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willrefuge's review
5.0
9.5 / 10 ✪
“There is no right and wrong, no black and white. Life is not such a simple thing.”
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2022/03/27/seven-deaths-of-an-empire-by-g-r-matthews-review/
Think Gladiator, but with magic.
General Bordan was born into nothing, but after a life dedicated to the Empire, he has achieved what little thought possible. He governs the army, the might of the Empire. Other than the Emperor and his kin, he may well be the most powerful man in the Empire. But he is also its most loyal servant.
When the Emperor is killed fighting the tribes in the north, Bordan must do all he can to protect the heir to the throne until the Emperor’s body is returned to the city. Then, with the amulet of office in hand—and the powerful magics within under their control—the heir can ascend the throne and assume control of the Empire. But until then nothing is guaranteed. Rebellion is brewing in the countryside. Assassins lurk in every shadow. And worse, politicians surround the royal family, hiding forked-tongues behind their honeyed words and silky smiles.
Apprentice Magician Kyron and his master are assigned to the late Emperor’s honor guard, tasked with seeing the body home to the capital. Mistrusted and feared by many of their own folk, the magicians are both revered and hated in equal measure. But magic is necessary for this task, for keeping the body from decay requires it. And so their presence is tolerated, if little else. But with many leagues between them and the capital, Kyron and the guard face the greatest danger of all. For whomever controls the Emperor’s amulet controls the succession—and the Empire is not lacking in those hungry for power, be they foe, or friend.
—
“If you stopped struggling to get free, the guards would not beat you,” Astenius pointed out.
“Life is struggle,” the warrior said.
“We only stop when we are dead,” Emlyn finished and the warrior’s gaze snapped around to her.
“Who are you to know the sayings of the forest?”
“I am of the forest,” she answered.
“Yet you stand with them,” he accused.
“Not through choice.”
“Then you struggle.”
“I am not dead yet,” she answered.
…
“Why attack us?” Astenius asked once more.
“You are here to be attacked,” the man answered.
“How many of your warriors were with you?”
“Not enough,” the warrior answered.
“How many more are there?”
“More than enough.”
…
“Are you sure you wish to do this?” Astenius said to the trapped warrior.
“I struggle,” the man replied, gritting his teeth.
“I applaud your bravery,” Astenius said, sweeping his hand to point at the brazier, “but your stupidity astounds me.”
“Life is disappointment,” the man said.
—
Seriously, Seven Deaths of an Empire reminded me so much of Gladiator that I often found my self picturing events from the book overlaid with scenes from the movie. The battle against the tribes in the forest. The legion’s return to the capital. While there’s no fight in the arena, the novel does include a Colosseum, even though we never get a good look inside. Fact is, Seven Deaths of an Empire was ripe for the picturing beneath scenes of Gladiator in no small part because—as you will see once you read it—the world was inspired heavily by the Roman Empire.
Only with magic.
The magic system is quite a basic one, but as enthralled as I found myself with the story, its lack of creativity never really bothered me. This adheres to the law that the only ones who can wield magic are those born with it. This in part seems to be why magic users are hated, feared. Jealousy breeds resentment, they say. And the church and magic never really gets along—in this world or any other.
The two POVs were quite good at getting the story across, each in their own way. Kyron is a bit young, a bit whiny—but this is his coming-of-age tale, and he’ll grow on you once you get used to him. His character might even develop over the course of the story. Bordan, on the other hand, is an old hand. He’s guided the heirs to the Empire for years, as he once was like kin to their father. He is patient and humble, and though his faith is not what it once was, he has faith in the Empire above all else. This is his true strength, but also his greatest weakness. Unlike Kyron, this story does not serve as Bordan’s beginning. It is his swan song. But will he live to see the Empire crumble, or die keeping it intact?
There are a lot of questions that come up over the course of the story, as the past is hinted at and slowly revealed; as loyalties are tested and friendships forged; as the Empire is caught in the wind, and teeters on its foundations. There are many vines in this, and not all will end up bearing fruit. Still, it was quite a thing to see them all come together at the end—and, while not all is cleared up, the overwhelming majority of my questions were answered. All the big and burning ones are, at least. In writing this review a week or two later I was able to come up with a couple that weren’t returned (though I really had to think about it), but none kept me up at night after finishing the story.
TL;DR
Seven Deaths of an Empire may be 550 pages, but to me it went by in a blink. Although it did take a little while to get going. But where it took me 3-4 days to read the first hundred pages, it took me one day to read the rest. Two very strong leads (though they’re both men; it didn’t bother me, but then I typically connect better with male characters, being a guy and all) made the story no effort at all to get into. It’s so reminiscent of Gladiator that I found myself overlaying scenes from the film with the world I’d constructed in my mind. The forests of Germany. The roads of the Empire. The obelisks and Colosseum and wonders of the capital. It really is quite like the Roman Empire but with magic. A thoroughly engrossing read, almost the whole way through. I took a couple points off for the build-up, but clearly nothing that ruined the story for me. Thoroughly recommended! Just don’t expect a happy, sunny story—as this is a dark fantasy, very occasionally bordering on grim.
“There is no right and wrong, no black and white. Life is not such a simple thing.”
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2022/03/27/seven-deaths-of-an-empire-by-g-r-matthews-review/
Think Gladiator, but with magic.
General Bordan was born into nothing, but after a life dedicated to the Empire, he has achieved what little thought possible. He governs the army, the might of the Empire. Other than the Emperor and his kin, he may well be the most powerful man in the Empire. But he is also its most loyal servant.
When the Emperor is killed fighting the tribes in the north, Bordan must do all he can to protect the heir to the throne until the Emperor’s body is returned to the city. Then, with the amulet of office in hand—and the powerful magics within under their control—the heir can ascend the throne and assume control of the Empire. But until then nothing is guaranteed. Rebellion is brewing in the countryside. Assassins lurk in every shadow. And worse, politicians surround the royal family, hiding forked-tongues behind their honeyed words and silky smiles.
Apprentice Magician Kyron and his master are assigned to the late Emperor’s honor guard, tasked with seeing the body home to the capital. Mistrusted and feared by many of their own folk, the magicians are both revered and hated in equal measure. But magic is necessary for this task, for keeping the body from decay requires it. And so their presence is tolerated, if little else. But with many leagues between them and the capital, Kyron and the guard face the greatest danger of all. For whomever controls the Emperor’s amulet controls the succession—and the Empire is not lacking in those hungry for power, be they foe, or friend.
—
“If you stopped struggling to get free, the guards would not beat you,” Astenius pointed out.
“Life is struggle,” the warrior said.
“We only stop when we are dead,” Emlyn finished and the warrior’s gaze snapped around to her.
“Who are you to know the sayings of the forest?”
“I am of the forest,” she answered.
“Yet you stand with them,” he accused.
“Not through choice.”
“Then you struggle.”
“I am not dead yet,” she answered.
…
“Why attack us?” Astenius asked once more.
“You are here to be attacked,” the man answered.
“How many of your warriors were with you?”
“Not enough,” the warrior answered.
“How many more are there?”
“More than enough.”
…
“Are you sure you wish to do this?” Astenius said to the trapped warrior.
“I struggle,” the man replied, gritting his teeth.
“I applaud your bravery,” Astenius said, sweeping his hand to point at the brazier, “but your stupidity astounds me.”
“Life is disappointment,” the man said.
—
Seriously, Seven Deaths of an Empire reminded me so much of Gladiator that I often found my self picturing events from the book overlaid with scenes from the movie. The battle against the tribes in the forest. The legion’s return to the capital. While there’s no fight in the arena, the novel does include a Colosseum, even though we never get a good look inside. Fact is, Seven Deaths of an Empire was ripe for the picturing beneath scenes of Gladiator in no small part because—as you will see once you read it—the world was inspired heavily by the Roman Empire.
Only with magic.
The magic system is quite a basic one, but as enthralled as I found myself with the story, its lack of creativity never really bothered me. This adheres to the law that the only ones who can wield magic are those born with it. This in part seems to be why magic users are hated, feared. Jealousy breeds resentment, they say. And the church and magic never really gets along—in this world or any other.
The two POVs were quite good at getting the story across, each in their own way. Kyron is a bit young, a bit whiny—but this is his coming-of-age tale, and he’ll grow on you once you get used to him. His character might even develop over the course of the story. Bordan, on the other hand, is an old hand. He’s guided the heirs to the Empire for years, as he once was like kin to their father. He is patient and humble, and though his faith is not what it once was, he has faith in the Empire above all else. This is his true strength, but also his greatest weakness. Unlike Kyron, this story does not serve as Bordan’s beginning. It is his swan song. But will he live to see the Empire crumble, or die keeping it intact?
There are a lot of questions that come up over the course of the story, as the past is hinted at and slowly revealed; as loyalties are tested and friendships forged; as the Empire is caught in the wind, and teeters on its foundations. There are many vines in this, and not all will end up bearing fruit. Still, it was quite a thing to see them all come together at the end—and, while not all is cleared up, the overwhelming majority of my questions were answered. All the big and burning ones are, at least. In writing this review a week or two later I was able to come up with a couple that weren’t returned (though I really had to think about it), but none kept me up at night after finishing the story.
TL;DR
Seven Deaths of an Empire may be 550 pages, but to me it went by in a blink. Although it did take a little while to get going. But where it took me 3-4 days to read the first hundred pages, it took me one day to read the rest. Two very strong leads (though they’re both men; it didn’t bother me, but then I typically connect better with male characters, being a guy and all) made the story no effort at all to get into. It’s so reminiscent of Gladiator that I found myself overlaying scenes from the film with the world I’d constructed in my mind. The forests of Germany. The roads of the Empire. The obelisks and Colosseum and wonders of the capital. It really is quite like the Roman Empire but with magic. A thoroughly engrossing read, almost the whole way through. I took a couple points off for the build-up, but clearly nothing that ruined the story for me. Thoroughly recommended! Just don’t expect a happy, sunny story—as this is a dark fantasy, very occasionally bordering on grim.
growmealibrary's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really wanted to love this book but it fell a little short for me. I gave it three stars because I still enjoyed the overall plot, however, I didn’t grow that strong of a connection to any of the characters.
I felt that Kyron’s growth felt a little unrealistic. He struggled so much to do an ounce of magic and then suddenly becomes able to do so much.
Many of the characters were insufferable and were only used for a short amount of time before quickly being killed off.
Three stars because I like the overall plotline and how it came together as a standalone.
I felt that Kyron’s growth felt a little unrealistic. He struggled so much to do an ounce of magic and then suddenly becomes able to do so much.
Many of the characters were insufferable and were only used for a short amount of time before quickly being killed off.
Three stars because I like the overall plotline and how it came together as a standalone.
junancollins's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
booksforscee's review
3.0
3.5 stars
"“Live,” Emlyn answered, stuffing a warm cloak into a backpack. “Do that and you make all the choices, mistakes and successes you want. Stand there, do nothing, die, and all those choices are gone forever.”
Two things in this book stand out to me. One being the characters, the second being the magic system.
Throughout the book you follow two POVs -
Kyron, a Magician apprentice, code name Edgelord of confusion, and Bordan; General in the Emperors army, otherwise known as a cinnamon roll with a sword. Honourable mentions - Emlyn for being the real MVP and keeping everyones shit together.
I am a sucker for a good murder mystery so when you sprinkle in political intrigue, magic and a march through an amazing forest I am very very happy
Its definitely a character driven book, and I did struggle at the beginning of the book to relate to the world. TBH I still can't really picture it much, but I have SUCH a strong impression of all the characters which is what really kept my interest and made the pages fly by after the first 25-30%
There were parts where I found some of the prose, though beautiful, was excessively long, like I had to take a minute to figure out what the hell a sentence meant. There was also a sense of just being told the worldbuidling, rather than shown. After the halfway mark the characters came through for me and I didn't notice things like the excessive sentences or the infodump of worldbuilding.
Overall an enjoyable read, the ending had me at the edge of my seat !
Sidenote: I am slightly disappointed to find out this is a complete story - and I have SO many questions that need to be answered that I thought would be in the sequel. Who killed the Emperor ? Where did Kyron go in the glade?? (IYKYK)
(Massive Thanks to Rebellion Publishing and GR Matthews for the opportunity to read and review this book )
"“Live,” Emlyn answered, stuffing a warm cloak into a backpack. “Do that and you make all the choices, mistakes and successes you want. Stand there, do nothing, die, and all those choices are gone forever.”
Two things in this book stand out to me. One being the characters, the second being the magic system.
Throughout the book you follow two POVs -
Kyron, a Magician apprentice, code name Edgelord of confusion, and Bordan; General in the Emperors army, otherwise known as a cinnamon roll with a sword. Honourable mentions - Emlyn for being the real MVP and keeping everyones shit together.
I am a sucker for a good murder mystery so when you sprinkle in political intrigue, magic and a march through an amazing forest I am very very happy
Its definitely a character driven book, and I did struggle at the beginning of the book to relate to the world. TBH I still can't really picture it much, but I have SUCH a strong impression of all the characters which is what really kept my interest and made the pages fly by after the first 25-30%
There were parts where I found some of the prose, though beautiful, was excessively long, like I had to take a minute to figure out what the hell a sentence meant. There was also a sense of just being told the worldbuidling, rather than shown. After the halfway mark the characters came through for me and I didn't notice things like the excessive sentences or the infodump of worldbuilding.
Overall an enjoyable read, the ending had me at the edge of my seat !
Sidenote: I am slightly disappointed to find out this is a complete story - and I have SO many questions that need to be answered that I thought would be in the sequel. Who killed the Emperor ? Where did Kyron go in the glade?? (IYKYK)
(Massive Thanks to Rebellion Publishing and GR Matthews for the opportunity to read and review this book )
steamreads's review
Has been to long since I started. Will start over when I come back to the book
colleen987's review
4.0
With Thanks to Solaris and G R Matthews for an advanced readers copy of the book.
4*
Overall a very strong novel with lots of avenues to explore.
The story is told through Multi POV -
-General Bordan who leads a vast army and has given his life to the empire and is loyal to the throne.
-Kyron, a magician's apprentice who is returning the late Emperor’s body to the capital.
It effortlessly weaves roman history, battle strategy and religion with the unique elements of Matthews fantasy world. Where the novel does have a slower start it isn't "hard to read" the worldbuilding is gradual, removing the feeling of info dump often seen at the start of epic fantasy novels. By around 60% I was barely able to put it down, the pace twists and turns and really drags you towards that brilliant conclusion.
4*
Overall a very strong novel with lots of avenues to explore.
The story is told through Multi POV -
-General Bordan who leads a vast army and has given his life to the empire and is loyal to the throne.
-Kyron, a magician's apprentice who is returning the late Emperor’s body to the capital.
It effortlessly weaves roman history, battle strategy and religion with the unique elements of Matthews fantasy world. Where the novel does have a slower start it isn't "hard to read" the worldbuilding is gradual, removing the feeling of info dump often seen at the start of epic fantasy novels. By around 60% I was barely able to put it down, the pace twists and turns and really drags you towards that brilliant conclusion.
beelovesreading's review
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a chance to read this book.
I enjoyed reading this, but it didn't wow me - none of the characters really resonated with me, though I will say the last portion of the book was great. I really liked how things connected together. The plot twist towards the end was a little predictable, I had already suspected who the true mastermind was but I still loved how it tied together.
If you're looking for an easy read, I suggest giving this book a shot. You may enjoy it more than I did!
I enjoyed reading this, but it didn't wow me - none of the characters really resonated with me, though I will say the last portion of the book was great. I really liked how things connected together. The plot twist towards the end was a little predictable, I had already suspected who the true mastermind was but I still loved how it tied together.
If you're looking for an easy read, I suggest giving this book a shot. You may enjoy it more than I did!
cawcaw8553's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
diesmali's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
paperwitches's review
4.0
Seven Deaths of an Empire is one of best fantasy books I have ever read, right up there with The Way of Kings. This book takes many influences from different cultures and pieces of history. Namely the romans and the Greeks. I got completely lost in the story, the setting, and the characters because it was well written.
The character is the general is practiced, and disciplined while still being emotional. He is not completely stiff, or stoic - it is shown that he feels emotion, he is just disciplined enough to know when to reign his feelings in. Which is great, because I worried how stoic the character of the general would be.
I was at the mercy of this story, and cried a few times. I would highly suggest it, as it delivers on all its promises of political suspense.
Thank you sincerely to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this remarkable story. Plan on picking it up.
The character is the general is practiced, and disciplined while still being emotional. He is not completely stiff, or stoic - it is shown that he feels emotion, he is just disciplined enough to know when to reign his feelings in. Which is great, because I worried how stoic the character of the general would be.
I was at the mercy of this story, and cried a few times. I would highly suggest it, as it delivers on all its promises of political suspense.
Thank you sincerely to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this remarkable story. Plan on picking it up.