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War of the Archons #2
Hangman's Gate
After uniting the bandit clans of the Crooked Jaw, the Iron Tusk swept into Shengen Empire. Within one year he had usurped the throne and subjugated its people. Now he marches his new army along the Skull Road, ready to lay waste to the lands in the west.
Centurion Laigon Valdyr, and the last warriors of the Fourth Standing of Shengen, bring news to Dunrun of the Iron Tusk's impending invasion. The ancient fortress keep of Dunrun stands at the edge of the Skull Road and a small force could defend the way against superior numbers, but for how long? The beleaguered troops of the Great Eastern Militia must send for help.
Ctenka Sunatra and the southern veteran Ermund are dispatched from the fortress to entreat the Queen of Kantor for aid, but when they reach the great city state their pleas are all but ignored. With little choice, Ermund leads them south to his former homeland, where the secret of his true identity is revealed. There they find Randal Weirwulf has seized power by becoming a surrogate father to children who have developed fledgling magical powers. He has used them to usurp power from the three kingdoms of Suderland and place puppets on their thrones.
As Ctenka and Ermund head back north with little to show for their trouble, they find themselves in charge of a rag-tag group of prisoners. Among them is Josten Cade, now fallen far from grace. When they reach the fortress of Dunrun, the Iron Tusk has already arrived and it seems nothing can stand against him. That is until a mysterious woman arrives from the desert.
The defenders of Dunrun fight valiantly against the Iron Tusk and his army, but with no one to match the power of the god-like warlord all seems lost. It is not until Laigon Valdyr himself prays to gods long forgotten that he is finally given the strength to defeat the Iron Tusk and send him back to the dread plane from where he came.
Centurion Laigon Valdyr, and the last warriors of the Fourth Standing of Shengen, bring news to Dunrun of the Iron Tusk's impending invasion. The ancient fortress keep of Dunrun stands at the edge of the Skull Road and a small force could defend the way against superior numbers, but for how long? The beleaguered troops of the Great Eastern Militia must send for help.
Ctenka Sunatra and the southern veteran Ermund are dispatched from the fortress to entreat the Queen of Kantor for aid, but when they reach the great city state their pleas are all but ignored. With little choice, Ermund leads them south to his former homeland, where the secret of his true identity is revealed. There they find Randal Weirwulf has seized power by becoming a surrogate father to children who have developed fledgling magical powers. He has used them to usurp power from the three kingdoms of Suderland and place puppets on their thrones.
As Ctenka and Ermund head back north with little to show for their trouble, they find themselves in charge of a rag-tag group of prisoners. Among them is Josten Cade, now fallen far from grace. When they reach the fortress of Dunrun, the Iron Tusk has already arrived and it seems nothing can stand against him. That is until a mysterious woman arrives from the desert.
The defenders of Dunrun fight valiantly against the Iron Tusk and his army, but with no one to match the power of the god-like warlord all seems lost. It is not until Laigon Valdyr himself prays to gods long forgotten that he is finally given the strength to defeat the Iron Tusk and send him back to the dread plane from where he came.
406 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2019
31 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Richard S. Ford
21 books436 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 6, 2022
Not working for me, not interested in the characters or the world.. I don't have the audiobook for part 3 so I will shelve the series.
May 28, 2019
4.5 stars.
As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek: https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...
I was a big fan of the first book in the War of the Archons trilogy, A Demon in Silver and my expectations were high for Hangman’s Gate. Luckily, Ford has delivered and with Hangman’s Gate, he has created another highly entertaining read, a read that is grimdark filled with heart and a read that packs a bloody punch.
Over a hundred years ago an event known as ‘The Fall‘ took place. The Archons struck an accord, broke the heartstone and overnight both the Gods and magic vanished from the world fading into myth, legend, stories and leaving humankind to its own devices. Until, in A Demon in Silver when the Archons once more start to stir, taking tentative steps back into the world and the fabric starts to tear, the scars become unstitched and magic returns, slowly seeping, bleeding back into the world as innocent civilians start to manifest abilities, show magical powers that haven’t been seen in over a century.
The monstrous warlord, the Iron Tusk marches forwards, forever onwards, those who oppose him, they fall, they kneel, they obey or they die. He is mustering his army and marching along the Skull Road towards the Cordral Extent and towards the ancient and crumbling fortress of Dunrun. The Iron Tusk killed the emperor of the Shengen Empire, took his place, conquered the land, subjugated the people and has now turned his attention to the kingdoms beyond. He united the Shengen tribes, made the Imperial Army Standings bend the knee and now bandits, criminals and tribesmen have all merged with the Imperial Army to create a vast and insurmountable horde. All of the Shengen worship him, above all else, he is their God.
The Iron Tusk wants to destroy the Cordral Extent, claim it as his own, have dominion over all the kingdoms and rule the world. Dunrun stands on the border, it is the last line of defence, the last bastion in the Iron Tusk’s way. Once of great importance, once manned by a full complement of one thousand men, now the fortress is decaying, dilapidated and rotting to ruin. It is garrisoned by only a handful, a span of recruits, the young and the old, recruits who haven’t seen nearly enough and those who have seen far too many battles, those yet to wet their blades and those whose blades have rusted through age. They are the dregs of the militia, those in need of a post but those not good enough for the elite, for the Kantor militia, those, except for a couple of diamonds in the rough mostly lacking basic competence. The gates, the walls of Dunrun need to stand, they need to hold back the onslaught and weather the storm. If Dunrun falls then that is the fate that awaits the world, the Iron Tusk will be a plague, washing, cascading, flowing like an unending river, a torrent of blood that sweeps across the land leaving death, destruction and suffering in his wake.
On orders from the Marshal at Dunrun two of the Great Eastern militia, Ctenka Sunatra and Ermund leave the garrison, embark on a mission in search of reinforcements. First, to Kantor, the Capital of the Cordral Extent for aid from the Queen and, then, onto lands further afield, to the Suderfeld for aid and allies.
On the journey, for the greater good, for the fate of the world, Ermund seeks help from associates from his past, those who before he was betrayed he once called a friend (we get insight into who Ermund really is, the truth and why in his advanced years he ended up at Dunrun and it was one of my favourite parts of the story). The journey into the Suderfeld, back into the Suderfeld for Ermund brings the duo into contact with a couple of returning faces from A Demon in Silver. One of them is down on their luck, their luck always against them, more maudlin, more sombre this time around, damaged after losses and after the events of the first book whilst the other is doing far better than the last time that we saw them thanks to some nefarious and sly means.
Along with the chapters that focus on Ctenka and Ermund and their event laden journey there are also chapters that focus on Dunrun and how the fortress is preparing for the upcoming conflict too. Ford also includes chapters that take you back in time, that add flesh to the bones, depth and layers, colour to the canvas and bridge the story allowing you to see what has happened to the characters to get them to where they currently are. All of the characters have stories to tell and all of the characters have a part to play in the unfolding story with many of their fates intertwining.
Ford is a fine storyteller and multiple points of view keep the story moving forward, giving you pieces of the whole whilst simultaneously giving you the separate stories for the characters, building, cementing foundations, forming a complete picture. There are some old faces and some new in Hangman’s Gate. It was nice to be reacquainted with the returning characters and equally nice to meet some new faces too who are all decent additions to the story both those that we say goodbye too along the way in this story and those who will return in the next book.
I have briefly mentioned, in innocuous fashion two returning (point of view) characters from A Demon in Silver that Ctenka and Ermund encounter on their journey but I won’t mention any more about them to avoid any unwanted spoilers. One of the new points of view characters is Laigon Valdyr, a Centurion from the Shengen Imperial Army. I really liked Laigon, he was my favourite story arc, he is honourable, has a large role in the story and along with his own story also gives us a glimpse into how the Iron Tusk came to power in Shengen. The cruel and barbaric Iron Tusk who is more than human, there is a power to him, a force that exerts his will over those who face him. The Iron Tusk who rides a giant bear, whose helm is melded to his head, is part of him.
For me, Hangman’s Gate didn’t quite reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, falling just short and walking a step behind but it is still a damn good book, a great continuation of the trilogy and a gritty, grimy, glorious and wildly addictive read. There is a sarcastic humour laced throughout Hangman’s Gate, many blunt retorts, and witty remarks that made me smile but I missed, yearned for the banter and the camaraderie that was present between the characters of Josten Cade and Mullen Bull in the previous book. The interplay between them was hilarious and it is the only complaint that I have regarding Hangman’s Gate, that lack of banter between the characters. Ctenka, who is a point of view character and Ermund don’t have the same chemistry as Josten and Mullen, nor do any of the others. Of course, it’s not expected, they are all completely different characters with different personalities but where Josten and Mullen complimented each other, like a sword and a sheath, a bow and an arrow Ctenak and Ermund are like chalk and cheese, water and oil very different. Ermund is stoic, taciturn and guarded with both years and life behind him and Ctenka is not really a fighter, a warrior, he’s playing at it, he yearns for glory but he isn’t cut out for battle. He is mouthy and still with the naivety of youth to him and yes, I wanted to punch him at times, like I’m sure Ermund did too. There’s nothing wrong with being a smart-mouth but a dumb smart-mouth is a different matter entirely! For the most, he is actually likeable which sounds like a contradiction but it isn’t and you want to punch him in the well-meaning ‘Ctenka, stop being a dumb fuck, open your eyes and think before you speak‘ way rather than any malicious or hateful way as he is decent, is a good guy. By the end of Hangman’s Gate, he has matured, he isn’t the same person from the beginning. He is perhaps still a fool, only the next book will tell but he is a fool who has his heart in the right place, he has grown and he is more than he was.
Hangman’s Gate is on the shorter side of fantasy books clocking in at just over four hundred pages and it feels far shorter than that thanks to the fast pacing and the short chapters. The high stakes story, the rag-tag bunch of defenders battling the overwhelming odds, the characters, the world and the Archons, everything created by Ford fits, is interesting and there is always something that draws you back, that calls to you as Ford effortlessly pulls you in, demands your attention.
Of course, the story builds towards the inevitable showdown that has the Iron Tusk laying siege to Dunrun, relentlessly pushing the defenders back, seeing them retreat to the Hangman’s Gate of the fortress as they make their last stand. I read the final two hundred and fifty pages in one sitting, as the pieces, the players all manoeuvred into position and as the story unfurled, reached its apex, its blistering conclusion I was glued to the book and what was happening.
I love everything about this trilogy and I can’t wait for the third and final volume, The Spear of Malice to be released next year as it is sure to be an EPIC and BLOODY conclusion to a trilogy that in my opinion deserves recognition and deserves to be a hit.
As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek: https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...
I was a big fan of the first book in the War of the Archons trilogy, A Demon in Silver and my expectations were high for Hangman’s Gate. Luckily, Ford has delivered and with Hangman’s Gate, he has created another highly entertaining read, a read that is grimdark filled with heart and a read that packs a bloody punch.
Over a hundred years ago an event known as ‘The Fall‘ took place. The Archons struck an accord, broke the heartstone and overnight both the Gods and magic vanished from the world fading into myth, legend, stories and leaving humankind to its own devices. Until, in A Demon in Silver when the Archons once more start to stir, taking tentative steps back into the world and the fabric starts to tear, the scars become unstitched and magic returns, slowly seeping, bleeding back into the world as innocent civilians start to manifest abilities, show magical powers that haven’t been seen in over a century.
The monstrous warlord, the Iron Tusk marches forwards, forever onwards, those who oppose him, they fall, they kneel, they obey or they die. He is mustering his army and marching along the Skull Road towards the Cordral Extent and towards the ancient and crumbling fortress of Dunrun. The Iron Tusk killed the emperor of the Shengen Empire, took his place, conquered the land, subjugated the people and has now turned his attention to the kingdoms beyond. He united the Shengen tribes, made the Imperial Army Standings bend the knee and now bandits, criminals and tribesmen have all merged with the Imperial Army to create a vast and insurmountable horde. All of the Shengen worship him, above all else, he is their God.
The Iron Tusk wants to destroy the Cordral Extent, claim it as his own, have dominion over all the kingdoms and rule the world. Dunrun stands on the border, it is the last line of defence, the last bastion in the Iron Tusk’s way. Once of great importance, once manned by a full complement of one thousand men, now the fortress is decaying, dilapidated and rotting to ruin. It is garrisoned by only a handful, a span of recruits, the young and the old, recruits who haven’t seen nearly enough and those who have seen far too many battles, those yet to wet their blades and those whose blades have rusted through age. They are the dregs of the militia, those in need of a post but those not good enough for the elite, for the Kantor militia, those, except for a couple of diamonds in the rough mostly lacking basic competence. The gates, the walls of Dunrun need to stand, they need to hold back the onslaught and weather the storm. If Dunrun falls then that is the fate that awaits the world, the Iron Tusk will be a plague, washing, cascading, flowing like an unending river, a torrent of blood that sweeps across the land leaving death, destruction and suffering in his wake.
On orders from the Marshal at Dunrun two of the Great Eastern militia, Ctenka Sunatra and Ermund leave the garrison, embark on a mission in search of reinforcements. First, to Kantor, the Capital of the Cordral Extent for aid from the Queen and, then, onto lands further afield, to the Suderfeld for aid and allies.
On the journey, for the greater good, for the fate of the world, Ermund seeks help from associates from his past, those who before he was betrayed he once called a friend (we get insight into who Ermund really is, the truth and why in his advanced years he ended up at Dunrun and it was one of my favourite parts of the story). The journey into the Suderfeld, back into the Suderfeld for Ermund brings the duo into contact with a couple of returning faces from A Demon in Silver. One of them is down on their luck, their luck always against them, more maudlin, more sombre this time around, damaged after losses and after the events of the first book whilst the other is doing far better than the last time that we saw them thanks to some nefarious and sly means.
Along with the chapters that focus on Ctenka and Ermund and their event laden journey there are also chapters that focus on Dunrun and how the fortress is preparing for the upcoming conflict too. Ford also includes chapters that take you back in time, that add flesh to the bones, depth and layers, colour to the canvas and bridge the story allowing you to see what has happened to the characters to get them to where they currently are. All of the characters have stories to tell and all of the characters have a part to play in the unfolding story with many of their fates intertwining.
Ford is a fine storyteller and multiple points of view keep the story moving forward, giving you pieces of the whole whilst simultaneously giving you the separate stories for the characters, building, cementing foundations, forming a complete picture. There are some old faces and some new in Hangman’s Gate. It was nice to be reacquainted with the returning characters and equally nice to meet some new faces too who are all decent additions to the story both those that we say goodbye too along the way in this story and those who will return in the next book.
I have briefly mentioned, in innocuous fashion two returning (point of view) characters from A Demon in Silver that Ctenka and Ermund encounter on their journey but I won’t mention any more about them to avoid any unwanted spoilers. One of the new points of view characters is Laigon Valdyr, a Centurion from the Shengen Imperial Army. I really liked Laigon, he was my favourite story arc, he is honourable, has a large role in the story and along with his own story also gives us a glimpse into how the Iron Tusk came to power in Shengen. The cruel and barbaric Iron Tusk who is more than human, there is a power to him, a force that exerts his will over those who face him. The Iron Tusk who rides a giant bear, whose helm is melded to his head, is part of him.
For me, Hangman’s Gate didn’t quite reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, falling just short and walking a step behind but it is still a damn good book, a great continuation of the trilogy and a gritty, grimy, glorious and wildly addictive read. There is a sarcastic humour laced throughout Hangman’s Gate, many blunt retorts, and witty remarks that made me smile but I missed, yearned for the banter and the camaraderie that was present between the characters of Josten Cade and Mullen Bull in the previous book. The interplay between them was hilarious and it is the only complaint that I have regarding Hangman’s Gate, that lack of banter between the characters. Ctenka, who is a point of view character and Ermund don’t have the same chemistry as Josten and Mullen, nor do any of the others. Of course, it’s not expected, they are all completely different characters with different personalities but where Josten and Mullen complimented each other, like a sword and a sheath, a bow and an arrow Ctenak and Ermund are like chalk and cheese, water and oil very different. Ermund is stoic, taciturn and guarded with both years and life behind him and Ctenka is not really a fighter, a warrior, he’s playing at it, he yearns for glory but he isn’t cut out for battle. He is mouthy and still with the naivety of youth to him and yes, I wanted to punch him at times, like I’m sure Ermund did too. There’s nothing wrong with being a smart-mouth but a dumb smart-mouth is a different matter entirely! For the most, he is actually likeable which sounds like a contradiction but it isn’t and you want to punch him in the well-meaning ‘Ctenka, stop being a dumb fuck, open your eyes and think before you speak‘ way rather than any malicious or hateful way as he is decent, is a good guy. By the end of Hangman’s Gate, he has matured, he isn’t the same person from the beginning. He is perhaps still a fool, only the next book will tell but he is a fool who has his heart in the right place, he has grown and he is more than he was.
Hangman’s Gate is on the shorter side of fantasy books clocking in at just over four hundred pages and it feels far shorter than that thanks to the fast pacing and the short chapters. The high stakes story, the rag-tag bunch of defenders battling the overwhelming odds, the characters, the world and the Archons, everything created by Ford fits, is interesting and there is always something that draws you back, that calls to you as Ford effortlessly pulls you in, demands your attention.
Of course, the story builds towards the inevitable showdown that has the Iron Tusk laying siege to Dunrun, relentlessly pushing the defenders back, seeing them retreat to the Hangman’s Gate of the fortress as they make their last stand. I read the final two hundred and fifty pages in one sitting, as the pieces, the players all manoeuvred into position and as the story unfurled, reached its apex, its blistering conclusion I was glued to the book and what was happening.
I love everything about this trilogy and I can’t wait for the third and final volume, The Spear of Malice to be released next year as it is sure to be an EPIC and BLOODY conclusion to a trilogy that in my opinion deserves recognition and deserves to be a hit.
October 28, 2020
I just wrote a longer review of the first book in this series (A Demon in Silver) so please read that for the introductory remarks as I really don't want to type them again, LOL.
Look this is an excellent series. Both books get a 5 star rating for me and recommend them highly...
Again my only regret is that the 3rd book isn't due out till Jan.
Enjoy.
Look this is an excellent series. Both books get a 5 star rating for me and recommend them highly...
Again my only regret is that the 3rd book isn't due out till Jan.
Enjoy.
September 10, 2021
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus
Good narration by Derek Perkins.
Variety of POV's, some are better than others. Few of the vignette style POV's were great, but the writing quality & crafting was not consistent throughout the story.
Annoyed by the fact that book #2 was another setup phase for the series.
*Read series if on Audible + or library. Also, may be better to wait until the series is complete because the endings are like wannabe cliffhangers.
Currently on Audible Plus
Good narration by Derek Perkins.
Variety of POV's, some are better than others. Few of the vignette style POV's were great, but the writing quality & crafting was not consistent throughout the story.
Annoyed by the fact that book #2 was another setup phase for the series.
*Read series if on Audible + or library. Also, may be better to wait until the series is complete because the endings are like wannabe cliffhangers.
September 28, 2020
New characters that I could care less for.
Got bits and pieces of Silver, Livia and Josten but nor a lot of them which I was hoping for.
Still war.
Children with special gifts.
Iron Tusk determined to take over.
At times confusing on who to cheer for.
Just okay but now not so sure about continuing on to book 3.
Got bits and pieces of Silver, Livia and Josten but nor a lot of them which I was hoping for.
Still war.
Children with special gifts.
Iron Tusk determined to take over.
At times confusing on who to cheer for.
Just okay but now not so sure about continuing on to book 3.
February 28, 2020
There’s no denying it, R.S Ford can write a book. My journey into the War of the Archons trilogy started with A Demon in Silver [myreview] – and what a great start to the trilogy it was. Happy to report that Ford continues the story strongly and on a consistent wave.
Whilst book 1 delivered more on the unexpected and exciting twists (it truly was like a rollercoaster ride with every page turn), Hangman’s Gate doesn’t simply rely on the element of surprise and rather crashes the scene like a solid, gym-going middle sibling who will take the same respect as the older sibling, thank you very much. Sometimes the middle books in trilogies are used a bit like ‘fillers’ in between the awesome start and roaring finish, giving the reader just enough to keep them hooked but not enough to satisfy. Hangman’s Gate does not trick the reader so, it delivers it’s full-bodied adventure complete with balls and brawl and heart.
With the trilogy so far, Ford shows his strength in creating the interesting relationship dynamics, the world of the gods interlacing with the world of the humans. Actually, the banter and skill to weave a lovely web of a world and setting aren’t the only strengths of writerly Ford – he does battle scenes in a way that could keep the most uninterested interested. Just enough to feel the whoosh of a battleaxe, but not so much as to make the eyes glaze over of the fairer sex.
I enjoyed that characters from book 1 were making their presence known, especially as they continued their storylines where they left off at the end of A Demon in Silver. And the new characters made their entrance with a bang, in Ctenka’s case with a weak squealy puff of air, but hey – there are great bloody things to look forward to in book 3… I simply cannot wait! And wait long I must not- book 3, The Spear of Malice, will be published in June this year! Woot-woot!
As this is a sequel, there isn’t much I will be revealing in terms of plot… #aintnobodygottimeforspoilers There are quite a few interesting twists and a solid progression of the story. Know this – with gods at war and humans meddling in between – anything can happen.
Now… If I do have one criticism, it’s that I would have loved more of Josten on a pirate ship with the crazies- that shit was wicked entertaining! XD
Whilst book 1 delivered more on the unexpected and exciting twists (it truly was like a rollercoaster ride with every page turn), Hangman’s Gate doesn’t simply rely on the element of surprise and rather crashes the scene like a solid, gym-going middle sibling who will take the same respect as the older sibling, thank you very much. Sometimes the middle books in trilogies are used a bit like ‘fillers’ in between the awesome start and roaring finish, giving the reader just enough to keep them hooked but not enough to satisfy. Hangman’s Gate does not trick the reader so, it delivers it’s full-bodied adventure complete with balls and brawl and heart.
With the trilogy so far, Ford shows his strength in creating the interesting relationship dynamics, the world of the gods interlacing with the world of the humans. Actually, the banter and skill to weave a lovely web of a world and setting aren’t the only strengths of writerly Ford – he does battle scenes in a way that could keep the most uninterested interested. Just enough to feel the whoosh of a battleaxe, but not so much as to make the eyes glaze over of the fairer sex.
I enjoyed that characters from book 1 were making their presence known, especially as they continued their storylines where they left off at the end of A Demon in Silver. And the new characters made their entrance with a bang, in Ctenka’s case with a weak squealy puff of air, but hey – there are great bloody things to look forward to in book 3… I simply cannot wait! And wait long I must not- book 3, The Spear of Malice, will be published in June this year! Woot-woot!
As this is a sequel, there isn’t much I will be revealing in terms of plot… #aintnobodygottimeforspoilers There are quite a few interesting twists and a solid progression of the story. Know this – with gods at war and humans meddling in between – anything can happen.
Now… If I do have one criticism, it’s that I would have loved more of Josten on a pirate ship with the crazies- that shit was wicked entertaining! XD
October 1, 2019
The direct continuation of A Demon in Silver - similarly to book 1, new characters are introduced and old reappear in vignette-style narrative though here I felt it was more coherent overall; the drawback was the more familiar subject (magic war, super-powerful evil one bent on world conquest etc) rather than the discovery one of the first volume; overall a good continuation and with a decent stopping point, but the series is clearly not done
July 1, 2019
Better written and more focused than A Demon in Silver - but the story often feels abbreviated, with major plot developments taking place off-page only to be related via a flashback. At its best, Hangman's Gate is reminiscent of Gemmell's Legend, with some of the wit and grim humour of Abercrombie. The problem is that it's 200-300 pages too short, though it's all a lot of fun!
February 1, 2023
Read this series. You won’t regret it. Promise.
September 1, 2020
Good fantasy. Its a quick fun read with much of the same elements of the first. Just found the style with flashbacks a little tiresome plus the overall plot Just felt like things happened without any explanation
August 25, 2019
The Iron Tusk is coming...... The Bandit Clans have been united, Shengen subjugated and now they march west along the Skull Road..... All that stands in Iron Tusks way is the mountain fortress of Dunrun... And a rag tag forgotten force of militia....
The fortress has seen better days the defenders have either seen too many days or not enough and now the impossible is asked of them.... But in their numbers are some with Iron in their blood... The old gods are clawing their way back into the world and dragging magic with it... To save a country the unmovable must resist the unstoppable. A great character driven story with wonderful world building... Fast, furious and bloody action this is a wonderful second book in the War of the Archons epic fantasy series. Well worth a read
The fortress has seen better days the defenders have either seen too many days or not enough and now the impossible is asked of them.... But in their numbers are some with Iron in their blood... The old gods are clawing their way back into the world and dragging magic with it... To save a country the unmovable must resist the unstoppable. A great character driven story with wonderful world building... Fast, furious and bloody action this is a wonderful second book in the War of the Archons epic fantasy series. Well worth a read
June 7, 2022
This was a strange one. Given it’s book 2 in a trilogy it felt more like a short story follow on from book 1 followed by a completely different book altogether. That’s not necessarily a complaint. This is similar to how distinct the different threads of book 1 were up to a point.
The setting is very different to book 1. Gone are the long treacherous journeys through woods, replaced by a siege for most of the book. The Iron Tusk (a massive warrior who rides a bear) has amassed the savage tribes and looks to take over the empire and beyond.
Again we have different POVs and it was good to see the siege from both sides, with one reluctant attacker’s side told alongside that of those waiting for the attack.
We eventually meet (or discover we had already met) characters from the first book and their tales become woven together.
This was a very atmospheric medieval military story with numerous flawed characters to root for or against.
The setting is very different to book 1. Gone are the long treacherous journeys through woods, replaced by a siege for most of the book. The Iron Tusk (a massive warrior who rides a bear) has amassed the savage tribes and looks to take over the empire and beyond.
Again we have different POVs and it was good to see the siege from both sides, with one reluctant attacker’s side told alongside that of those waiting for the attack.
We eventually meet (or discover we had already met) characters from the first book and their tales become woven together.
This was a very atmospheric medieval military story with numerous flawed characters to root for or against.
May 24, 2023
Solid book.
March 10, 2023
Much like book 1, this is a short book that could use more meat on its bones.
This felt like a sidequest to the story presented in book 1. A favorite character of mine carried over, so that was fun to see. Some good world building throughout, especially the parts with the Archons.
Quick read, fun plot. Solid three star. Fun series so far, excited to start the last book.
This felt like a sidequest to the story presented in book 1. A favorite character of mine carried over, so that was fun to see. Some good world building throughout, especially the parts with the Archons.
Quick read, fun plot. Solid three star. Fun series so far, excited to start the last book.
Read
December 23, 2020An excellent fantasy for fans of David gemmel.
The author has such a smooth way with his storytelling it just sucks you in and makes the hours go very quickly.
I like the points of views that he uses to the stories.
Highly recommended to all my goodreads friends who read fantasy.
The author has such a smooth way with his storytelling it just sucks you in and makes the hours go very quickly.
I like the points of views that he uses to the stories.
Highly recommended to all my goodreads friends who read fantasy.
March 6, 2024
I rate this book one redemption out of one redemption.
Good read, cleaner than the last book
Good read, cleaner than the last book
July 30, 2020
4.5/5 but it's getting bumped up to five stars for Goodreads because the cover is so damned pretty.
Hangman’s Gate picks up from the end of A Demon in Silver with a warlord under the rather badass name of The Iron Tusk on a conquering mission after having deposed (killed) the Emperor of the Shengen Empire.
Oh, and the Gods that haven’t been seen in a century have returned.
This is a recipe for a nice helping of violence.
One part of the story isn’t really touched on a great deal, which is that of Innellan. It is mentioned that she is amassing power in the north several times but that is a story for the next book as this one focuses almost solely on the threat of the Iron Tusk. Ford did a similar thing in Steelhaven and he pulled that particular style of storytelling off well there so I have no doubt he’ll do the same with this story too.
I immensely enjoyed reading about the characters. Josten is a great character and I always enjoy reading about him and I liked the way Livia’s story continued after the end of the end of A Demon in Silver and I am really looking forward to seeing what happens with her in the next book. I also really liked Ctenka’s journey throughout the course of the book. Another thing that I liked is that Ford takes a character you didn’t give two shits about in book one *cough*Harrow*cough* and makes you give a shit about him. I actually enjoyed reading his POV sections in this book and I thought his journey over the course of the story to be very well written.
On the whole, Hangman’s Gate was an excellent read. I really like Ford’s writing style and he has a good balance between characters, plot and violence which is something I really like. The pacing is mostly good, there were a few places where I thought it was suffering a little from middle book syndrome and it dragged a little but then something utterly exciting would happen and I’d forget that it had dragged. It was a very quick read which I didn’t want to put down and I ended up devouring it. The end of the book sets up the final book and it makes me want to finish this series desperately.
I cannot wait to see how it ends.
Hangman’s Gate picks up from the end of A Demon in Silver with a warlord under the rather badass name of The Iron Tusk on a conquering mission after having deposed (killed) the Emperor of the Shengen Empire.
Oh, and the Gods that haven’t been seen in a century have returned.
This is a recipe for a nice helping of violence.
One part of the story isn’t really touched on a great deal, which is that of Innellan. It is mentioned that she is amassing power in the north several times but that is a story for the next book as this one focuses almost solely on the threat of the Iron Tusk. Ford did a similar thing in Steelhaven and he pulled that particular style of storytelling off well there so I have no doubt he’ll do the same with this story too.
I immensely enjoyed reading about the characters. Josten is a great character and I always enjoy reading about him and I liked the way Livia’s story continued after the end of the end of A Demon in Silver and I am really looking forward to seeing what happens with her in the next book. I also really liked Ctenka’s journey throughout the course of the book. Another thing that I liked is that Ford takes a character you didn’t give two shits about in book one *cough*Harrow*cough* and makes you give a shit about him. I actually enjoyed reading his POV sections in this book and I thought his journey over the course of the story to be very well written.
On the whole, Hangman’s Gate was an excellent read. I really like Ford’s writing style and he has a good balance between characters, plot and violence which is something I really like. The pacing is mostly good, there were a few places where I thought it was suffering a little from middle book syndrome and it dragged a little but then something utterly exciting would happen and I’d forget that it had dragged. It was a very quick read which I didn’t want to put down and I ended up devouring it. The end of the book sets up the final book and it makes me want to finish this series desperately.
I cannot wait to see how it ends.
January 15, 2021
I’m on the side of other reviewers who have been annoyed by constant new characters and overly long back stories. There are some very cool things that happened in the story, but the buildup didn’t meet the payoff, IMO.
February 9, 2022
Very much a midde book in a series, had a lot of plot to build and I got a bit bored. Especially the interlude in the Archon's plane/universe.
March 22, 2024
If you enjoy your fantasy with a bit of dark humour (a la Joe Abercrombie, or a slightly more adult-oriented Aaronovitch/Pratchett), I'd thoroughly recommend this particular series. The writer is deft at maintaining a wry tone that stops this being as dark as it might be, but there's enough grimness to satisfy those whose tastes lean in that direction, too. There's plenty of enjoyment to be had in following the various protagonists as their journeys orbit around each others' and that of the central plot. It's probably preferable to have read the first book in the series before picking this one up, but I actually read them out of order and followed the action in this one just fine; it has plenty of its own thing going on that it doesn't rely as much on setup as it might. A dark fantasy romp with genuine laugh out loud moments!
January 10, 2023
In the first book the supernatural beings, possibly gods; whose whole reason for living is being worshiped and using humans to fight with each other, find their way from their dimension back into the human world after decades of absence. Now the story continues with their brutal abuses and horror of their subjugation in the quest for dominance in the human world.
Here is an author that kills off his players often and brutally. I saw the complaint that this series is confusing. That's due to the multiple short stories that thoroughly develop the background of individual characters. Unexpected meetings, scoundrels becoming heroes, past events that Influence the outcome of major battles, are all told in these vignettes.
Here is an author that kills off his players often and brutally. I saw the complaint that this series is confusing. That's due to the multiple short stories that thoroughly develop the background of individual characters. Unexpected meetings, scoundrels becoming heroes, past events that Influence the outcome of major battles, are all told in these vignettes.
December 21, 2021
I am really liking these books. Enjoying Ford's style. He frequently starts a chapter from somewhere unknown and weaves a nice resolve towards the end of the book. Several times I thought I was lost or had forgotten part of the narrative only to find out I was being told it in a manner I felt I knew it.
The war in the second book is getting a bit more serious and the characters from the first book develop well, where I had thought they were to be a footnote for a while.
Things start to become clearer and the style is what I would describe as quite clever. Looking forward to the third.
The war in the second book is getting a bit more serious and the characters from the first book develop well, where I had thought they were to be a footnote for a while.
Things start to become clearer and the style is what I would describe as quite clever. Looking forward to the third.
September 2, 2025
I enjoyed this series. I haven't read the first book so don't have the familiarity with the characters that other readers have.
That said, I thought the story was well written and paced. The gods have returned and want to carve out their sphere of influence by forcing humans to worship them. The key word here is force so group of people stand up against these gods...with help from other gods.
It's a rich tapestry of cultures and characters, each with their own history that makes this series worth investing in.
That said, I thought the story was well written and paced. The gods have returned and want to carve out their sphere of influence by forcing humans to worship them. The key word here is force so group of people stand up against these gods...with help from other gods.
It's a rich tapestry of cultures and characters, each with their own history that makes this series worth investing in.
November 4, 2020
Great story, mostly great writing. Marred by a few dumb mistakes and bad editing.
Mortal Blows that aren't deadly! Don't tease me, bro.
Killing Blows that... wait for it... don't kill! Really!
Probably better to used Hanged as opposed to Hung, unless you didn't mean what I think you meant.
The final battle gets reset more than once. And it's pretty much the same battle. Kind of painful to read.
Pretty good overall, but needs polish. Hire a decent editor and this is 4*.
Mortal Blows that aren't deadly! Don't tease me, bro.
Killing Blows that... wait for it... don't kill! Really!
Probably better to used Hanged as opposed to Hung, unless you didn't mean what I think you meant.
The final battle gets reset more than once. And it's pretty much the same battle. Kind of painful to read.
Pretty good overall, but needs polish. Hire a decent editor and this is 4*.
February 16, 2022
I've now read the second book. Same problem as before. I haven't a notion who is who, where I am ans what time I'm in. Then maybe halfway through the book I can get a sense of a few people and the story is OK and generic. I liked the little bit of development in the end but by god it takes a long time. Two books in and haven't a real notion of what's going on or who's who.
Do I read the last as I'm kinda pot committed? Not the reason you want to finish a trilogy
Do I read the last as I'm kinda pot committed? Not the reason you want to finish a trilogy
June 30, 2021
I liked it, but I feel like the whole book was written to set up book 3. You never really got a lot of story from Silver or Olivia - it was a very small part of the book, but you did get more history on the male characters from the first book.
February 24, 2022
Hangman's Gate is more refined than Demon In Silver, but the story took off into less interesting direction. It doesn't really continue the story of the first novel. Instead, it starts to tell a story about what was going on around the first novel's story. And this story felt a lot less personal.
March 21, 2022
Really enjoying this book series! I was dubious about book 2 in the beginning, being introduced to yet more new characters that I had no emotional ties to. But I soon found myself warming up to them and continuing the adventure!
May 23, 2022
I enjoyed book 1 but it was too samey with lots of other similar genre books. I gave book 2 a go and unfortunately I detested the two leading male characters and as such shall not follow through with book 3. This book is fine but not much better than that
April 8, 2023
8 A great read. Very Malazanish in a lot of places. I can’t wait for the next one. All the characters are so well drawn and I felt that I could open up my front door and walk into the world so well built. You mustn’t use your gifts on anyone.
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