This has been such an odd trilogy to read and review. On one hand, I’ve stayed engrossed in it and have been determined throughout that I was going to reach the end. On the other, I swear I spent most of these books having no idea what was going on, who was who or even which side of a war we were supposed to be following.

The third book is no exception. For the vast majority, I honestly couldn’t tell you what was happening. It feels like one of those reads that while you’re turning the pages, you’re lost in the details and can’t see the bigger picture. But when you look back at a chapter, you realise you do, in actual fact, have some sort of clue as to what has been going on.

The third book showed me that I was invested, due to the deaths of a couple of characters. They hit me, proving to myself that I had come to care for them and was engrossed of what was going to happen. You weren’t really given time to process it due to the way the book is structured, but it was a welcome realisation that I cared what was going on!

Overall, I’m glad to have read this trilogy. It was interesting and unique, and there were moments that made me chuckle. I’ve also never seen a series have little summaries of the chapters at the start, which I really enjoyed. A challenging read, but no regrets having gone on this journey with a unique band of heroes.

The Substance of Peace

The final part of the Hussite trilogy, being a series of battles, truces, sieges, massacres, heresy, magic, romance and ultimately a weary, inconclusive cease to hostilities, otherwise known as peace.

Much occurs in the tale: Reynevan searches fruitlessly for his lost lover, meets many of his allies and enemies from the previous volumes, helps the Hussite armies (more often than not) and has a final showdown with the greatest of his enemies, the Wallcreeping sorcerer.

I confess I was not as gripped by this final book as I though I might have been. Perhaps I have been sated by the great length of the three volumes, the enormous cast of participants, the episodic character of the narrative. Perhaps, on the other hand, the weariness of war, the continuing cycle of death and destruction, as well as the defeat of the Warriors of God, the Hussite armies, contributed to my feeling.

All the same, I found this Hussite series a remarkable piece of writing, one of a kind in modern fiction. I would personally recommend it just for the Latin!

What is the 'substance of peace'? It is to forget.

This last book of Sapkowski's Hussite Trilogy, sees our hero, Reynevan, journeying across war torn Bohemia and Silesia in search of his true love Jutta of Apolda, who's been abducted and effectively imprisoned in a nunnery. It seems like a journey of 'one step forward, and two steps back', as Reynevan is sent in first one direction then another, following information about where Jutta might be being held, trying to avoid his enemies, being sent on missions which take him in the wrong direction, and ending up captured himself. Through it all though he holds true to his purpose, ever striving for news of Jutta,

Sapkowski is better known as the author of fantasy novels - The Witcher series - rather than historical, and, although the Hussite trilogy is set firmly in central Europe during the wars of the early 15th century, there's more than a touch of fantasy about it; Reynevan uses magic in his work as a physician, or amulets to help him pass unnoticed; his arch-enemy, Grellenort, shape-changes between man and bird. So it should appeal to fans of both genres. Be warned, this isn't historical romance but a story set during times of war, and aiming for a level of realism, meaning there's a lot of violence and casual brutality.

I've come to the series late, starting with the last book, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment, although some aspects are not totally clear at the beginning, and there seemed to be a plethora of characters - good and bad - to become acquainted with in the first few chapters. At over 600 pages, it's long - normal for fantasy novels, less so for historical (unless you're thinking of Wolf Hall) - but settle in for a long consuming read and you won't be disappointed.

Andrzej Sapkowski writes fascinating and intriguing fantasy books and this one is the excellent final book in the Hussite series.
The mix of fiction and history worked well and this well plotted story kept me reading and turning pages.
It's a good ending even if I would have wanted more.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Unusually, for me, I'm not too unhappy that "Light Perpetual" is the final book in the "Hussite Trilogy". While I've thoroughly enjoyed all three books, I think the author was right to wrap it up here. As with the previous two books, this one is light fantasy with a dusting of amusement, brilliantly written (thank you, translator!), and a great story.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.