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Swords of Dominion #2
The Pyres of Vengeance
Game of Thrones meets The Witcher in this epic grimdark fantasy where no one is safe.
After losing everything she knew, Selene struggles to keep hope alive. Terrifying threats from the capital test her in ways she never thought possible.
Richter can't destroy himself or the corruption that lives in his body. He won't let anything stop him from his mission, though - to kill every other werewolf on the Continent.
The Order of the Golden Sword cares not for the laws of men. They’ll do anything to wipe the lycanthrope haven of Palerme from existence. But no one has ever faced an army of werewolves before.
THE CYCLE OF VENGEANCE CONTINUES
After losing everything she knew, Selene struggles to keep hope alive. Terrifying threats from the capital test her in ways she never thought possible.
Richter can't destroy himself or the corruption that lives in his body. He won't let anything stop him from his mission, though - to kill every other werewolf on the Continent.
The Order of the Golden Sword cares not for the laws of men. They’ll do anything to wipe the lycanthrope haven of Palerme from existence. But no one has ever faced an army of werewolves before.
THE CYCLE OF VENGEANCE CONTINUES
510 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
8 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
N.C. Koussis
7 books59 followersNC Koussis was born in Perth in 1993 to Greek and Gamilaroi ancestry. He has moved all around Australia, settling in Newcastle for the moment, where he lives with his wife, son, and staffy dog, Nala. He’s been writing fantasy books since he was a little boy, after falling in love with Lord of the Rings, Realm of the Elderlings, and Deltora Quest. He decided to publish a book in 2019, and it only took him three years. The Pyres of Vengeance is his upcoming novel. He considers himself an enthusiastic amateur of medieval history, historical battles and tactics, and food. When he’s not writing, he’s making sourdough bread and working on a PhD in neuroscience.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 9, 2023
My complete review is published at Grimdark Magazine.
The Pyres of Vengeance is the second entry in the Swords of Dominion series by NC Koussis and the follow-up to his debut novel, The Sword of Mercy and Wrath. The Pyres of Vengeance continues the story of Selene, who is now pregnant and about to give birth, fighting to stay alive in a land full of violent monsters and religious zealotry.
The Pyres of Vengeance represents a seismic shift in tone compared to the first book of the series, especially with the introduction of Richter, a new point-of-view character who is the embodiment of all the most terrible things you can imagine, and probably a bit more. Normally I don’t pay much attention to trigger warnings, but here I suggest that readers take them seriously, as The Pyres of Vengeance includes sexual abuse, rape, pedophilia, infanticide, and plenty of extreme violence.
Personally, I found the change of tone between The Sword of Mercy and Wrath and The Pyres of Vengeance to be quite jarring. Koussis uses The Pyres of Vengeance to make social commentary about sexual abuse, including that of children and disabled people. His commentary is undeniably effective, but it is probably too much to take for many readers, and the nonstop onslaught of violence, especially sexual violence, becomes gratuitous in many places.
NC Koussis has largely abandoned the gray morality of The Sword of Mercy and Wrath, focusing more on the pitch-black soul of Richter. One of my favorite parts of The Sword of Mercy and Wrath is the internal struggle experienced by lead protagonist Selene as she tries to find her identity in a world that has taken part of her body and manipulated her mind. Selene’s character development was outstanding in The Sword of Mercy and Wrath. Although she struggles with becoming a new mother in The Pyres of Vengeance, the main conflicts in the book are external rather than internal, which isn’t quite as compelling for me.
On the topic of external conflict, there is plenty of werewolf action in The Pyres of Vengeance. NC Koussis maintains excellent pacing throughout the novel, and the action scenes are particularly well written. Koussis should again be commended for his representation of a lead heroine with a physical disability. Selene’s disability neither defines her as a character nor limits her action in any way.
In case there was any doubt that The Pyres of Vengeance is grimdark to the core, the book also features Michael R. Fletcher’s interdimensional grimdark tavern, the Dripping Bucket. Introduced by Fletcher in Black Stone Heart , the Dripping Bucket also appears in books by Peter McLean, Ryan Cahill, Alicia Wanstall-Burke, Sarah Chorn, Clayton W. Snyder, Krystle Matar, and J.E. Hannaford.
To me, reading The Pyres of Vengeance feels like listening to Jane’s Addiction’s debut album, Nothing’s Shocking, with Perry Farrell repeatedly yelling “Sex is violent!” over music that is somehow both messy and overindulgent in its artistry, yet strangely compelling in its own unique way.
Overall, The Pyres of Vengeance is an extremely dark fantasy that forgoes the subtleties of gray morality in favor of a brutal representation of violence and abuse. This may be appreciated by many readers, but personally, I hope that NC Koussis will return to a more nuanced approach in the third volume of his Swords of Dominion series. Grimdark should not be defined in terms of its depiction of extreme violence; rather, it should provide an allegory for hope in a world full of complex morality.
The Pyres of Vengeance is the second entry in the Swords of Dominion series by NC Koussis and the follow-up to his debut novel, The Sword of Mercy and Wrath. The Pyres of Vengeance continues the story of Selene, who is now pregnant and about to give birth, fighting to stay alive in a land full of violent monsters and religious zealotry.
The Pyres of Vengeance represents a seismic shift in tone compared to the first book of the series, especially with the introduction of Richter, a new point-of-view character who is the embodiment of all the most terrible things you can imagine, and probably a bit more. Normally I don’t pay much attention to trigger warnings, but here I suggest that readers take them seriously, as The Pyres of Vengeance includes sexual abuse, rape, pedophilia, infanticide, and plenty of extreme violence.
Personally, I found the change of tone between The Sword of Mercy and Wrath and The Pyres of Vengeance to be quite jarring. Koussis uses The Pyres of Vengeance to make social commentary about sexual abuse, including that of children and disabled people. His commentary is undeniably effective, but it is probably too much to take for many readers, and the nonstop onslaught of violence, especially sexual violence, becomes gratuitous in many places.
NC Koussis has largely abandoned the gray morality of The Sword of Mercy and Wrath, focusing more on the pitch-black soul of Richter. One of my favorite parts of The Sword of Mercy and Wrath is the internal struggle experienced by lead protagonist Selene as she tries to find her identity in a world that has taken part of her body and manipulated her mind. Selene’s character development was outstanding in The Sword of Mercy and Wrath. Although she struggles with becoming a new mother in The Pyres of Vengeance, the main conflicts in the book are external rather than internal, which isn’t quite as compelling for me.
On the topic of external conflict, there is plenty of werewolf action in The Pyres of Vengeance. NC Koussis maintains excellent pacing throughout the novel, and the action scenes are particularly well written. Koussis should again be commended for his representation of a lead heroine with a physical disability. Selene’s disability neither defines her as a character nor limits her action in any way.
In case there was any doubt that The Pyres of Vengeance is grimdark to the core, the book also features Michael R. Fletcher’s interdimensional grimdark tavern, the Dripping Bucket. Introduced by Fletcher in Black Stone Heart , the Dripping Bucket also appears in books by Peter McLean, Ryan Cahill, Alicia Wanstall-Burke, Sarah Chorn, Clayton W. Snyder, Krystle Matar, and J.E. Hannaford.
To me, reading The Pyres of Vengeance feels like listening to Jane’s Addiction’s debut album, Nothing’s Shocking, with Perry Farrell repeatedly yelling “Sex is violent!” over music that is somehow both messy and overindulgent in its artistry, yet strangely compelling in its own unique way.
Overall, The Pyres of Vengeance is an extremely dark fantasy that forgoes the subtleties of gray morality in favor of a brutal representation of violence and abuse. This may be appreciated by many readers, but personally, I hope that NC Koussis will return to a more nuanced approach in the third volume of his Swords of Dominion series. Grimdark should not be defined in terms of its depiction of extreme violence; rather, it should provide an allegory for hope in a world full of complex morality.
May 24, 2023
There are so few things these days that make me blink rapidly (because the extra blinks will surely confirm if I read what I think I read, makes perfect sense, I know) and go "what the hell" when reading, but rest assured, this book has several of those moments inside.
So yes, IT WAS DARK. Based on the first book I was expecting it, but then I opened this one and was like "oh...oH, OKAY", it does get darker my friends, it really does.
If you've read the first book, then you know that a character who I shall not name is no longer with us (they are in spirit!!), and in their stead we got...Richter.
And by the looks of things, aka the blurb for book three, he won't be leaving any time soon.
NOW, I have decided that I hate him, pretty much from that first moment he appeared on page, because how can you not??? I'd throw him into Tartarus myself, I swear.
And maybe he'd climb out of there, being the cockroach that he is, but it would take him a while AT LEAST.
By the end of the book he does one (1) good deed, but that's not enough to redeem him in my eyes. Do I care that he also suffered? No. Well, yes, but no. He could've been a decent shifter but nooooo, he decided to be the worst wolf that ever howled instead.
You know who he reminds me of? BERO FROM THE GREEN BONE SAGA!!! Except Bero is a saint by comparison.
Meanwhile Selene, she starts off pregnant and running a city full of wolves. Go Selene!!! She's basically their leader, they come to her for advice and all that good stuff. But, in this series good things rarely last.
She's struggling with being a mother, and specifically providing milk for her baby. This was a good angle to explore I think, but I'm also biased because my mother had the same problem when she gave birth to me (she did have milk though, but only a small amount that wasn't enough to feed me).
Then we have Kyrah who's back, back again, Kyrah's back, tell a friend (I had to, no I'm not sorry). And actually, whether she's back or you're seeing her for the first time depends on if you've read the prequel or not. If you haven't then you should go do that, because Kyrah's awesome (or should I say PAWsome).
She's definitely my fav, unbeatable at this point. WHAT CAN I SAY, I LOVE MY WOMEN TALL AND STRONG WITH A TASTE FOR BLOOD. MWAH.
Oh, last time I mentioned Slavic names right, so this time there was Radomir & Casimir and I also got a huge kick out of the Emperor being named Franz Josef (not Slavic, just funny). You know EXACTLY who I imagined.
Ok now let's talk about that ending...WHY WOULD YOU STOP THERE??? THAT'S SO CRUEL??? DO YOU THINK I HAVE ENOUGH TISSUES??? BECAUSE I DON'T.
Mr Koussis is NOT afraid to kill off his characters is all I'll say. I would tell you who, but if I suffered then so must you. I don't make the rules.
I am really looking forward to the absolute bloodbath that is yet to come. I hope all the gods pay AND that Richter goes down with them.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
So yes, IT WAS DARK. Based on the first book I was expecting it, but then I opened this one and was like "oh...oH, OKAY", it does get darker my friends, it really does.
If you've read the first book, then you know that a character who I shall not name is no longer with us (they are in spirit!!), and in their stead we got...Richter.
And by the looks of things, aka the blurb for book three, he won't be leaving any time soon.
NOW, I have decided that I hate him, pretty much from that first moment he appeared on page, because how can you not??? I'd throw him into Tartarus myself, I swear.
And maybe he'd climb out of there, being the cockroach that he is, but it would take him a while AT LEAST.
By the end of the book he does one (1) good deed, but that's not enough to redeem him in my eyes. Do I care that he also suffered? No. Well, yes, but no. He could've been a decent shifter but nooooo, he decided to be the worst wolf that ever howled instead.
You know who he reminds me of? BERO FROM THE GREEN BONE SAGA!!! Except Bero is a saint by comparison.
Meanwhile Selene, she starts off pregnant and running a city full of wolves. Go Selene!!! She's basically their leader, they come to her for advice and all that good stuff. But, in this series good things rarely last.
She's struggling with being a mother, and specifically providing milk for her baby. This was a good angle to explore I think, but I'm also biased because my mother had the same problem when she gave birth to me (she did have milk though, but only a small amount that wasn't enough to feed me).
Then we have Kyrah who's back, back again, Kyrah's back, tell a friend (I had to, no I'm not sorry). And actually, whether she's back or you're seeing her for the first time depends on if you've read the prequel or not. If you haven't then you should go do that, because Kyrah's awesome (or should I say PAWsome).
She's definitely my fav, unbeatable at this point. WHAT CAN I SAY, I LOVE MY WOMEN TALL AND STRONG WITH A TASTE FOR BLOOD. MWAH.
Oh, last time I mentioned Slavic names right, so this time there was Radomir & Casimir and I also got a huge kick out of the Emperor being named Franz Josef (not Slavic, just funny). You know EXACTLY who I imagined.
Ok now let's talk about that ending...WHY WOULD YOU STOP THERE??? THAT'S SO CRUEL??? DO YOU THINK I HAVE ENOUGH TISSUES??? BECAUSE I DON'T.
Mr Koussis is NOT afraid to kill off his characters is all I'll say. I would tell you who, but if I suffered then so must you. I don't make the rules.
I am really looking forward to the absolute bloodbath that is yet to come. I hope all the gods pay AND that Richter goes down with them.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
June 10, 2023
Koussis continues his epic grimdark werewolf fantasy series with The Pyres of Vengeance, and holy shit… do we go GRIM and DARK here. You better brace yourself for what’s waiting for you within these pages, because I sure know I wasn’t ready. This second instalment in the Swords of Dominion series is a blood-soaked tale full of trauma, carnage and chaos where absolutely no one is safe.
We return to the brutal world that we have been introduced to in book 1 and get another dual POV set-up, except one of the old perspectives is exchanged for a new one. And damn, was this new POV character a piece of work…
I normally don’t give content/trigger warnings in my reviews, but I just feel like I have to give a heads-up here because I was personally a bit caught off-guard by the major tone-shift from book 1 to book 2. As soon as you read the prologue, which is one of the most disturbing and brutal opening scenes I have ever read, you will know what type of story you are in for here.
Be prepared to read from the perspective of a character who is a rapist, necrophiliac, and overall just a self-righteous, disgusting piece of shit.
If you are not ready for this type of messed up content then I wouldn’t blame you if you put the book down right there. Please protect your mental health and just go sit in the sunshine to stroke some blades of grass instead ;)
Okay, all that out of the way, let’s get on to the actual review.
I have to say that I am extremely impressed by how much Koussis has already grown as an author since releasing his debut novel not even a year ago. In my opinion, The Pyres of Vengeance is a step-up from book 1 in every single way. The character work and emotional development of the characters is way more in-depth, the pacing is much steadier, the action scenes are even more visceral, the world building feels more solid and immersive, and the prose and overall tone is fittingly gloomy in a way.
Though, my favourite thing about this book was without a doubt the continuation and development of Selene’s character arc. Since the start of this series she has suffered so many physical and emotional blows, yet she remains strong as ever and will stop at nothing to protect the ones she loves.
That’s not to say that we don’t see her struggle, and the battle that she is fighting in her own mind might just be the most compelling one in this entire book for me. She’ll be the first to admit that she’s far from perfect and sometimes I really want to punch her in the face, but that’s exactly what makes her such a complex and believable character.
Also, there were some surprisingly touching and heartwarming found family vibes, including a beautiful exploration of motherhood, which I very much welcomed amidst all the trauma and destruction.
It's truly awe-inspiring to realise just how layered this story is, with the riveting action scenes being just as gripping as the deeper themes that are explored. Koussis’ brutal and refreshing take on werewolves is just so fascinating and we get to dig even deeper into the question of who the real monsters in this world are.
I especially loved the contrast between the relatively ‘wholesome’ (for so far as anything can be called wholesome in this story) lycanthrope settlement in Selene’s storyline and the loathsome and corrupt group of zealots in Richter’s storyline. Heavy themes of religion, zealotry, indoctrination, othering, corruption and morality are seamlessly woven into the narrative and I appreciate that the author leaves room for the reader to make their own judgements on all the conflicting stuff that’s going on.
Now, I do have to admit that I struggled quite a bit with my reading experience for the first 70%, mostly because I despised being in Richter’s mind so much. I mean, I’ve made it no secret that I like dark stories following morally gray characters, but this new POV character is just straight-up morally BLACK. To be fair, I think Koussis handles most of the heavy and disturbing scenes fairly well, but there were some moments that felt too distasteful and just unnecessarily shocking in my opinion.
All that said, I do kinda respect the author for doing such a brilliant job of writing a hateable character that pulled such strong emotional reactions out of me, for better or worse.
And my hate for Richter aside, I actually think that this book was brilliantly plotted and paced, so I just couldn't look away. Right from the start, you will be filled with anticipatory dread, because you can sense the total chaos that is going to break out once these two storylines start weaving together. And indeed, the final 30% were absolutely batshit crazy, which is why I am so glad that I didn’t give up along the way. There are some jaw-dropping revelations and I am very intrigued by how things left off, so consider me locked in for book 3 already!
All in all, I think this is a very impressive sequel that improves upon its predecessor in every single way. If you somehow still think werewolves belong in angsty paranormal romances, then Koussis is here to prove you wrong. If you like dark stories that will challenge you and keep you on your toes from start to finish, then you can’t go wrong with The Swords of Dominion series. Trust me, it’s a howling wild ride.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We return to the brutal world that we have been introduced to in book 1 and get another dual POV set-up, except one of the old perspectives is exchanged for a new one. And damn, was this new POV character a piece of work…
I normally don’t give content/trigger warnings in my reviews, but I just feel like I have to give a heads-up here because I was personally a bit caught off-guard by the major tone-shift from book 1 to book 2. As soon as you read the prologue, which is one of the most disturbing and brutal opening scenes I have ever read, you will know what type of story you are in for here.
Be prepared to read from the perspective of a character who is a rapist, necrophiliac, and overall just a self-righteous, disgusting piece of shit.
If you are not ready for this type of messed up content then I wouldn’t blame you if you put the book down right there. Please protect your mental health and just go sit in the sunshine to stroke some blades of grass instead ;)
Okay, all that out of the way, let’s get on to the actual review.
I have to say that I am extremely impressed by how much Koussis has already grown as an author since releasing his debut novel not even a year ago. In my opinion, The Pyres of Vengeance is a step-up from book 1 in every single way. The character work and emotional development of the characters is way more in-depth, the pacing is much steadier, the action scenes are even more visceral, the world building feels more solid and immersive, and the prose and overall tone is fittingly gloomy in a way.
Though, my favourite thing about this book was without a doubt the continuation and development of Selene’s character arc. Since the start of this series she has suffered so many physical and emotional blows, yet she remains strong as ever and will stop at nothing to protect the ones she loves.
That’s not to say that we don’t see her struggle, and the battle that she is fighting in her own mind might just be the most compelling one in this entire book for me. She’ll be the first to admit that she’s far from perfect and sometimes I really want to punch her in the face, but that’s exactly what makes her such a complex and believable character.
Also, there were some surprisingly touching and heartwarming found family vibes, including a beautiful exploration of motherhood, which I very much welcomed amidst all the trauma and destruction.
It's truly awe-inspiring to realise just how layered this story is, with the riveting action scenes being just as gripping as the deeper themes that are explored. Koussis’ brutal and refreshing take on werewolves is just so fascinating and we get to dig even deeper into the question of who the real monsters in this world are.
I especially loved the contrast between the relatively ‘wholesome’ (for so far as anything can be called wholesome in this story) lycanthrope settlement in Selene’s storyline and the loathsome and corrupt group of zealots in Richter’s storyline. Heavy themes of religion, zealotry, indoctrination, othering, corruption and morality are seamlessly woven into the narrative and I appreciate that the author leaves room for the reader to make their own judgements on all the conflicting stuff that’s going on.
Now, I do have to admit that I struggled quite a bit with my reading experience for the first 70%, mostly because I despised being in Richter’s mind so much. I mean, I’ve made it no secret that I like dark stories following morally gray characters, but this new POV character is just straight-up morally BLACK. To be fair, I think Koussis handles most of the heavy and disturbing scenes fairly well, but there were some moments that felt too distasteful and just unnecessarily shocking in my opinion.
All that said, I do kinda respect the author for doing such a brilliant job of writing a hateable character that pulled such strong emotional reactions out of me, for better or worse.
And my hate for Richter aside, I actually think that this book was brilliantly plotted and paced, so I just couldn't look away. Right from the start, you will be filled with anticipatory dread, because you can sense the total chaos that is going to break out once these two storylines start weaving together. And indeed, the final 30% were absolutely batshit crazy, which is why I am so glad that I didn’t give up along the way. There are some jaw-dropping revelations and I am very intrigued by how things left off, so consider me locked in for book 3 already!
All in all, I think this is a very impressive sequel that improves upon its predecessor in every single way. If you somehow still think werewolves belong in angsty paranormal romances, then Koussis is here to prove you wrong. If you like dark stories that will challenge you and keep you on your toes from start to finish, then you can’t go wrong with The Swords of Dominion series. Trust me, it’s a howling wild ride.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 12, 2023
Disclaimer: ARC provided by the author in exchange for honest and fair review
I said in my review The Sword of Mercy and Wrath that Koussis left me wanting more. Well I’m happy to report that The Pyres of Vengeance delivered. Buckle up because this ride is not for the faint of heart.
A word of caution though for readers who are about to move on to book two of the Swords of Dominion series. If you felt like book one was too dark then you might want to double check the trigger warnings for this one as Koussis takes things to the next level and for some this book might go too far.
Just like in the first book we have two main POV’s with Selene returning and also the introduction of a new psycho by the name of Richter. I have to admit both characters leave a wake of carnage and emotional trauma everywhere they go. However if Selena is at a 7 Richer is at 11 when it comes to the level of Darkness his character brings to the table.
The prologue to this book is both gripping and disturbing in a way that lets you know that Koussis writing has shifted well beyond dark fantasy and deep into the depths of grimdark by starting off with easily the most brutal opening scene I have personally ever read.
I do believe The Pyres of Vengeance was a step up in terms of Koussis writing craft as I did have some issues with the pacing of book 1 which I’m happy to see was not the case here. The world building was more immersive, the fight scenes were more refined and the character development felt more polished as I was able to connect and feel more attached to the characters compared to book one.
I’ve been a fan of Selene’s character arc since book one and no surprise here she was my favorite once again. Honestly if I was her I’m not sure I would have the grit needed to keep pushing through and surviving the way that she does. Talk about someone who got dealt a bad hand time and time again. I can’t imagine what it would be like to walk around in the emotional state that she does. Not only is she a parent and a chosen leader for many it's clear most see her as their savior and that type of pressure is enough to make anyone crumble.
Koussis' take on the found family trope mixed with gritty werewolves is truly intriguing. The book/series is like an onion: the more you read, the more layers you peel back, and the more themes you find revealed underneath. These themes are bound to resonate with different readers in different ways, but they all share a common thread of hope. In real life, just like in the book, we all have to push through the grit to find the light that is always there at the end.
As for Richter’s character arc, well I have to be honest I really struggled with this one. I understand why Koussis made the choices he made and the direction he was trying to take the story required it but I personally wish the story focused a little more on Selene’s arc and a little less on Richter’s as his was a tough one to stomach at times. If there is ever going to be an award given out to the most hateable character in a book I think Koussis will win it for his portrayal of Richter.
Just like with book one the last quarter or so of the book is explosive with some shocking twists that keep you on the edge of your seat while you eagerly flip through the pages in anticipation to see if things turn out the way you personally predicted. This was a solid sequel and the only real question I have left to ask myself is…Can my stomach handle book 3 “The Death of Gods” only time will tell.
I said in my review The Sword of Mercy and Wrath that Koussis left me wanting more. Well I’m happy to report that The Pyres of Vengeance delivered. Buckle up because this ride is not for the faint of heart.
A word of caution though for readers who are about to move on to book two of the Swords of Dominion series. If you felt like book one was too dark then you might want to double check the trigger warnings for this one as Koussis takes things to the next level and for some this book might go too far.
Just like in the first book we have two main POV’s with Selene returning and also the introduction of a new psycho by the name of Richter. I have to admit both characters leave a wake of carnage and emotional trauma everywhere they go. However if Selena is at a 7 Richer is at 11 when it comes to the level of Darkness his character brings to the table.
The prologue to this book is both gripping and disturbing in a way that lets you know that Koussis writing has shifted well beyond dark fantasy and deep into the depths of grimdark by starting off with easily the most brutal opening scene I have personally ever read.
I do believe The Pyres of Vengeance was a step up in terms of Koussis writing craft as I did have some issues with the pacing of book 1 which I’m happy to see was not the case here. The world building was more immersive, the fight scenes were more refined and the character development felt more polished as I was able to connect and feel more attached to the characters compared to book one.
I’ve been a fan of Selene’s character arc since book one and no surprise here she was my favorite once again. Honestly if I was her I’m not sure I would have the grit needed to keep pushing through and surviving the way that she does. Talk about someone who got dealt a bad hand time and time again. I can’t imagine what it would be like to walk around in the emotional state that she does. Not only is she a parent and a chosen leader for many it's clear most see her as their savior and that type of pressure is enough to make anyone crumble.
Koussis' take on the found family trope mixed with gritty werewolves is truly intriguing. The book/series is like an onion: the more you read, the more layers you peel back, and the more themes you find revealed underneath. These themes are bound to resonate with different readers in different ways, but they all share a common thread of hope. In real life, just like in the book, we all have to push through the grit to find the light that is always there at the end.
As for Richter’s character arc, well I have to be honest I really struggled with this one. I understand why Koussis made the choices he made and the direction he was trying to take the story required it but I personally wish the story focused a little more on Selene’s arc and a little less on Richter’s as his was a tough one to stomach at times. If there is ever going to be an award given out to the most hateable character in a book I think Koussis will win it for his portrayal of Richter.
Just like with book one the last quarter or so of the book is explosive with some shocking twists that keep you on the edge of your seat while you eagerly flip through the pages in anticipation to see if things turn out the way you personally predicted. This was a solid sequel and the only real question I have left to ask myself is…Can my stomach handle book 3 “The Death of Gods” only time will tell.
August 12, 2023
It's hard for me to write a review on this book. First of all, I need to warn the readers about one of the main characters of this story. Richter is a hateful character. He is a rapist and necrophiliac who I hated while I was reading the story. So, if you think that this would be too much for you, maybe this book isn't for you.
Besides the above, I liked Seline's story. She is a character that suffered a lot but we see her to try as much as she can to protect her loved ones. We also see her to explore motherhood and besides all the physical and emotional pain she has been through she is really lovable in some moments. Also, her PoV is complex and she is by far my favorite character in this book and in the series so far.
I also liked the pace of the book, the world building of its rough world and the epic battles. We also see many fights that include werewolves and I really enjoyed these scenes. Koussis's writing is smooth and I loved the prose in this tale. Also, the complexity of the characters was overall very good. Furthermore, the last chapters of the book were a total chaos that I really enjoyed!
I decided to cut one star because Richter was a really disturbed character for my taste. I love grimdark fantasy, but some thoughts and actions of him were too much for me. Having said that, I overall enjoyed the tale and I will definitely continue the series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Besides the above, I liked Seline's story. She is a character that suffered a lot but we see her to try as much as she can to protect her loved ones. We also see her to explore motherhood and besides all the physical and emotional pain she has been through she is really lovable in some moments. Also, her PoV is complex and she is by far my favorite character in this book and in the series so far.
I also liked the pace of the book, the world building of its rough world and the epic battles. We also see many fights that include werewolves and I really enjoyed these scenes. Koussis's writing is smooth and I loved the prose in this tale. Also, the complexity of the characters was overall very good. Furthermore, the last chapters of the book were a total chaos that I really enjoyed!
I decided to cut one star because Richter was a really disturbed character for my taste. I love grimdark fantasy, but some thoughts and actions of him were too much for me. Having said that, I overall enjoyed the tale and I will definitely continue the series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2023
Review originally published on Jamreads
The Pyres of Vengeance is the second installment in the Swords of Dominion series, by NC Koussis. After a promising debut with The Sword of Mercy and Wrath, this second novel consolidates Koussis as one of the grimdark voices to keep an eye on, as he has created a really dark and compelling story, drawing some inspiration from historical sources, such as the Albigensian Crusade.
After fleeing from the Order in Book 1, Selene has established in Palerme, creating a safe space for the lycanthropes. On top of the stress of leading the capital, she will soon become a mother, another reason to ensure they can create a haven in Palerme.
The Order is not willing to let Palerme on the map, and less knowing Selene is leading them. The laws of men don't apply to them, not to God; sacrifices must be made in order to eradicate the plague from the Continent. And they have one of the best weapons in order to fulfill this purpose: Richter, whose fanatical faith is in conflict with the corruption inside him.
The story in this second book takes a more epic scope, without forgetting its grimdark tones. Selene will have to navigate the complex waters of politics, as defending Palerme against the crusade declared by the Order will become a matter of life or death; and while they are vastly outnumbered, nobody has to fight against an army of werewolves.
And while we have this face of Selene, lady of Palerme, a politician and a leader, at the same time she will be struggling with motherhood. With almost no time to care for Tristain, she will be forced to delegate his care to other hands, bringing her the thoughts of being a bad mother for it; Koussis wrote here a really interesting dilemma, and that reflects in many cases the situation of working mothers, so my props to him for tackling such a difficult theme.
On the other side of the story, we have Richter, one of the most efficient inquisitors, but who has inside the curse of lycanthropy. His fanatical faith will make him one of the most efficient tools for the Order, blindly following the orders given, hoping he could get a cure. Richter is just a man struggling with his own existence, conflicted as he is one of those that he swears to destroy. As a second POV, it works perfectly to show the other side of the crusade.
A complex and intricated plot that is not short on carnage and blood, as Palerme is marked to be destroyed by the Order. Pacing is slower in comparison with the first book, but it builds a lot of tension, which is exploded once the assault on the city is started, having some of the best action scenes of the whole series here.
The Pyres of Vengeance is a really epic sequel, without forgetting its grimdark elements. It sets up a bigger conflict that I hope gets developed in subsequent books; the historically inspired elements are one of the biggest draw-in for me. Hopefully, we get soon a third book to continue with Selene's story!
The Pyres of Vengeance is the second installment in the Swords of Dominion series, by NC Koussis. After a promising debut with The Sword of Mercy and Wrath, this second novel consolidates Koussis as one of the grimdark voices to keep an eye on, as he has created a really dark and compelling story, drawing some inspiration from historical sources, such as the Albigensian Crusade.
After fleeing from the Order in Book 1, Selene has established in Palerme, creating a safe space for the lycanthropes. On top of the stress of leading the capital, she will soon become a mother, another reason to ensure they can create a haven in Palerme.
The Order is not willing to let Palerme on the map, and less knowing Selene is leading them. The laws of men don't apply to them, not to God; sacrifices must be made in order to eradicate the plague from the Continent. And they have one of the best weapons in order to fulfill this purpose: Richter, whose fanatical faith is in conflict with the corruption inside him.
The story in this second book takes a more epic scope, without forgetting its grimdark tones. Selene will have to navigate the complex waters of politics, as defending Palerme against the crusade declared by the Order will become a matter of life or death; and while they are vastly outnumbered, nobody has to fight against an army of werewolves.
And while we have this face of Selene, lady of Palerme, a politician and a leader, at the same time she will be struggling with motherhood. With almost no time to care for Tristain, she will be forced to delegate his care to other hands, bringing her the thoughts of being a bad mother for it; Koussis wrote here a really interesting dilemma, and that reflects in many cases the situation of working mothers, so my props to him for tackling such a difficult theme.
On the other side of the story, we have Richter, one of the most efficient inquisitors, but who has inside the curse of lycanthropy. His fanatical faith will make him one of the most efficient tools for the Order, blindly following the orders given, hoping he could get a cure. Richter is just a man struggling with his own existence, conflicted as he is one of those that he swears to destroy. As a second POV, it works perfectly to show the other side of the crusade.
A complex and intricated plot that is not short on carnage and blood, as Palerme is marked to be destroyed by the Order. Pacing is slower in comparison with the first book, but it builds a lot of tension, which is exploded once the assault on the city is started, having some of the best action scenes of the whole series here.
The Pyres of Vengeance is a really epic sequel, without forgetting its grimdark elements. It sets up a bigger conflict that I hope gets developed in subsequent books; the historically inspired elements are one of the biggest draw-in for me. Hopefully, we get soon a third book to continue with Selene's story!
Read
May 24, 2023This book is dark. It is much, much darker than the Sword of Mercy and Wrath. It is quite possibly the darkest thing I have ever written and among the darkest books I have ever read. I don't say this lightly. One may be better off not reading this book entirely, and going outside and touching grass instead.
I wrote the majority of this book after my son was born, and I think in a way it's an homage (maybe not intentionally, I have a vast gap in my memory from September to November) to the terror and the bloody battles that are fought with every single day when you have a child. The struggles with feeding. The bodily fluids of every color. The yawning chasm that is expectations and the reality of your new life that punches into your brain as sharp as a spear.
But with that come euphoric joy; the heights of holding something you created, your heart aching with love. Knowing you'd kill for them, and die to keep them alive. In this way, the darkest shadows outline the brightest lights, and make them all the brighter. And so is the same with this book.
I wrote the majority of this book after my son was born, and I think in a way it's an homage (maybe not intentionally, I have a vast gap in my memory from September to November) to the terror and the bloody battles that are fought with every single day when you have a child. The struggles with feeding. The bodily fluids of every color. The yawning chasm that is expectations and the reality of your new life that punches into your brain as sharp as a spear.
But with that come euphoric joy; the heights of holding something you created, your heart aching with love. Knowing you'd kill for them, and die to keep them alive. In this way, the darkest shadows outline the brightest lights, and make them all the brighter. And so is the same with this book.
June 4, 2023
Pyres of Vengeance
I was given this by the author for an honest review, I give his book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As I said, from the first book, the dark is a POV by itself where they lived
Richter. Loved the name
We have followers ….then we have Richter! That a mind that never shuts down.
I wonder if Hannibal Lecter’s mind was as polluted as Richters is!
Now that’s an oxymoron, lol.
Religious overtones
Zealotry
Then we have Kyrah from the prequel novella if you haven’t read it please do so..
Selene hers introduced to Kyrah the woman insecurities jump out of the page, it was quite funny!!
I have an infatuation of Kyrah, I am not going to deny it !!!
She’s so hot!!
I love the fact that they had to transform there gonna be naked as a jaybird, and sometimes clothing themselves from the clothes of the dead, is all you got!!
“Heathens!
There’s no shame in Kyrah uses her strength and clothes herself with the belongings of the dead!!
remember, kitty got claws.
She’s more aggressive than the novella
Selenes is as vile as ever, unless being pregnant makes her more vile!
Selene Sword's abilities are of precision ! This woman’s been through enough don’t you think! she might be good with a sword in the battle is of the mind not even the sharpest blade can cut through that Mayhem.
In the high hours they sleep!
NC Koussis has upped his game, with his writing… that’s like asking a fighter to fight southpaw ..when he’s a righty. But he does it with elegance with every stroke with a pen or in today’s world every tap of the key.
Very detail oriented with his characters.
Like I said, in my other review for Sword of Mercy and Wrath the darkness flows as Solomon & Gomorrah delicacy!
I’m gonna say one thing if Lon Chaney was around and read this book he would have to admit even his werewolf would run away!
I was given this by the author for an honest review, I give his book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As I said, from the first book, the dark is a POV by itself where they lived
Richter. Loved the name
We have followers ….then we have Richter! That a mind that never shuts down.
I wonder if Hannibal Lecter’s mind was as polluted as Richters is!
Now that’s an oxymoron, lol.
Religious overtones
Zealotry
Then we have Kyrah from the prequel novella if you haven’t read it please do so..
Selene hers introduced to Kyrah the woman insecurities jump out of the page, it was quite funny!!
I have an infatuation of Kyrah, I am not going to deny it !!!
She’s so hot!!
I love the fact that they had to transform there gonna be naked as a jaybird, and sometimes clothing themselves from the clothes of the dead, is all you got!!
“Heathens!
There’s no shame in Kyrah uses her strength and clothes herself with the belongings of the dead!!
remember, kitty got claws.
She’s more aggressive than the novella
Selenes is as vile as ever, unless being pregnant makes her more vile!
Selene Sword's abilities are of precision ! This woman’s been through enough don’t you think! she might be good with a sword in the battle is of the mind not even the sharpest blade can cut through that Mayhem.
In the high hours they sleep!
NC Koussis has upped his game, with his writing… that’s like asking a fighter to fight southpaw ..when he’s a righty. But he does it with elegance with every stroke with a pen or in today’s world every tap of the key.
Very detail oriented with his characters.
Like I said, in my other review for Sword of Mercy and Wrath the darkness flows as Solomon & Gomorrah delicacy!
I’m gonna say one thing if Lon Chaney was around and read this book he would have to admit even his werewolf would run away!
June 8, 2023
Disclaimer: NC Koussis provided me with an eARC, but this does not affect my opinion of this book.
Rating 4,75 of 5 Stars (Rounded up to 5 Stars)
Oh boy, what a ride!
Let me tell you, it was a roller coaster of emotions, a brutal and dark story about the worst of humanity. A story about inner conflicts, about grief, about the sorrows of parenthood and so much more.
If you are a sensitive soul, please read the content warnings at the beginning of the book. There may be more than a few trigger points in this novel. From gore to rape, you'll find everything in between in this book. But NC Koussis didn't put it in the book for the sake of it. No, it is a means to tell this dark, gritty story and to show you the depths of humanity.
I don't want to spoil too much, because I think if you start reading "Pyres", you've already finished the first book of the "Swords of Dominion" series. NC takes all the atmosphere from the first book and builds on it, the worldbuilding is better, expands the world and shows you more of the larger conflict and why our POVs are part of it, but leaves enough open to make you want more.
We still follow Selene. She's a broken woman, doubting herself, thinking about her past, struggling to know what's right and what's wrong, and that makes her so relatable. You can feel with her as things go downhill, struggling to be the strong woman she was, always haunted by self-doubt, the fear of not being a good mother in times no one wants to live through.
On the other hand, we follow Richter, a new POV, and let me tell you, he is an abomination of a person. If you think about the worst person ever in a fantasy book, multiply it by 1000 and you still can't imagine what this person is like. When I first met him, I thought, okay, this guy's a dick, but as you follow him, you look deeper and deeper into hell. But no matter how repulsive he is, he also has some inner conflict and you will find out that his character is not 100% responsible for his actions.
The supporting cast in "Pyres" is also great and I was always happy to read more about Leon the Strong or Kyrah (the main POV from NC's novella "The Sword of Salt and Smoke"), even if they fall a little flat next to the main POVs, they are relatable and fun to read.
All in all, I think "Pyres" is a great sequel, and with the expansion of the world and even greater character work, it is even better than the first book. NC has taken his writing to the next level, making book two even more brutal and leaving you wanting more.
Rating 4,75 of 5 Stars (Rounded up to 5 Stars)
Oh boy, what a ride!
Let me tell you, it was a roller coaster of emotions, a brutal and dark story about the worst of humanity. A story about inner conflicts, about grief, about the sorrows of parenthood and so much more.
If you are a sensitive soul, please read the content warnings at the beginning of the book. There may be more than a few trigger points in this novel. From gore to rape, you'll find everything in between in this book. But NC Koussis didn't put it in the book for the sake of it. No, it is a means to tell this dark, gritty story and to show you the depths of humanity.
I don't want to spoil too much, because I think if you start reading "Pyres", you've already finished the first book of the "Swords of Dominion" series. NC takes all the atmosphere from the first book and builds on it, the worldbuilding is better, expands the world and shows you more of the larger conflict and why our POVs are part of it, but leaves enough open to make you want more.
We still follow Selene. She's a broken woman, doubting herself, thinking about her past, struggling to know what's right and what's wrong, and that makes her so relatable. You can feel with her as things go downhill, struggling to be the strong woman she was, always haunted by self-doubt, the fear of not being a good mother in times no one wants to live through.
On the other hand, we follow Richter, a new POV, and let me tell you, he is an abomination of a person. If you think about the worst person ever in a fantasy book, multiply it by 1000 and you still can't imagine what this person is like. When I first met him, I thought, okay, this guy's a dick, but as you follow him, you look deeper and deeper into hell. But no matter how repulsive he is, he also has some inner conflict and you will find out that his character is not 100% responsible for his actions.
The supporting cast in "Pyres" is also great and I was always happy to read more about Leon the Strong or Kyrah (the main POV from NC's novella "The Sword of Salt and Smoke"), even if they fall a little flat next to the main POVs, they are relatable and fun to read.
All in all, I think "Pyres" is a great sequel, and with the expansion of the world and even greater character work, it is even better than the first book. NC has taken his writing to the next level, making book two even more brutal and leaving you wanting more.
June 6, 2023
Koussis has once again brought another grimbark book into the world. Following Selene's journey through leading a group of werewolves and motherhood was interesting. This isn't a book for the faint of heart, as there is a lot of violence and explicit content. I was really sad when Leon died, but Koussis leaves off on a really chaotic note for his next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
This may be my last Swords of Dominion book because the series is just a lot more werewolf-heavy than what I was seeking when I originally picked them up or personally prefer, but I'm so glad to have read it. I liked this installation considerably more than the first.
I will say this sequel delves much deeper into darker themes. While that fit my personal tastes for grimdark fiction, it's something to be aware of going in for fantasy readers who are expecting this to have the same tone as the first.
Through exploring the darker parts of the world and its characters, I felt like we started getting to know the main cast better, and are seeing what they're really made of. I would have loved for Koussis to hit that aspect even harder, but I feel like it was stronger than in the first volume.
I also like that the world/cast are being expanded upon. I think it's a good direction for the series, even if the tonal shift is could potentially be jarring for readers.
The one thing I will say is that I saw this described as Game of Thrones meets The Witcher and I just honestly feel like that's misleading. While I can see where certain elements from both of those things could have served as inspiration, I feel like that sets an unrealistic expectation for the scope of the story. I actually have been reading more fantasy fiction this year specifically to fill a void in my life left by ASoIaF, and feel that while Swords of Dominion has a lot of strengths, it lacks what drew me into Martin's work (a large cast of complex characters, political intrigue, dragons.) The Witcher influence is much stronger in terms of pacing and style, but I actually find Koussis' writing to be much more approachable, and possibly a little darker. (Those were both selling points for me, but I'd be wary of those aspects if I were recommending this specifically to Witcher fans.)
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark, dark fantasy series, anyone looking for some good werewolf stories, or fans of the genre overall who are looking for something a little different.
I will say this sequel delves much deeper into darker themes. While that fit my personal tastes for grimdark fiction, it's something to be aware of going in for fantasy readers who are expecting this to have the same tone as the first.
Through exploring the darker parts of the world and its characters, I felt like we started getting to know the main cast better, and are seeing what they're really made of. I would have loved for Koussis to hit that aspect even harder, but I feel like it was stronger than in the first volume.
I also like that the world/cast are being expanded upon. I think it's a good direction for the series, even if the tonal shift is could potentially be jarring for readers.
The one thing I will say is that I saw this described as Game of Thrones meets The Witcher and I just honestly feel like that's misleading. While I can see where certain elements from both of those things could have served as inspiration, I feel like that sets an unrealistic expectation for the scope of the story. I actually have been reading more fantasy fiction this year specifically to fill a void in my life left by ASoIaF, and feel that while Swords of Dominion has a lot of strengths, it lacks what drew me into Martin's work (a large cast of complex characters, political intrigue, dragons.) The Witcher influence is much stronger in terms of pacing and style, but I actually find Koussis' writing to be much more approachable, and possibly a little darker. (Those were both selling points for me, but I'd be wary of those aspects if I were recommending this specifically to Witcher fans.)
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark, dark fantasy series, anyone looking for some good werewolf stories, or fans of the genre overall who are looking for something a little different.
October 28, 2025
Selene is a werewolf and she's tired of losing her people to the others who hunt and kill those who are like her. I really felt sorry for all that she has to endure. She and her people just want to be left alone to live.
Richter is a werewolf but his mission in life is to kill every other werewolf he comes across. he somehow thinks that will life the werewolf curse from his body if he does. He's probably a psychopath with the way he thinks and the things he does, he's all kinds of crazy.
I didn't read the first book, The Sword of Mercy and Wrath but I was able to pick this up and read it with no problems.
This is not the paranormal romance type book that I usually read. My daughter bought this book for me when she was out with her friends and she noticed the cover. She figured it would be my kind of book. I love the cover but the story is dark, very dark. There's a lot of killing and fighting in this book because the werewolves just want to live and the ones hunting them won't let that happen.
Will I be reading the 1st or 3rd books in this series? Probably not because this was a slow read for me. Yes, a lot happens but the pace was a bit slow for me.
Richter is a werewolf but his mission in life is to kill every other werewolf he comes across. he somehow thinks that will life the werewolf curse from his body if he does. He's probably a psychopath with the way he thinks and the things he does, he's all kinds of crazy.
I didn't read the first book, The Sword of Mercy and Wrath but I was able to pick this up and read it with no problems.
This is not the paranormal romance type book that I usually read. My daughter bought this book for me when she was out with her friends and she noticed the cover. She figured it would be my kind of book. I love the cover but the story is dark, very dark. There's a lot of killing and fighting in this book because the werewolves just want to live and the ones hunting them won't let that happen.
Will I be reading the 1st or 3rd books in this series? Probably not because this was a slow read for me. Yes, a lot happens but the pace was a bit slow for me.
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