A Worthy Heir to Game of Thrones: Gunmetal Gods by Zamil Akhtar
I don't say this lightly: Gunmetal Gods by Zamil Akhtar is as worthy a successor to A Song of Ice & Fire as I've yet read.
What is this epic fantasy with “gunmetal” in the title? Believe me, I was skeptical at first. Like many a medieval fantasy fan, I try my best to avoid any inclusion of guns!
But while they are a central part of the story, Zamil approaches storytelling in a way that preserves a sense of mysticism and wonder—or equally as often, horror—that satisfied the fantasy purist in me.
But let's back up a step: what’s this book about? Essentially, a nation modeled after Arabic culture is under invasion by a nation that approximates to a Christian Roman Empire—a reimagining of the Crusades, if you will.
Our point-of-view characters are right at the heart of the conflict, as expected. First is Kevah, our protagonist, a somewhat cowardly swordsman once legendary for his feats who has been called back to duty by his shah. I loved his arc and am excited for what future installments hold for him!
Micah, our second point-of-view character, is billed much more as a villain, though Zamil is careful to provide lines of sympathy and keep him a well-rounded figure—even as he commits atrocities. Outside of Abercrombie and Martin, I've rarely seen villainous characters written so well.
H.P. Lovecraft and Arabian Nights also feel like strong influences, with the gods and angels of this world appearing far more monstrous than divine, while jinn are as mischievous and mysterious as you'd hope for from such spirits.
In addition to great characterization, the worldbuilding was top-notch, the magic felt integrated into the story and world, and the stakes felt real and mattered to me.
I only had a few complaints. Toward the middle, the pacing flagged, and my reading of it did as well. I also wasn't wholly convinced by the ending. While emotionally satisfying, it didn't track logically for me and felt too easy or convenient.
That being said, Gunmetal Gods still ranks highly among my favorite independently published books. I look forward to reading more from Zamil in the future, and I strongly encourage you to check out this book and series!