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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
One of the worst cliff-hanger endings I have ever experienced. And I read Karen Marie Monig. Otherwise, an excellent book!
Good continuation of the series, a number of interesting reveals and an ending that leaves you wanting to pick up the next book. Character progression is good, they feel more real than alot of fantasy characters.
This series is fantastic. Stackpole's characters are, as always, human (even those that aren't biologically). This book informs readers of what happened after DGW, specifically related to Crow and to Leigh Norrington. Will's character shift is welcome; Alexia becomes a character with more depth and her love interest (while not surprising) is sincere. Kerrigan.... well let's just say that Stackpole does a masterful job of showing his power and naivete all in the same scenes. Again, very consistent character work.
*spoilers below*
There are very few all out melee battles in this book. The main characters have plausible political and social problems as well as battle strategies to devise. The hit and fade attacks by Resolute, Crow, and Will are nicely done as added action scenes and further story development. Stackpole's plotline flows naturally and logically from point to point; nothing in this novel seems contrived or forced; the end of the book is well thought out, although there's an easy clause out of Will's death. I'm torn between wanting Stackpole to bring such an interesting character back with said clause or leave him dead because its use might cheapen the plot. But besides that, it's nice to know that Rym Ramoch and Bok are more than they seem.
This book is consistenly engaging (to be read: will keep you up late to finish it) and is highly recommended. But read Dark Glory War and Fortress Draconis first so you understand what you're reading.
*spoilers below*
There are very few all out melee battles in this book. The main characters have plausible political and social problems as well as battle strategies to devise. The hit and fade attacks by Resolute, Crow, and Will are nicely done as added action scenes and further story development. Stackpole's plotline flows naturally and logically from point to point; nothing in this novel seems contrived or forced; the end of the book is well thought out, although there's an easy clause out of Will's death. I'm torn between wanting Stackpole to bring such an interesting character back with said clause or leave him dead because its use might cheapen the plot. But besides that, it's nice to know that Rym Ramoch and Bok are more than they seem.
This book is consistenly engaging (to be read: will keep you up late to finish it) and is highly recommended. But read Dark Glory War and Fortress Draconis first so you understand what you're reading.
Michael Stackpole is, in my opinion, hands-down one of the best fantasy writers out there. I cannot recommend this series of books highly enough. The world is lush and detailed; like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, the world has a feel of age to it and a sense of the weight of history behind the 'current' events.
The characters are complex and intriguing and Stackpole avoids the common pitfall of many fantasy writers wherein different races (elves, etc) are just humans with slightly different characteristics. He does a fantastic job of making them NOT human and giving them differing viewpoints.
The characters are complex and intriguing and Stackpole avoids the common pitfall of many fantasy writers wherein different races (elves, etc) are just humans with slightly different characteristics. He does a fantastic job of making them NOT human and giving them differing viewpoints.