Review: The Forgemaster Cycle Trilogy

The Forgemaster Cycle Trilogy: The Complete Epic Fantasy Adventure. by Joshua C. Cook
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Dark and Epic Fantasy with Hits and Misses

The Forgemaster series, written by Joshua C. Cook, is a thrilling and epic fantasy series that takes readers on an unforgettable journey. The series includes three books: Blood of a Fallen God, The Anvil of Souls, and A City in Blue -- all three are included in this Omnibus. The series is set in an intriguing world, and the plot moves at a fast pace. The series' primary focus is on William, a simple smith who is tossed into an ancient conflict between gods. The Forgemaster series is a must-read for high fantasy lovers who look for an epic and immersive story.

The first book, Blood of a Fallen God, sets the foundation for the series with its dark and epic story. William and his brother take on the corrupt priesthood and blood cult, and the story is told from multiple perspectives. While some of the ancillary characters could have been developed better, the dialog, main characters, and story are well-written, and the narration in the audiobook is excellent.

The second book, The Anvil of Souls, is not as good as the first. The plot is unfocused, and most of the book is a chronicle of a long journey taken by the central protagonists, William, Myriam, and Regin. The characters were a disappointment in this book as they seemed more dense and oblivious than in the previous book, and William, in particular, was an impotent hero. However, the narration in the audiobook is still excellent, and the story's build-up at the end compensates for some of its flaws.

The third book, A City in Blue, is a vast improvement over its predecessor. The book is a departure from the previous book, exploring a new world while still carrying over some narrative arcs from the previous books. The book's strengths are the new setting, the interesting and fresh magic system, and the split-point-of-view narrative. The primary protagonists, William and Myriam, are much improved in this book, and Myriam, in particular, shines.

Overall, the Forgemaster series is a thrilling and epic fantasy series worth reading. The series has its ups and downs, but the first and third books are well-done and engaging. The series has flaws, but the audiobook's excellent narration compensates for some of the series' weaknesses.

A special thanks to Eric Moore, who provided me with a copy of the audiobook at my request.

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