I borrowing bits from my In Medias Res check-in.
Banners of Wrath
DETAILS: Series: Dreams of Dust and Steel, #3 Publisher: Chainbreaker Books Publication Date: February 12, 2026 Format: eARC Length: 873 pg.>
Read Date: February 7-18, 2026
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—as it was in The Price of Power).
It’s hard to talk about this beyond that—I’ve tried, but really, this is part 3 of something that needs to be read from the beginning.
Why did I pick this up? Why did I keep reading?
This is a very simple answer for both questions: because of the first 100 pages of The Price of Power (possibly fewer). I’m in for this series until the final page, or until Garlenna is killed, whichever comes first.
Okay, that’s not true—I’m in until the last page, if only so I can rant about Michel offing Garlenna with full context and be able to defend how it wasn’t worth it for the ending.
What does this book tell us about humanity?
That we are a giant mixed bag of depravity, self-interest, fear, and noble actions. Sometimes, good—on a micro- or macro- level—comes from this, often it doesn’t. So, you know…it’s a pretty accurate representation.
There’s a lot to admire in various characters—self-sacrifice, acts of love, people trying to improve themselves. People “improving” themselves against their own impulses because of someone else. People fighting dark inner impulses (not always successfully).
So, what did I think about Banners of Wrath?
Michel is on the verge of telling too many stories—and some of them make me wonder why he’s telling them. Are they really going to pay off in a way that justifies stretching our attention? Also, the chronology of too many of the storylines is slippery; it’s hard to know just when past events are happening (and each time I think I nail it down, I’m given a reason to question it).
Note, however the use of the word “verge” there. Also, I’m sure that the chronologies will become clear soon enough.
The important things to say that this book is as good as the last—both almost as good as the first (see what I said about the number of stories). The character development (and/or what we’re shown about them before we met them) is fantastic and entirely satisfying. The combat scenes are so well executed—and most of the emotionally raw scenes are better. The characters…ugh. I can’t talk about how much I love these characters (even the ones I hope end up losing a duel to the Dread Pirate Roberts “to the pain.”).
My big complaint is how Michel spoiled us by releasing the first too books so close together so we were lulled into thinking we’d continue to be fed that quickly (and, yes, he was clear about his schedule from the beginning—shhhhhh). Other than that, all I can say is that book four is going to be so grim, that I can only hope he gives us a few rays of hope as he prepares us for the final book.
If you haven’t yet—go get The Price of Power and A Graveyard for Heroes. Then come back here after you’ve read Banners of Wrath and tell me what you’re thinking. Deal?
aquavenatus
I’ve never heard of this series. I just followed the books and the author online. I hope to read this series soon.