I did not expect to love this book so much. I read the previous three and thoroughly enjoyed them, but this book was just a pure joy to read. While books one to three are somehow very dark and twisted, this one -even though it centers on an assassin priest- ist just filled with so much life and humor that it stands in stark contrast to the rest of the series. I didn’t want it to end and highly recommend it to anyone. ( )

As I finished this book not 10 minutes ago, laying it down on my bed, I sat up and let slip a whispered astonished and awe-filled, "Holy shit."

It has been a very, very long time since a book has hit me this hard and so beautifully. ( )

I liked the beginning quite a bit, and as with all of these the story dragged me in pretty effectively - always anxious to know what happened next. But a lot of the philosophical musings on love and death wrapped up in the story did not seem to fit well. And there were enough little annoyances that I can't recommend it highly. ( )

It's a big challenge, building a novel around the concept of love. Not just around a romance--though that is its own sort of challenge, that of making the connect of these two characters feel real--but around Love As A Thing. You run the risk of making your theme too grandiose and intrusive. You run the risk of presenting Love-as-a-thing in a way that does not resonate for the reader. Staveley takes a game and spirited swing at it, but for me, doesn't quite connect cleanly enough to hit it out of the park.

Which is a shame, because the vast majority of this book is really good. Pyrre remains an awesome character, and a great narrator. She sits in a tight net of fantastic supporting characters, including two other awesome female characters. The story has scope, pace, a braid of astounding choices and events, and a rich and vivid setting. I really enjoyed it. (I found it much more satisfying and interesting than The Emperor's Blades.)

But that ending... I'm not sure if it's that fundamental disconnect--the author's vision not connecting for me--or if there's actually too little of the finale theme foreshadowed throughout. All I know is that it left me saying, "...yeah I guess," rather than, "Yes!" and after enjoying the rest of the book so much, that was particularly sad. (So this is three-and-a-half, rounded up for the majority of entertainment.) ( )

Skullsworn is the origin story of Pyrre, a character from The Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne. Having read this before the main trilogy, I can safely say it stands on its own. The characters occasionally mention some history of the world that may be explained better in the series, but it's easy to understand the goings on of the setting: The city of Dombang was conquered by the empire two centuries ago, but there remains a sizable faction that wants Dombang to again be free. The local Dombang religion that worships the gods of the delta has been banned, which creates further resentment toward the empire.

Pyrre has come here to complete her final trial to become a priestess of Ananshael, the God of Death. For her trial, the two witnesses who accompany her sing a song listing the targets she must kill. She must kill every target within two weeks, and must not kill anyone else. Should she fail, the witnesses will kill her. Easy enough for Pyrre except for one: one of the targets is someone she loves, but Pyrre has never loved anyone.

Pyrre and her witnesses, Ela and Kossal, are fun to read as they banter, discuss their faith and help Pyrre understand what it means to love and to follow Ananshael. While most people would see the the Skullsworn as little more than murderers, the Skullsworn understanding of death paints them as merciful. Ananshael's gift is the end of pain and suffering, one that is given to all without playing favorites. With this logic, they oppose torture and killing out of anger.

Pyrre puts together a plan to stir up a rebellion to get close to Ruc Lan Lac, a man she believes she can love. Pyrre feels conflicted about it every step of the way, since it is questionable if the love can be genuine with an ulterior motive.

The setting is well described, and feels like a part of a larger world. The delta is teeming with life, all fighting to thrive in a hostile environment. The people are no different, both those in Dombang and the Vuo Ton, a group of delta natives who shun the city that made people soft. The characters are fun to read, and interact with each other naturally. Everyone has a clear motivation behind their actions that move the plot forward. ( )