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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
No
🔥 A Song of Legends Lost 🔥
Thank you @sagapressbooks for the gifted ARC of one of my most anticipated fantasy releases this year! This book, for me, was the epitome of “you use it or lose it” because I haven’t stretched my high fantasy brain muscles in a long time and my brain was verryyyyy slow in processing this epic fantasy!!! I paused and restarted at least 3 times before I was really able to get good momentum going and that is simply because the fantasy part of my brain has atrophied.
The world-building and magic systems in this world are unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The magic system is raw and keeps the reader on their toes trying to figure out the rules and parameters.
There is a full cast of characters with their own unique motivations, and I found Temi and Jinao as the “standout” characters. I was thankful for the glossary to help keep track of the plentiful examples of race-class world building.
This book will definitely keep you on your toes and if, like me, you haven’t read a high/epic fantasy story in a long time then you are in for a treat!
Thank you @sagapressbooks for the gifted ARC of one of my most anticipated fantasy releases this year! This book, for me, was the epitome of “you use it or lose it” because I haven’t stretched my high fantasy brain muscles in a long time and my brain was verryyyyy slow in processing this epic fantasy!!! I paused and restarted at least 3 times before I was really able to get good momentum going and that is simply because the fantasy part of my brain has atrophied.
The world-building and magic systems in this world are unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The magic system is raw and keeps the reader on their toes trying to figure out the rules and parameters.
There is a full cast of characters with their own unique motivations, and I found Temi and Jinao as the “standout” characters. I was thankful for the glossary to help keep track of the plentiful examples of race-class world building.
This book will definitely keep you on your toes and if, like me, you haven’t read a high/epic fantasy story in a long time then you are in for a treat!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Although there are a lot of intriguing points to this book, it’s definitely a debut. The characterization, plot, and world building have great potential, but the writing is at times clunky and forced and takes away from that. I’m still interested to see where this goes, though.
Also it definitely reads like YA (maybe for older teens, though?). Again, it’s evidently a debut. The author doesn’t yet trust the readers to get subtext.
Also it definitely reads like YA (maybe for older teens, though?). Again, it’s evidently a debut. The author doesn’t yet trust the readers to get subtext.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
There were some parts of this story I enjoyed, with certain characters standing out — Temi, Jinao, and Runt in particular were really interesting to follow. There was also some good action and really interesting descriptions of the Nine Lands and the invokers. However, there were a lot of characters and POVs to follow, and it made it difficult to keep up with which factions were trying to achieve what goal. At the end of the book, I’m honestly not sure what many of the groups are each seeking to accomplish and who is what side of the conflict with the greybloods. Not sure if I will continue with this trilogy.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
Rating 4.5
In a time when only only nobles can invoke ancestors for battle, Temi, a commoner, accidentally proves this wrong. Could this mean the end of centuries-long war against robotic zombies known as Greybloods. The scope of this story was a huge undertaking. The way the author found a way to make of the characters compelling, create an immersive world and provide a compelling story that me engaged throughout. There is so much going on it did take some concentration to truly appreciate. This is definitely not a quick and easy read but well worth the read because it story it’s self is so strong and well done. I do wish there was a bit more information about some characters mentioned but I assume some details were left ambiguous for a reason since this is just the first book in the series.
Thank you M.H. Ayinde! Thank you for giving us a amazing and well written epic fantasy without the modern trappings of needing some sort of romantic sub plot.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
I lost interest quite fast, tried to give it a shot but not a book for my taste. Maybe if I was younger
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it absolutely crushed it in every aspect for me.
Set in a unique fantasy world, this story blends such an incredible ancestral magic system, political machinations and deceptions, a whole slew of characters and POVs that manages to breath so much life into each and never feels overwhelming, and world building that truly makes the world feel lived in and is queer-norm to boot.
The action scenes kept me on the edge of my seat, the politics kept me guessing the whole time, and the plot twists had all my flabbers gasted.
This may not be for everyone but I enjoyed every moment of this book and the fact that this is a debut by Ayinde may have just catapulted them to the top of my auto buy authors. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next story.
Set in a unique fantasy world, this story blends such an incredible ancestral magic system, political machinations and deceptions, a whole slew of characters and POVs that manages to breath so much life into each and never feels overwhelming, and world building that truly makes the world feel lived in and is queer-norm to boot.
The action scenes kept me on the edge of my seat, the politics kept me guessing the whole time, and the plot twists had all my flabbers gasted.
This may not be for everyone but I enjoyed every moment of this book and the fact that this is a debut by Ayinde may have just catapulted them to the top of my auto buy authors. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next story.