The Tenet of War — Pavlo Derevianko | Chronicle of the Gray Order Book 2

Seven years have passed since the young charakternyks chose the Wolf’s Path. The confrontation between the Northern Alliance and the Two Seas Union has shaken the Gray Order: many died, and those who survived carry scars both seen and hidden. The Tenet of War (Chronicle of the Gray Order, Book 2) by Pavlo Derevianko, now in its 2025 Ukrainian hardcover edition from Vydavnytstvo Staroho Leva, spans 536 pages and explores how war forges its heroes and tests their loyalties.

In the Hetmanate, preparations are underway for electing a new hetman. Rumors of external threats and internal betrayals intensify. Amidst shadowy intrigue, the Gray Order faces enemies not only on the battlefield but in hearts. Characters battered by loss must balance love and duty, while defending what they hold dear — their people, their honor, and the fragile idea of statehood.

Derevianko weaves together dark fantasy and war‑epic elements, blending magical mythic beings, folklore, and steampunkish touches into a story of resilience. The setting is richly imagined, the stakes high, the characters human in their flaws as well as valor. This book is ideal for readers of fantasy who prefer war stories with emotional weight, political tension, and moral ambiguity. If you loved The Chronicle of the Gray Order’s first installment, this sequel ups the intensity and deepens the lore.