The Emperor's Blades

by Brian Staveley
The Emperor's Blades cover
Good Books rating 3.73
Fantasy
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 2259
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781447235828
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2014-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Emperor's Blades follows the journey of the children of an assassinated emperor as they strive to survive and avenge their father's death. Each sibling embarks on a unique path: one finds solace in a monastery, another trains with elite soldiers, and the third rises as a determined minister. As they navigate their individual destinies, they must confront the complexities of power, loyalty, and identity in a world fraught with danger and uncertainty. The story weaves together themes of family, duty, and the struggle for justice, set against the backdrop of a richly imagined fantasy world.

Reviews
Fantasy Hive · 2017-09-30
good 3.50

The pacing is strong once it gets going, and the settings and scenes are vivid, making the book enjoyable despite some flaws. The world-building is impressive, but the plot can feel thin at times.

The reviewer found that 'The Emperor's Blades' has a lot to offer, particularly in its vivid settings and strong pacing once the story gets going. The world-building is one of the standout features, creating a rich and immersive environment that draws the reader in. However, they also noted that the plot can feel thin at times, which might detract from the overall experience. Despite this, the book is seen as a solid entry in the fantasy genre, with plenty to like.

Quick quotes

    the pacing is fairly strong once it gets going

    the settings and scenes are really vivid

    the world-building is impressive

Aidan Moher · Aidan Moher · 2014-06-18
great 4.00

The book is more of a coming-of-age story rather than an epic struggle for the throne, which might disappoint some readers looking for grander themes. The characters and their development are well-crafted, adding depth to the narrative.

Aidan Moher highlights that 'The Emperor's Blades' is very much a coming-of-age story, focusing on the personal journeys of the characters rather than the epic struggle for the Unhewn Throne. This focus on character development is seen as a strength, with the characters being well-crafted and adding depth to the narrative. However, this might disappoint readers looking for a more grand-scale epic with high stakes and world-altering conflicts. The reviewer appreciates the intimate and personal approach, making the story more relatable and engaging.

Quick quotes

    The Emperor's Blades is very much a coming of age story

    It's less about the epic struggle for the Unhewn Throne and the fate of the world

    The characters and their development are well-crafted

Fantasy Book Review · 1970-01-01
excellent 3.70

The overarching plot is brilliant, with the three protagonists being separate yet intrinsically linked, creating a sense of danger and intrigue. The characters are well-developed, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book.

The reviewer praises the overarching plot of 'The Emperor's Blades' as brilliant, highlighting how the three protagonists are separated yet intrinsically linked, creating a sense of danger and intrigue throughout the story. This structure keeps the reader engaged and invested in the characters' journeys. The characters themselves are well-developed, adding depth and richness to the narrative. The reviewer finds the book to be a captivating read, with strong suspense and well-crafted characters that make the story memorable.

Quick quotes

    The overarching plot is a brilliant one

    separate your three protagonists but have them be intrinsically linked

    and in danger

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