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.
Glad to hear.
Actually, the book hits the UK today (I guess?)
The US release will be in May 3.
Jim has said he has another series for Angry Robot and depending after that, he might return to the world of Seven Forges but probably another era (?) and different characters.
I’m not sure about the UK release date. I copied the release dates straight off of Angry Robot’s page for the book last night when I wrote the review, which apparently wasn’t updated at the time. I’ve corrected the US date, and Angry Robot didn’t mention a change in the UK publication.
There’s definitely a big loose end I hope he resolves in a future book. I’m looking forward to what his new series turns out to be.
Thee are plans for three more books, but they are a different story arc. 🙂
And thanks for the kind words, Keith!
You’re welcome. Thanks for the hours of good entertainment. I figured there was another arc in the future given what loose ends you tied up and which you didn’t, particularly involving one couple.
Can’t wait! But I guess I’ll have to. 😛
It will be worth the wait.
Oh, I am certain of that. Getting a new book gives me the same heart-thumping excitement Christmas gifts wrapped in shiny paper gave me as a child. More so when I’m following a series.
Same here.