Seeds of War (goodreads) is a high-fantasy of returning gods,  morally gray characters, and a little bit of politicking.
     Seeds of War’s strength lies in its characters, all of whom are varying degrees of internal moral complexity, from mercenary lords, to false prophets, and pseudo mob-bosses. Most of them, and this is their strength, land well, hitting the balance of likability and rootability while maintaining that edge of brutality or dirt that makes them interesting to follow, and allows them to navigate the world in dynamic ways. Of the three pov stories, Gimlore’s is probably the strongest as her story, and the dangers afflicting it, are the most immediate and personal. I found one of the stories, Orberesis’s, hard to invest in, but this is more do to due to personal taste more than any significant failing from the author; I struggle to invest where I cannot trust the main character.
     The prose and general writing is solid, delivering various impactful or tense moments, and effectively constructing both action scenes and visuals. The smokesmiths in particular felt ‘visually’ cool to me, and the method of their creation is enjoyably tactile and fantastical.
     For those looking for those interested in a gritty high-fantasy with complex characters, this is probably a book you’ll like.

If I’ve managed to spark your interest, check out the author on goodreads or brave the wilds of his website.

If you like what you read here, and like your reading on the darker side, check out my review of a Song For the Void, which is a lovely cosmic horror set in the orient during the time of the opium wars.