The Crimson Campaign

Brian McClellan

May 2014 · The Powder Mage Trilogy Book 2 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by Christian Rodska

About this audiobook

"Just plain awesome" -- Brandon Sanderson
A staggering defeat on the border of Adro and Kez leaves Tamas and his powder mages in grave danger and cut off from all aid. Meanwhile, deadly political games threaten his allies at home.

When invasion looms. . .

Tamas's invasion of Kez ends in disaster when a Kez counter-offensive leaves him cut off behind enemy lines with only a fraction of his army, no supplies, and no hope of reinforcements. Drastically outnumbered and pursued by the enemy's best, he must lead his men on a reckless march through northern Kez to safety, and back over the mountains so that he can defend his country from an angry god, Kresimir.

But the threats are closer to home. . .

In Adro, Inspector Adamat wants only to rescue his wife. To do so he must track down and confront the evil Lord Vetas. He has questions for Vetas concerning his enigmatic master, but the answers will lead Adamat on a darker journey.

Who will lead the charge?

Tamas's generals bicker among themselves, the brigades lose ground every day beneath the Kez onslaught, and Kresimir wants the head of the man who shot him in the eye. With Tamas and his powder cabal presumed dead, Taniel Two-shot finds himself as the last line of defense against Kresimir's advancing army.

The Crimson Campaign continues the most acclaimed and action-packed new epic fantasy series in years, following on from Promise of Blood - an adrenaline-fuelled debut of flintlock mages, civil war, and cold-blooded murder in a world where gods walk the earth.

Ratings and reviews

Where to begin? This is an amazing story and one of the few I believe is probably even better as an audiobook. The narrator Christian Rodska has done an amazing job and I can't imagine any other voice actor for these characters. The story itself is absolutely brilliant, balancing a win lose ratio between protagonist and antagonist to keep it realistic and you on the edge of your seat. One thing I really enjoy about a good book is the ability to make the reader or listener have a physical reaction. This is a wonderful story which kept we thoroughly engaged and every now and then made me actually chuckle or exert a laugh. If anyone doesn't enjoy this book... well to the Pit with them.

Really cool and different storyline. Enough based in reality to make it relatable, but also enough fantasy sprinkled within to keep it fascinating. I took me a bit to get into the first story, but then I was hooked. Own all 3 now. Would make a great movie franchise!

Engaging and fast paced story. The fiction, and characters are well defined, and interesting.

About the author

Brian McClellan is an American epic fantasy author from Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his acclaimed Powder Mage novels and essays on the life and business of being a writer. Brian now lives in Utah with his wife, Michele.