Reviewed for the BFS by Elloise Hopkins.

DISCIPLES OF CHAOS by M.K. Lobb. Titan Books. p/b. £9.99.
Reviewed by Elloise Hopkins.

Despite all that had happened, despite all the burdens of their pasts, Damian and Roz had found their way to each other. She always knows where to find him – his father’s grave. Strength had not blessed Damian the way it had his father, but in the aftermath of recent losses, perhaps another Saint has touched Damian’s life.

Damian worries about the rage inside him. He worries that he does not feel the same as before. Worries that Roz will feel differently towards him. And worries that it felt good when he killed the Disciple of Chaos. It seems his position as security officer in the Palazzo is not safe either. Salvestro Agosti, disciple of Death, has been chosen as the new Chief Magistrate. Along with a new military presence, Agosti now holds Damian’s future in his hands, and young Venturi’s past is about to catch up with him, very rapidly.

Milos, one of many Disciples of Chaos taken by the palazzo as children and exiled in Brechaat, had been confined to the oubliettes of the Forgotten Keep until Calder saved him. Something has changed. Chaos’ power is growing.

Disciples Of Chaos is the concluding part of Lobb’s The Seven Faceless Saints duology which focuses on the relationship between Damian and Roz as it grows ever more complex, deep-rooted and emotionally torn. Where in the first book readers may have predicted where the intertwining relationship would take our protagonists, the story continues with both sides clearly depicted on the page; every moment of desire, anguish and guilt, along with every tear and every harsh acceptance of the future is felt.

New character Milos takes on a brief point of view role and works alongside Calder, two instrumental characters living on the Brechaat side of war where Ombrazia’s unfavoured continue to be sent to fight. Roz’s desire to finally change the very power structure of her homeland – and put an end to the war that has already taken so much – may come to depend on these strangers, and a visit to the very root of Chaos and Patience’s stories.

As before the worldbuilding is incredibly solid, and this time the wider view of the ongoing conflict helps to flesh out details that were left in the background of book one. The pace throughout is good, the visual description almost allows freeze-frames of significant moments of the narrative, and we have to admire the author’s conviction in allowing the story to go into those dark places and make such fundamental changes in their heroes.

Seven faceless saints really surprised me and I loved it, so I had high expectations going into disciples of chaos.
M.K Lobb did a great job in the sequel. The book had lots of political intrigue, and the world building was greatly expanded upon. Making this book very interesting.
There was more romance which I enjoyed.
My only critique is the lack of mystery as this story was more adventure focused. Only a critique because I felt that the mystery in the first book was what made it so special.
All in all this was a really well done sequel.

Finale super fast-paced and action packed! It was an enjoyable read, and a good ending to this duology. I am curious to read more worked from M.K. Lobb.

SLIGHT SPOILERS NEAR THE END

For the longest time I had the same issues (if you want to call it that) as with book one: Well written, good characters, solid plot and yet something was missing. And I couldn’t really pinpoint what it was, but nonetheless the book did a thing in the second half. Especially the last 20%.
Did I cry ? Maybe. Was I prepared for it? Absolutely not.

I feel like what made this book slightly better was for one, I read it shortly after finishing Seven Faceless Saints, and then two, the change of scenery as we were exploring the North and Brechaat as well as the introduction of new characters, which added a lot to the dynamic of the group and the story.

Roz and Damian’s thoughts and dialogues did end up often revolving around the same topic, which was understandable, but also…


SPOILERS
I feel like there was a missed opportunity to include one or two interlude-esque chapters from Chaos’ pov before, during or after Damian’s transition. I think that would have added something more dangerous (?)/mysterious(?)/tangible(?) to that transition.
SPOILERS


One might argue the ending was questionable, and I would agree to a certain extent, but my heart is pretty happy the way it is.
A great sequel and ending to this duology.

I’m also intrigued to read more from the author.

Kinda mad that *a certain book box* didn’t do a fancy edition of this book to match their Seven Faceless Saints one…but well.

Thank you Titan for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Picks up right where book one leaves off, and straight into the action which I loved. This book was action-packed and had just the right amount of twists and drama to keep the plot moving and keep me invested. I really didn’t want to stop reading, i was so intrigued by what was going to happen to the character. There is less mystery than in the first book, it was more political than the last but that really worked for the plot.
If you liked the first you will love this for sure, it has a very satisfying conclusion, I really felt for some of the backstories of the characters, and I loved learning more about the world and it’s people. The character development also didn’t go in a direction I expected, but I loved that as it was still very emotional and in-depth development. I felt a lot of emotions during this, but good and intense, but also heart-wrenching in the best way. A highly recommenede duology

A mixed bag of a sequel, 3/5⭐️

M.K. Lobb's "Disciples of Chaos" offers a tumultuous journey through a world plagued by political intrigue, personal sacrifices, and the struggle for power. Told through the perspectives of Roz and Damian, the narrative weaves a complex tapestry of emotions and moral dilemmas that ultimately culminate in a gripping finale.

The story begins with a captivating first line that sets the tone for the atmospheric narrative: "Night was falling, and the wind had teeth." Immediately, readers are drawn into a world filled with tension and uncertainty.

One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of characters grappling with their newfound roles and responsibilities. Roz's determination to stand up against injustice, despite the challenges she faces as a disciple, is commendable. Her unwavering commitment to making a difference for the marginalized adds depth to her character and drives the narrative forward.

Likewise, Damian's internal conflict and sense of guilt over past events add layers to his character. The themes of betrayal and redemption are skillfully woven into his storyline, making him a compelling and relatable protagonist.

The book explores complex themes such as morality, power, and the consequences of one's actions. Through Roz and Damian's perspectives, readers are forced to confront the ethical dilemmas inherent in their choices, adding a thought-provoking dimension to the narrative.

However, "Disciples of Chaos" is not without its flaws. The pacing in the first half of the book may feel sluggish to some readers, and Damian's character may come across as irksome during this portion of the story. Additionally, while the political intrigue picks up around the 60% mark, some readers may wish for earlier development in this aspect of the plot. I felt like this book lacked servilely compared to its predecessor, Seven Faceless Saints.

Furthermore, the romance between Roz and Damian, while sweet, may feel underdeveloped and lacking in progression for some readers. The vanilla nature of their relationship may leave certain readers wanting more depth and complexity.

Despite these drawbacks, "Disciples of Chaos" offers moments of great emotional resonance and thought-provoking insights. The parallels drawn between Damian and Roz, Chaos and Patience, add layers of symbolism and depth to the narrative, elevating it beyond a simple tale of political intrigue.

In conclusion, "Disciples of Chaos" by M.K. Lobb is a mixed bag—a tale of ambition, sacrifice, and redemption that may leave readers both satisfied and wanting more. While it has its flaws, the novel ultimately delivers a compelling and immersive reading experience that will linger in the minds of readers long after the final page.

The first 2 books in this series were a smash hit I our Library and I have no doubt this finale will do just the same. Romance, mystery and intrigued at every turn - a brilliant finale!!

The tone of this book versus the first one did not feel the same to me. The first one had the murder mystery coupled with the religious aspect of the world. This one was more the magic and religious part of the world. While it felt more traditional YA fantasy, it also felt YA fantasy. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think if you enjoyed the first book for the darker elements, you might be a little disappointed in this one. On the other hand, if you were more into the world and the religious aspect of it, this probably is just as fine for you. I didn't dislike the change and in ways liked it more because I felt the story made more sense (the murder mystery was interesting in the first book, but it also doesn't quite couple with the whole Chaos thing). I liked the lore we get too for the world.

My main complaint is the end felt anticlimactic. That was it? The battle wasn't really "a battle." Chaos wasn't as grandiose as I wanted given all this build-up from book 1 to the end about everyone being scared of Chaos. I think there were some missed opportunities with Chaos and Patience; however, I VERY much appreciate the fact this was a duology and not longer. I think it was good enough for the number of books it was and we got a complete story that felt mostly satisfactory in the answers we received.

Return to Athena world of seven deadly saints, immerse yourself in the gild and in lies, in magic and cruel gods.

Our protagonists, Roz & Damien are back at it again in this engaging sequel! Even as I struggled to really relate to Roz, in her role as an ‘unlikeable heroine’ and the ‘romance’ between the two fell flat for me, nevertheless I kept reading because the world crafted by Lobb had such exciting potential! Unfortunately some parts were unevenly paced and we never really got the ‘dark path into chaos’ as promised, everything wraps up quite neatly in a bow.
I will say that the writing did improve from book 1 to two, making for a quick read, that fans of Seven Deadly Saints will be satisfied with.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

What a rollercoaster ride!

From the very beginning so much happened in this book, it kept me gripped throughout. The only reason I didn't give it more stars is because it felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to dive a bit deeper into the saints themselves and the love felt between Roz and Damian. I liked the ending but because it happened too fast it felt out of place, especially because saints aren't supposed to have any humanity, then suddenly it was there.

I would have loved to spend more time in Brechaan and the Atheneum. Great writing, world building and a great atmosphere but maybe this would have been better as a trilogy.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so heartbreakingly beautiful. Stunningly written in a way that weaved such a great second, and final, book to this series.

The character arcs of both Roz and Damian were so wonderfully written and intertwined with each other and it was so good to see other sides of both characters. Damian falling more into Chaos and Roz embracing being Patience. I loved the way that the two characters mirrored the legends, it really made the whole thing all the sadder.

At its core though, this book was quietly romantic. The legend turned out to be a love story in a lot of ways and the fact that the love between Damian and Roz endured despite everything left me feeling some kind of way when I finished the book

Following on from where Seven Faceless Saints shortly left off, Disciples of Chaos is an interesting follow up. I enjoyed returning to this world with these characters but the plot was unexpected in the way it did not follow the same structure as book one. Initially I found this a little jarring but ultimately I feel it was a bold choice that pays off.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series. It had everything I like and want in a book and it most of all had an amazing hero. I fell a little bit in love with Damian in the first book and after the finale, which was epic, I was really curious what was waiting for us in this second book. So, when I saw this book on Netgalley I didn't hesitate and requested a copy. I'm incredibly thankful that Titan Books decided to accept my request.

I have to admit that I needed a lot more time to get into this sequel than I had hoped. The first half of the book wasn't really my thing. I understand that important things were happening and I also really enjoyed exploring the world and learning a little more about the Saints, the mythology, the world this story takes place in and we also got the chance to get to know some side characters a little better. But, it wasn't gripping me as much as the first book had.

And then the second half of the book came. I reached that point where I almost couldn't stop reading. I was really curious what was gonna happen next and there were a few reveals I saw coming but worked out even better than I had thought they would. And the closer we got to the finale, the more I had to force myself to not start reading faster and faster. Because this author once more delivered a heartbreaking, action-packed and wonderful finale.

Due to the plot, which I don't wanna give away here in case you're not seeing all the plot-twists coming and don't wanna be spoiled, this book didn't really cater to my Damian loving heart. I guess that's also partly why it took me so long to really get into this book. However, I absolutely love Roz's character growth in this book. She's learning so much, growing so much and eventually does what needs to be done even though it does cost her a lot.

It's a pity this is only a duology. I totally would have loved another book in this series!

Avoiding spoilers, I delved into my physical book collection, starting with Seven Faceless Saints—a fantasy mystery with a locked-door twist. While enjoyable, it didn't wow me. Undeterred, I ventured into Disciples of Chaos, the concluding part of the duology, gifted as an ARC. This installment surpassed its predecessor, with a richer story evolution. Roz and Damian, complex characters, saw their narratives skillfully explored, weaving together beautifully. The world expanded to Brechaat, entwining politics, power shifts, and the intriguing magic of Faceless Saints. Special mention to the captivating Library chapter. For lovers of dark magic, political intrigue, character growth, a touch of romance, and ghostly vibes, Seven Faceless Saints and Disciples of Chaos deliver a satisfying duology.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review*

OH MY GOD! This was mindblowing. Disciples Of Chaos was a great conclusion to this duology. It was an emotional ride that I can't seem to part of. My sweet muffin Damian was so wonderfully developed that I screamed in almost every scene. I loved, loved it. I mean the scene where...fine, no spoilers, duh? Cross my fingers that Fairyloot will make it a special edition because that book was *chef's kiss*

*Actual rating is 3.5 stars*

Disciples of Chaos is the sequel to Seven Faceless Saints. It continues where the first book left off, with the Palazzo in shambles and a new threat of chaos.
The story is told through a dual POV from Damian and Roz, as well as an occasional third pov earlier on in the story. While I enjoyed the first book enough to give it 4 stars and wanting to read the sequel, Disciples of Chaos left me wanting more.

The first half of the book kept me engaged and I appreciated the journey Damian and Rox undertook, both physically and mentally. But then the plot just felt like it took a whole new direction, one that I didn’t find myself as engaged in. Which is a shame, since the book had some interesting ideas and world mechanics to it.

Thank you so much for Titanbooks, the author and Netgalley for the e-ARC, all written below is my honest opininon.

What a RIDE! It is safe to say I am beyond obsessed with this duology, M.K. Lobb is a genius.
If you loved Seven Faceless Saints and were entirely shocked by the ending — let me ensure you, the shocking factors just grow in the sequel.
Now that Chaos is back in the daily life, things are not really going seamlessly in Ombrazia. We follow Roz and her rebel friends as they try to still turn the city into the vision they longed for: disciple blessed and unfavored all equal.

But chaos lurks in every corner and Damian is losing himself. Can Roz help him? Can they help their friends escape the war at North? OMG, the whole book was action packed, followed by Lobb’s entertaining sarcasm and dark humour woved in the lines. Roz and Damian both had a beautiful and struggling character developement as they navigated their newcome obstacles, growing feelings, frustration and the power of the saints.

It is hard to review the book without giving spoilers, but get ready for an amazing reading experience and unhinged angry lovers fighting the regime, waking saints and fighting for each other.

I will read EVERYTHING M.K. Lobb writes! All the stars and tears. Damian Venturi can walk over me,

This was a much better read for me than the first book, because the plot and narrative felt streamlined and purposeful. Having established the characters and the world already, the author had the freedom here to focus on the story, which I found a much more enjoyable reading experience. What I didn't love, however, was the arc of the main characters Damian and Roz. I found their relationship hard to read - it felt abusive and although I know that there were reasons for this choice, it still didn't sit well with me. Overall, this conclusion was satisfying and I will check out M. K. Lobb's next release.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you Titan Books and NetGalley for the arc of Disciples of Chaos by M.K. Lobb in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. Please note I’ve done my best to avoid spoilers.
I decided towards the end of 2023 that it was time to actually read the physical books I own and for this reason I read Seven Faceless Saints, a locked door, fantasy mystery that I enjoyed but, I’ll be honest was not wowed by. I’m not one to leave a duology unfinished and was fortunate enough to be gifted the arc of Disciples of Chaos, which gave me the opportunity to return to the world of Roz, Damian and the Saints of Ombrazia and Brechaat.
Honestly, this conclusion to the duology was far superior to the first book in my opinion, this was most definitely aided by the world and character foundations being set in the first book but, personally I loved the evolution of the story and how Lobb didn’t remained fixated on developing a second mystery to investigate.
Roz and Damian are both such interesting and complex characters, and Lobb truly explored their character storylines, developing their relationship and their development as a beautifully woven tapestry, seamlessly weaving the storylines to compliment and document their journeys.
I was also totally engrossed by the development of the world as it expanded to Brechaat, the political upheaval and shifts of power, all merged with the religion and magic of the
Faceless Saints, and I must call out the Library, which was definitely one of my favourite locations and chapters in the book.
If you’re looking for a duology that delivers dark magic, political and religious shenanigans, character development, a dark romance, and ghostly/spooky vibes then you will totally love Seven Faceless Saints and Disciples of Chaos.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review this book.

I read Seven Faceless Saints last year and was blown away by a unique yet complex magic system explored through the characters of Roz and Damian, so revisit g them again was an exciting prospect. This was an incredible sequel which dug deeper into Roz and Damian’s complicated feelings as they navigate new circumstances.

Damian’s chapter were potentially my favourite, his absolute devotion and dedication to Roz gave some really beautiful moments that I loved completely. Similarly, Roz’s familiarity with Damian, knowing every little thing about him gave such depth to their changing relationship.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what is next from this author!