Each reader experiences a narrative differently. That is to say, while the text is fixed, how the readers read the story varies amongst them. There are cases when such things lead to a split within that reading community, and there are instances when the majority of those readers will praise the story. And yet, both the reasons and the experiences for those praises are separate. The Empire’s Ruin, the first book in the Ashes of the Unhewn Throne trilogy, by Brian Staveley is a story that allows readers to have multiple experiences and come to the same conclusion afterward.
There are three protagonists in this novel who the readers won’t forget anytime soon. First, is Gwenna Sharpe—the Commander of the Kettral Wing. Kettrals are large birds whom the military flies into battle and to complete missions quickly. Gwenna is a headstrong leader who disobeys orders repeatedly until her luck runs out, which causes a mission to end disastrously. However, the Emperor of Annur offers her a chance to redeem herself: go on a voyage to Menkiddoc—a mysterious continent—on an expedition to keep the Empire’s military from failure. Gwenna accepts the offer, which begins her journey to a complete transformation.
Next, is Ruc Lakatur Lan Lac—a priest of Eria—Lady of Love, who professes in love and pacifism. The temple is located in Dombâng, which is in the midst of unrest due to religion. When a naked priest arrives in Dombâng preaching a new god who is expected to overtake the other gods and goddesses, Ruc seeks his childhood home to discuss it with the priests from his old life to confirm his suspicions. Unfortunately, after Ruc returns to Dombâng to warn everyone, Ruc is arrested under false charges and is “jailed.” So, begins the test of Ruc’s faith; but, which one will prevail?
Last, is Akiil who is a (former) Shin monk of Ashk’lan—and before that a thief who got caught. Akiil is in what he believes is a beneficial situation: he has knowledge the emperor craves, and Akiil plans on using both that knowledge and his “ties” to the Royal Family in order to con the emperor. Can this thieving monk pull it off?
All three protagonists find themselves in similar situations in different parts of the world, and they are about to go through an arduous experience.
Not every journey of the self is traveled alone and that is executed in this novel. Joining Gwenna is Kiel—the Royal Chief Historian—whose knowledge of Menkiddoc and its relation to the Annurian Empire sounds like he’s been to the continent before; and First Admiral Jonan lem Jonan is the commander of the fleet and the expedition, who has an ego which rivals Gwenna’s. Alongside Ruc is his girlfriend, Bien Qui Nai—a priestess of Eria—who is imprisoned with others who committed “other” crimes. Akiil starts off by himself in his schemes, until his “network” brings him face-to-face with an individual from his past. Suddenly, Akiil’s motives alter dramatically. These other characters the protagonists meet and interact with throughout their journeys—from the past and the present—assist them with all of the turmoil—physical, mental and emotional—they experience as they fight for their survival and for the safety of their companions.
One of the most fascinating things to know about this novel is it’s the first of a new series, which is the sequel to the first series set in the same world. Even if you haven’t read the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne series, you should know The Empire’s Ruin provides enough details of the world through the points-of-view of the new characters so new readers grasp this fantasy world in tandem with the readers who read the first series. Another thing that stands out in this book are the subplots uncovered throughout the narrative. These subplots, while subtle at first, are essential to both the plot and the character development, and are connected to each other as well.
The style Staveley uses is not new, but it is done perfectly. This series is supposed to occur after the events of the first series, but it is told from the perspectives of new protagonists who were minor characters in the previous series. This method of storytelling enhances the worldbuilding because it allows readers to explore other parts of the author’s world through new characters, and also allows readers to view old characters and their roles within that society from a different perspective. It is one thing to view a character as a protagonist, but to have that same character continue to carry on without knowing their inner thoughts and to have other characters interact with them differently demonstrates the reality within the fiction. Characters are fictionalized variants of us in our reality, but that doesn’t mean the way we see ourselves and how others see us is similar.
The story presented in The Empire’s Ruin is a continuation of the previous series. While the events of the previous series have concluded, the ramifications of those events unravel further in this one. And, while the emperor remains a key figure in this series, the focus shifts to a new dramatis personae in order to continue the overall narrative. Another thing to know about the story the author delivers are the depths of those ramifications. Most of the conflicts presented at the novel’s beginning are just the surface of what are disclosed by the protagonists at the end of this book, and they are nail biters.
Staveley has written one of the best (and one of the most underrated) fantasy books of this year. He writes his latest novel so both those familiar and new to his world can keep up with all of the story’s elements. The narrative, while long, is both immersive and detailed in a way where readers can’t miss what is happening and what is going to happen in the next book.
The Empire’s Ruin is the overture to a new fantasy series. The narrative has an allegro pace, which adds to the severity of the conflicts the protagonists encounter. Regardless of how each reader will experience this story, they are sure to praise it for identical reasons.
Jennie Ivins