Scan barcode
neilsef's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This has to be one of the darkest themed books that I have read, whilst also containing a set of characters, that while being fascinating, are almost exclusively unredeemable except for their loyalty to each other, and even that has its limits.
The tale is relentless in it's steady pace, that sets a scene of impending doom, that has just a flicker of hope to stop it, which itself requires the solution to a seemingly impossible problem.
This is a gritty tale, that I found to have both fascinating and horrifying aspects to it, with characters that are of a similar nature, but one that is, nonetheless, a satisfying and engaging read.
The tale is relentless in it's steady pace, that sets a scene of impending doom, that has just a flicker of hope to stop it, which itself requires the solution to a seemingly impossible problem.
This is a gritty tale, that I found to have both fascinating and horrifying aspects to it, with characters that are of a similar nature, but one that is, nonetheless, a satisfying and engaging read.
talestoldtall's review against another edition
4.0
“Stay long enough, and you’ll find morality doesn’t survive sandstorms, clouds of arrows, or Darling magic any better than flesh.”
“You’ve a hard soul, Captain.”
“I do.”
“Do you ever wish you were different?”
“I wish everything was different.”
---
Blackwing is a grimdark fantasy written in the first person. It's a story about loss, love, leadership in desperate times and has an element of mystery to the narrative. It's all well paced with some really nice bits of prose throughout, mainly via the protagonist waxing poetic.
I loved the characters by the end, especially Nenn whom I hope gets more spotlight in the second book. The world was built up well. I can't recall any moments where the exposition seemed heavy-handed. Even though the rules governing the world, its magic and warring gods seems like a lot in retrospect, it was easy to digest as it came up.
I enjoyed this book immensely and definitely recommend it.
“You’ve a hard soul, Captain.”
“I do.”
“Do you ever wish you were different?”
“I wish everything was different.”
---
Blackwing is a grimdark fantasy written in the first person. It's a story about loss, love, leadership in desperate times and has an element of mystery to the narrative. It's all well paced with some really nice bits of prose throughout, mainly via the protagonist waxing poetic.
I loved the characters by the end, especially Nenn whom I hope gets more spotlight in the second book. The world was built up well. I can't recall any moments where the exposition seemed heavy-handed. Even though the rules governing the world, its magic and warring gods seems like a lot in retrospect, it was easy to digest as it came up.
I enjoyed this book immensely and definitely recommend it.
itsfreelancer's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I haven't read something like this in quite a while.
taxiforone's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
themanfromdelmonte's review against another edition
3.0
Another from the Abercrombie-like stable. Much is made of misery, both the place and the condition. Also fighting, lots and lots of fighting. And then some more fighting. The body count is vast.
In the early stages it was quite promising as a gritty fantasy with a side order of steampunk. Rugged hero with a past goes adventuring (and fighting, don’t forget the fighting) with the trusty sidekicks. All on account of owing some very unpleasant people various debts, one of whom accesses him via a tattoo on his arm.
In the later stages it’s a siege novel and it’s possible to skip five pages at a time and still not miss anything crucial. I had to because otherwise I risked getting bogged down in yet more descriptions of fighting.
This is all to say that the last half of the book could have done with some serious editing/pruning. It’s at least 100 pages too long.
Another flaw is that there’s no character development for anyone other than the protagonist. Okay it’s a little difficult when the whole thing’s written in the first person but even Ezabeth and Nenn are barely more than cardboard cutouts. Stories are about people.
And this is about fighting. Less a travelogue more a fightalogue. We cleaves them over here, then we hacks them over there.
Oh, and a malapropism. "All out war had rescinded in living memory." I believe the author meant 'receded'. Bah.
In the early stages it was quite promising as a gritty fantasy with a side order of steampunk. Rugged hero with a past goes adventuring (and fighting, don’t forget the fighting) with the trusty sidekicks. All on account of owing some very unpleasant people various debts, one of whom accesses him via a tattoo on his arm.
In the later stages it’s a siege novel and it’s possible to skip five pages at a time and still not miss anything crucial. I had to because otherwise I risked getting bogged down in yet more descriptions of fighting.
This is all to say that the last half of the book could have done with some serious editing/pruning. It’s at least 100 pages too long.
Another flaw is that there’s no character development for anyone other than the protagonist. Okay it’s a little difficult when the whole thing’s written in the first person but even Ezabeth and Nenn are barely more than cardboard cutouts. Stories are about people.
And this is about fighting. Less a travelogue more a fightalogue. We cleaves them over here, then we hacks them over there.
Oh, and a malapropism. "All out war had rescinded in living memory." I believe the author meant 'receded'. Bah.
jalgorth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing has a particular choppiness to it that took some getting used to. The world felt a mix between medieval and sci-fi with magic. I felt that the cohesion was somewhat lost because of this. It is a book where all the characters are shitty people and you root for the least shitty of them.
jackcryan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Good western grimdark fantasy. Plot doesn’t always seem to build on itself. For Jim Butcher fans
_ash0_'s review
4.0
I first picked the US version of this book from my library when it was released. I read the first chapter and found it really intriguing but because of my hectic lifestyle, couldn’t continue reading. I then saw the UK version in a bookstore during my visit to London. I fell in love with the cover but my suitcases were overflowing so I decided to not buy. But I still wanted to read the book so I bought a copy once I was back from my UK trip - the beautiful UK edition. I was pretty sure I would like this book and I was right.
It is a grim dark book and what really made me want to read the book was the description of Misery, the dark creatures that lurk there and the author’s writing style. There were so many amazing quotes throughout this book. I wish the author had spent more time in Misery which is what I was hoping for. But the book revolves more around politics which is also something I like. The plot was great and had many twists. I loved the setting, the tension, the battles and just how dark and suspenseful the story was. The drudges reminded me of white walkers and Deep Kings reminded me of Nazgul, for some reason. I just kept imagining Nazgul and White walkers while reading and that’s one of the reasons for liking the battle scenes I guess.
I loved the fact that there are no perfect people in this book. Everyone has some disability or disfigurement. Everyone has their own flaws and nobody is perfect or saint like.
I only had two issues - both of which are because of my own personal preferences. I am not criticizing the author as he has done a brilliant job.
The main protagonist is supposed to be an unlikeable person and that is where I usually struggle. I want at least one character that I really like and can relate to. I didn’t find such a person in this book. I personally hate drunk men so that was a turn off. Galharrow doesn’t care even if his friend is wounded. He just asks his men to let him die?!
I also realized that I do not like having Gods in my books. The all powerful mighty character is something that I just do not like. My enjoyment went down mostly because of the involvement of Gods who know everything and treat men like shit and don’t care if they die.
It is a grim dark book and what really made me want to read the book was the description of Misery, the dark creatures that lurk there and the author’s writing style. There were so many amazing quotes throughout this book. I wish the author had spent more time in Misery which is what I was hoping for. But the book revolves more around politics which is also something I like. The plot was great and had many twists. I loved the setting, the tension, the battles and just how dark and suspenseful the story was. The drudges reminded me of white walkers and Deep Kings reminded me of Nazgul, for some reason. I just kept imagining Nazgul and White walkers while reading and that’s one of the reasons for liking the battle scenes I guess.
I loved the fact that there are no perfect people in this book. Everyone has some disability or disfigurement. Everyone has their own flaws and nobody is perfect or saint like.
I only had two issues - both of which are because of my own personal preferences. I am not criticizing the author as he has done a brilliant job.
The main protagonist is supposed to be an unlikeable person and that is where I usually struggle. I want at least one character that I really like and can relate to. I didn’t find such a person in this book. I personally hate drunk men so that was a turn off. Galharrow doesn’t care even if his friend is wounded. He just asks his men to let him die?!
I also realized that I do not like having Gods in my books. The all powerful mighty character is something that I just do not like. My enjoyment went down mostly because of the involvement of Gods who know everything and treat men like shit and don’t care if they die.
cwebb's review against another edition
4.0
Dark fantasy that is a lot of fun to read.
The worldbuilding, the magic, is kinda weird, but it's just a setting. The characters are fun. The story is dark, with lots of death and drama. Well executed.
The worldbuilding, the magic, is kinda weird, but it's just a setting. The characters are fun. The story is dark, with lots of death and drama. Well executed.