saw in Flames of Rebellion, including side characters. Creating more depth to their personalities, motivations and giving them the feeling that they are real people jumping off the page.
With morally gray characters, situational and internal struggles, Aaron S. Jones isn’t afraid to test these characters resolve and explore the complexities of humanity.
The world’s lore expands with several moments that had me on the edge of my seat. This was a compelling continuation in the trilogy that kept me wanting more and avoided the pitfalls of “middle book syndrome”.
The pacing was medium for the most part, with lots of intrigue, political scheming, great action, some mystery, and great characters. There were also several moments that I did not see coming and each one invested me in the book further.
As the stakes continue to get higher, Paths of Chaos sets up for the final installment in the trilogy, End of Days.
Aaron S. Jones has a skill for writing a compelling story and characters. I would highly recommend his books to any fantasy reader out there.
“The physical pain is brief but the mental, the spiritual, those pains are more torturous than a thousand swords in the back.”
Paths of Chaos is the sequel in The Broken Gods trilogy by Aaron S. Jones. A self-published, grim dark fantasy series, that takes place in the world of Takaara, as chaos looms over the lands. It’s easily a competitor for one of my favorite sequels written.
The writing, story, world building, character exploration, all of it increased in skill and execution. This is another great example of an author taking their craft to the next level.
Paths of Chaos picks up a few months from where Flames of Rebellion leaves off and doesn’t skip a beat.
With multiple POV’s from Kane, Arden, Aleister and Sly, we continue to see all angles of the world, and story. Especially as the characters end up traveling more, the world is further developed, and we see a variety of cultures and religions. These differences also give us more insight into the conflicts between the kingdoms.
The characters developments and arcs are engaging, complex and well crafted. The character work in Paths of Chaos builds on the characters we saw in Flames of Rebellion, including side characters. Creating more depth to their personalities, motivations and giving them the feeling that they are real people jumping off the page.
With morally gray characters, situational and internal struggles, Aaron S. Jones isn’t afraid to test these characters resolve and explore the complexities of humanity.
The world’s lore expands with several moments that had me on the edge of my seat. This was a compelling continuation in the trilogy that kept me wanting more and avoided the pitfalls of “middle book syndrome”.
The pacing was medium for the most part, with lots of intrigue, political scheming, great action, some mystery, and great characters. There were also several moments that I did not see coming and each one invested me in the book further.
As the stakes continue to get higher, Paths of Chaos sets up for the final installment in the trilogy, End of Days.
Aaron S. Jones has a skill for writing a compelling story and characters. I would highly recommend his books to any fantasy reader out there.
April 22, 2022
I reviewed the first book in this series with Storytellers on Tour a year ago, really enjoyed it, and then somehow missed the fact that books two and three had been published. Time to fix that! I have chosen to read and review Paths of Chaos by Aaron S. Jones entirely on my own, as a fan who enjoyed the previous book. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
When we departed Archania at the end of Flames of Rebellion, Arden was coming into his power, and the world was on the brink of collapsing into a state of rebellion that promised to change everything. Well, changed it has! Archania is in a state of rapid deterioration as allegiances shift and heads roll. Chaos is in control, both literally and figuratively, and not everyone who's believed to be still alive or surely dead actually are.
As before, I really did enjoy Cypher's parts, but Arden himself really won me over in this installment. Arden knows everything that was withheld from him before now, and he's looking to take some of it back. He is a bringer and pawn of Chaos now, but he still has ideas of his own. Without spoiling anything in particular, I'll say that our green and pure intended hero from book one has become a muddy, morally grey player in this war whose final intents and purposes aren't entirely known, and I love it! Just finding out where this particular volatile pawn lands would be incentive enough to pick up the third book.
If you loved the world-building and genuine inter-character relationships of Flames of Rebellion then you're in for a treat, because the world-building is far from over and there are so many lovable characters to become more acquainted with. I'm extremely invested now in even more characters, like Kiras and Alistair, and in places like Taakara.
I've seen another reviewer comment that this series could easily be the next big TV series based on a book, and I absolutely agree. There's so much fantastic and unique material here, and Jones has done such a fantastic job of building a rich, vast world full of many cultures. Not only are these length books prime material to convert to a script, but this world would make a wonderful setting for further stories, and it would work just as well on screen as Middle Earth or Westeros.
Bring on book three! (Look for my review in May.)
When we departed Archania at the end of Flames of Rebellion, Arden was coming into his power, and the world was on the brink of collapsing into a state of rebellion that promised to change everything. Well, changed it has! Archania is in a state of rapid deterioration as allegiances shift and heads roll. Chaos is in control, both literally and figuratively, and not everyone who's believed to be still alive or surely dead actually are.
As before, I really did enjoy Cypher's parts, but Arden himself really won me over in this installment. Arden knows everything that was withheld from him before now, and he's looking to take some of it back. He is a bringer and pawn of Chaos now, but he still has ideas of his own. Without spoiling anything in particular, I'll say that our green and pure intended hero from book one has become a muddy, morally grey player in this war whose final intents and purposes aren't entirely known, and I love it! Just finding out where this particular volatile pawn lands would be incentive enough to pick up the third book.
If you loved the world-building and genuine inter-character relationships of Flames of Rebellion then you're in for a treat, because the world-building is far from over and there are so many lovable characters to become more acquainted with. I'm extremely invested now in even more characters, like Kiras and Alistair, and in places like Taakara.
I've seen another reviewer comment that this series could easily be the next big TV series based on a book, and I absolutely agree. There's so much fantastic and unique material here, and Jones has done such a fantastic job of building a rich, vast world full of many cultures. Not only are these length books prime material to convert to a script, but this world would make a wonderful setting for further stories, and it would work just as well on screen as Middle Earth or Westeros.
Bring on book three! (Look for my review in May.)
August 7, 2022
4.5 stars
Paths of Chaos took everything that was good from Flames of Rebellion and turned it up a notch. The world expands, the lore deepens and the plot thickens. Easily one of the most stellar sequels I have read in a long while!
The story picks up a couple of months after the ending of book 1, but upon reading the first chapter I was immediately back in this world and completely reimmersed.
We follow the same characters as in Flames of Rebellion and I loved seeing how they have developed since we first met them at the start of book 1. All the POVs continue to feel super distinct from each other, I don’t even have to see a name to know which character I am following, because their strong personalities just leap off the page.
And if you want morally gray characters, then you need to look no further.
I think the tone got much darker in this second instalment, because all of our characters are either completely twisted or seriously struggling with their morality. Corruption ARC, anyone?
Though, I do have to say that the interactions between the characters and their inner monologue did help lighten the tone a bit. This never felt like a bleak or depressing read, because the characters are SO compelling and often quite entertaining. Everyone we follow is savvy, witty and the banter is top-notch.
Now, in the first book I wasn’t completely sold on the world building yet, because it felt like we had barely scratched the surface. And I am happy to say that the world really expands in this sequel. Not only do we see more of the world of Takaara, but we also spend time in other planes of existence. We definitely got a good exploration of the lore and history of this world, which I personally really loved. This instalment was full of shocking twists and turns and jaw-dropping revelations, so I was simply glued to the page. Also, who doesn’t love their fantasy with a side of meddling gods?
I am beyond excited to read the finale soon, because I have a feeling that things are about to get very intense. If this ending sticks the landing, this will easily make it onto the list of my favourite series. I am simply having a blast with these books.
Highly recommend this series, it deserves way more love and recognition. Seriously, if you consider yourself a fan of fantasy, then I have no doubts that there will be something for you to love in this series. Complex and compelling characters, political intrigue, moral complexity, meddling gods, rich lore and pulse-pounding action. Just give it a shot, you won’t regret it ;)
Paths of Chaos took everything that was good from Flames of Rebellion and turned it up a notch. The world expands, the lore deepens and the plot thickens. Easily one of the most stellar sequels I have read in a long while!
The story picks up a couple of months after the ending of book 1, but upon reading the first chapter I was immediately back in this world and completely reimmersed.
We follow the same characters as in Flames of Rebellion and I loved seeing how they have developed since we first met them at the start of book 1. All the POVs continue to feel super distinct from each other, I don’t even have to see a name to know which character I am following, because their strong personalities just leap off the page.
And if you want morally gray characters, then you need to look no further.
I think the tone got much darker in this second instalment, because all of our characters are either completely twisted or seriously struggling with their morality. Corruption ARC, anyone?
Though, I do have to say that the interactions between the characters and their inner monologue did help lighten the tone a bit. This never felt like a bleak or depressing read, because the characters are SO compelling and often quite entertaining. Everyone we follow is savvy, witty and the banter is top-notch.
Now, in the first book I wasn’t completely sold on the world building yet, because it felt like we had barely scratched the surface. And I am happy to say that the world really expands in this sequel. Not only do we see more of the world of Takaara, but we also spend time in other planes of existence. We definitely got a good exploration of the lore and history of this world, which I personally really loved. This instalment was full of shocking twists and turns and jaw-dropping revelations, so I was simply glued to the page. Also, who doesn’t love their fantasy with a side of meddling gods?
I am beyond excited to read the finale soon, because I have a feeling that things are about to get very intense. If this ending sticks the landing, this will easily make it onto the list of my favourite series. I am simply having a blast with these books.
Highly recommend this series, it deserves way more love and recognition. Seriously, if you consider yourself a fan of fantasy, then I have no doubts that there will be something for you to love in this series. Complex and compelling characters, political intrigue, moral complexity, meddling gods, rich lore and pulse-pounding action. Just give it a shot, you won’t regret it ;)
April 4, 2022
A great next chapter in this series, character arcs are developing and the darkness in this world is. Great for anyone looking for a large immersive fantasy epic.
Read
March 30, 20233.75/5.
I put this book down in November as I felt it wasn't for me at the time... I picked it back up 8 days ago and enjoyed it immensely. Lots of povs and enjoyable grim dark humour. It's a great sequel to flames of rebellion and I'm excited to tackle book 3 sooner than expected!
I put this book down in November as I felt it wasn't for me at the time... I picked it back up 8 days ago and enjoyed it immensely. Lots of povs and enjoyable grim dark humour. It's a great sequel to flames of rebellion and I'm excited to tackle book 3 sooner than expected!
April 18, 2022
The second instalment of Broken Gods series which explains a lot, changes a lot and provides so much fun and enjoyment you would not be able to put it down! I did not like all the changes one of my favourites characters went through (will not write more to avoid spoilers) but I got to better understand the deeds and behaviour of some other ones ... It is really cool to see how some of these characters develop and to observe how the story continues. Now we know that this will be either the end or victory - there are no other solutions. If you liked “Flames of Rebellion” you will grab this one for sure... if you had mixed feelings about “Flames of Rebellion” - grab it as well - you will not regret that!
More detailed review here: https://witeksbooks.wordpress.com/202...
More detailed review here: https://witeksbooks.wordpress.com/202...
May 16, 2021
PATHS OF CHAOS is now out in the world!
I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
It continues the epic journey started in FLAMES OF REBELLION as warriors from all corners of Takaara struggle to survive in a dying world...
Thanks for all of the support so far from everyone who has spent time in the world of THE BROKEN GODS.
I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
It continues the epic journey started in FLAMES OF REBELLION as warriors from all corners of Takaara struggle to survive in a dying world...
Thanks for all of the support so far from everyone who has spent time in the world of THE BROKEN GODS.
May 8, 2022
A great continuation of the story and expansion of world building, I was very interested to see the paths the characters took after the conclusion of the last book and also the revelations of the history of the Takaara and of magic. Looking forward to the conclusion.
dnf
March 25, 2024Whilst I really enjoyed Book 1 in this series I found myself struggling with this one. I gave myself time away and came back to it but the spark had gone cold. I still like the idea of what may come to mankind and there is still a couple of characters I want to see more of but it feels a bit lack lustre compared to the excitement, action, intrigue and back stabbing of #1.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews