**‘Most Improved’ award slices both ways **
It’s a good promise of Blood wasn’t my first book in the Powder Mage universe, as I would have put the whole series down and missed out on Wrath of Empire. Frankly, there’s nothing this book that isn’t better done in Brian McClellan’s second trilogy. That might win McClellan the ‘most improved’ award, but also makes the first trilogy worth skipping.
Most characters exist in differing shades of gray, but regrets, betrayals, and revenge left a sour aftertaste for the majority of POV characters. Women in the book are sidelined, shamed, or sex objects. Cringe.
Each POV characters is a less enjoyable corollary to their later iterations. Tamas could have been interesting like Styke, but was not explored in notes beyond grit and determination. Vlora only exists as regret, compared to a more balanced palette of competence and outspokenness in the second trilogy. Adamat is a mille feuille of tropes compared to Michele.
If you’re thinking about boarding the Powder Mage train, I suggest skipping this stop and going straight into Sins of Empire.
** 88th book of 2021 **