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“”Grant me wings, O goddess, to lift my eyes heavenward”, he quoted. “Decorate not my grave, for I behold a sky of beauty.””

What is the Book about?

Cyrus wants out. Trained to be an assassin in order to oust the invading Empire from his kingdom, Cyrus is now worried the price of his vengeance is too high. His old master has been keeping too many secrets to be trusted. And the mask he wears to hide his true identity and become the legendary “Vagrant” has started whispering to him in the dark. But the fight isn’t over and the Empire has sent its full force to bear upon Cyrus’s floundering revolution. He’ll have to decide once and for all whether to become the thing he fears or lose the country he loves.

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Rating
Plot ★★★★★
Characters ★★★★☆
Excitement ★★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★★★
Writing Style ★★★★☆

Favourite Character
Mari and Keles

My thoughts while reading it

In the celestial realms where gods wield power as vast as the cosmos itself, and faith quivers like leaves in the wind, David Dalglish masterfully weaves a tale that transcends the limits of mortal comprehension. It’s a journey that plunges readers into an epic odyssey of divine uncertainty and malevolent intrigue, an intoxicating blend that resonates with the very essence of gaming nirvana.

This installment is a veritable feast for gamers, a realm where epic battles unfold, Elden Ring-like gods rise to prominence, and the scale of epicness reaches unprecedented heights. However, what truly captivated my gaming soul was the infusion of the Diablo essence. As a devout lover of Diablo’s dark ambiance and demonic undertones within religions, I reveled in the ritual scenes that sent shivers down my spine. Dalglish, with unparalleled mastery, transforms gods into Diablo-esque entities, creating an atmosphere that mirrors the darkest depths of gaming ecstasy. The battles, akin to Dark Souls bosses, were nothing short of fantastical, evoking a sense of sheer exhilaration.

The narrative, a mesmerizing dance with the enigmatic concept of faith, goes beyond the conventional boundaries of storytelling. It challenges the very core of faith, forcing contemplation upon the nature of these gods – benevolent patrons or malevolent puppeteers? Are gods steadfast or changeable? Do they bring enlightenment or only strife and destruction, fueled by humanity’s desire to claim divinity for themselves? These philosophical musings injected profound depth into the narrative.

Dalglish’s brilliance shines as he deftly shifts the narrative spotlight, allowing readers to experience the saga through multiple viewpoints. The tightrope walk of doubt, cast upon certainties from Book One, keeps readers teetering on the precipice of revelation, questioning allegiances and beliefs. The critique I had for the first instalment, where the focus on Cyrus overshadowed equally amazing characters, is rectified here. The expansive cast of characters, particularly the enthralling Mari and the poignant Keles, breathes life into the narrative. Keles, stripped of faith and identity, and Mari, navigating a labyrinth of conflicting divine agendas, bring vulnerability and resilience to the forefront, enriching an already intricate tale. Mari’s God Whisperer ability takes on an even more exceptional and nuanced significance in this instalment. Regrettably, delving further into the details of their experiences would lead to spoilers. The malevolent Galvanis emerges as a villain of diabolical proportions, yet he transcends the caricature of evil. His charisma and magnetism transform him into a tantalizing enigma, enticing readers to delve into the recesses of his dark soul. Without venturing into spoilers, the narrative beckons readers into a realm where the boundaries between good and evil are as fluid as the currents of a celestial river. The desire to peel back the layers beneath his malevolence adds an extra layer of intrigue to the reading experience.

In this story, the constant shifts in allegiances and the frequent changes of heart among the characters have left me uncertain about whom to believe, trust, or align with. Each character seems to be influenced by various factors, making it challenging to place absolute faith in anyone. The narrative transcends simple distinctions between good and evil, residing instead in a shimmering gray area. This ambiguity adds an extra layer of intrigue, leaving me eager to see how all these complexities will unravel in the final book.

In conclusion, “The Sapphire Altar” is a tour de force propelling Dalglish to the pinnacle of epic fantasy storytelling. The Vagrant Gods series, with its intoxicating blend of gods, betrayal, and unfathomable mysteries, establishes the author as a literary maestro. For those yearning for a narrative that blurs the lines between good and evil, this series serves as a beacon, ensnaring, mesmerizing, and leaving an insatiable yearning for more. As a testament to the brilliance within these pages, I declare myself an unwavering devotee of David Dalglish, eagerly anticipating the release of each future opus.

Reading Recommendation? ✓
Favourite? ✓