The Infernal Battalion Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Django Wexler
Publisher: Roc
Genre: Flintlock Fantasy
Series: Shadow Campaigns Book Five
Pages: 512

(Spoilers for Shadow Campaigns Books 1-4 are below).

The Beast is unleashed. 

Absorbing mind after mind, it's building an army. And leading that army is Janus bet Vhalnich the undefeated and greatest general in Vordan's history. Only Winter Ihernglass is aware of the Beast's escape and it's abilities to control people's minds. Deep in Murnskai she must make her way back to Vordan to warn the others and confront the Beast itself as she hosts the only demon that might be able to defeat it.

In Vordan, Raesinia Orboan works with Marcus D'Ivoire to heal their country after years of warfare, but when Janus declares himself emperor all hope of peace is shattered. Raesinia is forced to begin political negotiations Vordan's oldest enemy to save her country, and Marcus once again heads into battle to face the commander that's taught him everything.

The Guns of Empire Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Django Wexler
Publisher: Roc
Genre: Flintlock Fantasy
Series: Shadow Campaigns Book Four
Pages: 464

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With all immediate threats to Vordan removed, Queen Raesinia Orboan wishes to make peace with her once enemies. But First Consul Janus bet Vhalnich has other plans, and he won't stop until Elysium and the Black Pontifex are defeated, even if he has to march across the vast Murnskai Empire to do so. For Winter Ihernglass and Marcus D'Ivoire this upcoming war means choosing between their loyalty to the crown, or the general that's won them every battle.

The Price of Valor Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Django Wexler
Publisher: Roc
Genre: Flintlock Fantasy, Military Fantasy
Series: The Shadow Campaigns Book Three
Pages: 512

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(Spoilers for The Thousand Names and The Shadow Throne).

For those of you out there who haven’t started reading The Shadow Campaigns you’re missing out on one of the best fantasy series’ currently being written. The Thousand Names, the first book, was a good book, it wasn’t great but it was good.  The Shadow Throne, the second book, was absolutely brilliant. It’s a massive jump in quality storytelling, which I liken to how I felt when reading Elfstones of Shannara after The Sword of Shannara. It’s really that much better.

The Shadow Throne Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Django Wexler
Publisher: Roc
Genre: Flintlock Fantasy, Military Fantasy
Series: The Shadow Campaigns Book Two
Pages: 498

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(Spoilers for The Thousand Names are below).

The Thousand Names was a well written debut. However there were issues with the plot, which could get really predictable, and Jen Alhundt’s short-lived relationship with Marcus came across as unbelievable. With a predictable plot, there’s not always a whole lot of motivation to dig into a sequel by that author, but Django Wexler’s three main characters – Winter, Janus, and Marcus – were strong enough to see the story to an enjoyable conclusion, plus all the historical and military details established a well thought out world.

Most second books in a fantasy series tend to struggle, too, but I decided to plow ahead with reading this sequel. Thankfully … Django Wexler delivers. Everything about The Shadow Throne is better than The Thousand Names.  The character development, the plots, the social relevance, the historical details, the worldbuilding, the exploitation of the magic system, all of it.

The Thousand Names Book Review

by The Wanderer

Author: Django Wexler
Publisher: Roc
Genre: Flintlock Fantasy, Military Fantasy
Series: The Shadow Campaigns Book One
Pages: 513

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The Thousands Names is the first book in Django Wexler’s Shadow Campaigns, a planned five book series. Wexler combines a character named chapter structure that’s similar to the style George R.R. Martin uses in Game of Thrones, while writing in the genre of a flintlock military fantasy.

The combination’s pretty effective as Wexler gives readers some well flushed out main characters, but a pretty straight forward plot that only really opens up at the end.  Nevertheless we’d recommend Wexler’s book to fans of military fantasy, character driven fantasy, and historical influenced fantasy – particularly if you’re interested in military history from the 18th and 19th centuries.