PDF The Autumn Republic The Powder Mage Trilogy Brian McClellan 9780316219112 Books

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Product details Series The Powder Mage Trilogy (Book 3) Paperback 640 pages Publisher Orbit; Reprint edition (January 5, 2016) Language English ISBN-10 0316219118

The Autumn Republic The Powder Mage Trilogy Brian McClellan 9780316219112 Books Reviews

• Man was that ever a fitting end to this Trilogy!! The Autumn Republic continued the trend of just the right amount of action and politics!! The story pretty much picks up right where we left off and it takes off a break neck speed. We follow the story of Tamas, Taniel, and Adamat again but Nila who has been a small side character becomes a fourth point of view character which I greatly appreciated, her character always intrigued me, even more so in the final book. Thanks to the POV inclusion of Nila we get a ton more backstory and information on just how the Privileged magic system truly works. The Privileged were always so mysterious because you knew of them just not how they worked. I also really liked the full addition of Nila because along with Tamas and Taniel her story arc was so so good. It definitely was needed due to the fact that Adamat felt like he lost his purpose to be honest. Had he been removed from the story completely I think this book could have been outstanding. One thing Brian does wonders with is his character development. All the characters had their time to shine and from books one to the end of book three each and every single character came out the finale changed. This is true more so in Borbador, who is more a side character but man is he a different character from when we are introduced to him in Promise of Blood. I truly stand by me saying that this series is a fantastic debut for Brian McClellan and if he consistently improves with each and every book then I most certainly cannot wait to read what comes next.
• First off, I was really looking forward to this book. The Crimson Campaign was one of my favorite books of last year. The entire trilogy is pretty good even with the slow start to Promise of Blood, but I have to say that McClellan wasn’t quite able to stick the landing with the Autumn Republic. I was hoping to love this book and am somewhat disappointed to merely like it.
  In my mind the biggest problem is the falling apart of the Adran/Kez conflict. I don’t know if the author got bored with the war or just wanted to throw a twist in, but it didn’t work, especially after two books where this is a central focus. I found it frustrating that it was resolved in too tidy of a manner and all the while no one in the army seems to notice that lines of communication out of the capital are nonexistent, so the “real” conflict is hidden from most of the characters.
  Along with that, too many characters end up overpowered and yet at the same time, pointless. Seriously, Nila’s storyline was done after the Lord Vetas incident in the previous book, but now she’s the super special Privileged who barely knows how to use her powers but still does awesome magic. Nope. Not buying it. Taniel and Ka-poel have the same issues. I was even okay with her outsized abilities as she practices an entirely different type of magic so conceivably she could be mediocre and still seem powerful against the magic practiced in Adro, but no, she’s apparently insanely powerful too. Taniel’s magic has apparently transcended the normal parameters of powder mages, but honestly, it is used to no effect in this book. As a character, he has managed to go nowhere over the course of the trilogy, which saddens me as he had such potential. I also didn't appreciate that the magic system's internal consistencies aren't as solid as they should be, particularly in reference to gods, dead gods, and those stupid gloves.
  Lastly, I think McClellan blew the opportunity to explore just how hard it is to establish new forms of government on the ashes of a deposed monarchy. Yes, the royalists were around in the first book, but by the third, we have a country that is on board with all of this change business and the only problem is the foreigners who won’t stop interfering with Adro. I understand the compulsion to not put too much reality there (in real life, Tamas would have never stepped aside and poof, he’s no longer the good guy), but the characters in Adopest would have had real stakes to deal with. Instead, we have a reasonably fair election right off of the bat in a country that had no representative assembly at all and I’m supposed to buy this as the tidy ending. That’s about as realistic as the US’s nation building exercises of this century succeeding. Along this same vein, one of the characters even mentions the religious right. head desk With no history of representative government, that statement makes zero sense in the world portrayed.
  So what did I like? Tamas. I would follow this character anywhere, including lifelong dictatorship. Does he make crummy decisions sometimes, absolutely. Is he a terrible father, probably not as much as Taniel thinks, but certainly not going to win any awards. I cared what he cared about even when I didn’t want to, and that’s what makes me like a book. I loved how imperfect of a person he is, and that he knew it, but still worked for what he considered the greater good knowing his less than pure motivations. Additionally, Adamat and his interactions with secondary characters were top notch as it has been the entire trilogy. I overall liked the book, above mentioned quibbles aside, and am happy with the time I’ve invested in reading this trilogy.
• Book three continues in the same capacity as the previous books. It's fast-paced, thrilling with no dull moments. There's magic, war, friendship, family and death. There is war between men and war among the Gods. It's a spectacular part of the book, Gods using their power.
  
  Field Marshal Tamas leads the war effort, fighting the Kez and multiple traitors. A potential foe arrives at the shores of Adro. With Tamas and his army away, the people must handle the new arrival on their own. Adro must decide what to make of the man and his army. Is he there to cause war or is he there to bring peace?
  
  Field Marshal Tamas remains a formidable ally and enemy. True to his word, Tamas continues to battle, to finish what was started the night of the coup.
  
  In a sad, heart-wrenching ending, Tamas, Taniel, Bo, Vlora and the soldiers fight to fulfill their purpose to make Adro a democratic republic, free from the tyrannical rule of Kings. These men and women give their lives for their country and their loyalty is inspiring.
  
  In the end, when the dust settles, even the most battle scarred and tested soldiers grieve, love and forgive. War is complicated and takes on new forms, even after guns are laid down.
  
  Excellent story. Highly recommend the series!
• The Autumn Republic is the final book of the Powder Mage Trilogy. Set in a world reminiscent of the early 1800s, magic is alive. Powder Mages exert control over gunpowder and use their magic as marksmen. The Privileged control the various elements with powerful results. The trilogy began with the overthrow of the King of Adro. Field Marshal Tamas sets into motion a series of events that could lead to the destruction of the world.
  
  The real question for the finale of the trilogy is the payoff. Does it bring the story to a satisfying conclusion after about 2000 pages? Absolutely. Even the character I found annoying at the outset was redeemed by the finale. If you enjoy fantasy worlds with complex world building, intriguing characters, and fresh magic, this is a series to check out.