Priest of Bones

Tomas Piety returns from war to find his criminal empire in ruins and his home city of Ellinburg controlled by foreign interests. Along with his crew of ex-soldiers known as the Pious Men, he sets out to reclaim his territory and rebuild his underworld operation. The story combines elements of organized crime with dark fantasy, set against the backdrop of a gritty industrial city. Tomas must navigate complex power dynamics between gangs, politicians, foreign agents, and the church while maintaining control over his expanding territory. The first-person narration presents events through Tomas's perspective as he deals with threats from multiple directions. His background as both a military officer and gang leader shapes how he approaches the challenges of rebuilding his operation. The novel explores themes of loyalty, power, and the ways war changes those who fight it. It raises questions about morality in a corrupt world and examines how people justify their actions in pursuit of their goals.

Readers compare this book to Peaky Blinders meets The Godfather in a fantasy setting. Most reviews highlight the gritty crime story and dark atmosphere over the fantasy elements. Readers liked: - Strong first-person narration from Tomas Piety - Complex character relationships and loyalty themes - Military aspects and PTSD portrayal - Fast pacing and readability Readers disliked: - Limited magic and fantasy elements - Large cast of characters hard to track - Some found the violence excessive - Wanting more depth to the political intrigue Ratings: Goodreads: 3.96/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (850+ ratings) Notable reader quotes: "Like a crime family story that happens to take place in a fantasy world" - Goodreads "The main character's voice carries the story" - Amazon "Expected more magic and fantasy elements" - Fantasy Faction review "Characters feel real but there are too many to follow" - Reddit r/Fantasy

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🗡️ Author Peter McLean drew inspiration for the book's crime family elements from real-life historical gangs, particularly those in Victorian London and the post-WWI era. 🏰 The city of Ellinburg in the novel is loosely based on medieval Edinburgh, Scotland, with its narrow streets and towering architecture. ⚔️ McLean served in the British Royal Navy, which helped inform the military aspects of protagonist Tomas Piety's character and his war experiences. 🎲 The book blends multiple genres, incorporating elements of grimdark fantasy, gangster noir, and military fiction—a combination that earned it the nickname "Peaky Blinders meets The Godfather with magic." 📚 The novel was originally conceived as a standalone story but evolved into the War for the Rose Throne series due to its popularity and scope, spanning three books in total.