Empires and Dust Spoilers Question
Spoilers
First time reader here. There is lots about this series that I like and dislike. I should maybe try a write up, if I can organize my thoughts. I have read every major fantasy series out there and so far this one has potential but is mid level for me.
I am halfway through Empires and Dust. So far, I am enjoying the story. I am hoping for some crazy revelations to come. What would make it cool to me is if the bad guys win.
Up until this point the Emperor Fain and his Empire have been made out to be the bad guys. A tyrannical state that crushes all others. When we get our limited glimpses of Fain he does not at all come across, at least to me, as some evil mustache twirling villain. He seems to have the respect (not fear) of his most important generals (the Dragonrider on Helios) and Garamond. The point has been brought up that the Empire has caused the longest period of peace in history and does seem to sort of be made out to be much more evil than it is. Even the explanation for using Essence has merit, though I do still think that leans toward the evil side. Ha. Conversely, the Chosen or Fades are clearly meant to be fairly straight forward evil.
My question is. Has anyone else felt a possible twist coming? That Efialtir may not be as evil as thought. He does have some evil ish allies and methods. The one thing that might make this series more interesting to me is if it does continue down this path of morally grey theme. That there is no true good and evil. It’s about choices. What would make this stand out is if Fain and the Empire “win” and are proven to not be bad at all. And that their evil is really only a matter of perspective.
It is all really a battle of the gods and the propaganda those gods put out through their followers to try to gain more power. I guess I am just worried this series is going to slide into a forgettable one if it doesn’t stand out in some significant way.
Thoughts?