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MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
Format: Kindle Whispersync
BOOK DESCRIPTION
The endgame has begun.
The battle for the emperor’s throne grows ever fiercer. Araxes cowers behind locked doors as the clash of the downtrodden and the powerful bring the great game of Araxes to its chaotic conclusion.
With the soulblade at his hip and magic in his soul, Caltro’s freedom is almost within his grasp. But as Temsa’s reign of murder collides with Widow Horix’s plans, Caltro’s fate becomes all the more entwined with the needs of dead gods, vengeful royals, and the Cult.
While the Core Districts descend into mayhem, debts left unpaid in the desert haunt Nilith’s long-awaited arrival in the city. A new foe is hunting her through the streets: an enemy with enough power to rival even that of the Cloudpiercer.
Yet all their struggles pale in comparison to the dark omen that is spreading through the empire, lurking beneath their feet:
MY REVIEW
There are endings that feel earned, and then there’s Breaking Chaos. An ending that straight-up murdered ‘earned,’ snapped its coin in half, and chucked the half-piece into the Nyxwell with a grin. This finale doesn’t just own the trilogy; it locks it in a copper coffin and absolutely claims it. What a ride this series was, and it was worth the re-read to be able to give it the review and extra love that it deserved, especially because I honestly didn’t remember much, and that’s a problem I found I had with audio only reads. This series will stick with me now.
While Chasing Graves and Grim Solace were heavier on the GrimDark tone, Breaking Chaos felt more in tune with GrimHeart. It delivered all the violence and chaos a reader could crave, but still wrapped up in a gratifying, heartfelt way that I suspect is Ben Galley’s calling card, since most of what I’ve read from him has that same vibe. I honestly love that style; it reminds me a lot of Ryan Cahill’s tone.
Caltro and Pointy are easily my favorite characters and a lot of it has to do with the banter they share, it makes every scene even better when they are together. With that said, Nilith is just awesome, I thought she was given a perfect opportunity to shine as much as Caltro despite him being the lead pov. The supporting cast in the story got to shine a little as well, as Horix, Sisine, and Temsa all made their ruthless plays for the throne, all while dealing with the scheming Cult/Church of Sesh. Heles dealing with repercussions of her investigation, and even Ani and Danib were given time to shine to splatter a little blood themselves.
“Each of us wears a veil. It is one of decorum and civilisation, and we drape it over the animal skin we wore for millennia before towers and cobbles.”
With delicious twists that came in like a wrecking ball, to deaths on a grand scale and a flying boat, this story had an incredible life of its own as it unfolded. Exciting fights, that I do wish lasted a tad longer, that were a bit anticlimactic, but exciting nonetheless. One scene stuck out to me the most and it was the most meaningful: the unlocking of the door by Caltro. This wasn’t just any locking picking scene, it was beautifully written as a sword duel, a battle of wits and minds, and an absolute chefs kiss where the master lock picker meets the master of all locks where only one survives.
The narration by Moira Quirk and Samuel Roukin was once again, flawless as they brought these characters to life. They worked off of each other to perfection, voicing a sprawling cast of scheming soultraders, murderous royals, and one very pissed-off locksmith. They don’t just read the book, they possess it.
Finishing the trilogy has also made one thing painfully clear: I’m hopelessly addicted to Ben Galley’s prose, it’s sharp, witty, and flows so effortlessly. Now that Chasing Graves is over, it makes me want to finish Scarlet Star (which needs narration, hint hint, wink wink). I also really need to start Emaneska and Scallussen… there’s a lot of Galley in my future, that’s for sure.
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