Phipps Best Work Yet
5 out of 5 stars
I’ve read quite a few Phipps titles, this being easily more than 10. There are a few running things that I enjoy about them. First, his covers really stand out. It allows you as the reader to know what kind of story you’re in for while also giving you an idea of what the main character(s) will look like. Sometimes (in his Supervillainy Series) it’s a lot of them, while in others like this one – you can see the Jacob. It just allows the reader to focus on the story instead of trying to figure out what someone (or something) looks like. Second, his stories are so damn good. They’re really enjoyable and take me into worlds that I wouldn’t normally expect to enjoy.
Now, onto the actual review: I need to point out that everything that I liked in Wraith Knight has somehow gotten better in Wraith Lord. Somehow, Phipps took a story, characters, and overall feel and made it even better. He’s done this to me numerous times (and it’s a wonderful sign of a great author). His books just keep getting better and better.
I believe I mentioned in my review of the first book that I don’t normally read this genre but I was blown away with how much I liked it. Part of it is Phipps innate ability to make me laugh even when shit is hitting the fan around the characters. This has been true in every novel of his I’ve read and still holds true in Lord. There were a few times I thought, “wait, has Phipps gone serious?” and then, a few moments later I would think “ahh, there he is!”
Wraith Lord, once again tells the “good vs evil” story, but from a totally different point of view. It’s also a fantasy-typical-trope “long journey to save the land” kind of book – but it’s not. It’s so much more. There was philosophy thrown in for good measure, but not enough to make you roll your eyes. It’s crazy to me how much stuff Phipps can stuff into a novel and still have it be so damn enjoyable. (Note to self, definitely edit this review for Amazon).
Peter Berkrot is a fantastic narrator – especially with a story like this. There were just enough characters that he could show his performance chops while still allowing the story to move forward. Berkrot really got to stretch his vocal cords throughout Wraith Lord.
Overall, this might be Phipps best work yet. And I say that liking some of his other series more than this one. But Lord is just one of those books that will stay with me for some time.
Book Description:
Wraith Lord by CT Phipps
Narrator: Peter Berkrot
Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
Series: Wraith Knight #2
Published by Crossroad Press on May 3rd 2019
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Jacob Riverson has assumed the mantle of the King Below and now rules over all the Shadowkind races. However, his desire to break the cycle of violence between the peoples of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms is doomed. The Nine Heroes will not rest until not just the Dark Lord is slain, but all of his followers.
Jacob thus sets out on a daring but foolhardy mission to a great northern city in order to recruit an army of allies. He hopes to break the Nine Heroes' army gathering there before it can be used against him. Unfortunately, that may divide his own forces. The Shadowkind, his wives, and secretive forces beyond his own control want a war every bit as much as Jacob's enemies.
What's a Wraith Knight to do?
Also by this author: Cthulhu Armageddon, Agent G: Infiltrator, The Tower of Zhaal, Lucifer's StarAlso in this series: Wraith Knight, Wraith King
- Disease X by N.J. Croft (Narrated by Joshua Saxon) - December 1, 2023
- A Purrfect Gift by Jae (Narrated by Anastasia Watley) - November 30, 2023
- Wraith King (Wraith Knight #3) by C.T. Phipps (Narrated Narrated by Samuel E. Hoke) - November 28, 2023
It’s a book about racism, social control, war propaganda, and Regina getting her inner Daenerys/Mad Queen on. It’s just my view of Daenerys is different from Game of Thrones it seems.