Curse of the Black Axe (Annals of the Nameless Dwarf #3) by Derek Prior

I'd give the writing and characterization 5 stars. I'd give the world building and credibility 2 stars. The plot is interesting, but the major flaws from my POV are notable. They are no different from humans in this story other than females having beards and they carry axes in lots of cases. I found these human dwarves disappointing for a fantasy story. Dwarfs in myth, lived deep underground and avoid sunlight. These live in houses in daylight and have lives like humans. World building, this sizable dwarf society has built an enormous tower in a very deep ravine that rest on a lake. They raise cattle and cultivate grapes for wine etc. at the bottom of the tower, but cattle and grapes require lots of space and feed on grass that require sunlight. There wouldn't be adequate sunlight in a ravine for any of this especially since they are supposed to be hiding down there. The whole episode at the end of the book never clarifies who's good and who's bad. It occurs in physical surroundings that make no sense either.The end of the book is supposed to have some conclusion and and tie up loose ends. While it's a series, ends with more loose ends than at any point in the book.The various beings were not ever differentiated. Even in the end, to be continued, I still had no idea who was good and who was bad. I can't really recommend it.