The Silent Army
James A. Moore
Angry Robot Books
UK Print
Date: 7th April 2016
Format: Medium (B-Format) Paperback
R.R.P.: £8.99
North American Print
Date: 3rd May 2016
Format: Small (Mass-Market) Paperback
R.R.P.: US$7.99 / CAN$9.99
Ebook
Date: 5th April 2016
Format: Epub & Mobi
R.R.P.: £5.49 / US$6.99
The fourth volume in James A. Moore’s Seven Forges series hits shelves in the US today May 3. [After I posted the review Angry Robot informed me the release date in the US has been moved back, so you’ve got time to get caught up on the series in need be and can preorder the book. Meanwhile, I’m going to taunt you because I’ve been able to read this book and you have to wait.] If you’ve been reading this blog long, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of this series. (See reviews of the previous volumes here, here, and here.) I’d like to thank Angry Robot Books for providing me the review copy.
The Silent Army has a lot to live up to from the previous volumes in this series. I’m glad to say that it does. The Fellein Empire has been losing every battle in the war with the Sa’ba Taalor. Things are about to change. The question is will it be enough or will they go down in defeat.
Moore pulls a few tricks out of his sleeve. One thing about this series is that it keeps you on your toes.
I don’t want to give too much away, especially if you haven’t read the series. (And if not, why not? C’mon, what’s the matter with you?) I will say this. The silent army is awesome. They’re stone warriors who protect the City of Wonders. The first time one of them comes out of a wall to engage in combat, it’s one of the best, most exciting scenes in the book.
Which brings me to something I would like to point out. At the risk of sounding like I’m sucking up, James A. Moore keeps getting better. The cast of characters expands. Moore juggles them with ease, giving each one some background so that they don’t all run together.
And the battle scenes, whether it’s individual combat or armies clashing, are riveting. Plus the intrigue keeps on getting more complex.
The silent army has their work cut out for them. They’re fighting a war against gods who are gods of war. The Sa’ba Taalor are only the soldiers, they’re not the ones calling the shots. What chance do stone and human armies stand against gods who can reshape the landscape and the armies that serve them?
The ending has some surprises in it. My take on it is that The Silent Army is the end of an arc but not the end of the story. The last few pages fairly say as much.
I don’t know if we’re going to see another volume in the Seven Forges series anytime soon or not. I hope it won’t be long. But if it is, or if The Silent Army wraps things up for good, it’s been a great ride with a good conclusion.
This is one is highly recommended.
