Sins of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder, Book 1)
Wrath of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder, Book 2)
Blood of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder, Book 3)
By: Brian McClellan
My Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars
Best for: Adults only for language and violence

I feel like I’ve got grit in places it doesn’t belong…again.

I loved Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage trilogy, so Gods of Blood and Powder had a lot to live up to.

Expectations: met.

The series is a very much desired return the gritty world of the original trilogy. (Gritty is literal–powder mages swallow or snort gun powder to access their magic. It never stops being cringy!) It’s epic in scope and world-building and features multiple Sanderson-like magic systems that multiply the fun. This story is told from three POVs, but it’s done very well and is never confusing or bogged down with detail as often happens when a book gets too ambitious.

God’s of Blood and Powder takes place 10 years after the events of the Powder Mage trilogy. While there are common characters and references to past events, it’s okay if you don’t start there. Gods of Blood and Powder is written to stand alone.

While the action is intense and the plot is complex, this story is driven by it’s characters. They are well written and multi-layered, and you’re going to love how they grow.

You might consider reading the novella, “The Mad Lancers,” before starting the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy. While not required, it gives the back story of one of the book’s best characters and adds depth you would miss otherwise.

There’s no sexual content in the trilogy, but plenty of excessive, gory violence. You’ll find a four-letter “s-h” word every 10 pages or so across the three books. I was disappointed to find the violence and language significantly increased from what I remember in the Powder Mage trilogy.

Adults only thanks to the language and violence. Bummer.

Happy Reading!