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Blood of Empire
(Gods of Blood and Powder #3)
by
As the final battle approaches a sellsword, a spy, and a general must find unlikely and dangerous allies in order to turn the tides of war in this epic fantasy tale of magic and gunpowder by acclaimed author Brian McClellan.
The Dynize have unlocked the Landfall Godstone, and Michel Bravis is tasked with returning to Greenfire Depths to do whatever he can to prevent them fr ...more
The Dynize have unlocked the Landfall Godstone, and Michel Bravis is tasked with returning to Greenfire Depths to do whatever he can to prevent them fr ...more
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592 pages
Published
December 3rd 2019
by Orbit
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ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 stars
Six years after the first publication of Promise of Blood, it’s time to say goodbye to the Powder Mage universe.
Blood of Empire is the third and last book in the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy. McClellan has also said that this will be the final novel in the Powder Mage universe, and there’s a chance there won’t be any new full-novel in this universe, at least not for years because McClellan has a new series—Glass ...more
3.5/5 stars
Six years after the first publication of Promise of Blood, it’s time to say goodbye to the Powder Mage universe.
Blood of Empire is the third and last book in the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy. McClellan has also said that this will be the final novel in the Powder Mage universe, and there’s a chance there won’t be any new full-novel in this universe, at least not for years because McClellan has a new series—Glass ...more

4.5 Stars
I’m sad it’s over. I think I’m one of the few that loved this trilogy better than the first one. I actually traded my physical copies of the first trilogy and kept it on kindle. But this trilogy.. I absolutely loved it! Ben and Vlora and Ka-poel and of course, Celine and Taniel. I mean I loved Michel and Ichtracia too but they weren’t my favs like the others.
For the love of God, I rambled on there a bit.
ANYWAY, I loved the book. I feel good with the ending. I’m going to miss the chara ...more
I’m sad it’s over. I think I’m one of the few that loved this trilogy better than the first one. I actually traded my physical copies of the first trilogy and kept it on kindle. But this trilogy.. I absolutely loved it! Ben and Vlora and Ka-poel and of course, Celine and Taniel. I mean I loved Michel and Ichtracia too but they weren’t my favs like the others.
For the love of God, I rambled on there a bit.
ANYWAY, I loved the book. I feel good with the ending. I’m going to miss the chara ...more

Mini Review: [4.5/5 stars] You know those fantasy authors who are so good, you can relax into their writing and just enjoy? That’s McClellan. I’ve been a book reviewer for almost a decade, and it’s difficult sometimes to turn off my critical eye. But every once in a while, a series comes along where I can just sit back and appreciate the journey without all the constant evaluation. These are the kinds of stories that give me fire as a reviewer – the ones that end up on my favorites lists to be r
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"One of the greatest dangers a soldier could face was the feeling of his own invincibility."
Blood of Empire is Brian McClellan's third and final novel in the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy. Let me begin by saying I really enjoyed the characters in this series. The three main POV's; Vlora Flint, Mad Ben Styke, and Michel Brevis were some of the best written characters I have come across in some time. Ben Styke was the highlight of these books for me. His personality, commanding page ...more

Blood of empire isn’t only the end of the god of blood and powder trilogy but it puts an end of an era. It’s supposed to be the last book related to the powdermages world and I have to say more than anything it’s really hard to say farewell to my beloved saga.
With the second trilogy we can’t help to notice than Brian McClellan had increase for the better his writing and managed to improve with this second round.
Vlora Flint , for better or for worse, I found it was a good idea to bring back a cha ...more
With the second trilogy we can’t help to notice than Brian McClellan had increase for the better his writing and managed to improve with this second round.
Vlora Flint , for better or for worse, I found it was a good idea to bring back a cha ...more

Ka-Sedial and the Dynize Empire are on the cusp of creating a new god. Vlora, Ben Styke, Michel Bravis, and many others go to extremes to prevent that from happening.
Blood of Empire was largely what I expected from the conclusion of the Gods of Blood and Power series. Lots of intrigue and battles. I was hoping to see if Brian McClellan had something more or truly unexpected in store for this book, but he unfortunately didn't. Blood of Empire is the first book in the Powder Mage universe that I ...more
Blood of Empire was largely what I expected from the conclusion of the Gods of Blood and Power series. Lots of intrigue and battles. I was hoping to see if Brian McClellan had something more or truly unexpected in store for this book, but he unfortunately didn't. Blood of Empire is the first book in the Powder Mage universe that I ...more

Whew, what a ride.
Brian McClellan is one of my favoritemilitary flintlock fantasy writers. His Powder Mage trilogy has one of the best magic systems I ever read while his characters were compelling and memorable.
Three years ago I was pleasantly surprised when he announced a new trilogy set in the same world, featuring one of the characters that I felt was underused, misunderstood and even marginalized in the first trilogy, Vlora Flint. There are of course two other main POV characters, a sold ...more
Brian McClellan is one of my favorite
Three years ago I was pleasantly surprised when he announced a new trilogy set in the same world, featuring one of the characters that I felt was underused, misunderstood and even marginalized in the first trilogy, Vlora Flint. There are of course two other main POV characters, a sold ...more

Should maybe have reread Sins ans Wrath because I thought I remembered more than I actually did, and spent some time being confused while reading this one. But the books are bit long and I was also too impatient for rereads.
Apart from that, I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did McClellans previous works. Not sure if I liked the ending. It felt rushed and I don't know how I feel about certain outcomes from it.
Would still recommend this series, and of course the Powder Mage trilogy. Since it w ...more
Apart from that, I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did McClellans previous works. Not sure if I liked the ending. It felt rushed and I don't know how I feel about certain outcomes from it.
Would still recommend this series, and of course the Powder Mage trilogy. Since it w ...more

The final part of the trilogy & been looking forward to getting to this one for a while.
We’re quickly around the POV’s in the first few chapters acquainting this reader with the main characters & the thread of the story (recapped) as we pick up from where the last book ended which is as well for it’s been nearly a year since I read the prior in the trilogy & I would have struggled to recollect it all.
All are alive & well OR at least recovering from their battles as we follow the paths of Taniel/ ...more
We’re quickly around the POV’s in the first few chapters acquainting this reader with the main characters & the thread of the story (recapped) as we pick up from where the last book ended which is as well for it’s been nearly a year since I read the prior in the trilogy & I would have struggled to recollect it all.
All are alive & well OR at least recovering from their battles as we follow the paths of Taniel/ ...more

A perfectly paced and fun conclusion to the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy.
McClellan can really do no wrong. I have read both of his flintlock fantasy series and this guy really knows how to spin a story. His greatest strength is pacing. There is something that comes so effortless about reading his books, even more so with his polished second series. The world building is really excellent. The nations, their history and lore, along their differing cultures really flesh out this fantasy world. ...more
McClellan can really do no wrong. I have read both of his flintlock fantasy series and this guy really knows how to spin a story. His greatest strength is pacing. There is something that comes so effortless about reading his books, even more so with his polished second series. The world building is really excellent. The nations, their history and lore, along their differing cultures really flesh out this fantasy world. ...more

For the majority of this book it didn't feel like the last book of the trilogy. There was so much happening that needed to be addressed and I couldn't see how it would be possible to do that in just one book. And as a result when the ending came it felt a bit rushed. With that being said I still enjoyed the book. And I obviously still love the whole Powder Mage universe. I hope there will be more Powder Mage stories at some point. I'm going to miss this world.
4.5/5 stars ...more
4.5/5 stars ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Book 1: 3.75*
Book 2: 3.75*
Book 3: 4.0*
I good series that got better as it went along but not as good as the first series in general. I felt like I could have predicted the series of events to follow about three-quarters of the way through the first book for the entire series. Still I enjoyed it.
Book 2: 3.75*
Book 3: 4.0*
I good series that got better as it went along but not as good as the first series in general. I felt like I could have predicted the series of events to follow about three-quarters of the way through the first book for the entire series. Still I enjoyed it.

Simply amazing trilogy to go along with the original trilogy. This wasn't as epic an ending as the Autumn Republic but very satisfying and as with most good books, left you happy but wanting a little more.
These books started with the stories of Michel, Vlora and Ben and ended the same way and I won't tell you if any or all three survived. There was the familiar world with its Powder Mages, Privileged and Bone Eyes stuffed into many battles along with a few surprises. Characters appeared here and ...more
These books started with the stories of Michel, Vlora and Ben and ended the same way and I won't tell you if any or all three survived. There was the familiar world with its Powder Mages, Privileged and Bone Eyes stuffed into many battles along with a few surprises. Characters appeared here and ...more

4 Stars!!!
A solid finish to the Gods of Blood and Powder Series. I'm going to miss all the characters I've grown to love. Looking forward to Brian McClellan's upcoming Glass Immortals series. ...more
A solid finish to the Gods of Blood and Powder Series. I'm going to miss all the characters I've grown to love. Looking forward to Brian McClellan's upcoming Glass Immortals series. ...more

3.5* I have a soft spot for these characters and this story but it really was the weakest book in the trilogy. It dragged a lot on the politics and battle planning for them to end happening off screen. The ending was quite anticlimactic and convenient, everything wrapping up too nicely. McClellan still made me love and care for these characters and his writing made it easy for me to fall back into the story rather quickly. But I can't help to be a bit disappointed.
...more

Great book. Characters pick up where we left them. Flora the general a worthy heir to Tamas. Michel the spy a great character. I could not put it down and was refreshed to be in the company of the mad Lancer Ben Styke. Many interesting journeys (ie Taniel's, Delia's, Linnet's, Ibana's, General E---) were not wholly recorded in the book. Concludes in a satisfying way. I pray for a battle with the Nine.
...more

Blood of Empire is the third and final novel in the Gods of Blood and Powder trilogy, which is a spinoff of McClellan’s Powder Mage series. I’ve never read the Powder Mage series, so I can say with confidence you do not need to read that series to understand and love the story and characters McClellan presents to reader in Gods of Blood and Powder.
What I enjoyed the most about this trilogy, especially with Blood of Empire, is the balance between the military fantasy elements and magic. I’m not u ...more
What I enjoyed the most about this trilogy, especially with Blood of Empire, is the balance between the military fantasy elements and magic. I’m not u ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Dec 10, 2019
Lashaan Balasingam (Bookidote)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2019,
fantasy

You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
Watching an author create his borderless fictional playground is a reader’s ultimate pleasure. When it comes to epic fantasy novels, there are a couple of authors who achieve this and effortlessly expand their universe with incredible expertise, as they not only explore different zones, characters, and stories, but also tackle different periods in time and generations in the past, present, and future. This often leads readers to appreciate the r ...more

One can't help but feel wistful at the end of this series, such a thrilling journey it has been.
It has been a rich, deeply satisfying journey of near-death scenarios with half crazed, exasperating, and sometimes near-invincible characters who had to prove their worth again and again in the face of overwhelming odds.
The characters enjoyed the dizzying heights of triumph, often side by side with the despairing depths of defeat. Of course, the characters are unique, one of the standouts of this top ...more
It has been a rich, deeply satisfying journey of near-death scenarios with half crazed, exasperating, and sometimes near-invincible characters who had to prove their worth again and again in the face of overwhelming odds.
The characters enjoyed the dizzying heights of triumph, often side by side with the despairing depths of defeat. Of course, the characters are unique, one of the standouts of this top ...more

Thanks you. Thank you for that wonderful story. The ends was beyond my expectations and I hope... I really hope I can come back to this world... whether it's years later or hundreds of years after this epic story...
It ends up in my favorite books to recommend without hesitation.
I'm not going to name them all, but each character has had their moment of glory, doubts, ups and downs that they overcame to try to have a better future.
Anyway, thanks again M. Brian McClellan. ...more
It ends up in my favorite books to recommend without hesitation.
I'm not going to name them all, but each character has had their moment of glory, doubts, ups and downs that they overcame to try to have a better future.
Anyway, thanks again M. Brian McClellan. ...more

A fitting final instalment to the second trilogy of powder mages and gods.
The war against the Dynize Empire continues to rage as the Palo, Adrans, and Fatrastans defend the continent and attempt to secure the godstones. The field of battle and storyline itself are split into various fronts, with Styke's plot in the capital of the Dynize and Michel's and Vlora's on Fatrasta.
Styke continues to be badass, Vlora continues to be a capable general and gets away with betraying her lover, and Michel c ...more
The war against the Dynize Empire continues to rage as the Palo, Adrans, and Fatrastans defend the continent and attempt to secure the godstones. The field of battle and storyline itself are split into various fronts, with Styke's plot in the capital of the Dynize and Michel's and Vlora's on Fatrasta.
Styke continues to be badass, Vlora continues to be a capable general and gets away with betraying her lover, and Michel c ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Fantasy Buddy Reads: Blood of Empire [Dec 3, 2019] | 31 | 88 | Dec 06, 2019 06:48AM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: Blood of Empire [Dec 3, 2019] | 4 | 26 | Dec 02, 2019 05:28AM |
Brian McClellan is an American epic fantasy author from Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his acclaimed Powder Mage Universe and essays on the life and business of being a writer.
Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.
Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Camp ...more
Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.
Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Camp ...more
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Gods of Blood and Powder
(3 books)
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