Engines Of Chaos by R.S Ford

 

The battle rages on in Torwyn.  Sanctan, son of the former Emperor, still reigns as the head of the Dragon cult and is determined to end artifice and engines.  The Guilds are still trying to fight back with Rosomon, the Emperor's sister, heading up the opposing forces, although she has never had any military training.  She has gained some new allies while others the Guilds were counting on have caved in to the Dragons.  Rosomon's children could be her allies if they were still here.  Fulren was lost a he returned from captivity.  Conall Hawkspur was serving in a far-flung military base and has not returned.  Her daughter, Tyreta, has returned from the jungle but is sent out again to try to gain allies for the battles ahead.

There are also new characters.  Keara is the daughter of another one of the Guilds.  She is desperate for her guild to have power and influence but they are small and relatively weak.  She and Tyreta, who goes on a mission for her mother to find and bring back more artificers with more power, are locked in a battle for supremacy.  Ansel is the Sanctan's bodyguard and executioner.  He starts to question Sanctan's decisions as he sees that Sanctan doesn't follow the rules he sets for others and rather than being a spiritual leader, spends his days in debauchery.  He disobeys Sanctan and saves a young girl named Grace who is Sanctan's illegitimate daughter.

This is the second book in the trilogy.  I can't wait to read the next and see what happens to all these characters and how the alliances work out.  Ford's action is fast and furious and he will sacrifice a main character in a heartbeat.  Brutal but compelling read.  I listened to this novel. There are several narrators voicing various characters and listening adds another dimension to the story.  This book is recommended for fantasy readers.