The Crimson Campaign - Brian McClellan

"The hounds at our heels will soon know we are lions". Tamas's invasion of Kez ends in disaster when a Kez counter-offensive leaves him cut off behind enemy lines with only a fraction of his army, no supplies, and no hope of reinforcements. Drastically outnumbered and pursued by the enemy's best, he must lead his men on a reckless march through northern Kez to safety, and back over the mountains so that he can defend his country from an angry god. In Adro, Inspector Adamat only wants to rescue his wife. To do so he must track down and confront the evil Lord Vetas. He has questions for Vetas concerning his enigmatic master, but the answers might come too quickly. With Tamas and his powder cabal presumed dead, Taniel Two-shot finds himself alongside the god-chef Mihali as the last line of defence against Kresimir's advancing army. Tamas's generals bicker among themselves, the brigades lose ground every day beneath the Kez onslaught, and Kresimir wants the head of the man who shot him in the eye.

My thoughts:

I was I could be all eloquent, but alas, I am the kind of reviewer that goes OMG and amazeballs! I feel like I should go all proper with this one, say those fine words and analyse. But like I said, that is not me. So imagine a long thoughtful review while I go on with my business ;)

This book is so amazing! Flintlock fantasy is just so cool, it's different when it mixes magic and guns. And it's another era.

Our 3 main guys are Tamas, who gets stuck in Kez and is hunted by the enemy army. Sure he brought down a king and nobility, but he cares for his soldiers and his country. But most of all, his revenge. I like him.

Adamat is still trying to find his wife and kids. He is kind of the normal guy that is not so normal. He is a good ex-cop, and he never gives up.

Then we have Tanil who brought down a God. But he has new battles to fight and I got to know him and Pole better in this book. They are quite the pair. 

Then we have others, baddies, army folk, Nila who is still trying to save that kid and others. All in all making is a great cast of characters who I care for, and who I hate.

War, guns, magic and a country that does not know which foot to stand on. This book has it all and more. Rich characters, a good world, interesting magic and characters who feel real. They are not heroes all the time, they are just people.

Conclusion:

Totally a fantasy series that I recommend. I read it in a day :) A good day it was too.

Cover

cool

Hardcover, UK edition, 596 pages
Published May 6th 2014 by Orbit (first published January 1st 2014)
The Powder Mage #2
Fantasy
Library