Jo Fletcher Books Priest of Gallows

IThere's a quote on the front cover by Mark Lawrence, saying it's very "more-ish" and I have to agree. Very much looking forward to the fourth and final book in this series.I've got a very strong voice in my head for Tomas Piety and this is maybe why I keep turning the pages - I feel like I'm in his shoes. at least in his thought processes. I feel like I know him quite well by now. And I believe this is down to Peter McLean's excellent handling of Tomas' narration. I felt the weariness in him; I understand the hopes he has for his family combined with the knowledge that his whole world is essentially a powder keg; and I sympathise with his situation, being stuck between a hard reality and a despicable Vogel.The last point there is where a lot of Grimdark really pulls the reader in. Tomas Piety has the same problems as certain characters in Abercrombie's First Law trilogy - no matter how hard you try to change things or escape, you can't. These people, Tomas included, are not particularly nice (he is a murderer) but by contrasting him with a greater evil, you sympathise with his predicament.The supporting cast are fantastic. Bloody Anne needs her own series (a prequel? during the war?), Billy becomes ever more important to the plot, and Ailsa remains impenetrable as to where her true loyalties lie and what motivates her.I'm fairly sure there'll be no happy ending overall, but I hope one or two characters will ride off into the sunset.

I loved Priest of Bones so much I couldn't wait to read this. The story grows & shifts, as do the characters. I love the character of Bloody Anne & how McClean creates strong, realistic female characters.

An absolute triumph of a book. Superbly well written and I devoured it in one sitting. No spoilers but Tomas is drawn deeper into the machinations of the Queen's Men and finds himself conflicted. Truly grimdark but not for the sake of being grimdark - the characters are troubled ones; PTSD, turning to drink to cope, unremittingly violent.A banger. Buy it! Read Priest of Lies and Priest of Bones first though!

Peaky Blinders with a bit o’ magic! Great morally grey characters

Thoroughly enjoyable third book in this dark, but exciting series.