Red-Haired Ash Reads

“Every ending is a beginning, and every beginning an end.”

First off, I should have looked up the recommended reading order for Vaughan’s books because I didn’t realize this book should be read after reading the Epic of Palins series. The events that happened in that series tie directly into this series and affect the people of the Plains in this book. I had no problems following Simon and Snowfall’s story or what was happening, but there are frequent references to what the Warrior-Priests did that were not explained because it happened in the other series. I will be reading that series before continuing this series to better understand what is happening. 

No onto this book. Simus is at the heart of the Plains to challenge for warlord status. Simus is a character that I have loved since he was introduced. He is loud, vibrant, and full of life. I enjoyed getting to see a more serious side of him and watching him fall head over heels for Snowfall. This is an instant love story. Simus falls for her in one look but the fact that she is a warrior-priest causes problems. Snowfall was a deadly warrior with some useful magical abilities. I really liked her and look forward to seeing more of her in the future. While I did enjoy these two’s relationship, it was very fast with little wooing. 

“She is the flame of my heart…”

A lot happens in this book outside of Simus and Snowfall’s relationship. The Warrior-Priests have been decimated, magic is alive again, and wyverns have been unleashed. It will be very interesting to see how the people of the plains adapt to these new threats. Overall, this was a great book and I look forward to reading more in this series, but after I read the Epic of Palins series so I can better understand everything that happened. 

Trigger Warnings: death, violence, injuries and gore

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Previous books and reviews for the series:

1. Warprize
2. Warsworn
3. Warlord
4. Warcry