What do you think?
Rate this book
Steelhaven #3
Lord of Ashes
Ford's acclaimed epic fantasy series comes to an exhilarating and bloody climax.
FIGHT TO THE DEATH...
The queen of Steelhaven has grown in strength. Taking up her dead father's sword, she must defend the city from the dread warlord Amon Tugha and his blood-thirsty army now at the gates. A vicious, unrelenting four-day battle ensues, the most perilous yet.
...OR BOW TO THE ENEMY
No side is immune from danger as all hell breaks loose, with the threat of coups and the unleashing of the deadliest and darkest magick. Loyalty, strength and cunning will be put to test in the quest for victory. What fate awaits the free states?
FIGHT TO THE DEATH...
The queen of Steelhaven has grown in strength. Taking up her dead father's sword, she must defend the city from the dread warlord Amon Tugha and his blood-thirsty army now at the gates. A vicious, unrelenting four-day battle ensues, the most perilous yet.
...OR BOW TO THE ENEMY
No side is immune from danger as all hell breaks loose, with the threat of coups and the unleashing of the deadliest and darkest magick. Loyalty, strength and cunning will be put to test in the quest for victory. What fate awaits the free states?
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2015
19 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
Richard S. Ford
21 books427 followersR S Ford originally hails from Leeds in the heartland of Yorkshire. He is a writer of fantasy and historical fiction (check out Richard Cullen on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...)
You can find out more about what he's up to, and download free stuff, here:
http://wordhog.co.uk
And follow him on Twitter here: @rich4ord
And Instagram here: thewordhog
You can find out more about what he's up to, and download free stuff, here:
http://wordhog.co.uk
And follow him on Twitter here: @rich4ord
And Instagram here: thewordhog
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 28, 2025
Джънк фуд - такава е тази трилогия, хапваш бързо и забравяш. Като цяло, става да се прочете. Плюс е, че цялата поредица е издадена на български.
Авторът е наблегнал върху персонажите, с някои е успял, с други не толкова - но никой от тях не печели симпатиите на читателя. Големият лош е безпределно скучен и безличен фигурант, с неясни мотиви и желания.
Отделно и обсадата на Стийлхейвън беше безидейна, аз лично очаквах много повече. Личи си, че творчеството на Дейвид Гемел и конкретно "Сага за Дренай" е "вдъхновило" бая г-н Форд, неуспешно уви...
Никакви усилия не е вложил в магията, описанието на света и религиите му - постна работа, и затова свалям оценката на всички книги на 2,5*.
Отделно, езика използван в текста е много беден (третата част четох в оригинал), та съвсем няма какво да помогне на клишетата, използвани в почти цялата серия. Според мен, една допълнителна редакция на текста не би била никак излишна.
P.S. Отвореният край на тази трета книга намеква за възможни продължения, но аз вероятно няма да им отделя внимание.
Авторът е наблегнал върху персонажите, с някои е успял, с други не толкова - но никой от тях не печели симпатиите на читателя. Големият лош е безпределно скучен и безличен фигурант, с неясни мотиви и желания.
Отделно и обсадата на Стийлхейвън беше безидейна, аз лично очаквах много повече. Личи си, че творчеството на Дейвид Гемел и конкретно "Сага за Дренай" е "вдъхновило" бая г-н Форд, неуспешно уви...
Никакви усилия не е вложил в магията, описанието на света и религиите му - постна работа, и затова свалям оценката на всички книги на 2,5*.
Отделно, езика използван в текста е много беден (третата част четох в оригинал), та съвсем няма какво да помогне на клишетата, използвани в почти цялата серия. Според мен, една допълнителна редакция на текста не би била никак излишна.
P.S. Отвореният край на тази трета книга намеква за възможни продължения, но аз вероятно няма да им отделя внимание.
June 29, 2015
Well didnt see that coming, not the normal ending to this storyline you would have expected after reading all 3 books.
Brave unique for the author not to end it in the expected manner.
nicely leading us to the next chapter in this first rate series.
ok, highly recommended to all epic fantasy series fans.
the 5s is for all the 3 books together.
Brave unique for the author not to end it in the expected manner.
nicely leading us to the next chapter in this first rate series.
ok, highly recommended to all epic fantasy series fans.
the 5s is for all the 3 books together.
December 23, 2018
Book 1: 3.5*
Book 2: 3.5*
Book 3: 4*
The best pacing, writing and grimdarkness of the series. Almost nonstop action from start to finish this is definitely the way to wrap up a trilogy. The epilogue was fun in that it made me change my mind three times as to who the secret character was and set things up for a sequel series quite well.
Book 2: 3.5*
Book 3: 4*
The best pacing, writing and grimdarkness of the series. Almost nonstop action from start to finish this is definitely the way to wrap up a trilogy. The epilogue was fun in that it made me change my mind three times as to who the secret character was and set things up for a sequel series quite well.
December 9, 2018
4 Stars
Lord of Ashes concludes the Steelhaven trilogy with a bang, bringing to fruition all of the various plot threads in a massive confrontation.
For the first two books, we watched the various denizens of Steelhaven prepare for the invasion of Amon Tugha and his army of Khurta savages. In Lord of Ashes, we see the culmination of all that planning, all of the plots, all of the efforts of both sides. The battle is vicious and brutal, and the aftermath equally so. Characters die left and right, and as the battle wears on some of the defenders wonder whether winning the battle would even be a victory at so high a cost.
The plot in this volume is the simplest yet, as Steelhaven tries to weather the assault of the invading horde. Despite that, Ford keeps this interesting, continuing to hop from character to characters and showing all the various facets of the battle. The end is satisfying, as each of the plots threads finds some kind of conclusion. There were a couple that I wasn’t quite as pleased with, but overall the payoff of the final battle was worth the buildup.
The Steelhaven series is one that I hadn’t heard much about before reading it, but I quite enjoyed it. The writing is excellent, the characters memorable, and the action intense. Anyone looking for a darker, gritty fantasy series should give these books a try.
Lord of Ashes concludes the Steelhaven trilogy with a bang, bringing to fruition all of the various plot threads in a massive confrontation.
For the first two books, we watched the various denizens of Steelhaven prepare for the invasion of Amon Tugha and his army of Khurta savages. In Lord of Ashes, we see the culmination of all that planning, all of the plots, all of the efforts of both sides. The battle is vicious and brutal, and the aftermath equally so. Characters die left and right, and as the battle wears on some of the defenders wonder whether winning the battle would even be a victory at so high a cost.
The plot in this volume is the simplest yet, as Steelhaven tries to weather the assault of the invading horde. Despite that, Ford keeps this interesting, continuing to hop from character to characters and showing all the various facets of the battle. The end is satisfying, as each of the plots threads finds some kind of conclusion. There were a couple that I wasn’t quite as pleased with, but overall the payoff of the final battle was worth the buildup.
The Steelhaven series is one that I hadn’t heard much about before reading it, but I quite enjoyed it. The writing is excellent, the characters memorable, and the action intense. Anyone looking for a darker, gritty fantasy series should give these books a try.
September 23, 2019
With Lord of Ashes Richard Ford has saved the best book of the Steelhaven trilogy till last. I loved it! I do like a good siege ; Angus Donald had some excellent ones in his Robin Hood series but the benchmark against which all siege novels are to be compared is, of course : the siege of Dros Delnoch in David Gemmels brilliant Legend.
This book more than matches up to that masterwork and all the characters from the previous books ,and some new ones ,are really put through the meat grinder in this one. I really liked the ending of all the story arcs ultimately demonstrating the futility of all that violence.
Richard, along with his fellow Leeds Leeds Leeds!! author RJ Barker really deserves greater recognition.
A thrilling and brilliant grimdark ending to what has been an excellent trilogy. Richard Ford really dropped the mike on this one as he exited the Headline building! Highly recommended.
This book more than matches up to that masterwork and all the characters from the previous books ,and some new ones ,are really put through the meat grinder in this one. I really liked the ending of all the story arcs ultimately demonstrating the futility of all that violence.
Richard, along with his fellow Leeds Leeds Leeds!! author RJ Barker really deserves greater recognition.
A thrilling and brilliant grimdark ending to what has been an excellent trilogy. Richard Ford really dropped the mike on this one as he exited the Headline building! Highly recommended.
May 31, 2015
one more series that ultimately failed to hold my interest - awesome first book (now in retrospect mostly due to novelty and a few well timed twists), good sequel that continued the story but did not enlarge it and a finale that lacked any innovation, just a by the numbers "have to end" the trilogy book with a promise of a sequel possible in the last pages; once a narrative gets going for a while, its weight tends to preclude the kind of twists that keep me hooked (and this makes me appreciate even more the few writers who somehow manage it, but sadly it is not the case here)
overall I would say that spreading the pov's so much worked up to a point, but needed much more narrative space than these 3 books provided so a descending line from book 1 (superb) to book 3 mediocre and leaving me with no interest in reading more in this universe
overall I would say that spreading the pov's so much worked up to a point, but needed much more narrative space than these 3 books provided so a descending line from book 1 (superb) to book 3 mediocre and leaving me with no interest in reading more in this universe
July 7, 2015
Utterly compelling trilogy. Just read all three on holiday. I suggest you do too. Great pace, full throttle. Read them all
May 31, 2019
Yo le daría un 3,5 a este libro y un 4 a la trilogía completa.
Ha sido una buena experiencia lectora, personajes interesantes, fantasía bastante oscura y deprimente, todo muy épico y un desenlace que ha sido intenso; todo lo intenso que puede ser el asedio a una gran ciudad desde los diferentes puntos de vista de cada personaje.
El final ha sido demasiado desalentador para mí, no me ha gustado el destino de algunos personajes (me ha parecido que se ha resuelto por la vía rápida, aunque el resultado no ha quedado del todo en desastre lector) y ha empañado un poco el esperado desenlace. No ha sido un mal final, pero a mí me ha resultado demasiado abierto, me han quedado muchas cosas por cerrar debido al enorme worldbuilding que todavía está por explotar.
En general, me ha gustado. Es una novela de personajes, con toda la complejidad que eso conlleva, con un mundo que da la sensación de ser enorme, con una historia tremenda y muy interesante. La novela en sí se queda muy corta en comparación con toda la información que hay y desearía que su autor se hubiese explayado muchísimo más en este tipo de cosas.
Me gusta el estilo de las tres novelas, me gusta mucho que al principio presente todos los personajes (cada uno es un arquetipo clásico, pero se les diferencia perfectamente y cada uno posee una característica que los hace únicos) y, poco a poco, cruza sus vidas hasta que confluyen en el mismo desenlance. Es muy interesante el trato que hace de los personajes dentro de la misma ciudad, como van creciendo, como van cambiando.
En defintiva, me ha gustado todo salvo el final, cuyos últimos capítulos han sido un poco tristes.
Ha sido una buena experiencia lectora, personajes interesantes, fantasía bastante oscura y deprimente, todo muy épico y un desenlace que ha sido intenso; todo lo intenso que puede ser el asedio a una gran ciudad desde los diferentes puntos de vista de cada personaje.
El final ha sido demasiado desalentador para mí, no me ha gustado el destino de algunos personajes (me ha parecido que se ha resuelto por la vía rápida, aunque el resultado no ha quedado del todo en desastre lector) y ha empañado un poco el esperado desenlace. No ha sido un mal final, pero a mí me ha resultado demasiado abierto, me han quedado muchas cosas por cerrar debido al enorme worldbuilding que todavía está por explotar.
En general, me ha gustado. Es una novela de personajes, con toda la complejidad que eso conlleva, con un mundo que da la sensación de ser enorme, con una historia tremenda y muy interesante. La novela en sí se queda muy corta en comparación con toda la información que hay y desearía que su autor se hubiese explayado muchísimo más en este tipo de cosas.
Me gusta el estilo de las tres novelas, me gusta mucho que al principio presente todos los personajes (cada uno es un arquetipo clásico, pero se les diferencia perfectamente y cada uno posee una característica que los hace únicos) y, poco a poco, cruza sus vidas hasta que confluyen en el mismo desenlance. Es muy interesante el trato que hace de los personajes dentro de la misma ciudad, como van creciendo, como van cambiando.
En defintiva, me ha gustado todo salvo el final, cuyos últimos capítulos han sido un poco tristes.
February 29, 2016
Cuántas ganas tenía de tener este libro y terminar la trilogía de Steelhaven. Cuando vi entre las novedades de Urano que se publicaba (en Enero) el último libro de mi aventura de fantasía favorita del año pasado no pude evitar solicitarlo.
La Esperanza es la protagonista principal del final de esta trilogía... ¿será capaz de abrirse camino entre la crueldad, el dolor y la traición...? ¿estáis dispuestos a descubrirlo?
Con un estilo muy depurado, unas descripciones increíbles y una ambientación de las mejores narraciones épicas de todos los tiempos, estos libros llegan pisando fuerte y con ganas de sorprender. Narrado en tercera persona nos va abriendo un mundo creado con mimo y crueldad. Una tierra donde la supervivencia es el fin de nuestros protagonistas y el principio de cada una de sus historias.
Esta conclusión nos va a mostrar permanentemente una perspectiva dual de cada personaje. Lo que dicen y lo que piensan, dando una profunda humanidad a sus pensamientos y personalidades.
Acción, traiciones, alianzas, magia, intrigas palaciegas... no tiene desperdicio. Debéis darle una oportunidad y disfrutad, al igual que yo de esta genial obra maestra de la fantasía.
Más información mañana en el blog:
http://francisforcoppola.blogspot.com...
La Esperanza es la protagonista principal del final de esta trilogía... ¿será capaz de abrirse camino entre la crueldad, el dolor y la traición...? ¿estáis dispuestos a descubrirlo?
Con un estilo muy depurado, unas descripciones increíbles y una ambientación de las mejores narraciones épicas de todos los tiempos, estos libros llegan pisando fuerte y con ganas de sorprender. Narrado en tercera persona nos va abriendo un mundo creado con mimo y crueldad. Una tierra donde la supervivencia es el fin de nuestros protagonistas y el principio de cada una de sus historias.
Esta conclusión nos va a mostrar permanentemente una perspectiva dual de cada personaje. Lo que dicen y lo que piensan, dando una profunda humanidad a sus pensamientos y personalidades.
Acción, traiciones, alianzas, magia, intrigas palaciegas... no tiene desperdicio. Debéis darle una oportunidad y disfrutad, al igual que yo de esta genial obra maestra de la fantasía.
Más información mañana en el blog:
http://francisforcoppola.blogspot.com...
May 12, 2015
I do not recall how I stumbled onto the first Steelhaven book but I was hooked after the first couple of pages. Richard Ford has an amazing way of world building without bogging you down with over lengthy descriptions, characters you love and regardless of their personalities, find a way to relate to all. I haven't done much these past few days because I could not put my kindle down. Read these books people I guarantee you will love them.
March 29, 2016
Con este tomo se cierra la trilogía de Steelhaven, una saga entretenida, fácil de leer y perfecta para que cualquier aficionado a la fantasía se la ventile entera en un par de semanas (ojo, peligro para las vacaciones), pero que no se encuentra entre los indispensables del género. A aquellos profanos en la materia, les recomendaría que empezaran en el mundo fantástico por otra cosa. Reseña completa: http://www.libros-prohibidos.com/rich...
May 24, 2016
No voy a mentir, esperaba mucho más del final de esta trilogía que me había cautivado. No fue terrible pero la verdad hubieron varios personajes que terminaron por desperdiciarse y se introdujeron otros nuevos que no llegaron a desarrollarse bien. Una lástima :(
Al menos hay combates épicos y harta sangre.
Al menos hay combates épicos y harta sangre.
January 3, 2022
Ето, че дочакахме и тре��ия том на сагата „Стийлхейвън“ на Ричард Форд. Романът „Господарят на пепелта“ е сред декемврийските изненади на изд. „Artline Studios” и продължава да развива този епичен и мрачен фентъзи свят, с който се запознахме във „Вестителят на бурята“ и който продължихме да следим в „Разбитата корона“. Време е да разберем какво се случва накрая. Кулминацията предстои, а нито една от фракциите няма ни най-малко намерение да отстъпи. Черната магия настъпва и Свободните държави са в голяма опасност. Стийлхейвън е под обсада. Дали героите ще устоят или накрая пепелищата и смъртта ще погълнат всичко? Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
July 3, 2019
A fun and engaging action-packed trilogy.
By the second book it was hard to find a break to put the book down. By the third book it was almost impossible.
Easy read with a clear writing and a fast pace.
Sure, you may encounter some of the usual tropes found in fantasy, but it has more than enough unexpected twists and turns.
I don't mind those anyway, when they are so well presented.
Sure, the story is "bottled" up in the city of Steelhaven, with only glimpses of the outside world.
None of these stopped me from enjoying the sh#! out of it.
What, however, left me the most impressed is the way the author drives so many POVs, while giving them a unique feel, keeping them well rounded and relevant to the story and not once loosing sight of why they are there to begin with.
You could probably count the number of authors on your fingers, that attempted such a thing and actually succeeded, at least in fantasy.
For me, only one name comes to mind, Steven Erikson.
While I personally find the ending satisfying, the author left a few open doors.
Hopefully that will result in another trilogy in future. There are many aspects I would like explored.
A broader look into the different magic systems, the Elharim, the Free Cities, the badass swords, etc.
By the second book it was hard to find a break to put the book down. By the third book it was almost impossible.
Easy read with a clear writing and a fast pace.
Sure, you may encounter some of the usual tropes found in fantasy, but it has more than enough unexpected twists and turns.
I don't mind those anyway, when they are so well presented.
Sure, the story is "bottled" up in the city of Steelhaven, with only glimpses of the outside world.
None of these stopped me from enjoying the sh#! out of it.
What, however, left me the most impressed is the way the author drives so many POVs, while giving them a unique feel, keeping them well rounded and relevant to the story and not once loosing sight of why they are there to begin with.
You could probably count the number of authors on your fingers, that attempted such a thing and actually succeeded, at least in fantasy.
For me, only one name comes to mind, Steven Erikson.
While I personally find the ending satisfying, the author left a few open doors.
Hopefully that will result in another trilogy in future. There are many aspects I would like explored.
A broader look into the different magic systems, the Elharim, the Free Cities, the badass swords, etc.
February 7, 2022
3.5 / 5 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Beware spoilers for Books 1 & 2 of the Steelhaven trilogy.
One very important note on this series: it’s called the Steelhaven trilogy for a reason. Yes, the characters take center stage, but wherever they are and whatever they’re doing—the city is always around them. It is in every shot, every scene, every moment. While the story may wend back and forth between the POV of all the characters, it’s the City of Steelhaven that the series is concerned with. And this is more important than ever, for the moment we’ve been waiting the entire series to see has arrived: Amon Tugha, displaced prince and would-be King of the Riverlands has come to pluck the jewel for his crown.
As his army sets up before the city gates, despair covers Steelhaven like a blanket. There is no escape from this battle. For there will be a battle; Amon Tugha’s forces are not content to simply starve the defenders out. They mean to take the city by force—whatever the cost.
Waylian hasn’t slept in days. But with the army on the city’s doorstep, there is much to do—not that he understands any of it. But his mistress thinks it’s important, so Waylian is quick enough to try it. The worst that can happen is he’ll die painfully, and after all, there’s always been a pretty good chance of that happening.
Rag has survived, somehow. But with the city sure to fall, it can’t be for much longer. When the Guild calls on her to complete a task, what can she say? While this new job will most likely get her killed, with the city locked up tight there are even less places to hide than usual—and nowhere to run.
Nobul and Regulus stand on the city walls. Around them the defenders quake in their boots, one loss away from a complete massacre. But each man means to fight til the end—one for honor, the other for blood.
Merrick has joined the Wyvern Guard, while Kaira remains beside the Queen. Together they form the elite guard for the castle itself; essentially the last line of defense. But while the Raven’s Guard may be content to wait for the enemy in their castle, Janessa is not. She has picked up her father’s sword and means to lead the city’s defense—no matter the danger.
—
All in all, it was a pretty good end. But it’s important to note that the trilogy is about the city itself. Vital, even. So much so that I’ve mentioned it again. See, if you go into the final book thinking that there will be a certain amount of resolution at the end… well, you might be disappointed. Steelhaven’s fate will definitely be decided. The other characters… less so. Yes, there is some resolution—most, even—but it is not universal.
Going in I thought that this was the last nail in the trilogy, but upon reaching the end I figured that it had to be like one of the Jabercrombie efforts—where subsequent books help expand upon the story of Steelhaven, and resolve some of the characters’ destinies that don’t end here. But while Ford has a couple more trilogies in the works, neither seems to have anything to do with this world. Now I could be wrong (hope I am, in fact), but I don’t think I am.
So while the end itself is a tad disappointing, the journey there is an entertaining one. Again, the characters feed off one another; their threads overlapping and interlinking and weaving in and out while coming together to complete the tapestry itself. It really is quite something to see how it all comes together. We find a few familiar (if surprising) faces, and many of our old faithful ones. Most of the sub-plots are resolved, and nothing too great is left hanging at the end. This was a good read, an entertaining one, but by no means perfect. I know I’ll see more from Ford in the future, and hope that his quality of storytelling can only improve from now on.
A must-read for readers who’ve made it this far, or for fans of the author. For anyone still on the fence… not sure what to tell you. Do you like dark, realistic fantasy where there’s no such thing as “happily ever after”? Then you might like this. But only time will tell.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Beware spoilers for Books 1 & 2 of the Steelhaven trilogy.
One very important note on this series: it’s called the Steelhaven trilogy for a reason. Yes, the characters take center stage, but wherever they are and whatever they’re doing—the city is always around them. It is in every shot, every scene, every moment. While the story may wend back and forth between the POV of all the characters, it’s the City of Steelhaven that the series is concerned with. And this is more important than ever, for the moment we’ve been waiting the entire series to see has arrived: Amon Tugha, displaced prince and would-be King of the Riverlands has come to pluck the jewel for his crown.
As his army sets up before the city gates, despair covers Steelhaven like a blanket. There is no escape from this battle. For there will be a battle; Amon Tugha’s forces are not content to simply starve the defenders out. They mean to take the city by force—whatever the cost.
Waylian hasn’t slept in days. But with the army on the city’s doorstep, there is much to do—not that he understands any of it. But his mistress thinks it’s important, so Waylian is quick enough to try it. The worst that can happen is he’ll die painfully, and after all, there’s always been a pretty good chance of that happening.
Rag has survived, somehow. But with the city sure to fall, it can’t be for much longer. When the Guild calls on her to complete a task, what can she say? While this new job will most likely get her killed, with the city locked up tight there are even less places to hide than usual—and nowhere to run.
Nobul and Regulus stand on the city walls. Around them the defenders quake in their boots, one loss away from a complete massacre. But each man means to fight til the end—one for honor, the other for blood.
Merrick has joined the Wyvern Guard, while Kaira remains beside the Queen. Together they form the elite guard for the castle itself; essentially the last line of defense. But while the Raven’s Guard may be content to wait for the enemy in their castle, Janessa is not. She has picked up her father’s sword and means to lead the city’s defense—no matter the danger.
—
All in all, it was a pretty good end. But it’s important to note that the trilogy is about the city itself. Vital, even. So much so that I’ve mentioned it again. See, if you go into the final book thinking that there will be a certain amount of resolution at the end… well, you might be disappointed. Steelhaven’s fate will definitely be decided. The other characters… less so. Yes, there is some resolution—most, even—but it is not universal.
Going in I thought that this was the last nail in the trilogy, but upon reaching the end I figured that it had to be like one of the Jabercrombie efforts—where subsequent books help expand upon the story of Steelhaven, and resolve some of the characters’ destinies that don’t end here. But while Ford has a couple more trilogies in the works, neither seems to have anything to do with this world. Now I could be wrong (hope I am, in fact), but I don’t think I am.
So while the end itself is a tad disappointing, the journey there is an entertaining one. Again, the characters feed off one another; their threads overlapping and interlinking and weaving in and out while coming together to complete the tapestry itself. It really is quite something to see how it all comes together. We find a few familiar (if surprising) faces, and many of our old faithful ones. Most of the sub-plots are resolved, and nothing too great is left hanging at the end. This was a good read, an entertaining one, but by no means perfect. I know I’ll see more from Ford in the future, and hope that his quality of storytelling can only improve from now on.
A must-read for readers who’ve made it this far, or for fans of the author. For anyone still on the fence… not sure what to tell you. Do you like dark, realistic fantasy where there’s no such thing as “happily ever after”? Then you might like this. But only time will tell.
September 11, 2021
What a fantastic series this was. Fabulous writing and storytelling. Fell in love with all the characters in this tale. The finale was just a gritty and fun as the first two. Steelhaven is definitely a city I’ll always remember.
March 20, 2023
Solid end. The whole book was a battle to hold/take the city of Steelhaven. Not everyone was safe. Grit had its day. The brave had theirs. And the ending? Well, let's just say there's more to all of this still to tell..
I tip my hat to you, RS Ford. You are quite the pensman.
I tip my hat to you, RS Ford. You are quite the pensman.
May 13, 2015
Very disappointed with the finish to this series. Or is it the finish. Just all seemed rushed. First 2 books much better
March 31, 2017
Chronique tirée de mon blog :
Ce livre porte bien son titre. Et il est vraiment bien à l'image de la guerre dont il parle.
Je n'avais pas du tout imaginé ce genre de final en fait, du coup ça change et c'est un peu rafraîchissant sans être pour autant enthousiasmant - même si c'est plus du au ton las qu'on sent sur cette partie la que sur la fin elle même.
Et même si il est surprenant je trouve qu'il colle bien avec la série, finalement à y repenser elle fonctionne plutôt pas mal ce qui est un point positif.
Un autre point positif pour moi c'est que cette fin amène à autre chose, on sent les autres histoires venir, tout n'est pas fini. Ce n'est qu'un nouveau début avec de tout autres enjeux bien sur, mais qui peut donner de belles histoires si un jour l'auteur se sent de les écrire. Et pour autant on n'est pas non plus frustré de ne pas avoir la suite, non, c'est juste une possibilité.
Par contre j'ai été un peu déçu de découvrir (si on veut) les motivations de Amon Tugha. Non pas que ça ne soit pas crédible, pas du tout, mais c'était un peu petit. Enfin petit dans le sens ou il n'y a rien en dessous quoi, juste ses motivations et rien d'autre, rien à découvrir pour nous. Et pourtant j'attendais de savoir, de le comprendre, et du coup c'est un peu retombé à plat. Mais j'aurais du m'y attendre avec cette série, elle ne nous amène pas vraiment la ou on l'attends en général.
Je pense que ce tome est une belle ode à la futilité de la guerre.
En fait ce tome ce résume à ce qu'on attends de lui, c'est à dire à suivre la guerre qui arrive enfin vu des nombreux protagonistes. Les batailles se succèdent, et du coup on voit bien les faiblesses des personnages et ou ça va les mener, tout est accentué dans un moment comme ça. La moindre erreur est fatale. Et la dessus on n'est pas vraiment en reste, l'auteur n'épargne personne !
Du fait du relativement faible nombre de pages sur un livre de fantasy, comparé à la norme, on n'a pas vraiment le temps de souffler. Tout s’enchaîne toujours, on saute d'une bataille à une autre, d'un personnage à un autre ...
Et du coup c'est aussi un petit reproche que j'ai à faire, mais c'est personnel. J'ai trouvé que les temps de pause dans le récit étaient trop court. Dans le sens ou malgré leur existence, on n'a pas l'impression que le récit change de rythme du début à la fin, il y a toujours une action en cours à tout moment.
Et ça c'est un point que j'ai remarqué, c'est qu'en général je préfère les livres qui ont un rythme croissant tout au long, parce que si c'est effréné sur une longue période, au bout d'un moment je m'essouffle et je commence à me détacher de l'action.
Et c'est un peu ce qui c'est passé, sans que ça soit un gros point noir mais je me suis sentie un peu moins imprégnée dans l'histoire ici que dans les précédents. Après c'est peut être aussi à cause de l'ambiance morose de ce tome.
On commence le tome en sachant que Havrefer n'a que peu de chance de gagner ce siège et la guerre, du coup on est plongé dans une atmosphère de fin du monde presque, ou fin d'un monde, d'un pays, d'un temps. C'est assez particulier et ce n'est pas du tout joyeux.
Limite on imagine un gout de cendre pendant la lecture.
Bref, je ne reviendrais pas longuement sur les personnages. Ceux qui ont lu la série les connaissent et ils sont fidèles a eux même tout en évoluant, rien à redire la dessus, c'est toujours le point fort de la série. Même si bien sur ils n'évoluent pas forcement dans le bon sens. Ils se trompent, prennent de mauvaises décisions, des fois des bonnes aussi, des fois ils n'ont pas le choix.
Tout repose la dessus, et plus que la vrai guerre elle même, c'est toujours le focus central du livre.
J'ai néanmoins quelques regrets quand aux passages de certains personnages comme ceux sur Janessa qui tombe plutôt totalement à plat et qui m'a déçu en tant que personnage, et ceux de Loque que j'ai trouvé trop facile dans l'ensemble.
Au final une lecture assez pesante du fait de l'ambiance de fin d'un monde sur ce tome. Je l'ai bien aimé mais j'avoue que je ne sais pas trop quoi penser vraiment au final. En tant que lecture c'était très sympa, je ne regrette pas du tout d'avoir lu cette histoire !
16/20
Ce livre porte bien son titre. Et il est vraiment bien à l'image de la guerre dont il parle.
Je n'avais pas du tout imaginé ce genre de final en fait, du coup ça change et c'est un peu rafraîchissant sans être pour autant enthousiasmant - même si c'est plus du au ton las qu'on sent sur cette partie la que sur la fin elle même.
Et même si il est surprenant je trouve qu'il colle bien avec la série, finalement à y repenser elle fonctionne plutôt pas mal ce qui est un point positif.
Un autre point positif pour moi c'est que cette fin amène à autre chose, on sent les autres histoires venir, tout n'est pas fini. Ce n'est qu'un nouveau début avec de tout autres enjeux bien sur, mais qui peut donner de belles histoires si un jour l'auteur se sent de les écrire. Et pour autant on n'est pas non plus frustré de ne pas avoir la suite, non, c'est juste une possibilité.
Par contre j'ai été un peu déçu de découvrir (si on veut) les motivations de Amon Tugha. Non pas que ça ne soit pas crédible, pas du tout, mais c'était un peu petit. Enfin petit dans le sens ou il n'y a rien en dessous quoi, juste ses motivations et rien d'autre, rien à découvrir pour nous. Et pourtant j'attendais de savoir, de le comprendre, et du coup c'est un peu retombé à plat. Mais j'aurais du m'y attendre avec cette série, elle ne nous amène pas vraiment la ou on l'attends en général.
Je pense que ce tome est une belle ode à la futilité de la guerre.
En fait ce tome ce résume à ce qu'on attends de lui, c'est à dire à suivre la guerre qui arrive enfin vu des nombreux protagonistes. Les batailles se succèdent, et du coup on voit bien les faiblesses des personnages et ou ça va les mener, tout est accentué dans un moment comme ça. La moindre erreur est fatale. Et la dessus on n'est pas vraiment en reste, l'auteur n'épargne personne !
Du fait du relativement faible nombre de pages sur un livre de fantasy, comparé à la norme, on n'a pas vraiment le temps de souffler. Tout s’enchaîne toujours, on saute d'une bataille à une autre, d'un personnage à un autre ...
Et du coup c'est aussi un petit reproche que j'ai à faire, mais c'est personnel. J'ai trouvé que les temps de pause dans le récit étaient trop court. Dans le sens ou malgré leur existence, on n'a pas l'impression que le récit change de rythme du début à la fin, il y a toujours une action en cours à tout moment.
Et ça c'est un point que j'ai remarqué, c'est qu'en général je préfère les livres qui ont un rythme croissant tout au long, parce que si c'est effréné sur une longue période, au bout d'un moment je m'essouffle et je commence à me détacher de l'action.
Et c'est un peu ce qui c'est passé, sans que ça soit un gros point noir mais je me suis sentie un peu moins imprégnée dans l'histoire ici que dans les précédents. Après c'est peut être aussi à cause de l'ambiance morose de ce tome.
On commence le tome en sachant que Havrefer n'a que peu de chance de gagner ce siège et la guerre, du coup on est plongé dans une atmosphère de fin du monde presque, ou fin d'un monde, d'un pays, d'un temps. C'est assez particulier et ce n'est pas du tout joyeux.
Limite on imagine un gout de cendre pendant la lecture.
Bref, je ne reviendrais pas longuement sur les personnages. Ceux qui ont lu la série les connaissent et ils sont fidèles a eux même tout en évoluant, rien à redire la dessus, c'est toujours le point fort de la série. Même si bien sur ils n'évoluent pas forcement dans le bon sens. Ils se trompent, prennent de mauvaises décisions, des fois des bonnes aussi, des fois ils n'ont pas le choix.
Tout repose la dessus, et plus que la vrai guerre elle même, c'est toujours le focus central du livre.
J'ai néanmoins quelques regrets quand aux passages de certains personnages comme ceux sur Janessa qui tombe plutôt totalement à plat et qui m'a déçu en tant que personnage, et ceux de Loque que j'ai trouvé trop facile dans l'ensemble.
Au final une lecture assez pesante du fait de l'ambiance de fin d'un monde sur ce tome. Je l'ai bien aimé mais j'avoue que je ne sais pas trop quoi penser vraiment au final. En tant que lecture c'était très sympa, je ne regrette pas du tout d'avoir lu cette histoire !
16/20
September 21, 2021
Most exciting, but I liked part 2 better. Because of the ending, which leaves some bits open, I guess there'll come more books on Steelhaven?
January 31, 2025
An excellent conclusion to an amazing series!
February 9, 2022
A little unusual to read several hundred pages about a city in siege, when it comes to fantasy series, but remains interesting until the last page. Definitely not a predictable ending.
May 26, 2015
The first thing that came to my mind after I finished reading this book was that the title is very apt. Richard Ford went all scorched earth with his creation. I can't think of another book that I've read at the pace that I read this one, I was reading virtually every moment I possibly could. This is a great story, and one well worth recommending to all my friends, but it's not without its faults.
THE GOOD
There's a lot to like here. The conclusion to the Steelhaven arc is satisfying. The war comes to a bloody end, and there were surprises that I never saw coming. The things that some of the character went through were maddening. Some I really cheered for, and some stole my breath as I had to painfully read through their ordeal.
The entire book was practically the battle for Steelhaven. You knew it was coming. You've been waiting for it. But it's still surprising how a whole book was dedicated to a single battle. Granted, the book isn't long by today's fantasy book standards, but at the same time, I could easily see how the book could've been twice as long. There were so many small details that I wish could've been included, but perhaps it might not have ended up with the same Nobul-worthy punch as this compact book delivered, so I'm happy with it.
The tone was consistent throughout the entire series. It was serious from the get-go, and it was serious to the bitter end. I applaud Ford for delivering the brutality that he did. Every character stayed true to themselves, and that's a mark of a good book for me.
THE MEH
While there isn't anything particularly bad about this book, I do have a couple of quips.
The more I read about the characters, the more that some of them became less 3-dimensional for me. Great characters would do the opposite, as you get to know more and more about the characters, but there were some characters whose storylines completely took me out of the suspension of disbelief in some parts (which I can't talk about without spoiling things, so I'll use the spoiler tag):
Because of those things, the characters felt too caricature-like at those points. They didn't feel genuine to me.
The second thing that I found strange was the loose threads in the end. I'm used to loose threads, having read Joe Abercrombie's books and some other books, but the loose threads on this one was really baffling because one of them is an outright cliffhanger. I can understand that life goes on and nothing is ever concluded cleanly in life, but this particular character's ending felt completely out of place in a series ending.
I tend to look on the bright side though, so my take away from those minor issues are: 1. The author will get better. 2. More books will be coming!
OVERALL
I debated whether or not to even write those quips, because I really love this series, and I want everyone to pick it up, but I tend to use reviews as a way to also remember my thoughts, so I had to put it in. I do want to stress that this is an amazing series though, and I'll pick up pretty much anything Ford writes from this point on.
I'd love to read more about the world of Steelhaven.
TL;DR
Like sex.
THE GOOD
There's a lot to like here. The conclusion to the Steelhaven arc is satisfying. The war comes to a bloody end, and there were surprises that I never saw coming. The things that some of the character went through were maddening. Some I really cheered for, and some stole my breath as I had to painfully read through their ordeal.
The entire book was practically the battle for Steelhaven. You knew it was coming. You've been waiting for it. But it's still surprising how a whole book was dedicated to a single battle. Granted, the book isn't long by today's fantasy book standards, but at the same time, I could easily see how the book could've been twice as long. There were so many small details that I wish could've been included, but perhaps it might not have ended up with the same Nobul-worthy punch as this compact book delivered, so I'm happy with it.
The tone was consistent throughout the entire series. It was serious from the get-go, and it was serious to the bitter end. I applaud Ford for delivering the brutality that he did. Every character stayed true to themselves, and that's a mark of a good book for me.
THE MEH
While there isn't anything particularly bad about this book, I do have a couple of quips.
The more I read about the characters, the more that some of them became less 3-dimensional for me. Great characters would do the opposite, as you get to know more and more about the characters, but there were some characters whose storylines completely took me out of the suspension of disbelief in some parts (which I can't talk about without spoiling things, so I'll use the spoiler tag):
Because of those things, the characters felt too caricature-like at those points. They didn't feel genuine to me.
The second thing that I found strange was the loose threads in the end. I'm used to loose threads, having read Joe Abercrombie's books and some other books, but the loose threads on this one was really baffling because one of them is an outright cliffhanger. I can understand that life goes on and nothing is ever concluded cleanly in life, but this particular character's ending felt completely out of place in a series ending.
I tend to look on the bright side though, so my take away from those minor issues are: 1. The author will get better. 2. More books will be coming!
OVERALL
I debated whether or not to even write those quips, because I really love this series, and I want everyone to pick it up, but I tend to use reviews as a way to also remember my thoughts, so I had to put it in. I do want to stress that this is an amazing series though, and I'll pick up pretty much anything Ford writes from this point on.
I'd love to read more about the world of Steelhaven.
TL;DR
Like sex.
March 25, 2017
(Spoilers for books one and two.)
Lord of Ashes - the final book in the trilogy - is around 320 pages long and for me, this is the main reason such a promising trilogy left me disappointed at the end.
Anyone who has read the previous two novels know that the main battle for Steelhaven hadn't even started at the end of book two and that a large amount of main characters would play a prevalent part in the battle. So Richard Ford had a lot to do and he only used 320 pages. I'm the first to criticise fantasy books that are over 600 pages long but there must be a happy medium.
With such a frugal page count, this book only has time and space to show the battles from different points of view and give each main character a job to do. So, it has absolutely no time to breathe, there's no light and shade, no growth or twists and turns. It's all very rushed.
Ford hints at future stories and adventures for the surviving characters at the end of the novel; I was intrigued by these potential new stories so it shows that Ford did a good job overall because I would read any future novels. It's just a shame this book is a big decrease in quality from the previous two.
5/10.
Lord of Ashes - the final book in the trilogy - is around 320 pages long and for me, this is the main reason such a promising trilogy left me disappointed at the end.
Anyone who has read the previous two novels know that the main battle for Steelhaven hadn't even started at the end of book two and that a large amount of main characters would play a prevalent part in the battle. So Richard Ford had a lot to do and he only used 320 pages. I'm the first to criticise fantasy books that are over 600 pages long but there must be a happy medium.
With such a frugal page count, this book only has time and space to show the battles from different points of view and give each main character a job to do. So, it has absolutely no time to breathe, there's no light and shade, no growth or twists and turns. It's all very rushed.
Ford hints at future stories and adventures for the surviving characters at the end of the novel; I was intrigued by these potential new stories so it shows that Ford did a good job overall because I would read any future novels. It's just a shame this book is a big decrease in quality from the previous two.
5/10.
June 15, 2015
c2015: FWFTB: Steelhaven, sword, battle, helm, Wyvern. Arrgghh. I don't think there could have been a different ending but aarrgh. There was no reminders of what-had-gone-before but fortunately the characters had left quite a lasting impression on me so it didn't take too long to get back into it but I would have still have preferred some reminders. Great fight scenes with equally 'strong' male and female protagonists. I think this would also make a good TV series. It has action and a fairly limited cast of characters but I suppose it depends on how Mr Ford takes the world and the remaining characters forwards. There are still some loose ends so I look forward to the next book. definitely recommended to the normal crew. "Steelhaven was in pieces. Buildings torn apart, voices weeping in the early morning, the wounde groaning for succour when it was clear nothing could be done for them.
May 21, 2015
Tis book can proudly sit alongside The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie in the best fantasy single battle story category. From start to finish this book is dedicated to the Battle of Steelhaven spread over about 4 days. It is brutal, bloody and each and every character so far introduced in this brilliant trilogy has thier moment to shine.
There is not death and glory just death and an ending which rounds this trilogy out nicely because you never know from page to page who lives or who dies.
The ending does leave some questions which I'm hoping Richard has deliberately left there as he intends to return to this world at some time in the future.
There is not death and glory just death and an ending which rounds this trilogy out nicely because you never know from page to page who lives or who dies.
The ending does leave some questions which I'm hoping Richard has deliberately left there as he intends to return to this world at some time in the future.
May 17, 2015
First two thirds where good, if slightly predicatable and forumulaic. Key problem was too many POVs, meaning not enough focus on anyone.
Final third was just plain weird though. A deus ex machina solution to the problem of the enemey's massive army and then little to no character resultion as everyone just left... probably to tee up the next book/trilogy/series.
A disappointing read after The Shattered Crown.
Final third was just plain weird though. A deus ex machina solution to the problem of the enemey's massive army and then little to no character resultion as everyone just left... probably to tee up the next book/trilogy/series.
A disappointing read after The Shattered Crown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2015
A few predictable plot twists, but overall really enjoyable. I really liked how the ending was kept really open for most characters and I have a feeling that we'll be meeting them again..
Rembram Thule was great, durket was great, nobul and regulus kicked ass. Overall a great ending to a great series
Rembram Thule was great, durket was great, nobul and regulus kicked ass. Overall a great ending to a great series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2015
This was the final book of the Trilogy with an Epic battle happening all over the place...there was heartbreak, and joy, and a reminder that small things(and people) matter more sometimes...I especially loved the way the writer left a lot of open ends for the non-dead characters to go off on their journeys...who knows, maybe we'll meet one or more of them in other books by Mr ford.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews