Ravencry

Some good solid Grimdark. Ravencry is the second book in the Raven's Mark series following Galharrow, a captain of the Blackwings, a sort of police force. This time the action is focused closer to the capital. There is a religious cult rising, where followers of the Bright Lady have started forming their own militia, eventually forcing out the army from Valengrad.

Meanwhile, someone has broken into Crowfoot's storage of powerful magic items and stolen something. Galharrow has to find what has been stolen, as Crowfoot is busy fighting larger powers. To find out what deals have been done, and who is actually on which side, they have to venture to the heart of the Misery.

This is Grimdark at its finest - morally grey characters galore, grittiness and death. All the good ingredients. Ed McDonald has a vibrant gritty writing style which really draws you in, and helps to capture the dubious nature of many of his characters. The stakes could not be higher though, so this has plenty of excitement to go along with the grit. A really fun book!