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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
anyone who liked rote and/or queens thief I think you’ll really vibe with this one
In the same vein as rote and queens thief in terms of character study — young boy, an outcast but still part of royalty thrust into court politics and intrigue, holds a position he doesn't really want but feels the obligation to for the betterment of the kingdom. focuses a lot on internal characterization.
Maia like a mix of Gen and Fitz -- he's smart but he is naive due to his exile, tries to do what's best.
The novel very slow paced but I didn't mind it?? it has very little action and focuses a lot of day to day life politics and the intricacies of being an emperor so you definitely have to be in the mood for it, but once you get used to it and how detailed it is its very good. It did lull in the middle a bit for me but pushing through was worth it imo
Critiques — it was very focused on a singular setting so it was hard to get a grasp of the effects of the decisions that were being made at points, but she has a second series in this world that expands on that I think outside of this standalone. I do think she could have made this a series though. I would have liked to see how the MC grew a bit more as time went on because this is a very small snippet of his life
Overall though, a very interesting, detailed, character based novel
In the same vein as rote and queens thief in terms of character study — young boy, an outcast but still part of royalty thrust into court politics and intrigue, holds a position he doesn't really want but feels the obligation to for the betterment of the kingdom. focuses a lot on internal characterization.
Maia like a mix of Gen and Fitz -- he's smart but he is naive due to his exile, tries to do what's best.
The novel very slow paced but I didn't mind it?? it has very little action and focuses a lot of day to day life politics and the intricacies of being an emperor so you definitely have to be in the mood for it, but once you get used to it and how detailed it is its very good. It did lull in the middle a bit for me but pushing through was worth it imo
Critiques — it was very focused on a singular setting so it was hard to get a grasp of the effects of the decisions that were being made at points, but she has a second series in this world that expands on that I think outside of this standalone. I do think she could have made this a series though. I would have liked to see how the MC grew a bit more as time went on because this is a very small snippet of his life
Overall though, a very interesting, detailed, character based novel
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Child abuse
This was a fantastic and fun read. It took a couple of chapters to really dig in, especially with language used differently and more formally than it is in the real world, but once I got into it I really, really loved it. It's one of my favorite books that I've read in the last five or so years, for sure.
Oddly reminiscent of the 2001 movie Spy Game, in that there is very little action asides from bureaucracy and meetings yet the dialogue and inner monologue keep every scene engaging. The single perspective helps to maintain coherent pace despite the common trend in fantasy to use multiple POVs.
Anyone who hated Shakespeare in high school may be wary of the opening chapters with its thou's and royal we's, but the flowery language eventually feels comfortable while contributing to an atmosphere of eloquent fantasy.
It can be difficult to track the plot through locations and names due to the extensive language system, but the voice of each character is distinct enough that you quickly re-acclimate to each one's role in the story.
Anyone who hated Shakespeare in high school may be wary of the opening chapters with its thou's and royal we's, but the flowery language eventually feels comfortable while contributing to an atmosphere of eloquent fantasy.
It can be difficult to track the plot through locations and names due to the extensive language system, but the voice of each character is distinct enough that you quickly re-acclimate to each one's role in the story.
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Great book — loved the world and the courtly intrigue. The names are complicated, but if you pay attention, context clues really help.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Wonderful story, not really fantasy per se, but a lovely drama