I know it's often said that you can't judge a book by its cover, but one of my pet peeves is when the artwork for a book doesn't fit its content in any way or when a book's title doesn't really make sense for that book. The War Within shows that it can be done right. The artwork on the front of the book reflects a certain moment in the book and hints at something that is unknown to the good people of Belleger and Amika... and which could tip the scales in the coming war. Meanwhile, I found myself staggered by the many ways in which the war within plays a central role in the book, whether it be distrust between the now allied Belleger and Amika, conflict between close friends, family or a couple or internalized struggles of specific characters. The reference of "the war within" itself comes from the teachings of the priests of the Great God Rile; they teach that all outward conflict stems from internal conflict of individuals who are at war with themselves. However, this church also represents another war within, as the priests have filtered into Belleger from Amika and beyond and have built up a following of Bellegerins... and may or may not be at odds with King Bifalt.
In Seventh Decimate, we see the power of decimates, but we also learn that decimates are not the only magic to be found in the world. The War Within touches on other natures of magic. It doesn't explain them in detail, but bears witness to their effects and makes it obvious that whatever it is, it doesn't behave as a decimate. We also get a glimpse at the power of the most holy devotees of Spirit and Flesh and, if magic is performing the inexplicable, then they have their own sort of magic. We observe evidence that even the decimates may be more than any of the Magisters in Belleger or Amika could have imagined. However, we also find that the priests of the church of the Great God Rile wield magic... but not decimates - and the power is not their own, but is "borrowed." This could simply be describing how clerics work in D&D, where spells are granted by a deity and don't originate from the wielder, themselves, but this is strange and unknown to the people of Amika and Belleger, who are intimately familiar with Magisters wielding magic (in the form of decimates), but until the arrival of the priests, had never even heard of the concept of a god, which would make gathering followers much more difficult... if they didn't wield a magical power of persuasion.
Finally, there is also an appearance of Master Ungabwey's caravan, Tchwee and Third Father. The caravan has set out on a difficult task for the Last Repository to help prevent their enemy from making it past Belleger.
At 564 pages, The War Within kept me entertained for quite a while and was never slow; just packed with a lot of interesting events and character development. And, as it should, if leaves questions unanswered and a stage set for further action in the next book in the series. I can't wait. If you haven't started The Great God's War, get in now and catch up.
