Title: Wrath
Author: John Gwynne
Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Published: 2016
Pages: 686
Goodreads Rating: 4.50
Rating: 10/10
“It will be a dark day, a bloody day, a proud day, for this is the day of our wrath.”
What an epic ending to a mighty series! The Faithful and the Fallen did not disappoint and it will go down as one of my absolute favorite book series alongside Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive and N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy. Gwynne masterfully wraps up the storyline with an endlessly intense, nail-biting narrative. He intertwines romance, carnage, and morality in a way that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Who will survive the war to end all wars? All I can say is… don’t get too attached to anyone.
Pros:
The Ending
Some authors struggle to wrap up a series. Luckily for us, Gwynne does not have this affliction. He pulls together all of the pieces of the story and wraps them up with a nice bow. Not only does he connect all of the characters and situations, he also delivers an epic battle that covers hundreds of pages.
Big moments we’ve been waiting for
To balance out the death and destruction, Gwynne finally provides a series of fan-favorite moments. Conflicts introduced in the first two books that have been festering like an untreated wound are finally resolved in an extremely satisfying way that purges the reader of the built-up emotion during the wait for vengeance to be delivered.
The Surprise Factor
It’s nice that after 4 books, Gwynne could still surprise me. From discoveries to allegiances and from deaths to betrayals, you can never be 100% sure of what will happen. Some of the surprises were shockingly horrible while others were thankfully relieving. At times, I had to put the book down and walk away to digest and consider the implications and consequences of what I’d just read.
Cons:
Plot Convenience
Throughout the story, there are parts that are just too convenient. Some of the examples that come to mind include fighting ability, unexpected survival, and changes to romantic interests. I’m glad that what happened in the story played out as it did but I just wish there had been a more realistic approach or explanation for some of the situations that unfolded in Wrath.
Overall…
The Faithful and the Fallen was an absolutely incredible series. Gwynne truly excels at writing action scenes and developing complex, relatable characters. I am officially a Gwynne fan and I look forward to starting The Bloodsworn Trilogy. If you like George R.R. Martin, Scott Lynch, and Joe Abercrombie, I think you’ll love Gwynne. Plus… this is a completed series with all books available to read!
Caroline’s Library 