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jalyth's review against another edition
5.0
Good writing! Occasionally mystical. Nice to have queer people without intolerance. I read this a few years ago, but only really remembered two main events. Has a nice ending, no obnoxious cliffhanger. Stands on its own.
Looking forward to reading the series, especially since I read Marks wrote a 4th book, coming out this June. What luck I picked it up now.
Looking forward to reading the series, especially since I read Marks wrote a 4th book, coming out this June. What luck I picked it up now.
lenahe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
3.75
I read this for a book club, and I don't think I would be able to read it otherwise. The first half was not very compelling, because I didn't feel connected to the characters and there is a lot going on (and a lot of violence, which I wasn't expecting).
The second half was much better, maybe because ai got used to the tone of the book, and I really enjoyed it and understand now why it is a classic.
Something that fascinated me was how the author manages to convey the relationships between characters without many words.
The second half was much better, maybe because ai got used to the tone of the book, and I really enjoyed it and understand now why it is a classic.
Something that fascinated me was how the author manages to convey the relationships between characters without many words.
brittyyyyyyy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
A different take on elemental magic than most fantasy books I’ve read. It’s so cleverly written that if you don’t pay attention you will miss the heart of this book, which is the found family relationships that develop. The author does not hand anything to you, but nothing is out of reach if you think hard enough.
One of my very favorite series. Ever.
One of my very favorite series. Ever.
vigil's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Violence, War, Genocide, and Xenophobia
loganslovelylibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I rarely write reviews, but this book deserves one. As a fantasy novel it begins with an exploration of two different cultures/societies and how they fall into conflict. Zanja, a member of a tribe not affiliated with either the Shaftal/Sainnite conflict, gets wrapped up in the trauma that comes with war. The first 2/3 of this book focuses on her journey in a Shaftalese company. The repetitive chapters on army strategy and internal company conflict almost made me abandon this book, but pushing through was most definitely worth it.
I give this only three stars because of how long the beginning of the book dragged on for, and for the lack of explorations of emotions, especially when dealing with bodily trauma. But I must say, I have never read characters like these before. Once the main adventuring group (as most fantasy novels have) began to take shape I was so hooked. It features multiple LGBTQ relationships which are seen as commonplace in this world. The main savior-type character was incredibly unique, well written, and deals with addiction and recovery in a way that I have never seen a fantasy author write before. Nothing comes easy to these characters, but their perseverance through endless struggles brought life into this novel.
I almost abandoned this book halfway through, but by the last third I was hooked and already trying to figure out where I could find the next one. Any book that can make me change my mind that quickly, and can set up engaging future plot lines, deserves a review.
There’s something to be said about a book that so wonderfully explores the relationships between the individuals in a group. Seeing this rag-tag group become somewhat of a family and regain lost hope was really wonderful; so I will leave you with this quote:
“The six of them had camped fearlessly upon the open plain, where grass and stone stretched to the horizon, flat as water and rippling in the wind. They drew knobby, weathered rocks up to the fire for chairs, and Emil brew tea, using J’han’s supply, as he’d long run out of his own.... [Zanja] thought, these people will be my companions as long as we are alive. And she felt the years spread before her, like a wonderful new country.”
I give this only three stars because of how long the beginning of the book dragged on for, and for the lack of explorations of emotions, especially when dealing with bodily trauma. But I must say, I have never read characters like these before. Once the main adventuring group (as most fantasy novels have) began to take shape I was so hooked. It features multiple LGBTQ relationships which are seen as commonplace in this world. The main savior-type character was incredibly unique, well written, and deals with addiction and recovery in a way that I have never seen a fantasy author write before. Nothing comes easy to these characters, but their perseverance through endless struggles brought life into this novel.
I almost abandoned this book halfway through, but by the last third I was hooked and already trying to figure out where I could find the next one. Any book that can make me change my mind that quickly, and can set up engaging future plot lines, deserves a review.
There’s something to be said about a book that so wonderfully explores the relationships between the individuals in a group. Seeing this rag-tag group become somewhat of a family and regain lost hope was really wonderful; so I will leave you with this quote:
“The six of them had camped fearlessly upon the open plain, where grass and stone stretched to the horizon, flat as water and rippling in the wind. They drew knobby, weathered rocks up to the fire for chairs, and Emil brew tea, using J’han’s supply, as he’d long run out of his own.... [Zanja] thought, these people will be my companions as long as we are alive. And she felt the years spread before her, like a wonderful new country.”
tellingetienne's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a very slow beginning and I am glad I held out. I was just about 50% of the way into it before I was hooked and invested in the characters. The world building and magic system is fascinating and I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
sarah_grey's review against another edition
4.0
This is unapologetically and beautifully gay. I have a few squabbles about a plot device used one too many times but otherwise I really enjoyed reading this.
_b_a_l_'s review against another edition
2.0
So yay for a queer female lead in a fantasy novel, but bleh for just about everything else.
Honestly I was just bored a lot.
Honestly I was just bored a lot.
lunabbly's review against another edition
2.0
yeah it was okay... there were things that I felt were rushed and not explained very well. I loved some of the concepts explored and the queer love, those were awesome, but some words and scenes were just rushed.