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lukas_42's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
jesslynh's review against another edition
4.0
I am very much looking forward to getting both the Kindle and audiobook versions when released. Also looking forward to Book #2. I loved the magic and the disparate peoples and David did a nice job world-building.
aneve's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lauregul's review
3.0
Ein solider Reihenstart mit spannenden Magiesystemen.
In Sarresant herrscht Krieg. Langsam, aber sicher marschiert das Reich Gand immer weiter vor und die Niederlage rückt immer näher. Mitten in diesem Krieg müssen drei mutige Menschen ihrem Schicksal folgen und im Spiel der Götter mitmischen.
[b:Soul of the World|31933139|Soul of the World (The Ascension Cycle, #1)|David Mealing|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487138941l/31933139._SY75_.jpg|52588049] ist das erste Buch der Trilogie Ascension Cycle von [a:David Mealing|15752288|David Mealing|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] und lässt sich dem Subgenre der Flintlock-Fantasy zuordnen. Damit setzt sich das Buch von den klassischen Fantasy-Büchern ab. Statt im Mittelalter findet es zu einer Zeit statt, die sich mit der Zeit der Kolonialisierung Amerikas vergleichen lässt. Daher werden die Kämpfe meist mit Pistolen oder Gewehren bestritten. Persönlich erinnerte mich Soul of the World stark an die Powder Mage-Reihe von [a:Brian McClellan|6524620|Brian McClellan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1548996608p2/6524620.jpg] – nicht nur bezüglich des Settings, sondern auch in Hinsicht auf die Charaktere und die Magiesysteme.
Die Charaktere sind eher mittelmäßig. Ja, jeder der Hauptcharaktere hat seine Daseinsberechtigung und hat durchaus seine eigene Persönlichkeit. Dennoch sind sie alle sehr eindimensional und lassen sich mit je zwei bis drei Adjektiven zu genüge beschreiben.
Außerdem ist auch deren Entwicklung innerhalb des Buchs etwas unglaubwürdig. Zwei der drei Hauptcharaktere werden für meinen Geschmack viel zu schnell zu stark und bedeutungsvoll in ihrer jeweiligen gesellschaftlichen Umgebung.
Die Magiesysteme – richtig, es sind bisher 4 an der Zahl, aber wer weiß, was noch kommt – sind die größte Stärke des Buchs. Jedes einzelne ist für sich genommen schon interessant und einzigartig. Die Tatsache, dass einige Magier gleich mehrere davon in sich vereinen, macht es noch interessanter. Es ist besonders cool, wenn Sarine Rot von ihrem Kaas und die Leylinien-Magie Körper kombiniert. Das ganze Buch lebt meiner Meinung nach von derartigen Einbindungen der Magie in die Kämpfe.
Leider ergibt sich gerade durch die recht hohe Anzahl an Magiesystemen ein großes Problem: Keines der Magiesysteme kann voll zur Geltung kommen. Jedes Magiesystem bleibt für mich zu schwammig, wird nicht kreativ genug genutzt und sinnvoll in den Alltag der Leute integriert – was alles besonders komisch klingt, wenn man überlegt, wie detailhaft sie doch sind. Mir wäre es lieber gewesen, wenn es nur 2 Magiesysteme wären, die dafür voll und ganz im Rampenlicht des Buchs stehen. Hier bleibt zu hoffen, dass der nächste Teil mehr leisten kann, immerhin sind die Magiesysteme nach Ende des Buches schon recht gut etabliert.
Das Setting gefällt mir gut. Es ist eindeutig an die Kolonialisierung Amerikas angelehnt, was allein schon an dem Namen für den „neuen“ Kontinent, auf dem sich die Geschichte abspielt, New World klar wird. Die Soldaten der technisch fortgeschrittenen Nationen nutzen Pistolen und Gewehre, während die Ureinwohner stark an die Indianer erinnern. Eine Anlehnung an echte historische Ereignisse empfinde ich in häufig als positiv, dadurch wird das Setting zumeist glaubhafter.
Auch hier fehlt mir jedoch die Tiefe. Von dem Gesamtkontinent erfährt der Leser recht wenig, da ein sich Großteil ein Großteil der Ereignisse innerhalb der Stadt New Sarresant abspielt. Gleichzeitig erhält leider auch New Sarresant keine Tiefe. Die Stadt bleibt durchweg einfach nur ein Handlungsort. Abgesehen von dem Maw hebt sich hier nichts von einer anderen x-beliebigen Fantasy-Stadt ab. Weder die Stadt selbst noch einzelne Orte innerhalb der Stadt konnten sich in mein Gedächtnis einbrennen.
Insgesamt ist [b:Soul of the World|31933139|Soul of the World (The Ascension Cycle, #1)|David Mealing|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487138941l/31933139._SY75_.jpg|52588049] ein gutes Debut, dem es lediglich an Tiefe fehlt. Besonders die Magiesysteme heben das Buch dabei von anderen Werken ab. Für Fans von interessanten Magiesystemen und besonders für Fans der Powder Mage-Reihe dürfte das Buch lesenswert sein. Ich werde den nächsten Band auf jeden Fall lesen.
In Sarresant herrscht Krieg. Langsam, aber sicher marschiert das Reich Gand immer weiter vor und die Niederlage rückt immer näher. Mitten in diesem Krieg müssen drei mutige Menschen ihrem Schicksal folgen und im Spiel der Götter mitmischen.
Drei werden kämpfen. Drei werden sterben. Drei werden zurückkehren.
[b:Soul of the World|31933139|Soul of the World (The Ascension Cycle, #1)|David Mealing|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487138941l/31933139._SY75_.jpg|52588049] ist das erste Buch der Trilogie Ascension Cycle von [a:David Mealing|15752288|David Mealing|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] und lässt sich dem Subgenre der Flintlock-Fantasy zuordnen. Damit setzt sich das Buch von den klassischen Fantasy-Büchern ab. Statt im Mittelalter findet es zu einer Zeit statt, die sich mit der Zeit der Kolonialisierung Amerikas vergleichen lässt. Daher werden die Kämpfe meist mit Pistolen oder Gewehren bestritten. Persönlich erinnerte mich Soul of the World stark an die Powder Mage-Reihe von [a:Brian McClellan|6524620|Brian McClellan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1548996608p2/6524620.jpg] – nicht nur bezüglich des Settings, sondern auch in Hinsicht auf die Charaktere und die Magiesysteme.
Die Charaktere sind eher mittelmäßig. Ja, jeder der Hauptcharaktere hat seine Daseinsberechtigung und hat durchaus seine eigene Persönlichkeit. Dennoch sind sie alle sehr eindimensional und lassen sich mit je zwei bis drei Adjektiven zu genüge beschreiben.
Außerdem ist auch deren Entwicklung innerhalb des Buchs etwas unglaubwürdig. Zwei der drei Hauptcharaktere werden für meinen Geschmack viel zu schnell zu stark und bedeutungsvoll in ihrer jeweiligen gesellschaftlichen Umgebung.
Die Magiesysteme – richtig, es sind bisher 4 an der Zahl, aber wer weiß, was noch kommt – sind die größte Stärke des Buchs. Jedes einzelne ist für sich genommen schon interessant und einzigartig. Die Tatsache, dass einige Magier gleich mehrere davon in sich vereinen, macht es noch interessanter. Es ist besonders cool, wenn Sarine Rot von ihrem Kaas und die Leylinien-Magie Körper kombiniert. Das ganze Buch lebt meiner Meinung nach von derartigen Einbindungen der Magie in die Kämpfe.
Leider ergibt sich gerade durch die recht hohe Anzahl an Magiesystemen ein großes Problem: Keines der Magiesysteme kann voll zur Geltung kommen. Jedes Magiesystem bleibt für mich zu schwammig, wird nicht kreativ genug genutzt und sinnvoll in den Alltag der Leute integriert – was alles besonders komisch klingt, wenn man überlegt, wie detailhaft sie doch sind. Mir wäre es lieber gewesen, wenn es nur 2 Magiesysteme wären, die dafür voll und ganz im Rampenlicht des Buchs stehen. Hier bleibt zu hoffen, dass der nächste Teil mehr leisten kann, immerhin sind die Magiesysteme nach Ende des Buches schon recht gut etabliert.
Das Setting gefällt mir gut. Es ist eindeutig an die Kolonialisierung Amerikas angelehnt, was allein schon an dem Namen für den „neuen“ Kontinent, auf dem sich die Geschichte abspielt, New World klar wird. Die Soldaten der technisch fortgeschrittenen Nationen nutzen Pistolen und Gewehre, während die Ureinwohner stark an die Indianer erinnern. Eine Anlehnung an echte historische Ereignisse empfinde ich in häufig als positiv, dadurch wird das Setting zumeist glaubhafter.
Auch hier fehlt mir jedoch die Tiefe. Von dem Gesamtkontinent erfährt der Leser recht wenig, da ein sich Großteil ein Großteil der Ereignisse innerhalb der Stadt New Sarresant abspielt. Gleichzeitig erhält leider auch New Sarresant keine Tiefe. Die Stadt bleibt durchweg einfach nur ein Handlungsort. Abgesehen von dem Maw hebt sich hier nichts von einer anderen x-beliebigen Fantasy-Stadt ab. Weder die Stadt selbst noch einzelne Orte innerhalb der Stadt konnten sich in mein Gedächtnis einbrennen.
Insgesamt ist [b:Soul of the World|31933139|Soul of the World (The Ascension Cycle, #1)|David Mealing|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487138941l/31933139._SY75_.jpg|52588049] ein gutes Debut, dem es lediglich an Tiefe fehlt. Besonders die Magiesysteme heben das Buch dabei von anderen Werken ab. Für Fans von interessanten Magiesystemen und besonders für Fans der Powder Mage-Reihe dürfte das Buch lesenswert sein. Ich werde den nächsten Band auf jeden Fall lesen.
hgoravec's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
theamazingmrg's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. Probably a 4.5.
It's nice to know my guesses appear to be accurate about who the main characters were. A nice twist regarding the enemy that I didn't see coming, even though the clue was probably there all along. I shall wait for the sequel.
Orbit announced 6 debut authors earlier this year. 2 down, both excellent. The rest have a lot to live up to!
It's nice to know my guesses appear to be accurate about who the main characters were. A nice twist regarding the enemy that I didn't see coming, even though the clue was probably there all along. I shall wait for the sequel.
Orbit announced 6 debut authors earlier this year. 2 down, both excellent. The rest have a lot to live up to!
powder_and_page's review
5.0
Honestly, I’ve been eager to read Soul of the World since I stumbled across it on Goodreads several months ago and had high expectations. I’m glad to say that overall it lived up to my hopes and, though not quite perfect, it was a riveting debut. It’s got everything I could possibly want in a fantasy book- a complex magic system, battles, and the comforting trope of the chosen one, though in this case it’s chosen ones.
Set in a colonial, flintlock fantasy era, Soul of the World provides a fascinating reflection of North American colonialism with more than a dash of French Revolution stirred into the mix as well. Personally, I love this era with all its finery and cries of egalité in the streets. There’s such upheaval and it lends itself quite well to a fantasy story. The need for a leader or hero in New Serresant is an opening that anyone with enough charisma or influence can fill which isn’t necessarily a good thing for anyone involved. While the elite are embroiled in their machinations, the soldiery is up against a foe that seems to know their every move, and the streets of New Serresant are about to erupt in riots. People are crying out for equality and a proper meal. All in all, it’s a rather compelling setting and atmosphere conducive to a tale of epic proportions and I haven’t even mentioned the tribes that exist beyond the Veil! The tribes were fascinating and had just as much as drama as the pseudo-European nobility found in the colonies. I’m glad to see the tribes played a significant role in the story and didn’t fall by the wayside as the colonial drama unfolded.
The magic system in Soul of the World is comparable to the storyline in its complexity. It doesn’t overwhelm at the beginning and the reader is introduced to new concepts in digestible amounts. I found that as the story progressed it got more and more confusing because the basic rules (which were vague) were no longer applicable. Let me give you a brief and simplified overview. First of all, you have Binders which use the energies found along leylines to summon power. They can enhance their senses, break bindings, set things on fire, and heal to name a few abilities. Second we have the tribal people’s gifts which are more varied and rely on spirits. Guardians gain the blessing of beast spirits each time they defeat a great beast, meaning they can mimic its abilities. Shamans can see the future and the women have elemental magic. Lastly we have those individuals like Sarine, who has an invisible companion called a kaas, which is a gem-like serpent creature that grants her some unique powers. Like I said, this is much simplified but you can begin to see how much of a role magic plays in Soul of the World.
Soul of the World was an excellent debut and a fine addition to my book collection. The whole point of the book is to introduce readers to the characters that will possibly be ascending to a semblance of godhood. The interludes give readers a glimpse of those who currently hold that title and how they work to hinder or help those that may replace them. I found the introduction to the larger purpose to be somewhat unenlightening and felt that it really needed more than a bare handful of chapters to really make me care. The characters however… I loved the characters. Each of the main POV’s was inherently good and very likable. Erris d’Arrent and Sarine were awesome, though I wish the two could have properly met and had a nice chat together. Arak’Jur, guardian of the Sinari tribe, was just so darn honorable! Even the secondary characters were well-written and I would love to have had POVs for a few of them, especially Reyne d’Agarre. If you’ve debate whether or not to invest your time in this rather hefty book, you can stop now. It was a top-notch read that I would highly recommend and can’t wait to see where the sequel will lead!
Set in a colonial, flintlock fantasy era, Soul of the World provides a fascinating reflection of North American colonialism with more than a dash of French Revolution stirred into the mix as well. Personally, I love this era with all its finery and cries of egalité in the streets. There’s such upheaval and it lends itself quite well to a fantasy story. The need for a leader or hero in New Serresant is an opening that anyone with enough charisma or influence can fill which isn’t necessarily a good thing for anyone involved. While the elite are embroiled in their machinations, the soldiery is up against a foe that seems to know their every move, and the streets of New Serresant are about to erupt in riots. People are crying out for equality and a proper meal. All in all, it’s a rather compelling setting and atmosphere conducive to a tale of epic proportions and I haven’t even mentioned the tribes that exist beyond the Veil! The tribes were fascinating and had just as much as drama as the pseudo-European nobility found in the colonies. I’m glad to see the tribes played a significant role in the story and didn’t fall by the wayside as the colonial drama unfolded.
The magic system in Soul of the World is comparable to the storyline in its complexity. It doesn’t overwhelm at the beginning and the reader is introduced to new concepts in digestible amounts. I found that as the story progressed it got more and more confusing because the basic rules (which were vague) were no longer applicable. Let me give you a brief and simplified overview. First of all, you have Binders which use the energies found along leylines to summon power. They can enhance their senses, break bindings, set things on fire, and heal to name a few abilities. Second we have the tribal people’s gifts which are more varied and rely on spirits. Guardians gain the blessing of beast spirits each time they defeat a great beast, meaning they can mimic its abilities. Shamans can see the future and the women have elemental magic. Lastly we have those individuals like Sarine, who has an invisible companion called a kaas, which is a gem-like serpent creature that grants her some unique powers. Like I said, this is much simplified but you can begin to see how much of a role magic plays in Soul of the World.
Soul of the World was an excellent debut and a fine addition to my book collection. The whole point of the book is to introduce readers to the characters that will possibly be ascending to a semblance of godhood. The interludes give readers a glimpse of those who currently hold that title and how they work to hinder or help those that may replace them. I found the introduction to the larger purpose to be somewhat unenlightening and felt that it really needed more than a bare handful of chapters to really make me care. The characters however… I loved the characters. Each of the main POV’s was inherently good and very likable. Erris d’Arrent and Sarine were awesome, though I wish the two could have properly met and had a nice chat together. Arak’Jur, guardian of the Sinari tribe, was just so darn honorable! Even the secondary characters were well-written and I would love to have had POVs for a few of them, especially Reyne d’Agarre. If you’ve debate whether or not to invest your time in this rather hefty book, you can stop now. It was a top-notch read that I would highly recommend and can’t wait to see where the sequel will lead!
patrick6367's review against another edition
5.0
This book surprised me - I went in with low expectations and was not expecting what I got from this unknown writer. This is top shelf stuff: gripping, well-written, excellent characters, great story, interesting magic system, epic battles....this is some of the best I have read this year. Can't wait for the conclusion to be released in August!
jennykeery's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in an ambitious fantasy series that's inspired by the French empire of old. It makes for a very atmospheric setting that I haven't come across before. David Mealing cites his influences as Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan, and you can really feel their presence in his world building (his magic systems are straight out of Mistborn, and there's even a strain of magic that's tainted with madness a la the Wheel of Time). I think there's enough unique perspective here that this series steps out of those imposing shadows though.
My main problem is that there's just too much going on. I am no stranger to taking the long way round the plot in epic fantasy books, but Soul of the World has three main pov characters (Sarine - from the new world slums, Erris - a soldier bound to the military and Arak'Jur - a respected tribesmen leader). Each of them live within a vivid, detailed part of the story and each one has their own strain of magic (three in Arak'Jur's case!). This means that the pace is slow and ponderous for most of the book, as Mealing had to set out the rules for each magic system, as well as develop their characters AND manoeuvre them within the wider story. There's also an overarching 'chosen one(s)' plot that involves gods and spirits...
Another thing to note is that this is a very colonial story, and although I really liked the characters, Mealing really had to jump through hoops (and also ignore a lot of problematic hoops entirely) to have the native people and the colonisers on the same side.
All that said, I bought the next book as soon as I finished this one, so it does a lot of things right! If you like fantasy and you're willing to rumble along at a slow pace to earn some pretty epic rewards, I'd recommend it.
My main problem is that there's just too much going on. I am no stranger to taking the long way round the plot in epic fantasy books, but Soul of the World has three main pov characters (Sarine - from the new world slums, Erris - a soldier bound to the military and Arak'Jur - a respected tribesmen leader). Each of them live within a vivid, detailed part of the story and each one has their own strain of magic (three in Arak'Jur's case!). This means that the pace is slow and ponderous for most of the book, as Mealing had to set out the rules for each magic system, as well as develop their characters AND manoeuvre them within the wider story. There's also an overarching 'chosen one(s)' plot that involves gods and spirits...
Another thing to note is that this is a very colonial story, and although I really liked the characters, Mealing really had to jump through hoops (and also ignore a lot of problematic hoops entirely) to have the native people and the colonisers on the same side.
All that said, I bought the next book as soon as I finished this one, so it does a lot of things right! If you like fantasy and you're willing to rumble along at a slow pace to earn some pretty epic rewards, I'd recommend it.
diesmali's review
3.0
A solid and enjoyable read, plot driven, plenty of magic and mystery. Decent world and mythology building, but not the deepest characters by any means. A fairly unique flavour overall.