The war is over, and army priest Tomas Piety heads home with Sergeant Bloody Anne at his side. But things have changed while he was away: his crime empire has been stolen and the people of Ellinburg–his people–have run out of food and hope and places to hide. Tomas sets out to reclaim what was his with help from Anne, his brother, Jochan, and his new gang: the Pious Men. But when he finds himself dragged into a web of political intrigue once again, everything gets more complicated.
As the Pious Men fight shadowy foreign infiltrators in the back-street taverns, brothels, and gambling dens of Tomas’s old life, it becomes clear:
The war is only just beginning.
On June 19th, the next installment in one of my favourite series ever will be published. So what better time than to post a review for the series so far! And the best thing: The first four published books are a completed arc, while Paved with Good Intentions is a stand alone in the same world. So it should be readable both for long term fans, as well as new readers.
But lets get to the four books so far:
Peter McLean’s War for the Rose Throne is a masterclass in grimdark fantasy. Spanning four novels, it delivers a gritty, emotionally charged saga of war, power, loyalty, trauma, and survival. It begins in the smoke and blood of a gangland battlefield and ends in the high-stakes chess game of politics and revolution, never once losing sight of its heart: the people at the center of it all.
Priest of Bones: The Bloody Beginning
The series kicks off with Priest of Bones, a gripping, fast-paced introduction to a brutal world low on magic but heavy with moral ambiguity. The main character, Thomas Piety, returns from war to find his crime-ridden home city of Ellinburg in disarray. A former soldier turned gang leader, Thomas sets out to reclaim his turf, leading “his people”, a gang of war-hardened men and women, into a deadly game of power and survival.
Often likened to Peaky Blinders set in a fantasy world, the story thrives not on flashy spellcasting, but on raw character dynamics and the weight of decisions made in blood. Tomas is no saint. He’s ruthless, cold when needed, and terrifyingly efficient. It is his deep care for those under his wing that makes him compelling. He exists squarely in the moral grey zone that grimdark excels at, and it makes him unforgettable.
Priest of Lies: Power Expands
With Priest of Lies, the story broadens, taking readers beyond Ellinburg and deeper into the political machinations of the wider realm. The stakes grow, the enemies become more insidious, and the cost of survival mounts. New settings and characters flesh out McLean’s world without losing the razor-sharp focus on Tomas and his gang. The pacing remains brisk, with just the right balance of action and intrigue.
This installment further showcases McLean’s strength: character realism. Even as the blood flows and the bodies fall, the emotional core remains intact. These are not caricatures of violence, they are broken people fighting to live, and the traumas of war and crime follow them every step of the way.
Priest of Gallows: Character at Its Core
Where the first two books focus more on action and gangland politics, Priest of Gallows becomes something even deeper. The plot retains its dark twists and gripping suspense, but it’s the character development that truly elevates this book above its predecessors.
Tomas Piety remains very much the same man we met in book one, but he is also undeniably changed. His time among the Queen’s Men and exposure to the inner workings of power have reshaped his worldview. His PTSD and trauma are not just mentioned, they’re embedded in his very bones. McLean handles these themes with rare sensitivity. It’s not flashy or forced. Small gestures, sharp inner thoughts, and subtle changes in behavior paint a raw and authentic picture of a man scarred by his past but still pushing forward.
This book asks hard questions about loyalty, identity, and whether a man like Tomas can ever really escape the monster within. It’s beautifully done and emotionally devastating.
Priest of Crowns: A Brutal, Brilliant Conclusion
The final installment, Priest of Crowns, is a breathtaking, gut-wrenching finish. It hits just as hard as the previous books, if not harder. Knowing this would be a difficult journey, readers would be wise to have comfort food or a stiff drink nearby.
Tomas and his crew face their toughest challenges yet. The bloodshed continues, but it’s never gratuitous. Every violent act has weight. Every loss lingers. The politics are sharper, the betrayals more personal, and the victories more hard-earned. And through it all, the characters, flawed, raw, and deeply human, shine.
The series concludes with one of the most satisfying and emotionally earned endings in modern fantasy. The arcs aren’t just complete, they’re transformative. Watching Tomas evolve over four books from a brutal gang leader to something more nuanced and self-aware is both tragic and triumphant. These characters don’t just change the world, they are changed by it. That’s what makes War for the Rose Throne stand out among its peers.
Peter McLean has crafted one of the most compelling grimdark series in recent memory. It’s a story soaked in blood and betrayal, but also filled with humanity, nuance, and resilience. The character arcs, especially that of Tomas Piety, are among the best in the genre. His journey, shaped by loss, loyalty, and the long shadow of trauma, is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
This is grimdark done right: unflinching, emotionally honest, and rich with consequence. If you’re looking for a fantasy series that combines brutal politics with a street-smart edge, but rooted in deeply realized character work and some of the best portrayals of PTSD and personal evolution in fantasy, War for the Rose Throne should be at the very top of your list.
Highly recommended. Just… bring chocolate. And maybe a support pet. You’ll need them.
And once you read these four fantastic books – then off you go to read the next one!
Paved with Good Intentions
Eline is a mother, a wife, and a survivor. But her life is about to change dramatically. Following an act of horrific–if righteous–vengeance, Eline is blackmailed into the service of the Queen’s Men. She knows it will be a hard life of violence and fear. But Eline will do what it takes to survive, and to protect her children . . . and if she’s lucky, she won’t die in the process.
But the Queen’s Men aren’t just asking her to risk herself. They’re asking her to risk everything she knows and loves. And if she fails . . . civil war and the deaths of everyone she loves will be just the beginning.
