We Ride the Storm: The First Book of The Reborn Empire by Devin Madson (.epub)(.azw3) - A Summary and Analysis

We Ride the Storm (Orbit 2020 Version) by Devin Madson (.epub)(.azw3)

Introduction

If you are looking for a dark, epic, and immersive fantasy book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to check out We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson. This book is the first installment of The Reborn Empire series, which was originally self-published in 2017 and then re-released by Orbit in 2020 with some revisions and additions. It has received rave reviews from readers and critics alike, and has been nominated for several awards, including the Aurealis Award, the Ditmar Award, and the SPFBO Award.

Download We Ride the Storm (Orbit 2020 Version) by Devin Madson (.ePUB)(.AZW3)

What is We Ride the Storm?

We Ride the Storm is a grimdark fantasy novel that follows three main characters: Rah e'Torin, a nomadic warrior who leads his clan into a foreign war; Cassandra Marius, a prostitute and assassin who has a voice in her head that she can't control; and Miko tsai'Ghale, a princess who struggles to survive in a court full of intrigue and betrayal. Their fates are intertwined as they navigate a world where empires clash, gods meddle, and magic is forbidden.

Who is Devin Madson?

Devin Madson is an Australian author who has been writing fantasy since she was a child. She has a degree in history and literature, and she draws inspiration from various cultures and mythologies. She is also an avid gamer and a martial artist. She is best known for her Vengeance Trilogy, which is set in the same world as The Reborn Empire series.

Why read We Ride the Storm?

We Ride the Storm is a book that will appeal to fans of complex, character-driven, and action-packed fantasy stories. It has a rich and diverse world-building that blends Asian and European influences, as well as elements of horror and mystery. It has a fast-paced and unpredictable plot that will keep you guessing until the end. It has a diverse and flawed cast of characters that will make you empathize with them, even when they do terrible things. It has a vivid and visceral prose that will immerse you in the scenes and emotions of the characters. It has a balance of humor and tragedy that will make you laugh and cry.

Summary and Analysis

The Plot

We Ride the Storm is divided into three parts, each corresponding to one of Devin Madson's previous novellas: The Blood of Whisperers, The Gods of Vice, and The Grave at Storm's End. Each part has its own twists and turns, but they are all connected by the overarching conflict between two rival empires: Kisia and Chiltae.

Part One: The Blood of Whisperers

In this part, we are introduced to the three main characters and their respective situations. Rah e'Torin is the leader of the Levanti, a nomadic people who value honor and freedom above all else. He is forced to lead his clan into a war that is not theirs, as they are hired by the Kisian emperor Kin to fight against the Chiltaens. He faces challenges from his own people, who are unhappy with his decisions, and from the enemy, who are ruthless and cunning.

Cassandra Marius is a whore and an assassin who works for the Red Church, a mysterious organization that worships the god of death. She has a voice in her head that she calls the Passenger, who sometimes takes over her body and makes her kill people. She is sent to kill Kin, but she fails and is captured by his brother Riko, who is the head of the Kisian intelligence. She is tortured and interrogated, but she manages to escape with the help of a mysterious ally.

Miko tsai'Ghale is a princess of Kisia, but she is not treated as such by her father Kin or her brother Tanin. She is secretly loyal to her uncle Hiro, who is the rightful heir to the throne, but was exiled by Kin after a failed coup. She is betrothed to Gideon, a prince of Chiltae, as part of a peace treaty between the two empires. She hopes to use this marriage as a way to overthrow Kin and restore Hiro to power, but she soon realizes that Gideon has his own agenda.

Part Two: The Gods of Vice

In this part, the plot thickens as the war between Kisia and Chiltae escalates, and new players enter the game. Rah e'Torin is betrayed by his second-in-command Dishiva, who leads a mutiny against him and joins forces with the Chiltaens. He is wounded and captured by Dishiva, who intends to torture him until he renounces his clan and his honor. He is rescued by Cassandra, who has been hired by Riko to kill Dishiva. They form an unlikely alliance and escape together.

Cassandra Marius is contacted by the Red Church again, who give her a new mission: to kill Gideon. She infiltrates the Chiltaen camp disguised as a healer, and tries to get close to Gideon. However, she finds out that Gideon is not what he seems: he is actually a Lychee, a race of immortal beings who can manipulate souls. He reveals that he knows about her Passenger, and that he can help her get rid of it. He also tells her that he has a plan to end the war and bring peace to the world.

Miko tsai'Ghale is married to Gideon, but she soon realizes that he does not love her or care about her. He treats her as a pawn in his scheme, and he abuses her physically and mentally. She tries to resist him, but she has no allies or friends in the Chiltaen court. She learns that Hiro has been captured by Kin, and that he will be executed soon. She decides to risk everything and try to save him.

Part Three: The Grave at Storm's End

In this part, the plot reaches its climax as the secrets are revealed and the fates are decided. Rah e'Torin is reunited with his clan, but he faces a new challenge: he has to convince them to follow him into a suicide mission. He plans to attack the Chiltaen capital of Storm's End, where Gideon is preparing a ritual that will unleash a cataclysmic event. He hopes to stop Gideon and end the war, even if it means sacrificing himself and his people.

Cassandra Marius is conflicted between her loyalty to the Red Church and her curiosity about Gideon. She learns that Gideon's plan is to open a portal to the realm of the gods, where he believes he can find a way to end the cycle of violence and suffering in the world. He also tells her that her Passenger is actually a fragment of his soul, which he gave to her when they were children. He asks her to join him in his quest, and promises to make her whole again.

Miko tsai'Ghale is successful in rescuing Hiro from Kin's prison, but she pays a high price: she loses Tanin, who dies protecting her; she loses Riko, who betrays her and sides with Kin; and she loses Gideon, who tries to kill her when she confronts him. She escapes with Hiro and some loyal soldiers, and joins forces with Rah e'Torin in his attack on Storm's End. She hopes to reclaim her throne and restore order to Kisia.

The Characters

The Characters

We Ride the Storm has a diverse and complex cast of characters, each with their own personality, background, motivation, and arc. The three main characters are Rah e'Torin, Cassandra Marius, and Miko tsai'Ghale, who represent different perspectives and cultures in the world of We Ride the Storm. Here is a brief overview of each of them:

Rah e'Torin

Rah e'Torin is the leader of the Levanti, a nomadic people who value honor and freedom above all else. He is a skilled warrior and a loyal friend, but he is also stubborn and proud. He is devoted to his clan and his god, but he is also conflicted by his feelings for Cassandra, who is an outsider and an enemy. He is driven by his duty and his honor, but he is also haunted by his past and his mistakes. He is a hero and a leader, but he is also a human and a follower.

Cassandra Marius

Cassandra Marius is a whore and an assassin who works for the Red Church, a mysterious organization that worships the god of death. She is a cunning and ruthless killer, but she is also vulnerable and lonely. She has a voice in her head that she calls the Passenger, who sometimes takes over her body and makes her kill people. She hates the Passenger and wants to get rid of it, but she also depends on it and fears losing it. She is loyal to the Red Church and their cause, but she is also curious about Gideon and his plan. She is a survivor and a fighter, but she is also a victim and a pawn.

Miko tsai'Ghale

Miko tsai'Ghale is a princess of Kisia, but she is not treated as such by her father Kin or her brother Tanin. She is a smart and brave woman, but she is also naive and impulsive. She is secretly loyal to her uncle Hiro, who is the rightful heir to the throne, but was exiled by Kin after a failed coup. She wants to overthrow Kin and restore Hiro to power, but she also loves Tanin and Riko, who are loyal to Kin. She is married to Gideon, a prince of Chiltae, as part of a peace treaty between the two empires. She hates Gideon and wants to escape from him, but she also learns from him and grows because of him. She is a rebel and a ruler, but she is also a daughter and a wife.

The Themes

We Ride the Storm explores various themes that are relevant to our world today, such as war and politics, identity and loyalty, fate and choice. Here are some of the main themes that are explored in the book:

War and Politics

We Ride the Storm depicts a world that is torn by war and politics, where empires clash, alliances shift, and betrayals abound. The book shows the brutality and futility of war, as well as the complexity and ambiguity of politics. It shows how war affects not only the soldiers who fight in it, but also the civilians who suffer from it. It shows how politics involves not only power and strategy, but also ethics and morality. It shows how war and politics are often driven by greed, ambition, pride, revenge, fear, or faith.

Identity and Loyalty

Identity and Loyalty

We Ride the Storm explores the concept of identity and loyalty, as well as the conflicts that arise from them. The book shows how identity can be shaped by culture, religion, race, gender, or class. It shows how loyalty can be influenced by family, friends, leaders, or gods. It shows how identity and loyalty can be a source of strength and pride, but also a cause of division and prejudice. It shows how identity and loyalty can be challenged and changed by circumstances and choices. It shows how identity and loyalty can be both personal and political.

Fate and Choice

We Ride the Storm examines the role of fate and choice in the lives of the characters and the world. The book shows how fate can be seen as a force that guides or controls the events and outcomes of the world. It shows how choice can be seen as a power that enables or limits the actions and decisions of the characters. It shows how fate and choice can be intertwined and interdependent, as well as opposed and contradictory. It shows how fate and choice can be influenced by factors such as destiny, prophecy, luck, or free will. It shows how fate and choice can have consequences and responsibilities.

Conclusion

We Ride the Storm is a book that will captivate you with its compelling story, characters, and themes. It is a book that will challenge you with its complex world, plot, and issues. It is a book that will entertain you with its thrilling action, humor, and drama. It is a book that will make you think, feel, and wonder.

What makes We Ride the Storm unique?

We Ride the Storm is unique because it combines elements of different genres and styles to create a fresh and original fantasy book. It has aspects of grimdark fantasy, such as violence, moral ambiguity, and anti-heroes. It has aspects of epic fantasy, such as multiple perspectives, large-scale conflicts, and rich world-building. It has aspects of Asian fantasy, such as cultural diversity, martial arts, and spiritualism. It has aspects of horror fantasy, such as gore, monsters, and madness. It has aspects of mystery fantasy, such as secrets, puzzles, and twists.

How does We Ride the Storm compare to other fantasy books?

How does We Ride the Storm compare to other fantasy books?

We Ride the Storm can be compared to other fantasy books that share some of its features or influences. For example, it can be compared to The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, which is also an Asian-inspired grimdark fantasy book that deals with war and politics. It can be compared to The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie, which is also a character-driven grimdark fantasy book that explores themes of identity and loyalty. It can be compared to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, which is also a mystery fantasy book that has a lyrical and immersive prose. It can be compared to A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, which is also an epic fantasy book that has multiple perspectives, complex plot, and political intrigue.

Where can I get We Ride the Storm (.epub)(.azw3)?

We Ride the Storm (.epub)(.azw3) is available for download from various online platforms, such as Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also get a physical copy of the book from your local bookstore or library. You can also visit Devin Madson's website (https://www.devinmadson.com/) to learn more about her and her other books.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about We Ride the Storm:

• Q: Is We Ride the Storm a standalone book or part of a series?

• A: We Ride the Storm is the first book of The Reborn Empire series, which will have four books in total. The second book, We Lie with Death, was released in 2021. The third book, We Cry for Blood, is expected to be released in 2022. The fourth book, We Sing for Vengeance, is expected to be released in 2023.

• Q: Is We Ride the Storm suitable for young readers?

• A: We Ride the Storm is not suitable for young readers, as it contains graphic violence, sexual content, profanity, and mature themes. It is recommended for readers who are 18 years old or above.

• Q: Is We Ride the Storm based on any real history or mythology?

• A: We Ride the Storm is not based on any real history or mythology, but it is inspired by various cultures and mythologies from around the world. For example, Kisia is inspired by Japan and China, Chiltae is inspired by Mongolia and Russia, Levanti is inspired by Persia and Arabia, Lychee is inspired by India and Tibet.

• Q: Is We Ride the Storm related to Devin Madson's other books?

• A: We Ride the Storm is set in the same world as Devin Madson's other books, but it is not a direct sequel or prequel to them. It takes place about 17 years after the events of The Vengeance Trilogy, which is another series by Devin Madson that follows a different set of characters and conflicts. However, there are some references and connections between the two series that fans might enjoy.

• Q: Is We Ride the Storm going to be adapted into a movie or a TV show?

• A: There is no official announcement or confirmation about a movie or a TV show adaptation of We Ride the Storm as of now. However, Devin Madson has expressed her interest and enthusiasm for such a possibility on her social media accounts. She has also shared some of her dream cast choices for some of the characters on her website.

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