The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan – Review

Published: February 14, 2023

Publisher: Orbit Books

Series: Empire of the Wolf #2

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 560 (Hardcover)

My Rating: 5 Stars

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:
From a major new debut author in epic fantasy comes the second book in a trilogy where action, intrigue, and magic collide. Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice, who is a detective, judge, and executioner all in one.

A Justice’s work is never done. 

The Battle of Galen’s Vale is over, but the war for the Empire’s future has just begun. Concerned by rumous that the Magistratum’s authority is waning, Sir Konrad Vonvalt returns to Sova to find the capital city gripped by intrigue and whispers of rebellion. In the Senate, patricians speak openly against the Emperor, while fanatics preach holy vengeance on the streets.  

Yet facing down these threats to the throne will have to wait, for the Emperor’s grandson has been kidnapped – and Vonvalt is charged with rescuing the missing prince. His quest will lead him – and his allies Helena, Bressinger and Sir Radomir – to the southern frontier, where they will once again face the puritanical fury of Bartholomew Claver and his templar knights – and a dark power far more terrifying than they could have imagined.  

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The Justice of Kings was my first 5 star read of 2022 (and also my first read of that year) so I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel for twelve entire months. The Tyranny of Faith lived entirely up to my expectations and went from a simple fantasy murder mystery to something of a much larger scale. Reader, prepare yourself for the beginning of the fall of the Empire of the Wolf. This book delved into the horror aspect of the Justice’s magic in a truly unforgettable way and showed us that even those who might be considered heroes have a dark side.

Konrad, Helena, Dubine, and Radomir are making their way back to the capital of the Empire of the Wolf to personally inform the Emperor of what occurred at Galen’s Vale and impress upon him the threat of Obenpatria Fischer. Much to Konrad’s despair, the Emperor is more focused on other matters which ultimately result in Konrad being appointed Head of the Magistratum. Konrad’s flagging health, the kidnapping of the Emperor’s grandson, and the threat of Obenpatria Fischer make for a tense tale with an abundance of plot threads. As with the first book, everything is told from a much older Helena’s point of view, so she does throw in some additional commentary about events, but largely about her immaturity at the time. 

Though narrator Helena comments rather harshly on her younger self, she has matured markedly since the first book and traumatic events have clearly hardened her. Konrad is clearly in a downward spiral caused by the mysterious Illness that plagues him and the ever growing demands placed upon him. His drastic change disconcerts Helena, who has relied on him as both a strong mentor figure and a paragon of justice since becoming his apprentice and scribe. When the group delves into the cause of his illness and Helena ends up in the underworld face to face with the horrific moth-headed beast parasitizing his life force, I was thoroughly disturbed as well. The scenes set in this world beyond the living were memorable and I’m unlikely to forget the aura of ancient mystery surrounding them. It was like a fever dream, with beaches of bone, ghastly temples to elder beings, and trapped spirits. 

The Tyranny of Faith was an incredible story that once again left me wanting the sequel right away. The blend of investigative elements, action, horror, and politics keeps this entertaining from the very first page all the way until that absolute zinger of an ending! I cannot begin to predict what might happen next, other than perhaps a final showdown between Vonvalt and Fischer, both wielding destructive power. With such a strong sequel, I think I can confidently say this will go down as one of my favorite fantasy series of all time.