As the title implies, I’m in the middle of this book (well, almost the middle), so this is not a review, just some thoughts along the way.
Banners of Wrath
DETAILS: Series: Dreams of Dust and Steel, #3 Publisher: Chainbreaker Books Publication Date: February 12, 2026 Format: eARC Length: 873 pg.>
What’s Banners of Wrath About?
In short, Namarr is at war–from within and, pretty soon, from without. Some characters are trying to stop the war (which, at this point, equals winning it before it gets worse), some are trying to take advantage of it, some are ignoring it in favor of their own concerns, and some are just trying to survive.
Obviously, the bulk of the book is picking up where Book 2, A Graveyard for Heroes left off. But there are some smaller plots that were largely absent from the last half that get picked up, too. And there’s one storyline that wasn’t really a factor in that book, but is coming back into the spotlight (although not as much–yet–as it was in The Price of Power).
A Huge Plus
We get several pages of a recap of the series before the novel kicks off. With something as intricate as this series, that’s so helpful.
I really appreciate the way Michel keeps even this on theme, calling it, “The Cost Thus Far.” This whole series has been about prices to be paid. And this recap underlines many who have already paid.
Dramatis personae
There’s a lengthy dramatis personae at the beginning of the novel–if you’re like me, keep it open on your phone while you use an e-reader for easy reference. If you got your hands on a paper copy, keep a bookmark there–you’re going to want to check it often for the first third or so (results may vary on your attention span or memory).
Michel breaks it down into the 6 major plotlines of the book, so you can easily find who you’re looking for.
I’m almost far enough now that I don’t need to be checking names–but I find it reassuring that I can go back to it just in case.
New Characters
That reminds me–there are (understandably) a good number of new characters–I’m sure some of which will survive until the end of the book, and maybe even until the next. My only problem with any of them that I’ve come across is that the more of these new ones there are, the less time we’ll get with those already established. But other than that, there are a number that I’m eager to get to know better–and a couple that I hope find themselves at the pointy end of a sword soon.
I assume that Michel is going to terminate most that I want to see more of, and will allow the others to prosper. But a guy can hope, right?
So, what am I thinking about Banners of Wrath?
This book hits the ground running, and doesn’t let up. There’ve been some pretty exciting scenes already, some good fights–and they’re all precursors to sometime more–you can tell.
In each storyline there’s a very imminent threat of doom–very likely doom brought about by betrayal. The reader will have been told about some forms of betrayal soon to be seen–and the rest you’re pretty sure where they could come from. I don’t know that each storyline is going to take a big turn due to betrayal of some sort–but most of them will. I’m just sitting here on the edge of my seat wondering which, when and how.
I’m finding some characters that I really enjoyed previously leaving me feel pretty ambivalent at the moment. And there are two characters that I didn’t care much about–if I didn’t outright dislike/distrust them–that I’m coming around on. I’m not expecting that they’ll turn out to be heroes of the piece or anything, but I can see wanting more of them on the page.
I’ll come back in a few hundred pages–following several character deaths and a lot of harrowing moments for the survivors–with some fuller thoughts, but for now, here’s where I am. If you’ve read books 1 or 2, you’re probably waiting for this book already–and, at best, need this post to remind you that this is available. If you haven’t read any of these yet, let me encourage you to give them a try.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from the author but this my honest opinion—but also, the copy I ordered months ago downloaded to my e-Reader before I posted this, so…I only got a little bit of a head-start.
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