The Infernal Battalion is the fifth, and final, book in Django Wexler’s Shadow Campaigns series.

Peace came briefly to Vordan, but it is not long before the Beast of Judgement turns an eye to the country in an attempt to claim the Thousands Names, the massive steel tablets bearing the names of legions of demons. It is only Winter’s Infernivore, and the Names themselves that stand as true obstacles to the Beast’s complete domination of humanity.

Janus bet Vhalnich, one of the greatest generals of Vordan, has fallen to the Beast’s influence, and now leads an army against the Queen, calling himself Emperor of Murnsk and Vordan. As Marcus and the Army of the Republic face off against Janus, Winter fights to get back to Vordan and seeks a way to reach the Beast of Judgement’s core host, so she can use Infernivore.

Meanwhile, Queen Raesinia seeks aid from Borel, not so long ago enemy to Vordan. But it is only Winter and her traveling companions who know the full depth of danger they face. To the others, the Beast is a creature out of legend. Janus alone is a dangerous foe. With the Beast’s control, he is downright lethal. Not every enemy is an enemy though, and the Vordanai forces find the assistance of a master strategist giving subtle aid. Will all the pieces in this far-flung grand game of chess end up where they need to be for a full checkmate?

I love the Shadow Campaigns series! This is a brilliant series that blends technology with magic, and is military fantasy at its best. Much as I love Game of Thrones, I like this series more. These civilisations are roughly evolved to the equivalent of say, the US Civil War, or the Napoleonic Wars. Cavalry is utilised, and bayonets/muskets, along with cannon. The attention and depth of detail to the battle sequences is breathtaking, and terrifying, painting a very vivid picture. It’s clear the author is well-researched in this area, and I felt immersed in the soldiers’ terror of battle, and their courage to stand and fight.

This is a world where demons exist, and those possessed by them have abilities both feared and revered. These demons require a host. Their names are recorded in the Thousand Names, and a person reads the name in a ritual, binding with the demon, and it’s not uncommon for death to occur. Each demon offers different gifts, allowing the host to heal, or travel as sand, or never die, among other things.

Throughout this book, and the series as a whole, many different cultures are explored- Vordanai, Haeta, Borelgai, Khandarai. The anthropologist in me appreciates this! Here, again, Wexler has paid attention to detail. Each culture has its own values and personality traits, sometimes bringing characters into serious conflict.

Each chapter follows the perspective of one particular character, and I looked forward to reading each. Usually, in cases where the chapters follow different people, there’s always one story thread that’s just not as interesting. None of these were boring in the slightest and each had vastly different things going on. Marcus was in the midst of war, right on the front lines. Raesinia’s story focused on more courtly aspects. Winter was on a desperate, headlong flight. Janus’ was the most alien of all, as he navigated working with the Beast.  

Ideally, these books should be read in order. There is enough information threaded through the narrative though that, even if you jump in the middle, you’ll find footing quick enough. Through this series, Wexler has become one of my favourite authors, and I look forward to his next work!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin/Random House for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.