*I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I meant to write this review up a while ago. But, while I blazed through the book pretty quickly, I just couldn’t carve out the time to write this up, which is silly because this is probably gonna be a short review.
Season of Vengeance is the second book in AJ Rettger’s Raven’s War Trilogy. I reviewed the first book, Season of Kings, not too long ago (read that here: https://pagechewing.com/season-of-kings-by-a-j-rettger-a-review).
That’s sorta why this will probably be a short review. Maybe I just need to work on reviewing sequels. But there’s already that one to build on. If you haven’t read Season of Kings yet, go do that. But I won’t include any spoilers here for either.
If you’re looking for brutal grimdark, with an eclectic cast of characters, this series is for you. This book picks up right where the first one left off, not skipping a beat and throwing the reader back into the action immediately. It’s relentless like that. Immediately, the world consumed the reader, reminding just how tumultuous it is.
Some characters from the first book return and we’re introduced to some new faces as well. I’m not gonna name anyone this time around, because I feel like just mentioning that a character from Season of Kings is in this book, is a bit of a spoiler in and of itself. Because really… no one is safe in this world!
That’s why this review is gonna be pretty short and sweet. Season of Vengeance takes everything Rettger established in Season of Kings: a wide range of characters, a war-torn land, a bleak, grim setting, a general malaise and hopelessness as these people struggle to survive, find their vengeance, or dare I say attempt to (at least insofar as they believe) better their world…
It takes all those things, and more, and runs with them. Season of Vengeance is the mace to the skull, crushing and caving in already splintered bone. The blade, sharpened as Rettger continues to hone his craft, to the throat. Disaster looms at every corner, befalling our beloved (or despised) characters in ways they never saw coming.
So, if you’re looking for an excellent, engaging, brutal grimdark read pick this up. If you’ve read Season of Kings, you’ve got an idea of what you’re in for, and Season of Vengeance certainly does not disappoint. If you haven’t read Season of Kings yet, and this sounds up your alley… then what are you waiting for? Just get them both now!
I will eagerly, but patiently (because seriously, this book just came out), await the next installment.
Get your copies here: https://www.ajrettger.com
