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jocdilla's review against another edition
3.0
I am distraught that some of my favorite characters died, seemingly needlessly here.
While I enjoy the series as a whole, I think maybe this one was just a culling for newer apt powers, and characters.
Like, what happened to Achaeos?!? Were Felise and Tisamon forced into that point because there was nothing else for them?? I just don't understand most of the how and why here and that's quite frustrating.
Will I continue? Yes. Will I be sad that it is without Salme or Tisamon? Absolutely.
While I enjoy the series as a whole, I think maybe this one was just a culling for newer apt powers, and characters.
Like, what happened to Achaeos?!? Were Felise and Tisamon forced into that point because there was nothing else for them?? I just don't understand most of the how and why here and that's quite frustrating.
Will I continue? Yes. Will I be sad that it is without Salme or Tisamon? Absolutely.
beaconatnight's review against another edition
4.0
Salute the Dark very much ups the ante. The Empire its their attacks all over the Lowlands. People in Sarn and Myna are revolting. It constantly changes the scene to convey thee fact that the war is in fullest swing now.
There is some great character development. I'm thinking especially of Thalric, who develops an unexpected fondness for Cheerwell in their travels to the Wasp-occupied Moth city of Tharn, where Achaeos would find the healers (as opposed to physicians) he needs after the almost mortal would inflicted by possessed Tynisa. Given the chance, he kills his former Rekef superior, General Reiner. Yet, it was not as a final act to cap all connection to the Empire. Indeed, it was the opposite: he feels an even stronger bond, but not in its currently fragmented form. At the same time, he shows a certain loyalty to the cause of the Lowlands, which he had served in some form.
Achaeos is not just there to rest. With the help of an uncommon Wasp Apt who defected his people they are performing the darkest of rituals, gathering the most senior of magicians at the myth-enshrouded mountaintop. Meanwhile, Mosquito-kinden sorcerer Uctebri the Sarcd is planning his ritual to grant princess Seda eternal life and place her on the throne, while pretending to the Emperor it would be him who will be granted immortality at Coronation Day held in honor of him being nine years on the throne. Secretly, Seda is planning her own conspiracy.
The siege and resistance battles are thrilling spectacles again. After the Wasp crush the Spider and Mantis forces in a brief swift, they are free to march on Collegium. Things there look more dire than ever. Focus is on their attack on the Ant city of Sarn. There various armies oppose them. There is Balkus with his troops of war inexperienced but crafty Collegium fighters. There is Salma, the Lord of the Wastes, with his troop of bandits (their strategy of sudden chaos and confusion stroke fear into the hearts of many Wasps the past few months). There is Taki with her army of fliers.
Tisamon has left disorientedly wandering the Lowlands after he kissed Felise Mien in a heated moment. He sees betrayal of his former lover (the mother of Tynisa). In his travels he becomes a pawn in Uctebri's game through an apparation of a woman that emerged from the Shadow Box. His daughter is in pursuit, but it's unclear whether he is even willing to come back. At the same time, Felise is crushed by another abandonment. To save her from suicide, her doctor suggests to give purpose to her life by sending her to the Commonweal to convince her people to attempt the recapture of the territories they had lost in the Twelve-Year War. Stenwold joins them, though the Dragonfly-kinden and their motives are very different from what they expected. What they learn is about an apocalyptic prophecy if ever there was one.
And indeed, I was shocked by how many of the main characters die. At times it's not even glorious. Actually, at times war shows its most hideous face—as Colonel Auxilian Drephos's new chemical weapon amply shows. Seriously, there were some of my absolute favorites among them. I could seriously feel the passion and rage of Grief in Chains (or whatever she is called now) when she finds this time she is too late and cannot save her lover. It's crushing, yet so amazingly epic when she lits up in blinding light burning the Wasp forces.
I was very surprised by the climax. Actually, it's almost anticlimactic. Who would have expected sudden treaty of truce between the Lowlands and the Empire? At that point, the Wasp feel believably tired of the fighting. I'm sure it's not bound to last. So, I'm very much looking forward to where the series is going next. This one was again delightfully twisty and thrilling.
Rating: 4.5/5
There is some great character development. I'm thinking especially of Thalric, who develops an unexpected fondness for Cheerwell in their travels to the Wasp-occupied Moth city of Tharn, where Achaeos would find the healers (as opposed to physicians) he needs after the almost mortal would inflicted by possessed Tynisa. Given the chance, he kills his former Rekef superior, General Reiner. Yet, it was not as a final act to cap all connection to the Empire. Indeed, it was the opposite: he feels an even stronger bond, but not in its currently fragmented form. At the same time, he shows a certain loyalty to the cause of the Lowlands, which he had served in some form.
Achaeos is not just there to rest. With the help of an uncommon Wasp Apt who defected his people they are performing the darkest of rituals, gathering the most senior of magicians at the myth-enshrouded mountaintop. Meanwhile, Mosquito-kinden sorcerer Uctebri the Sarcd is planning his ritual to grant princess Seda eternal life and place her on the throne, while pretending to the Emperor it would be him who will be granted immortality at Coronation Day held in honor of him being nine years on the throne. Secretly, Seda is planning her own conspiracy.
The siege and resistance battles are thrilling spectacles again. After the Wasp crush the Spider and Mantis forces in a brief swift, they are free to march on Collegium. Things there look more dire than ever. Focus is on their attack on the Ant city of Sarn. There various armies oppose them. There is Balkus with his troops of war inexperienced but crafty Collegium fighters. There is Salma, the Lord of the Wastes, with his troop of bandits (their strategy of sudden chaos and confusion stroke fear into the hearts of many Wasps the past few months). There is Taki with her army of fliers.
Tisamon has left disorientedly wandering the Lowlands after he kissed Felise Mien in a heated moment. He sees betrayal of his former lover (the mother of Tynisa). In his travels he becomes a pawn in Uctebri's game through an apparation of a woman that emerged from the Shadow Box. His daughter is in pursuit, but it's unclear whether he is even willing to come back. At the same time, Felise is crushed by another abandonment. To save her from suicide, her doctor suggests to give purpose to her life by sending her to the Commonweal to convince her people to attempt the recapture of the territories they had lost in the Twelve-Year War. Stenwold joins them, though the Dragonfly-kinden and their motives are very different from what they expected. What they learn is about an apocalyptic prophecy if ever there was one.
And indeed, I was shocked by how many of the main characters die. At times it's not even glorious. Actually, at times war shows its most hideous face—as Colonel Auxilian Drephos's new chemical weapon amply shows. Seriously, there were some of my absolute favorites among them. I could seriously feel the passion and rage of Grief in Chains (or whatever she is called now) when she finds this time she is too late and cannot save her lover. It's crushing, yet so amazingly epic when she lits up in blinding light burning the Wasp forces.
I was very surprised by the climax. Actually, it's almost anticlimactic. Who would have expected sudden treaty of truce between the Lowlands and the Empire? At that point, the Wasp feel believably tired of the fighting. I'm sure it's not bound to last. So, I'm very much looking forward to where the series is going next. This one was again delightfully twisty and thrilling.
Rating: 4.5/5
fungus_amongus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
defaultnamespace's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
justgj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
milo_afc's review against another edition
5.0
This is rapidly turning into one of my favourite fantasy series that I've read. It's not quite a full five though, more like a 4.5 - but if you haven't already read the Shadows of the Apt series then you really should be.
mr_houses's review against another edition
4.0
El cuarto libro recoge todo el impulso acumulado en los anteriores y lo lanza contra el lector en un inmenso diorama de guerra, batallas y sacrificio. Los personajes y las tramas cierran sus arcos respectivos y no le tiembla la mano al autor para hacer morir a alguno de los más queridos. Proporciona un cierre satisfactorio a la trama aunque deja algunos flecos convenientemente abiertos. Por el momento las Tierras Bajas han logrado frenar la expansión del imperio de las Avispas pero a nonguno nos quedan dudas de que la situación es inestable y solo están consolidando sus posiciones.
julia1975's review against another edition
4.0
Continuing the story of a world divided between different insect like races, each with unique abilities now fighting for their existence. The story is full of political intrigue, action, and character development. Although a slower read it’s got a lot of different points of view which gives a fuller picture of the war and keeps it engaging.
”There is more to life than just the things we can see.”
The characters face difficult choices that impact both their personal lives and the fate of their world. Tchaikovsky does a fantastic job of balancing the large scale battles with more intimate moments of tension and growth for the characters. This book really brings home the horrors of war which, with a heavy heart I found to be all to realistic.
”All things reach the end of their journey, be they trees, insects, people or even principalities. All things die so that others may take their place.”
It’s safe to say that I loved this book. The characters are beautifully written in all their glory and horror and the world building as usual is outstanding. The endings and beginnings of stories are thoughtfully written and I can’t wait to read what happens next. Id recommend this book to all readers of fantasy and those who like strategy and warfare. Tchaikovsky never disappoints..
”There is more to life than just the things we can see.”
The characters face difficult choices that impact both their personal lives and the fate of their world. Tchaikovsky does a fantastic job of balancing the large scale battles with more intimate moments of tension and growth for the characters. This book really brings home the horrors of war which, with a heavy heart I found to be all to realistic.
”All things reach the end of their journey, be they trees, insects, people or even principalities. All things die so that others may take their place.”
It’s safe to say that I loved this book. The characters are beautifully written in all their glory and horror and the world building as usual is outstanding. The endings and beginnings of stories are thoughtfully written and I can’t wait to read what happens next. Id recommend this book to all readers of fantasy and those who like strategy and warfare. Tchaikovsky never disappoints..
booleancat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
seriuzbiznus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.5