The first two books in this series followed a somewhat similar concept. The characters were travelling through the empire, and then encountered some sort of mystery that they had to solve. At the same time, the overarching conflict slowly but surely kept building and tensions rose as the characters got more and more involved.
While I did have problems with certain aspects of these first two books (mostly the second book!) I still really enjoyed the mystery solving of it all, it definitely kept me interested. The writing style felt atmospheric, and the world building was nicely done.

This final instalment, however, changed direction and introduced so many new things, it felt disjointed. There was so much that was only briefly or never mentioned before trying to build up to the big finale that led to this story feeling very rushed. It needed much more build up for all of this to work, and that just wasn’t there.

Also, the whole Helena and Vonvalt thing was still somehow present in this story, so thanks, I hated that.

Overall, I still like the first book best. This final one had its moments and great scenes, but the pacing didn’t work and there was too much new information introduced in a very short amount of time too really get into it.

An excellent if horror-filled final instalment that completes a superb fantasy trilogy.

I absolutely loved this series, and The Trials of Empire escalated things to a whole new level, with even higher stakes and some incredible action. There is a serious horror-element to this book, and the tension throughout was palpable.

Despite the increasingly apocalyptic nature of the plot, Richard Swan continues to focus on a small number of endearing characters. The narrative perspective provided by Helena makes this series for me. Her own experiences and the relationships with those around her are so well written and I really did find myself invested in her journey. There are some seriously gruesome moments, countless fight and battle scenes, eldritch creatures galore and an incredibly satisfying ending.

My only complaint was that it tried to fit too much in but this is a testament to the strength and depth of the world, the characters and the overall plot so I'm going to leave the fifth star for that reason.

This is one of the best trilogies I have read so far and I really enjoyed the progression of both the story and characters as the series went on. Good versus evil done magnificently. Very highly recommended!

It was very easy to get back into the world, the plot summaries the author provides on his website are very helpful.
The novel was less about legal matters and conversations and focused more on preparations for the final battle. Though I loved the horror elements, I found this installment rather tedious and repetitive. It didn't help, that most of the characters were seperated their great dynamics were missing.
2,5 stars

One of the most intriguing and gripping fantasy series, a very exciting ride that kept me on the edge and surprised with the marvellous world building and the ingenious inventive.
This is the last book, the one that ask you to say goodbye to the characters and cause book hangover because you would have liked more.
Well plotted, entertaining, original. Excellent storytelling and character development
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

(sorry, thought it was a new instalment in this series)

I feel like I read books in the series back to back less often lately, and I'm now realizing I've been missing out! Though it is a wonderful feeling to start a series knowing it's complete and you can dive straight into the next parts.

The Justice of Kings is a book I've read around 2 years ago, and I've liked it, though it wasn't my ultimate favorite. For some reason I didn't continue when the second book was out, but, influenced by some people, mainly @the_midwest_library who loves that series, I've gotten the Goldsboro editions to motivate me to read it. I'm not sure if it's normal or just a neurodivergent thing, but when I don't physically have a reminder of something, it doesn't exist. ✨

I've reread the first book and read the next two lately and oof. It was a journey. Looking back, the first book was a long prologue, something I might not love in the moment but appreciate really really much in the end. The masterful way the author has widened the world and heightened the stakes later in the trilogy is mind blowing.

I've became really really invested in the story and might have shed a few tears. I don't really reread books often but I have a feeling I'll come back to it.

The last book in the series was a fantastic conclusion, tying all the threads together. It was a fantastic journey and honestly, I'd love some novella about the events that have passed after the ending of the main plot.

I'll definitely be waiting for the next book from this author and read it as soon as it's out.

Also, if you know you know, but I'm glad about the doggo. 😅

Helena, Vonvalt, Sir Radomir, and the Templar von Osterlen are traitors in the eyes of the Empire and have a bounty on their heads. Their primary goal remains the preservation of the Empire, or at least the lawful peace which it had brought about.
Yet, Claver is causing destruction, intent on causing the ruin of the empire. Not to mention, it appears he is receiving assistance from some malevolent entity in the astral plane as the fabric between worlds is thinning, allowing demons loose.

This is a lot more psychological. Contending with the ideal of justice and how it can be manipulated to achieve a greater, better end.
What separates the good guys from the bad? Helena particularly struggles with this as Vonvalt just dives headfirst into a fall into evil practices. The mentee becomes the teacher as she tries to guide Vonvalt so morality.

“I think you can twist facts and arguments to suit your own ends and make anything seem good and honest."
“I would not be much of a lawkeeper if I couldn’t.”

Yet Vonvalt still has the power to compel Helena - not literally, with the Emperor's Voice, but emotionally. She remains, in spite of their growing relationship distance due to growing differences in values, in his thrall.
Vincent believes with steadfast faith that to fail with clean hands was worse than succeeding with dirty ones. He asserts that to adopt the tools and methods of the enemy was the right thing to do if done in furtherance of an ultimate good.
He saw their group, their mission, as a sacrifice - compromising their souls so that others could see the world through eyes unclouded by moral failure.

However, this is destroying Helena from the inside out. Paired with the demons visiting her in reality and her nightmare, she feels she is going insane enduring what no person should have to.
Honestly, kudos to her for not absolutely snapping and going feral.

Sadly, I think this is my least favourite of the series which is gutting as book one was one of my most favourite starts to a fantasy series when I first read that arc last year!
I think it was just too wrapped up in descriptions and convoluted moral ambiguity debates that was pushed in as frequently as possible amidst seemingly impossible battles on both the mortal and immortal realm. And a lot of screaming on Helena’s behalf.
Perhaps because it takes on this much bigger scope dealing with realms of hell and demons whereas book one was more centred in law and mystery rather than fantasy.

Minor spoilers:
The romance between Helena and Vonvalt which totally put me off in book two was thankfully handled better than I feared. I still think it shouldn’t have been included, but I concur an adoration translated into love and desire isn’t totally out of order, but it was just a personal ick for me.

I will definitely look forward to whatever Swan next writes as I do enjoy the debates proposed and the character growth he forces his characters through.
Also, Helena would die for a dog and that is always a redeeming character quality and will always make me like the author.

“One of the greatest feats of human cognisance is to realise and accept that every being capable of thought has a life as complex as one's own."

If you enjoyed this, I would recommended Traitor’s Blade by Sebastian DeCastell or The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson.

Thank you to Orbit for providing an arc in exchange for a review!