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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a disclaimer I do watch Daniel's YouTube channel and I like the content he puts out, which prompted me to purchase his book.
I know that this is a debut and people typically take that into consideration when rating books - but I try to rate each book based on readability and personal enjoyment.
This was tough to get through for me. There are many instances of awkward descriptions and strange word choices that distracted me from the plot and took me out of the story. Although the plot was compelling I did not enjoy the reading experience.
I know that this is a debut and people typically take that into consideration when rating books - but I try to rate each book based on readability and personal enjoyment.
This was tough to get through for me. There are many instances of awkward descriptions and strange word choices that distracted me from the plot and took me out of the story. Although the plot was compelling I did not enjoy the reading experience.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
SPOILERS
So, please let me start off by saying that I'm a huge fan of Daniel's channel, so if anything in this review feels biased, you know why. I also listened to the audiobook, so have mercy if I spelled anything wrong.
Now, that being said, I really enjoyed Breach of Peace, though it has glaring issues. I'll divide this review in different sections, then summarize my thoughts at the end.
Character - 7.5/10
So, let's start off with what I might say is one of the strongest aspects of BoP. The main characters, Khlid, Samuel and Chapman are fairly well fleshed-out, considering the page count. Their motivations and goals are clear and conveyed within the first pages, and then built upon throughout the whole novella.
However, I found that towards the end, I wasn't as invested in the characters as I should have been, and that left me kind of not caring when some major stuff happened. That's why I have to bump down what would normally have been an 8 to a still strong 7.5.
Relationships - 9/10
Now, while the characters are good, the relationships are where BoP really shines. The banter and rivalry between Sam and Chapman, the marriage relationship between Khlid and Sam is very interesting, and something we don't see often in fantasy. The three mains have a lot of chemistry, though considering the page count, I can't give more than a 9/10, rounded up to five stars.
Story - 6/10
So, the story. For me, this encompasses mainly plot, but also main character moments and overall the progress and payoff. Now, of course this is a novella, and if you are not 100% focussed on only the plot, there won't be much there. Daniel focussed much more on character, so the plot is understandably weaker.
That being said, I really enjoyed it. I think it was nothing spectacular, just a fairly well-done mystery. The pacing was very, very, very quick, which left me startled at times, and I would have maybe preferred to have this entire mystery be drawn out to a series of novellas, with even more focus on the characters in the first one. As it stands now, I found that certain particular twists and turns in the last third left me kinda "yeah, whatever". Had those been in the second or even third novella, I would have been much more invested.
Talking about specifics, so spoilers spoilers spoilers, I think that especially Chapman's betrayal was rather meh, although Samuel's death I found to be very well done, especially with the conveying of Khlid's emotions.
Overall, however 6/10 is still good. Above average, for a first novella, is still impressive, and I hope that in the next few novellas Daniel will improve upon that which he has already built in this first one.
Worldbuilding - 6/10
Now, this is taking into account that this is a novella. In that limited pagecount, Daniel did a great job at conveying the feel of this world, especially through some little details. The gritty and dark feel of this empire, along with all the ideas of the Almighty being right there and giving orders have me hooked for future books. I found that specifically the infected humans were a good idea that could have been executed better. Also, the Anointed are cool af.
Prose - 5.5/10
This is the weakest point fo the novella, and let's be honest, expectably so. It's rare that a first book, even with editing, has great prose (Let's ignore Name of the Wind for a second). I actually wasn't even that bothered by it when it came to normal dialogue and just story. It was when it came to description that the prose became really hit or miss for me. The first scene I found to be absolutely gruesome, which is in part because of the prose, but some later parts, especially the description of the infected, was really redundant and frankly didn't give me the visceral feeling of disgust I think I should have had.
I still think that especially because of the first scene and some others, such as Samuel's death, the prose is above average, and thus sits at a 5.5/10 for me.
Tone - 7/10
Tone is another aspect where the book really shines. Everything from the gritty and dark atmosphere at the beginning to the oddly humorous scene in the brothel was incredibly well-done, and I definitely think that this is something that Daniel can become very good at when he improves as an overall writer. The tone of the book definitely gave me Abercrombie vibes, which is one hell of a compliment. 7/10.
Enjoyment - 8/10
I really really enjoyed Breach of Peace. This may be in part because I am a fan of Daniel's channel and the fact that Kate Reading is simply superb at her job, but I also found the overall experience to be really enjoyable. I listened to it in one go, and I don't regret it. I think that if you dislike grimdark or don't like Daniel's style, enjoyment may be much much lower for you.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I liked Breach of Peace, and rounding up every rating I have given, we come out at a strong 7/10. Now, that becomes 3.5 stars, and I have to choose if I five 3 or 4 stars. Now, while I really enjoyed it, I think the technical issues and the fact that some of the later decisions were somewhat rushed leave me forced to put it at 3 stars. Also, I can't justify putting it next to books like Rhythm of War and Dune.
If for whatever reason you read this whole thing, I hope you enjoyed it, I guess!
So, please let me start off by saying that I'm a huge fan of Daniel's channel, so if anything in this review feels biased, you know why. I also listened to the audiobook, so have mercy if I spelled anything wrong.
Now, that being said, I really enjoyed Breach of Peace, though it has glaring issues. I'll divide this review in different sections, then summarize my thoughts at the end.
Character - 7.5/10
So, let's start off with what I might say is one of the strongest aspects of BoP. The main characters, Khlid, Samuel and Chapman are fairly well fleshed-out, considering the page count. Their motivations and goals are clear and conveyed within the first pages, and then built upon throughout the whole novella.
However, I found that towards the end, I wasn't as invested in the characters as I should have been, and that left me kind of not caring when some major stuff happened. That's why I have to bump down what would normally have been an 8 to a still strong 7.5.
Relationships - 9/10
Now, while the characters are good, the relationships are where BoP really shines. The banter and rivalry between Sam and Chapman, the marriage relationship between Khlid and Sam is very interesting, and something we don't see often in fantasy. The three mains have a lot of chemistry, though considering the page count, I can't give more than a 9/10, rounded up to five stars.
Story - 6/10
So, the story. For me, this encompasses mainly plot, but also main character moments and overall the progress and payoff. Now, of course this is a novella, and if you are not 100% focussed on only the plot, there won't be much there. Daniel focussed much more on character, so the plot is understandably weaker.
That being said, I really enjoyed it. I think it was nothing spectacular, just a fairly well-done mystery. The pacing was very, very, very quick, which left me startled at times, and I would have maybe preferred to have this entire mystery be drawn out to a series of novellas, with even more focus on the characters in the first one. As it stands now, I found that certain particular twists and turns in the last third left me kinda "yeah, whatever". Had those been in the second or even third novella, I would have been much more invested.
Talking about specifics, so spoilers spoilers spoilers, I think that especially Chapman's betrayal was rather meh, although Samuel's death I found to be very well done, especially with the conveying of Khlid's emotions.
Overall, however 6/10 is still good. Above average, for a first novella, is still impressive, and I hope that in the next few novellas Daniel will improve upon that which he has already built in this first one.
Worldbuilding - 6/10
Now, this is taking into account that this is a novella. In that limited pagecount, Daniel did a great job at conveying the feel of this world, especially through some little details. The gritty and dark feel of this empire, along with all the ideas of the Almighty being right there and giving orders have me hooked for future books. I found that specifically the infected humans were a good idea that could have been executed better. Also, the Anointed are cool af.
Prose - 5.5/10
This is the weakest point fo the novella, and let's be honest, expectably so. It's rare that a first book, even with editing, has great prose (Let's ignore Name of the Wind for a second). I actually wasn't even that bothered by it when it came to normal dialogue and just story. It was when it came to description that the prose became really hit or miss for me. The first scene I found to be absolutely gruesome, which is in part because of the prose, but some later parts, especially the description of the infected, was really redundant and frankly didn't give me the visceral feeling of disgust I think I should have had.
I still think that especially because of the first scene and some others, such as Samuel's death, the prose is above average, and thus sits at a 5.5/10 for me.
Tone - 7/10
Tone is another aspect where the book really shines. Everything from the gritty and dark atmosphere at the beginning to the oddly humorous scene in the brothel was incredibly well-done, and I definitely think that this is something that Daniel can become very good at when he improves as an overall writer. The tone of the book definitely gave me Abercrombie vibes, which is one hell of a compliment. 7/10.
Enjoyment - 8/10
I really really enjoyed Breach of Peace. This may be in part because I am a fan of Daniel's channel and the fact that Kate Reading is simply superb at her job, but I also found the overall experience to be really enjoyable. I listened to it in one go, and I don't regret it. I think that if you dislike grimdark or don't like Daniel's style, enjoyment may be much much lower for you.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I liked Breach of Peace, and rounding up every rating I have given, we come out at a strong 7/10. Now, that becomes 3.5 stars, and I have to choose if I five 3 or 4 stars. Now, while I really enjoyed it, I think the technical issues and the fact that some of the later decisions were somewhat rushed leave me forced to put it at 3 stars. Also, I can't justify putting it next to books like Rhythm of War and Dune.
If for whatever reason you read this whole thing, I hope you enjoyed it, I guess!
Murder? Check.
Competent characters outsmarting each other? Check.
Angst? Check.
Good pace? Check.
Competent characters outsmarting each other? Check.
Angst? Check.
Good pace? Check.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated