There’s a lot to like about Brian Staveley’s, The Emperor’s Blades: great characters, great plotting and great action.

The Emperor's Blades

The story’s three main characters are the three siblings, two brothers and a sister, of the recently murdered Annurian emperor. Valyn is training to become a Kettral, one of the empire’s most deadly and elite fighters. Kaden, the heir to the throne, studies as a monk in a remote monastery. Lastly, there’s Adare, the emperor’s daughter and now a minister in the capital; being a woman, she can’t succeed her father and must work alongside a regent until Kaden returns home.

Soon after Valyn learns of his father’s death, frequent near-fatal accidents occur during his training. Due to the remoteness of the monastery Kaden lives in, he’s completely oblivious to what’s happened to his father. Only Adare is left to avenge their father, and that won't be as straightforward as she hoped it would be.

The Emperor’s Blades contains interesting worldbuilding: giant eagle-like birds that the Kettral use to get around the empire; humans who draw energy from a secret yet commonplace source to work their magic; and an ancient race that’s been long-dead for millennia… or have they?

What I really enjoyed is Staveley’s plotting. It’s been a while since I read a satisfying ending to the first book in a series. While the story is left wide open, all of the questions raised during each sibling’s story is answered in a satisfying way.

The brothers’ story arcs are complete in that they’ve achieved the objectives of their training. But I’m going to have to wait until the second book to learn how they adapt to life in their new roles. My one criticism is that Adare barely featured in the book. I’m hoping this will change in book 2, especially after the last chapter’s revelation.

The Emperor’s Blades was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Image: Amazon.co.uk. 08-Feb-21

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Sign up to my newsletter for updates, book release details and more.