Ten years after the end of the first trilogy, we can finally return to Brian McClellan's intriguing world of powder mages, privileged, and blood sorcerers. The nation of Fatrasta is new on the scene, but the problems facing it are not. Despite the order being kept by the secret police, known as the Black Hats, dissent is everywhere. The oppressed Palo that live within the capital city of Landfall are treated as second class citizens, so they retaliate by stirring up a lot of trouble. This conflict is the centerpiece for our three new PoV characters. General Vlora Flint, leader of the Riflejack Mercenary Company, who is hired by the local government to capture the insurgent leader, Mama Palo, and bring her to justice. Mad Ben Styke, a former war hero and killing machine who is let out of prison by a mysterious person who tasks him with getting close to Lady Flint and awaiting further instruction. And finally, Michel Bravis, an under cover agent who has infiltrated the Black Hats and struggles a bit with remembering which side he is actually on.

The three main characters are all interesting in their own right, but it is Mad Ben Styke that really got me engaged in this new trilogy. His background is interesting and the more you learn about him the more you root for him, no matter how many bodies he leaves in his wake. This one starts a little slow but it picks up steam as things get more and more complicated, until it eventually ends with the stakes much larger than just the rebellious Palo in the capital city. Some characters from the first series also return and when they do, the story just gets that much better. If you haven't read the first trilogy then I certainly wouldn't start here, but if you have read it and are looking for more, then don't hesitate to dive right in.

Christian Rodska is back at the mic once again for the audiobook and his gravelly voice perfectly fits the level of conflict present everywhere in this unique world. Although it should be noted that he was too ill to record the final book of the series so if you do listen to this series be prepared for a change.