Sometimes you read a book and it's just everything you wanted in that moment. Emperor's Blades is a strong epic fantasy that I would almost certainly have given five stars regardless, but I was lucky enough to read it at exactly the right time as it had everything I was craving. I was hooked by it from the beginning and sped through the whole book in under 24 hours. 

The book focuses on three main characters, siblings who have been separated for a long time but still very clearly care for each other. As much as I usually love court politics, the point of view of the sister at court was the least interesting of the three - both of the brothers' POVs were absolutely gripping. There were also plenty of intriguing secondary characters. 

This is a book full of brutality and the brothers both suffer a lot (some of it as part of their respective training), but it never felt bleak. 

I absolutely loved this and intend to continue the series without pause.