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Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Pass of Empires is a short novella by grimdark fantasy author Logan D. Irons. The story follows Eastern Roman Emperor Basil at the end of his disastrous campaign against the Bulgars. Haunted by defeat and thoughts of betrayal, Basil had no choice but to withdraw his men and march through the mountains to find sanctuary in the Gate of Trajan. However, the ruthless Bulgars had set up a clever trap. As Basil and his army move toward the Stenos fortress, a Bulgar party falls upon them. Basil barely escapes with his life after being rescued by a group of Varangian warriors. These fierce warriors, led by Captain Ulf Bodvarsson, offer Basil their protection and accompany him to the Gate of Trajan. But can Basil trust these men who are more than they appear?
Logan D. Irons has written an action-packed medieval historical tale with a dash of the fantastical. Pass of Empires is a relatively short story, yet it feels epic and engrossing. This is because Irons doesn't waste a word and crafts a gripping narrative with rich world-building that is thoroughly immersive. You can sense Basil's stress and anxiety seeping through the pages. There aren't many named characters in this book, but the ones featured are definitely interesting. The primary highlight, however, is the action and the brief interactions between the characters. I loved the introduction of the Varangian warriors. Irons is a master of portraying action sequences in a manner that feels realistic, even though there are fantastical elements involved. Fans of grimdark fantasy -- do not miss out on this book!
