Book Review: The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan

Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 3 of Empire of the Wolf

Publisher: Orbit (February 6, 2024)

Length: 541 pages

Author Information: Website

Richard Swan’s epic Empire of the Wolf trilogy reaches its conclusion in The Trials of Empire, but this isn’t just your typical finale. It’s one I’ve been waiting for, for a long time. It’s no exaggeration when I say this is the best fantasy series I have read in years, and like any highly anticipated release, I was brimming with both nerves and excitement to get my hands on the final book. Now that I’ve read it, I’m happy to report my hopes have not been misplaced. A tad overlong it may be, but an ending like this can’t be rushed, and Swan has set a high bar for future authors.

The book plunges readers back into the turmoil of the Sovan Empire. The aftermath from the events of the previous installment, The Tyranny of Faith, continues to reverberate throughout the land. We follow our series narrator, Helena, and her mentor Justice Konrad Vonvalt and their companion Sir Radomir as they go on the run, trying to find sympathetic allies in their fight against the zealot Bartholomew Claver. Their search has led the group to the northern reaches, where the pagan clans still practice the old ways in defiance of the emperor and his Justices. However, the bad blood runs deep, and the clans don’t have much to lose and only freedoms to be gained if Sovan falls.

Thus, our characters are forced to turn their attention to the south, home to a mysterious civilization of wolfmen who have mostly kept to themselves. Having no love for Sova, any support they can give Vonvalt is limited, but their disdain for templars also means a willingness to listen, and it’s a start. Every moment they dally, Claver’s army draws closer to reaching its goal by meddling with supernatural malignant forces that have no business in the earthly realm.

The storytelling has always been on point in this series, but it rises to another level in The Trials of Empire. Once more we have Helena at the helm, recounting the events of her youth apprenticing and traveling with Vonvalt, her idealism acting as a counterpoint to the much older, more pragmatic and brooding Justice. Their dynamic creates a captivating tension, especially as Konrad becomes increasingly obsessed with saving the empire he loves, turning him to some questionable choices.

The plot also delivers on multiple fronts. While a few sections flagged in terms of pacing, these moments were fleeting as the rest of the novel drives towards the climax with pitch perfect tone and impeccable timing. The final battle contained some of the most intense sequences I’ve ever read. This last book also turns pretty dark, delving into territory and themes that won’t feel all that out of place in cosmic horror. Although Helena is no stranger to loss, she and her friends are pushed to some serious extremes in The Trials of Empire; everywhere they turn is more threat, more terror, and more brutality.

But my favorite part is the final act. Impactful without being too bombastic, the ending manages to tie up loose ends while leaving readers with a satisfying sense of closure. It is also fitting, given the themes of justice and the role that Vonvalt plays in the dispensing of it. Ultimately this series is a character study of a great man who is also fallible, which is why the focus on his relationship with Helena worked so well. Trying to apply the law in their imperfect world full of corruption is messy business, and Helena needed the time and experience to grow into the idea that her childhood hero is merely human.

My verdict? Consider this not just a recommendation but a strong request: read this trilogy. You won’t be disappointed by this stunning journey through a universe full of amazing people and cultures, intricate political machinations, and head-spinning plot twists. The Empire of the Wolf stands as a monument to the power of fantasy. I can’t wait to read more from Richard Swan.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of The Justice of Kings (Book 1)
Review of The Tyranny of Faith (Book 2)