Strife (Third Book of the Nameless Chronicle) - M.T.Miller

Synopsis:

Babylon is under new Management.
It’s not easy being king, even for a god. Four months after defeating the old Management and taking his place at the top, the actions of the risen amnesiac god known as the Nameless are catching up with him. Within the post-apocalyptic pyramid city of Babylon, dissent festers. Gangs and old enemies put up their last stands while the Nameless tries to pull the city out of the gutter and build a better life for his citizens.

But pressure comes from outside as well. To the west, the so-called One True Church of America is building up to one grand push for dominance. From deep within the swamps of Louisiana, the New Voodoo Movement also begins to put its shadowy hand in the mix.
The fuse has been burning for far too long, and the powder keg is about to explode. In the fire of the blast, the Nameless’ immortality will be put to the test.

But even if he survives, will he want to live in the world he’s created?

Review:

The first two books of the Nameless Chronicle show us Nameless as he struggles just to survive whilst along the way stumbling into adventure, some wealth and other kinds of success. He never seemed to have much of a plan for anything, but things worked out in his favour eventually, and at a great cost. But after the great success, if that is what we are calling it, after Ascent, Nameless isn't worried about survival, he doesn't have to, he isn't worried about doing anything more than existing this time and for the first time in his life (can we use that phrase in relation to Nameless?) he's got time for plans and they're not just plans for himself, but for the citizens of the Pyramid too. Things don't go so well for him this way but man, what character growth. Really, there are depths to Nameless that may not surprise readers, it makes sense that they exist, but we've never had the opportunity to see it before.

There are two other cities on the post-apocalyptic landscape, New Orleans and the White City. New Orleans is full of the New Voodoo Movement, and the White City is the home base of the One True Church of America, religious movements that Nameless doesn't have a good track record with, and has done a lot to try to get rid of. Now both of these cities have plans for Babylon and Nameless but it's clear that pretty much all the White City wants out of them is woeful surrender. As with most, that's just not going to sit well with Nameless. Now Nameless has to look at the world that he's helped to create, but he has a chance to reshape it, and save the city he's adopted.

There's a lot of exploration into what makes Nameless tick and his origins in this book, but the focus is on what he's going to do next and why. This is only the third book in the series, and I can't really pinpoint and explain what the "typical" Nameless book is, whatever I'd say if I could,  this isn't it. I don't know how to really talk about it without pulling apart the plot and laying it all out in front of you and we all know that's not how I do things here. There are old friends and new, old threats and new (and some old friends are new threats and vice versa). Which is not to say that the core of Nameless a ruthless, skillful killer of all in his way isn't there, he is and he does. But there's a little more to him than just that.

Having read all of Millers books so far from the first book in the Nameless Chronicle to A Strange Chemistry which is a tale from the world of the Nameless Chronicle, I can happily say I'm hooked with how Miller writes, he seems to have a way with words and I can tell he's becoming more and more mature with how he writes which is so good to witness.

If you want to read The Nameless Chronicle, go from the foundations up, from the start and right through to now, don't start here. I feel like as a reader you would need all that had happened to a character and all of his experiences to understand who he is now, if that makes any sense? If Miller can keep this series going Id be a happy bunny, I can't wait to see where he goes from here but if he can't, I'm more than satisfied with where things are left and the journey we have seen. A very satisfying ending after a good mix of thrills, fighting and character growth. I cant award this book anything less than a 5/5. Miller has a way with words and I hope some readers will give him a show to impress them, he brings a great balance of lightness and darkness in his stories.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for this post and my honest opinion.

Ascent: Second Book Of The Nameless Chronicle - M.T.Miller

Synopsis:

You are walking along a railroad track through the wasteland. You are alone. You have no name. Your pockets contain a fortune in money taken from your opponents, as well as their weapons.
You have been walking for some time, and your stamina is draining—you need to kill someone soon.
Behind you: the grave you rose from, a massacre of your doing, and the lifeless body of your only friend. Somewhere before you: the mysterious Pyramid that might hold the secret to your past and abilities.
The Pyramid appears on the horizon, a massive structure containing four levels. You must make your way to the top to have a chance of discovering your identity. You approach the gate, manned by armed guards. What do you do next?

Review:

After loving the first book so much, M.T.Miller offered me the chance to read the second in the series, I of course took him up on the offer and said a huge Yes. From the moment I finished Risen and reviewed it back in February of this year, I was sat on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2 and I wasn't let down with what I got once my wait was over.

Ascent picks up right where Risen ends, if you haven't read Risen and want to begin reading Ascent, I can personally say don't skip book 1, althouth massively shorter you can develop ties to Nameless and begin to understand all that has happened to him and how it effcts him. But as I said Ascent picks up where Risen ends, Nameless is heading in the direction of the Pyramid to find answers to his powers and his nature and identity, once there eveything pretty much kicks off from there on out.

The pyramid is actually the city of Babylon and he must pay his way inside, Babylon is a 4 level hierarchy  (I wont explain all of the levels, got to leave something a mystery haven't I?), ground level is known as the Slums, there are very to no rules there and Nameless adopts a name and makes a little money there and buys his way up to the second tier. There he turns his need of revenge into a source of income by fidning a job which works hand in hand with his skills, this time its 100% legal to an extent. This then leads him to the Third Level, he then aquires a new job which is by far more risky and those he works with aren't very trustworthy.

We meet more characters through the story, one of them called Rush, whom is chemically modified, who really peaked my interest. There is also a woman called Lydia and I can say I was really drawn to her and the fact she was so mysterious and very secretive about her job (you'll find out why if you read the book). some are bound to dislike the amount of time Lydia actually gets in the book but I thought it was a perfect amount and I was perfectly okay with what we got to see of her.

Overall this book was full of violence, pretty great fight scenes, and a post-apocalyptic culture that's familiar. I really loved how padded out this book was compared to the first one but maybe book 1 was Miller testing the water which is perfectly okay. I can say its and easy 5/5 for me. I really enjoy the way Miller writes and the things he writes really hold me. I cant wait to see more of Miller in the future, he's a really great writer and has an obvious talent.