Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Po všetkých epických fantasy odohrávajúcich sa v krajinách, ktoré podozrivo pripomínajú menej či viac alternatívnu predstavu stredovekého Anglicka, zapôsobila táto trilógia ako závan čerstvého vzduchu. Namiesto kamenných a zväčša špinavých „londýnskych“ uličiek sa nám predstavujú horúce pieskové duny, strelný prach a odvážni ľudia túžiaci po zmene. To znie ako recept na úspech a je pravda, že aj vďaka týmto prvkom si táto séria získala veľa fanúšikov.
Dokonca aj v tretej knihe som so záujmom sledovala opisovanie jednotlivých scén, pretože som sa nevedela nabažiť toho exotického šmrncu a v niektorých kapitolách by som mohla odprisahať, že sa mi v izbe vznáša slabučký závan vonného oleja, také realistické boli niektoré opisy. Avšak nie len prostredie robí dobrý príbeh, hoci v tomto prípade bolo naozaj kľúčové. O tom, či vás príbeh bude mať úspech alebo nie, častokrát rozhodujú práve postavy.
Amani sa zaraďuje k tým super akčným hrdinkám, ktoré sa neboja prelievať krv, ale majú dostatok svedomia na to, aby ich neskôr trápili výčitky svedomia a nočné mory. Navyše je Amani o to sympatickejšia, pretože ju neustále zhrýzajú pochybnosti a je rovnako nedokonalá ako ktorýkoľvek iný človek.
Nie je to žiadna ultra nesebecká svätica, ktorá sa obetuje pre dobro ostatných. Miesto toho neustále pochybuje o tom, čo robí a sama vie, že v niektorých momentoch je oveľa sebeckejšia, než by ako hrdinka mala byť. A otázne je, či vôbec nejakou hrdinkou je. Napriek tomu sa snaží samu seba zmeniť, čo ju posúva vpred a jej vývoj ma fascinoval o to viac.
Jin ju v mnohom dopĺňa, hoci je pravda, že aj keď to tak v prvej knihe nevyzeralo, nakoniec sa z neho stala skôr taká kulisa, ktorá pomáha Amani s vlastným vývojom a nie je to postava sama prechádzajúca neskutočne obrovskými zmenami. Napriek tomu ma ako tím nesmierne bavili, rovnako ako ma bavili všetky vedľajšie postavy.
Tých bol naozaj široký kolorit od tých dobrých po tie horšie, až po niektoré vyslovene záporné. Avšak Alwyn Hamilton nikdy neurobila tú chybu, že by mi ich len predstavila a potom ich správanie nijako nekomentovala. Práve naopak. Vždy sa uistila, že poznám dôvody konania každej postavy, čo mi niekedy strpčovalo snahu niekoho skutočne vášnivo nenávidieť.
Dej sám osebe bol však o niečo pomalší a rozvážnejší, než by som si bola priala. Očakávala som naozaj dychberúcu akciu, ktorá vyženie moje srdce do najvyšších obrátok a moje nechty premení na rozžuvané nechutnosti. Zabudla som však, že kým dôjde ku skutočnému boju, je potrebné všetko naplánovať a dať dokopy celú armádu. Zdrojom napätia v príbehu sa tak stalo rýchle odpočítavanie a bezmocnosť všetkých postáv.
Nemali dostatok informácií, ľudí, príležitostí, sily – jednoducho všetko sa im rozpadalo pod nohami. Alwyn tak opäť dokázala, že svoje postavy naozaj veľmi rada stavia do zdanlivo neriešiteľných situácií, aby ich tak naučila, že každé rozhodnutie (či už dobré alebo zlé) má svoje následky. Táto kniha mala v konečnom dôsledku všetko, čo som od nej očakávala – strhujúcu akciu, plánovanie stratégií, bezvýchodiskové situácie, srdcervúce emócie, boj s časom a najmä záver, ktorý si táto séria naozaj zaslúžila. To, že mi raz či dvakrát zlomila srdce, je už len vedľajší bonus.
Hero at the Fall je kniha, ktorá je naozaj dobre zakamuflovaným epickým vyvrcholením skvelej trilógie. Amani a ostatní jej priatelia bojujú s časom a naozaj veľkým tlakom. Musia robiť náročné rozhodnutia, ktoré nie vždy dopadnú podľa ich predstáv. Vyrovnávanie sa s následkami je pomerne výraznou témou tejto knihy. Alwyn Hamilton mi totiž až príliš veľakrát poskytla pohľad do hlavy niektorých postáv na to, aby som to považovala za dielo náhody. Navyše bojujú s časom aj s nepriazňou osudu (Alebo skôr autorky?), vymýšľajú plány len preto, aby opäť zlyhali.
Aj vďaka tomu sa tento príbeh otvára pomaly ako nesmelá ruža, avšak neskôr sa ukazuje v celej svojej kráse – prispeli k tomu aj kapitoly štylizované do foriem akýchsi rozprávok, ktoré mi priblížili udalosti postáv, s ktorými Amani nebola práve v kontakte. Kniha bola v konečnom dôsledku dynamická, dostatočne opisná, akčná a emočná na to, aby som jej verila každé slovo. Nebola dokonalá a k niektorým scénam mám výhrady, ale na druhej strane som sa veľmi potešila koncu, ktorý otvoril dvere mojej fantázii.
Namiesto hollywoodskeho dojáku som dostala ďalší príbeh. Ten ma dokonale očaril a ukázal mi, čím všetkým táto trilógia bola. A že hoci nikdy nebola dokonalá, predstavila mi nevšedný exotický príbeh častokrát s trpkou príchuťou o ľuďoch, ktorí sa potkli dostatočne veľakrát na to, aby sa z nakoniec aj poučili. Čo niekedy stačí.
recenzia: http://lili-darknight.blogspot.sk/2018/02/pust-zaliata-krvou-hero-at-fall.html
Dokonca aj v tretej knihe som so záujmom sledovala opisovanie jednotlivých scén, pretože som sa nevedela nabažiť toho exotického šmrncu a v niektorých kapitolách by som mohla odprisahať, že sa mi v izbe vznáša slabučký závan vonného oleja, také realistické boli niektoré opisy. Avšak nie len prostredie robí dobrý príbeh, hoci v tomto prípade bolo naozaj kľúčové. O tom, či vás príbeh bude mať úspech alebo nie, častokrát rozhodujú práve postavy.
Amani sa zaraďuje k tým super akčným hrdinkám, ktoré sa neboja prelievať krv, ale majú dostatok svedomia na to, aby ich neskôr trápili výčitky svedomia a nočné mory. Navyše je Amani o to sympatickejšia, pretože ju neustále zhrýzajú pochybnosti a je rovnako nedokonalá ako ktorýkoľvek iný človek.
Nie je to žiadna ultra nesebecká svätica, ktorá sa obetuje pre dobro ostatných. Miesto toho neustále pochybuje o tom, čo robí a sama vie, že v niektorých momentoch je oveľa sebeckejšia, než by ako hrdinka mala byť. A otázne je, či vôbec nejakou hrdinkou je. Napriek tomu sa snaží samu seba zmeniť, čo ju posúva vpred a jej vývoj ma fascinoval o to viac.
Jin ju v mnohom dopĺňa, hoci je pravda, že aj keď to tak v prvej knihe nevyzeralo, nakoniec sa z neho stala skôr taká kulisa, ktorá pomáha Amani s vlastným vývojom a nie je to postava sama prechádzajúca neskutočne obrovskými zmenami. Napriek tomu ma ako tím nesmierne bavili, rovnako ako ma bavili všetky vedľajšie postavy.
Tých bol naozaj široký kolorit od tých dobrých po tie horšie, až po niektoré vyslovene záporné. Avšak Alwyn Hamilton nikdy neurobila tú chybu, že by mi ich len predstavila a potom ich správanie nijako nekomentovala. Práve naopak. Vždy sa uistila, že poznám dôvody konania každej postavy, čo mi niekedy strpčovalo snahu niekoho skutočne vášnivo nenávidieť.
Dej sám osebe bol však o niečo pomalší a rozvážnejší, než by som si bola priala. Očakávala som naozaj dychberúcu akciu, ktorá vyženie moje srdce do najvyšších obrátok a moje nechty premení na rozžuvané nechutnosti. Zabudla som však, že kým dôjde ku skutočnému boju, je potrebné všetko naplánovať a dať dokopy celú armádu. Zdrojom napätia v príbehu sa tak stalo rýchle odpočítavanie a bezmocnosť všetkých postáv.
Nemali dostatok informácií, ľudí, príležitostí, sily – jednoducho všetko sa im rozpadalo pod nohami. Alwyn tak opäť dokázala, že svoje postavy naozaj veľmi rada stavia do zdanlivo neriešiteľných situácií, aby ich tak naučila, že každé rozhodnutie (či už dobré alebo zlé) má svoje následky. Táto kniha mala v konečnom dôsledku všetko, čo som od nej očakávala – strhujúcu akciu, plánovanie stratégií, bezvýchodiskové situácie, srdcervúce emócie, boj s časom a najmä záver, ktorý si táto séria naozaj zaslúžila. To, že mi raz či dvakrát zlomila srdce, je už len vedľajší bonus.
Hero at the Fall je kniha, ktorá je naozaj dobre zakamuflovaným epickým vyvrcholením skvelej trilógie. Amani a ostatní jej priatelia bojujú s časom a naozaj veľkým tlakom. Musia robiť náročné rozhodnutia, ktoré nie vždy dopadnú podľa ich predstáv. Vyrovnávanie sa s následkami je pomerne výraznou témou tejto knihy. Alwyn Hamilton mi totiž až príliš veľakrát poskytla pohľad do hlavy niektorých postáv na to, aby som to považovala za dielo náhody. Navyše bojujú s časom aj s nepriazňou osudu (Alebo skôr autorky?), vymýšľajú plány len preto, aby opäť zlyhali.
Aj vďaka tomu sa tento príbeh otvára pomaly ako nesmelá ruža, avšak neskôr sa ukazuje v celej svojej kráse – prispeli k tomu aj kapitoly štylizované do foriem akýchsi rozprávok, ktoré mi priblížili udalosti postáv, s ktorými Amani nebola práve v kontakte. Kniha bola v konečnom dôsledku dynamická, dostatočne opisná, akčná a emočná na to, aby som jej verila každé slovo. Nebola dokonalá a k niektorým scénam mám výhrady, ale na druhej strane som sa veľmi potešila koncu, ktorý otvoril dvere mojej fantázii.
Namiesto hollywoodskeho dojáku som dostala ďalší príbeh. Ten ma dokonale očaril a ukázal mi, čím všetkým táto trilógia bola. A že hoci nikdy nebola dokonalá, predstavila mi nevšedný exotický príbeh častokrát s trpkou príchuťou o ľuďoch, ktorí sa potkli dostatočne veľakrát na to, aby sa z nakoniec aj poučili. Čo niekedy stačí.
recenzia: http://lili-darknight.blogspot.sk/2018/02/pust-zaliata-krvou-hero-at-fall.html
Amani and her friends have banded together to join a revolution, which she ends up leading, to take down the Sultan of Miraji to save the Rebel Prince Ahmed. With only her gun and her Demdji powers she’s unsure if she’s the right leader; only time, and skill will tell in this winding tale of battles won and lost. This was an engaging and fun ending to a good trilogy. This novel concluded all stories and loose ends really well and left the reader on a high note. This novel was fast-paced and full of action. To add to the adventure and action there was this beautiful romance that blossomed and didn’t feel out of place. The characters in this novel were written well and the reader could see the growth they have gone through and how far they’ve come. That was definitely a highlight to this novel. Seeing, characters, mostly our main one return to a place she never thought she’d return to, stronger and more resilient than before was empowering to read. Where this trilogy started compared to where it ended was definitely a journey to be a part of.
With this being the last book in the series, I was questioning how it would wrap up basically to the very end and the author really kept us readers on our toes throughout the whole book. I really enjoyed how some things were unpredictable (some things were but that is ok). I am not the type of reader that gets upset if a few things are predictable.
-
One thing to note is there are some violence and death within this book and series so that is something to be aware of when reading. I loved this book and this series so much and I am very glad I read it!
-
One thing to note is there are some violence and death within this book and series so that is something to be aware of when reading. I loved this book and this series so much and I am very glad I read it!
"But even if the desert forgot a thousand and one of our stories, it was enough that they would tell of us at all. That long after our deaths, men and women sitting around a fire would hear that once, long ago, before we were all just stories, we lived."
Wow. This book was like speeding towards a wall you know is going to wreck you and being helpless to stop. It had all of the fantastic elements of the first two books - fast plot, intriguing world building, incredible friendships, heart breaking swoon and captivating prose - with a desperation and weight that came from being the finale of the series.
It wasn't always easy, and I was crying for at least the last 25% of the book, but everything wrapped up in a way, that while painful as a book about a rebellion has to be, ultimately was completely satisfying.
This series is one of my all-time favorites and I highly recommend it to anyone.
Wow. This book was like speeding towards a wall you know is going to wreck you and being helpless to stop. It had all of the fantastic elements of the first two books - fast plot, intriguing world building, incredible friendships, heart breaking swoon and captivating prose - with a desperation and weight that came from being the finale of the series.
It wasn't always easy, and I was crying for at least the last 25% of the book, but everything wrapped up in a way, that while painful as a book about a rebellion has to be, ultimately was completely satisfying.
This series is one of my all-time favorites and I highly recommend it to anyone.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So I think the writing could have been better, and that the pacing was off at parts; I found myself blinking at a couple of points when we jumped forward in time, because I thought the missing time was important, and I felt like there were some things that probably should have been written more fully that were skimmed over. (The big one here is the big battle at the end, which was passed over in a "time got away from me as the battle raged on" sort of way.) . I understand the short chapters about the future tales, cementing the characters' places in history, but I did also feel like they were a little try-hard. Basically, I'm saying I don't think this book was a masterpiece.
HOWEVER, I just enjoyed the hell out of this book. I loved the characters and the friendships and the romances, I loved the villains and the people who were shaded gray, I loved Amani's uncertainty and her confidence, the way you could see how great a leader she naturally was and how her history, her family, had beaten her down into doubting herself, how her friends and compatriots had helped build her back up. I loved the theme of sacrifice, and the way all of that played out--Sam, who'd never been willing to die for anything, Hala, Jin and Ahmed and the rice story, and the choice, all the choices that Amani was faced with by Zaahir --was gut wrenching and gorgeous. I am satisfied by the ending, and I loved the experience of reading it.
HOWEVER, I just enjoyed the hell out of this book. I loved the characters and the friendships and the romances, I loved the villains and the people who were shaded gray, I loved Amani's uncertainty and her confidence, the way you could see how great a leader she naturally was and how her history, her family, had beaten her down into doubting herself, how her friends and compatriots had helped build her back up. I loved the theme of sacrifice, and the way all of that played out--
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner!
Beware spoilers ahead!
Trigger warning: War and death. The LGTBQ characters have been killed off.
Buddy read with Tova ! Click on her name to keep an eye out for her review. Part of this book was read during Kimi's (GR friend) 24 hour read-a-thon. Tova and I also buddy read Traitor to the Throne. Considering how much I enjoyed that one, naturally I finished the sequel. I am happy to say that I enjoyed it!
Amani is woken up from her nightmares and told to follow Sara. The two make their way up to the roof and notice a sort of glow. Amani realizes that it's fire and likely has something to do with Leyla's latest invention. The rebels are a mess. Amani has taken leadership and is struggling. Amani and the rebellion need to come up with a plan to defeat the Sultan.
I'm really happy that Hero at the Fall was a solid conclusion to the series! Like the previous installments, Hero at the Fall is narrated in first person following Amani's point of view, and third person omniscient. There are chapter numbers and some chapters have titles. And lastly there is a character list and a map.
I may as well mention this first: some of the characters from the previous installments do die. I'm not going to mention which one's die. That's way too spoilerly even for me. Looking back on it now I probably should have predicated those deaths. Although I am still sad. I genuinely like all the characters in this series.
More information is revealed about the Dijinn's. Some of the tales come into question, when Amani meets another dijinn. There was a huge focus on stories, choices, and the truth vs. what you're told. Morally grey characters as well. As Amani herself is a questionable character. I really liked how well the author handled all these points!
I loved Amani's character development! In the beginning Amani is in charge of the rebellion. She's trying to make do but realizing that she isn't fit to run a rebellion. Amani constantly berates herself, as she feels that she's not well versed enough to be making such decisions. Amani also meets her aunt Farrah as well as Noorsham. Throughout her interactions with them, Amani comes to realize that she does matter. It was really beautiful to read about!
As per usual Amani's relationship with Shazad, and the twins was fantastic! Her relationship with Hala even improved. Though I was anxiously waiting for some interactions with Ahmed. After everything that happened in the Harem I was wondering what would happen between the two of them. Ahmed actually took Amani seriously when she gave him suggestions. Their interactions were sweet and very important for the events in the last chapter.
When Amani meets her aunt again she is very nervous. To top it off Amani had to tell her aunt that Shira is dead. Through some rough patches, they sort of come to an understanding. In a sense the two move. This is largely due to Amani telling her aunt about Shira's son. Something is better than nothing though. Amani and Tamid also make up. While they aren't really friends anymore, they still care for each other and continue to do so.
Noorsham now rules over Dustwalk almost like a God. The people see him as their savior. Amani and the rebellion are taken to Noorsham first. Noorsham uses this magical object to see into their intentions, in order to deem them worthy or not. I'd say as I character Noosham definitely improved. His and Amani's interactions really did read like a sibling relationship. I'm glad that he was introduced again and that the author did a good job with Noorsham's character!
The rebellion getting an army was so much fun to read about! Amani tries to make some alliances in Ahmed's place. Shazad's father spread the word of Ahmed's return and several people decide to join.
Jin's backstory is expanded upon more. There is a chapter in his point of view. Wherein it starts with a flashback and ends with the present. I enjoyed having some insight into his thoughts. Really made some things clearer about his behaviour. Blissfully Jin and Ahmed do make up.
Amani's relationship with Jin was strong throughout. Jin was the one person she actually got advice from. I also appreciated that Amani and Jin would call each other out on their faults and still be okay. I truly felt that their relationship grew stronger. It was lovely to read about!
I did have some issues with Hero at the Fall. I was very uncomfortable with Noorsham's God-like rule. He treated himself like a God as did the rest of the people. Amani was still stupid and reckless in the beginning. Unfortunately this affected how she ran the rebellion. While I understand this was intended, it really wasn't the that great to read about. Hero at the Fall wasn't as engaging as Traitor to the Throne. It took me awhile to get invested into the story. The ending was rushed and anti-climactic. All of these points prevented me from giving Hero at the Fall a higher rating.
Overall I enjoyed this book! I highly recommend this series.
Beware spoilers ahead!
Trigger warning: War and death. The LGTBQ characters have been killed off.
Buddy read with Tova ! Click on her name to keep an eye out for her review. Part of this book was read during Kimi's (GR friend) 24 hour read-a-thon. Tova and I also buddy read Traitor to the Throne. Considering how much I enjoyed that one, naturally I finished the sequel. I am happy to say that I enjoyed it!
Amani is woken up from her nightmares and told to follow Sara. The two make their way up to the roof and notice a sort of glow. Amani realizes that it's fire and likely has something to do with Leyla's latest invention. The rebels are a mess. Amani has taken leadership and is struggling. Amani and the rebellion need to come up with a plan to defeat the Sultan.
I'm really happy that Hero at the Fall was a solid conclusion to the series! Like the previous installments, Hero at the Fall is narrated in first person following Amani's point of view, and third person omniscient. There are chapter numbers and some chapters have titles. And lastly there is a character list and a map.
I may as well mention this first: some of the characters from the previous installments do die. I'm not going to mention which one's die. That's way too spoilerly even for me. Looking back on it now I probably should have predicated those deaths. Although I am still sad. I genuinely like all the characters in this series.
More information is revealed about the Dijinn's. Some of the tales come into question, when Amani meets another dijinn. There was a huge focus on stories, choices, and the truth vs. what you're told. Morally grey characters as well. As Amani herself is a questionable character. I really liked how well the author handled all these points!
I loved Amani's character development! In the beginning Amani is in charge of the rebellion. She's trying to make do but realizing that she isn't fit to run a rebellion. Amani constantly berates herself, as she feels that she's not well versed enough to be making such decisions. Amani also meets her aunt Farrah as well as Noorsham. Throughout her interactions with them, Amani comes to realize that she does matter. It was really beautiful to read about!
As per usual Amani's relationship with Shazad, and the twins was fantastic! Her relationship with Hala even improved. Though I was anxiously waiting for some interactions with Ahmed. After everything that happened in the Harem I was wondering what would happen between the two of them. Ahmed actually took Amani seriously when she gave him suggestions. Their interactions were sweet and very important for the events in the last chapter.
When Amani meets her aunt again she is very nervous. To top it off Amani had to tell her aunt that Shira is dead. Through some rough patches, they sort of come to an understanding. In a sense the two move. This is largely due to Amani telling her aunt about Shira's son. Something is better than nothing though. Amani and Tamid also make up. While they aren't really friends anymore, they still care for each other and continue to do so.
Noorsham now rules over Dustwalk almost like a God. The people see him as their savior. Amani and the rebellion are taken to Noorsham first. Noorsham uses this magical object to see into their intentions, in order to deem them worthy or not. I'd say as I character Noosham definitely improved. His and Amani's interactions really did read like a sibling relationship. I'm glad that he was introduced again and that the author did a good job with Noorsham's character!
The rebellion getting an army was so much fun to read about! Amani tries to make some alliances in Ahmed's place. Shazad's father spread the word of Ahmed's return and several people decide to join.
Jin's backstory is expanded upon more. There is a chapter in his point of view. Wherein it starts with a flashback and ends with the present. I enjoyed having some insight into his thoughts. Really made some things clearer about his behaviour. Blissfully Jin and Ahmed do make up.
Amani's relationship with Jin was strong throughout. Jin was the one person she actually got advice from. I also appreciated that Amani and Jin would call each other out on their faults and still be okay. I truly felt that their relationship grew stronger. It was lovely to read about!
I did have some issues with Hero at the Fall. I was very uncomfortable with Noorsham's God-like rule. He treated himself like a God as did the rest of the people. Amani was still stupid and reckless in the beginning. Unfortunately this affected how she ran the rebellion. While I understand this was intended, it really wasn't the that great to read about. Hero at the Fall wasn't as engaging as Traitor to the Throne. It took me awhile to get invested into the story. The ending was rushed and anti-climactic. All of these points prevented me from giving Hero at the Fall a higher rating.
Overall I enjoyed this book! I highly recommend this series.
wow don’t you love it when you stay up all night for a book only to end up with a shattered heart in return