Ruin

Without a doubt the best book in the series so far. A master class in traditional fantasy epic that follows Campbell's hero's journey.

I don't think there's a book which made me more invested in characters than this one. I was in tears several times, though not at the ending where I just wanted to punch Gwynne for writing it. He uses the momentum and the established events of previous books in a brilliant manner to both break hearts and fill them with joy.

If you accept that it's not going to break new ground but instead polish the old one to perfection there's really nothing to criticize here. Perhaps only that with exception of Drassil there still isn't a single fort/city/town which would feel large enough for the warbands that we follow. Where do all these people and their families live? The world feels vast only because the forts and towns are far apart, not because there are many people in it.

If for some reason you're reading this “review” without reading the previous books just go read them. Get through the slog in Malice and I promise it'll be worth it. Story accelerates towards the end and really never lets go from there. Valor and Ruin are both page turners all the way through. Let's hope Wrath sticks the landing.