The Sapphire Altar

The Sapphire Altar is David Dalglish's second book in the Vagrant Gods series. The book picks up right where events left us at the end of The Bladed Faith. Cyrus is disillusioned and separated from his friends, feeling betrayed by the mentor who helped create him as a symbol to rally the people of the island nation of Thanet to overthrow the invasion from the Everlorn Empire. He is still evolving into the character that Thorda created him to be, Vagrant, a figure to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies and stoke hope in the hearts of the people of Thanet.
Cyrus eventually returns to Thorda and his friends to take part in the plans to further harass the invaders. The plans see the group take the fight out of the city, in part to show more divide the empire's forces as well as inflict maximum damage in strategic attacks within the city. In addition to Sinshei, the daughter of the God-Incarnate emperor, his son and Heir-Incarnate, Galvanis, has arrived on the island. Thorda's group scores victories, but they are also outmaneuvered at times by the forces the Everlorn Empire can bring to bear.

This book continues to examine the moral complexity of both sides in this conflict. In a world filled with gods and nations often at war with each other, whose cause is most just? Both sides commit unspeakable acts in the name of what they believe is the greater good. The story once again shifts between multiple viewpoints, including Thorda's daughters Mari and Stasia, Keles, and the paragon Arn. These viewpoints let you experience not only the global struggle but the individual battle of conscience that each of these individuals must deal with. Arn reveals an absolutely heartbreaking story that explains his decision to stop fighting for the Empire and begin fighting against it.

The fights and other action sequences in this book are thrilling, including a climactic battle that will have you gasping for air. It ends with another jaw-dropping revelation that will make your eyes go wide and leave you anxiously awaiting the next entry in the series.

The world Daglish has created here is both wide and intimate. This series puts the epic in epic fantasy. I can't wait to see where it goes next!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. show less

I loved this book. The plot is engaging and the action scenes are well structured. You always have a good sense of what is going on and where people are in relation to each other. It’s a great sequel to “The Bladed Faith” and doesn’t fall into the trap of a book two slump.
My main issue is that the interpersonal conflict between two of the main characters can be resolved if they were just willing to communicate with each other. These are supposed to be friends and comrades, yet they refuse to sit down and have an honest conversation and trust each other. These people are fighting an evil empire together; they should at least be willing to have a rather difficult talk together.
My favorite part of the novel is the look at the show more divine. What makes a god a god? Is it power? Is it faith? Are gods immutable? Are gods simply a reflection of their followers, thus open to change? This question is central to the story because achieving godhood is the goal of the heroes and the villains. The faith of the characters is key here, and everyone’s faith is put to the test.
As I said, I loved this book. I am definitely looking forward to where the story goes from here. show less