In ‘The Iron Hound,’ the Celestial Church is still at odds against all of the pagan religions, followers, and their Gods and will burn the world down to see their way as the only path forward. The only problem could be for anyone who tries to jump in headfirst without the first book as a guide as both locations and the fighting might be a bit hazy without it. ‘The Iron Hound’ is exactly what you’d want to see in a sequel with an increase in both character development and pacing to boot. While the first novel was enjoyable, this one seems to rely on you knowing the vast world already created and goes straight to the heart of the plot. Akers is able to build on every piece of the amazing world building which he had laid out in the first novel and up his storytelling game to boot. (Jan.If you were wondering if Tim Akers would deliver the goods in his follow up to ‘The Pagan Night,’ then you will be happy to hear that ‘The Iron Hound’ (the second installment of the “Hallowed War”) will keep your eyes glued to the page! If you for some reason haven’t picked up the first novel yet and were considering it, I’d say it is a requirement to fully enjoy this book.

The underlying connections among ecology and faith and an understanding of the unity of godhood will please the ecumenically minded.

Readers familiar with the Scottish and English clashes exemplified by Braveheart will be comfortable with his handling of northern free folk striving to remain faithful to their nature gods and witch cults, struggling against the intrusions of more ecclesiastical southern religions.

Akers ( The Burn Cycle), an experienced hand at steampunk noir, succeeds in capturing the essence of historical fantasy. But within his alliance, factions loyal to the old pagan beliefs, and a heretical group of Celestial inquisitors, trigger a war imperiling both sides, as gods long imprisoned seek freedom and vengeance. Lord Malcolm Blakeley struggles to maintain peace between his northern kin and the intrusive southerners and their heretic-hunting Celestial church. Generations clash, as well as religions, in this emotionally involving epic fantasy, in which elders embrace a new faith and their youngsters rediscover old beliefs.

The Pagan Night by Tim Akers