Priest of Gallows (War for the Rose Throne)

Once again Peter McLean has knocked it so far out of the park it’s gonna take years to find the ball. If you like Grimdark in general (or just GOT) then you MUST get onto this series. Priest of Gallows is the third book in this four book series (The War for the Rose Throne) and boy it’s a doozy. Told in first person by main character Tomas Piety, you get an close up perspective of Piety’s experiences, thoughts, fears and decision making process. Book two left us with Piety now the governor of Ellinburg having given Bloody Anne control of the Pious Boys. This ex-soldier and ex-mob boss’s life seems to be moving up. As with anything in this world designed by the incredible mind of Peter McLean what seems to be and what is are totally different prospects.It seems that every decision, every step taken by Tomas Piety is just one step further into trouble.He is summoned by the head of the Queen’s Men to the Capital. It necessitates another change in fortune. He must hand over his governorship and take only his most trusted with him. The summons worries him and with good reason. The Queen’s Men are spies and assassins for the Queen. So what happens to them if the Queen dies? Piety is soon embroiled is espionage of the highest order. Even the secrets have secrets in the Capital. And the Queen’s Men are at the top of the food chain. Still, everyone answers to someone. And Piety must be careful who he trusts. He is a soldier – he knows how to follow orders – and here he is but the Blade, but the Capital is rumbling. Politics, Deceit, Truth, Betrayal and Ruin lie at every turn. And the war Piety would never see return is right around the corner. How well he plays the game will show where his loyalties lie and whether he and his closest allies will survive the coming storm.The world building in this dark series is exquisite. If you don’t like brutal, bloody scenes it’s NOT the series for you. But if you love the dark, gritty brutality of Game of Thrones then this is the series for you.The reality of mob mentality is brutal and cruel within the capital. And Priest of Gallows really explores how little it truly takes to turn a populous into a deadly mob. Ellinburg, and Piety’s Pious Men are a holiday by comparison.If you have read the previous two books, I thoroughly recommend getting this one as soon as it is out at the end of May. A gripping, gritty read. I adore Peter McLean’s writing style. It sucks me in quickly, immersing me in Ellinburg, the Capital, the streets, the palace, upper and lower town and everywhere in between. His characterization is top notch. From Bloody Anne’s endless loyalty, to Ailsa’s lies, to Beast’s trust, to Vogel’s machinations, to Billy’s inherent danger and love and the Princess’s madness. The political games played are as horrible as you would expect, the power grabs fast and brutal and layered. You don’t really know who to trust and the storm is coming.I am excitedly waiting for the gripping conclusion to this brutal and bloody tale.

This was so good! I went into this book with high expectations since it was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I am happy to report that this book maintained the level of excellence that I have come to expect from this series. I honestly cannot understand how this series isn’t more popular than it currently is. I really think that all fans of dark fantasy need to give this book a try because it has the perfect combination of action, great characters, political maneuvering, and bloody violence to keep things very, very interesting.This book picks up shortly after the events of the previous installment so I would definitely recommend that this series be read in order. Tomas Piety has been serving as Governor of Ellinburg. He has handed the reins of his gang, the Pious Men, to his second in command, Bloody Anne, while he serves his role as a member of the Queen’s Men. A note from Dannsburg telling him that the Queen is dead and he is needed. He gathers his closest men and starts his journey. He is not ready for everything he is about to encounter when he arrives at the House of Law.This book is told from Tomas’s point of view and I love the way that he is able to navigate even the most difficult situations. He is a tough man but he has his limits and lines that he will not cross. This is a brutal story and not for the faint of heart. It was eye opening to realize just how deeply the corruption in this realm extends and to learn just who really holds the power. This was a book that I found almost impossible to set aside and couldn’t wait to see how Tomas and his crew would be able to navigate the difficult situation that they found themselves in.I would highly recommend this series to others. I found this to be a fantastic read that kept me hooked from the start. This is definitely a darker story with plenty of bloody action and a whole crew of wonderful characters. I will definitely be reading more of Peter McLean’s work in the future.

and you can see it on tv in the form of Peaky Blinders…Seriously, worth the read (as well as worth watching-Peaky Blinders, that is)…

I've loved this series since it first happened and Thomas Piety is one of my favorite heroes in fantasy. We need more almost 40 heroes.

I love this series. I’ve read all three and I’ll finish out the series with #4. But this guy is plagiarizing Peaky Blinders like nobody’s business. I thought the similarity was obvious from the beginning and because I love that show, it was great. But, it’s really getting to the point now where this author is just changing some names, the order of events and putting swords in people’s hands instead of guns. Great series, but none of these ideas are his. It’s a medieval retelling of a great show. It’s great because the source material is great.

In Priest of Gallows everyone gets used except Father. He's a powerful person. The author's first person style easily demonstrates usery, spin, and cult creation. There are two exchanges Tomas had with his wife in Book 1 that the author ingeniously weaves into Tomas' thoughts in Book 3, Priest of Gallows. The first: "Ill-informed and ignorant people are easier to suppress and control." Second, "powerful people have power over you only for as long as you believe." Tomas realizes he's being played like one of those people. I recommend this book to teen and adult sword and swordplay fantasy fans. Its been a great summer read. I look forward to reading the next book to find out how far-out Father's power reaches before Tomas the Tool breaks or succumbs to Mother Ruin.

With the release of Priest of Crowns, one of the series that was on the top of my list was The War for the Rose Throne by Peter McLean.I originally read the Priest of Bones last year, but read it again this year. I then went on to the second book Priest of Lies not so long ago, and had every intention of reading a book a month. However, things did not go according to plan. With the combination of Peter McLean''s compulsive writing and characterization,, and add to that David Morley Hale's excellent narration, I ended up devouring the books one after the other. I was hooked!If Priest of Lies changed direction and headed Tomas Piety into choppy waters, then Priest of Gallows sets the course and sets sail for what is the end in Priest of Crowns.The Priest of Gallows does lower the pace a little in respect of the crime and gang stuff in favour of political machinations and the discovery of secrets. Not only that there is some manoeuvring of characters that you know are going to be important later on. The story is intricately plotted, with each new revelation adding to the oncoming storm.In amongst this, Peter McLean manages to bring on board some new characters, such as Mina, a magic user who becomes Billy's girlfriend. Mina is in one respect quite funny,due to the fact that she has to use extremely foul language to gain access to her powers, but on the other hand utterly terrifying! In fact she makes Billy look like he is years behind her in terms of learning about his magic, and ends up learning some new skills from Mina.In addition to that we get Beast, who becomes quite close to Tomas.Now, it is without doubt that Peter McLean''s writing is violent. However, it so much more than that! It is funny, and very sympathetic to the trauma that others have experienced. In particular highlighting the effects of war and its subsequent difficulties experienced by those that fought, and this is not just in this fantastical made up world, but how 'battle shock' affects those who have fought in real life wars.In War for the Rose Throne, Peter McLean has created some of the most memorable characters in fantasy. Even the minor supporting ones in their own way endear to your enjoyment, and I think that this, along with everything else makes it one of the best pieces of modern day fantasy. Whilst there is not a proliferation of magical beasts, races of little people etc, and the fact that magic is used only to engage in war and violence there are tons of fantastical elements. However, the fantasy is not the main element of this story, it is the character of his main protagonist/antogonist, Tomas Piety, who definitely fits both sides of the coin.I again read and listened to this story due to the fact that I own both audio and book, so I was flitting between the two which only serves to make the experience of reading The War for the Rose Throne that little bit more immersive.Priest of Gallows is amazing,and again Peter McLean defies expectations, managing to both shock and awe in this episode of the story!

Short answer: So damn good.Longer answer: I devoured this book in two days. The first two books were superb and this one is every bit as good. Peter McLean is an instant buy for me these days whenever I see a new book coming.Tomas Piety is in over his head in a messy world of high politics, and our gangster doesn't much like all the political wrangling, scheming and murdering. Refreshing honest(ish) in a world of politicians, he is forced to play their game...for the most part. Over the course of three books the characters have grown, but they haven't changed who they are, and in a world of deranged nobles and corrupt politicians, a gangster is most certainly the better choice.

Tomas Piety is back with his team of fixers, continuing his reluctant service to the Rose Throne. Relieved of his gubernatorial duties, he's summoned to the capital not sure of what awaits him. What awaits him is worse than his own worst deeds.Peter McLean continues this series in a gripping volume. Peaky blinders meets GoT. The language can be blunt, but then Tomas Piety is not a saint and not a hero. Doesn't mean he's not the right man in the right place. I love this series. The writing is nuanced and the women are as powerful and varied as the men - all of them ring true.

Every bit as good as the first two though different. The story this time around focuses much more on political intrigue so there is less direct action and more reported consequences. The character of Thomas continues to deepen as he finds himself in the capital Dannsburg surrounded by deadly treachery and duplicity on all sides. Those were the times we lived in.

An absolute triumph of a book. Superbly well written and I devoured it in one sitting. No spoilers but Tomas is drawn deeper into the machinations of the Queen's Men and finds himself conflicted. Truly grimdark but not for the sake of being grimdark - the characters are troubled ones; PTSD, turning to drink to cope, unremittingly violent.A banger. Buy it! Read Priest of Lies and Priest of Bones first though!