The Providence of Fire

Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 2

By: Brian Staveley

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 24 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Brian Staveley's The Providence of Fire, the second novel in the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, a gripping new epic fantasy series in the tradition of Brandon Sanderson and George R. R. Martin.

The conspiracy to destroy the ruling family of the Annurian Empire is far from over.

Having learned the identity of her father's assassin, Adare flees the Dawn Palace in search of allies to challenge the coup against her family. Few trust her, but when she is believed to be touched by Intarra, patron goddess of the empire, the people rally to help her retake the capital city. As armies prepare to clash, the threat of invasion from barbarian hordes compels the rival forces to unite against their common enemy.

Unknown to Adare, her brother Valyn, renegade member of the empire's most elite fighting force, has allied with the invading nomads. The terrible choices each of them has made may make war between them inevitable.

Between Valyn and Adare is their brother Kaden, rightful heir to the Unhewn Throne, who has infiltrated the Annurian capital with the help of two strange companions. The knowledge they possess of the secret history that shapes these events could save Annur or destroy it.

©2014 Brian Staveley (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

So far the best

This is by far the better of the two books. Can't wait for book three hope it comes sooner than the last one.

Bloody, Graphic, Suspenseful

Topped book one, very gritty, a lot of twist but easy to keep up. Good story, fast paced highly recommend listen.

Where is the next novel?? Please....

Listened to both novels in the series back to back. For me it was the perfect balance between scene descriptions and general story line. All three siblings have had very different upbringings. The talents each have is formidable.
A truly great story.

Great Fantasy

I loved the first book Emperor's Blades, and this was equally great. The author does well with building characters and then putting them in situations to react. I also like that the author is not afraid to have certain characters die. He just pulls you so well into this world and makes you care.

The tension between emotion, reason and tactical and strategic nececessity

Some here criticize what they called poor decision-making a part of the characters. The title and the prologue about the "Providence of Fire" - that tension between deliberate and strategic use of a second fire as a fire break and the consequent and indiscriminate destruction caused for the greater good is the main theme of the book. The three main characters are driven to make choices they deem necessary that will have a destructive impact on their world and each other. Each sibling represents a different side of the whole of the ruling father. While the story did lag at times, the trials and tribulations Staveley puts his characters through is necessary as part of the process paralleling the theme of the book.

Simon Vance is an extraordinary narrator and helps bring the story to live and give it cohesion and keeps it entertaining.

This is an impressive debut series from an author who bears watching. I can't wait for the concluding book

I liked it

Liked it. Not as interesting as the first book. I hope I like the third book a little better.

Amazing Second Entry!

I have to admit that I wasn’t crazy about the first book but really wanted to continue on with the series to give it a fair shake. And I’m glad I did! Kaden, Valyn, and Adare’s POV’s were all great and there wasn’t really anything I hated about this book (maybe Adare...). I felt like it was nonstop excitement from beginning to finish and I can’t wait to use my next credit on the third one. If you were on the fence about the first one, definitely give this one a shake before you make up your mind.

Outstanding

This is the best series I've listened to in years. The story is hard hitting and real all the way. I keep waiting for one of the main characters to die and the twist and turns just keep coming! I can't wait until the next book! Well done!

NOT AS ENGROSSING AS THE FIRST NOVEL

I found installment #2 not to be an engrossing as the first installment. I found my mind wandering more often than not, especially during those tedious scenes explaining the overall plots and scheme carried on inside and out the Malchanean empire. The story overall though is enjoyable and sets up the inevitable third installment. Looking forward to it!

Good follow up

really good book. great follow up to the first. really leaves you excited for the third installment. a few spots hotter kinda like ok, just flipping go and ask or no don't hide flipping go see...ahhh.people cross paths but ate not aware then don't communicate and it's frustratingly good. but mostly it's just really good.