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Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML: "Just plain awesome"�??Brandon Sanderson A staggering defeat on the border of Adro and Kez leaves Tamas and his powder mages in grave danger and cut off from all aid. Meanwhile, deadly political games threaten his allies at home. When invasion looms... Tamas's invasion of Kez ends in disaster when a Kez counter-offensive leaves him cut off behind enemy lines with only a fraction of his army, no supplies, and no hope of reinforcements. Drastically outnumbered and pursued by the enemy's best, he must lead his men on a reckless march through northern Kez to safety, and back over the mountains so that he can defend his country from an angry god, Kresimir. But the threats are closer to home... In Adro, Inspector Adamat wants only to rescue his wife. To do so he must track down and confront the evil Lord Vetas. He has questions for Vetas concerning his enigmatic master, but the answers will lead Adamat on a darker journey. Who will lead the charge? Tamas's generals bicker among themselves, the brigades lose ground every day beneath the Kez onslaught, and Kresimir wants the head of the man who shot him in the eye. With Tamas and his powder cabal presumed dead, Taniel Two-shot finds himself as the last line of defense against Kresimir's advancing army. THE CRIMSON CAMPAIGN continues the most acclaimed and action-packed new epic fantasy series in years, following on from Promise of Blood - an adrenaline-fuelled debut of flintlock mages, civil war, and cold-blooded murder in a world where gods walk the earth.… (more)
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The book starts out by easing readers back into the setting. With the help of an angry god, the Kez invasion into Adran territory is in full swing, after crushing Tamas’ ambitious strike. Stranded behind enemy lines with only a small remnant of his army left to aid him, the indomitable field marshal begins to lead his soldiers back across the mountains to warn and defend his country. Meanwhile back in Adro, Inspector Adamat is frantic with desperation and fear for the fate of his wife and son, held captive by the depraved Lord Vetas.
In yet another part of the world, Tamas’ son Taniel recovers from his injuries sustained in the pitched battle at the end of book one. While both Tamas and Adamat’s plot lines are marked by their very clear and concise goals, Taniel’s journey is a bit more complicated – but this also makes his character and story the most compelling, and more on that later.
But first, this “catch up” period at the beginning of the novel admittedly made for a slightly disjointed and slower start. However, I don’t think The Crimson Campaign is alone when it comes to this; I find many sequels – and especially middle books of a trilogy – have to manage this balancing act of setting up the stage for the next phase of the story while still trying to hold the reader’s attention and keep the momentum going. McClellan established a particular wide scope to begin with, following multiple characters all in separate parts of the world, so he had his work cut out for him. Considering everything that was happening, I think he did an impressive job. And once the story found its stride around the halfway point, I have to say there were no more issues with pacing.
Like I’d mentioned earlier, Taniel was the one who really shone in this one (and I find this interesting, since Adamat was my favorite in the first book, and I have to wonder if the third will be Tamas’ turn). Both Tamas and Adamat had story lines that followed a logical progression – the former had to make his way back to Adro, while the latter needed to rescue his family – and while they were engaging in their own way, neither had the ups and downs that made Taniel’s chapters so unpredictable and gripping.
The young powder mage first had to deal with the shock of awakening from a coma. Then struggle through a drug addiction that was the result of emotional trauma. Then come to terms with the news that his father might be dead. Then he had to go and get tangled up in the politics and infighting of the army. It was one big roller coaster ride with Taniel, and every turn had me wondering what would happen next. I loved everything about his story, which includes a deepening relationship between him and the mysterious woman Ka-poel, his ever loyal companion. I’m also intrigued by the changes in Taniel as a result of what happened to him at the end of Promise of Blood. This books hints at much greater and more intense developments to come on that front.
Another thing I would expect from a sequel is more world-building, and character development. In this, The Crimson Campaign did not disappoint. I’m still blown away by the hierarchy of magic users in his Powder Mage universe, and McClellan made sure to expand our knowledge of Marked, Privileged, and Knacked powers alike. I also noticed much more “screen time” in here for the female characters. Vlora, Nila and Ka-poel were all characters I wanted to learn more about, and I got my wish here. I was especially thrilled about Nila, who didn’t get much attention in Promise of Blood, but a huge bombshell dropped about her at the end of this book has me very excited about the future of her role.
What more can I say but, bring on The Autumn Republic! Something tells me that the third and final book of the trilogy will have just as much energy and impact, if not more. It’s so great to see this series going strong, and the way things are going I can only see things ending with a bang.
One of the
With this second book in the series Brian McClellan is clearly showing a gift for bringing some fresh new inventive ideas to the fantasy genre, going far beyond the standard sword and sorcery style. We get more information about the world in which the story takes place, including both political events and how the magic system works; I love good world building that makes me feel like I'm embedded right in the middle of it.
Among the characters I think Taniel seems to be the one that really shines in this part of the story; in the first book it was more about Adamat. I also liked that Bo continues to play a part in this story. Overall, I do love these characters and their development throughout the story is well done.
This was absolutely one of the best new series I came across last year and the only criticism I have is I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!! I WANT IT NOW!!!!!
I have to admit I really loved the way this ended. Some plot lines were tied up. More were unresolved but ending with a lull that left you with a feeling of satisfaction with story
A friend commented that he still can't decide on a favorite character. Usually that means no one is interesting but in this case we have several people with intriguing stories. There are several people that didn't get much play time that could become very interesting. I don't know if the plan is to make this a trilogy but there is room for more if the author wants to expand this story beyond three books.
It was interesting, I was most interested in Taniel's story.
5 big stars for an a really fun read!!!
A bit more grim than Promise of Blood, nothing seems to go quite right for Tamas, Taniel, or Adamat. Even major victories taste bittersweet when the losses have been added up. Taniel's plot was my favorite, as he is the middle of the main conflict while Tamas is stranded and Adamat deals with personal matters. Tamas's story felt more suspenseful during his mission to keep his men alive in enemy territory while knowing his country is under fire from a merciless enemy.
The only thing that need to be redone is the beginning of the book. It starts as if you just finished book 1. No reintroduction to the characters, no context subtly reintroduced. I had read book 1 a few months ago and I was a bit lost trying to remember who was who and had done what, so imagaine when you are reading as they are published, it must be even more brutal!
But, more importantly, stuff HAPPENS in this book(as much as in book 1). Things go really fast, and it's really difficult not to read "just another chapter". This author is now on my radar.
A must read. Now on to book 3.
With the city of Adopest put back in order, Field Marshal Tamas focuses his attention on the protection of the nation as the Kez attack Adro's border. Tamas takes his army north and commits a tactical error that leaves him and two division trapped behind enemy lines without supplies or any hope of reinforcements. I really enjoyed Tamas' story line. We see a completely different side of the Field Marshal, a more human one, as he has to face self-doubt about his own decision making and awareness that his age may be affecting more than just his physical strength.
Recovering from his attempt to kill Kresimir, Taniel wallows in his own self-pity in a drug-induced stupor until he hears news of his father's supposed death. Realizing that the army is in trouble, and that he might be the only remaining Powder Mage, Taniels and his companion Ka-poel rejoin the war effort. Taniel is such a hothead that I wanted to shake him so many times! It was great to follow his character's growth to see how a self absorbed individual can transform into one willing to make a sacrifice to the country, and woman, he loves.
Back in Adopest, Inspector Adamat is desperate to free his family from the cruel Lord Vetas. While slightly less interesting than the other two points of view, Adamat grows into a man who realizes that his family is the most important thing in his life and he's ready to pay any price to protect it. Desperation and love are powerful motivators.
As you can imagine given the set up, the action remains intense and there is plenty of magic throughout. The pacing is spot on and the switches between POVs kept me wanting more each time.
Again, there are some annoyances with the book and they are fairly minor. I really, really want to know more about Ka-poel! And what the heck is going on with Nila?? Some of the situations the characters ended up in seemed rather convenient but I was having so much fun I could look past it.
As with book one, many plot threads are left dangling at the end. I'm really looking forward to see how everything is wrapped up in the third book.