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mjporterauthor's review
2.0
I read this book at the beginning of the year and whilst I wanted to enjoy it and support an emerging talent in the fantasy world, I actually only finished reading it because I don't like to leave the end of a story unread. It had a number of things I hate in fantasy books (need I mention the really, really long names) and whilst I wanted to like the main characters, I just didn't. I'm afraid, that I was very surprised to see it's been short-listed for awards. I did have a look at the beginning of the next book but decided that I didn't want to read it. Sorry!!
purringlion's review
3.0
All in all, a good read; still, I expected more after Robin Hobb's praise. The world shows great realism, however, the characters seem too powerful (especially for their age) to make it *really* believeable. I love the world, the background, the setting, the silhouette of the story, but I feel that the balance between realism and fantasy is shifted in favor of the latter and while the overall story shines, the scenes itselves do suffer.
Still, I'm looking forward to the next book and to seeing if it is more up my alley.
Still, I'm looking forward to the next book and to seeing if it is more up my alley.
jesslynh's review
5.0
Wow, this was quite good. Classic Epic fantasy, well written, a freshening of standard fantasy fare. A great change from teenage angst, fantasy love triangles and often hopeless urban fantasy. This book 'cleansed' my palate and reminded me why I have been a fantasy fan since my 1st reading of Mr Eddings back in 1983.
Minor Spoilers
First glance this looks like your basic fantasy story, Ms. Lowe's writing style carefully lays out a story that I can see growing to Game of Thrones-like magnitude. This story could easily encompass an entire world, multiple races and many, many characters than have yet been introduced. There have already been multiple main characters from 500 years ago, much less more from later in the story.
There is a bit of grimness to the life on this world and to the lives of our main characters as well, but as with all good epic fantasy, there is that glimmer of hope, fate and the gods that you know may not promise a HEA, but will set you on the right side to see one if not have one.
There are not as many entries into straight and classic epic fantasy these days (at least in the U.S.) and I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys them.
Minor Spoilers
First glance this looks like your basic fantasy story, Ms. Lowe's writing style carefully lays out a story that I can see growing to Game of Thrones-like magnitude. This story could easily encompass an entire world, multiple races and many, many characters than have yet been introduced. There have already been multiple main characters from 500 years ago, much less more from later in the story.
There is a bit of grimness to the life on this world and to the lives of our main characters as well, but as with all good epic fantasy, there is that glimmer of hope, fate and the gods that you know may not promise a HEA, but will set you on the right side to see one if not have one.
There are not as many entries into straight and classic epic fantasy these days (at least in the U.S.) and I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys them.
ju_shi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
livarleth's review
4.0
This was way better than I first thought when I bought it. I really regret not buying the sequel. It is really well written and the worldbuilding is really great too. Maybe the protagonists have it a bit too easy figuring out how to use their power, but that is really the only thing that I can complain about.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Review to be posted at the Gemmell Legend Awards first
If Night falls, all fall. That is the ancient prophecy of the Derai people who inhabit the world of Haarth. There among the mountains they have their keeps and hold guard against the dark forces of the Swarm. The warlike Derai are not native to this world, they came across time and space, and they have always fought the Swarm who wants to cover the universe in darkness.
Malian is the Heir of the House of Night. She loves the old stories of heroes past and she knows her duty as the Heir of Night. But as the Swarm attacks she will have to make a choice of her own.
There was this constant feeling of something else in this book. Some books are fantasy, you know this, and you feel it. Then there are those that are also fantasy, but still they have this lingering feeling of something else. Here it might be because the Derai came from the stars, a portal, but still from the stars. And there is talk about hunting among the stars. The lingering feeling make it something more than just epic fantasy. There are other books that have managed this too and they do it very well. So for me it certainly feels more than just epic fantasy, it is epic fantasy infused with hints of sci-fi. Of times long gone by, of times to come. Of times forgotten and unknown.
Melian is the main character, our young heroine as she is not a child, not yet a woman. Her love of the history of her people, gives the reader an insight to the Derai people. And they have a rich and colorful history, even if a very warlike one. They do not only fight the Swarm, they also fight among themselves. They have codes of honor and seem to be a very harsh people. But they are a fascinating people, warriors and priests. And Melian is a good heroine among them; she is still young and curious and has yet truly been shaped by the ways of her people. She can still change, which brings hope to the story since the Derai are not ready for war against the Swarm.
There are of course also a bunch of other characters, but most important for the story to come is Kalan, a young priestling at the Temple of Night. He will have role to play yet and just like Melian he is young. I will be interested to see where the story takes these two and the others I have become invested in.
The story itself is about an attack at the House of Night and the things that follows. We know doom is coming and as always, can it be stopped? What will Melian do?
This book is a good start to this series. We learn about the history, and why things are like they are. We get to know the players so far and at the end of it, the story has truly begun. It ends with a cliffhanger, yet not a cliffhanger. It will make you want more, but because of how the ending is written you can survive until the next book. For which I thank the author.
Because of the rich setting and history I want more. I do need to know what happens if Night falls, or if Night can continue to keep the Swarm at bay. The book feels unique and different, perhaps because of that lingering feeling of otherness I spoke of.
If Night falls, all fall. That is the ancient prophecy of the Derai people who inhabit the world of Haarth. There among the mountains they have their keeps and hold guard against the dark forces of the Swarm. The warlike Derai are not native to this world, they came across time and space, and they have always fought the Swarm who wants to cover the universe in darkness.
Malian is the Heir of the House of Night. She loves the old stories of heroes past and she knows her duty as the Heir of Night. But as the Swarm attacks she will have to make a choice of her own.
There was this constant feeling of something else in this book. Some books are fantasy, you know this, and you feel it. Then there are those that are also fantasy, but still they have this lingering feeling of something else. Here it might be because the Derai came from the stars, a portal, but still from the stars. And there is talk about hunting among the stars. The lingering feeling make it something more than just epic fantasy. There are other books that have managed this too and they do it very well. So for me it certainly feels more than just epic fantasy, it is epic fantasy infused with hints of sci-fi. Of times long gone by, of times to come. Of times forgotten and unknown.
Melian is the main character, our young heroine as she is not a child, not yet a woman. Her love of the history of her people, gives the reader an insight to the Derai people. And they have a rich and colorful history, even if a very warlike one. They do not only fight the Swarm, they also fight among themselves. They have codes of honor and seem to be a very harsh people. But they are a fascinating people, warriors and priests. And Melian is a good heroine among them; she is still young and curious and has yet truly been shaped by the ways of her people. She can still change, which brings hope to the story since the Derai are not ready for war against the Swarm.
There are of course also a bunch of other characters, but most important for the story to come is Kalan, a young priestling at the Temple of Night. He will have role to play yet and just like Melian he is young. I will be interested to see where the story takes these two and the others I have become invested in.
The story itself is about an attack at the House of Night and the things that follows. We know doom is coming and as always, can it be stopped? What will Melian do?
This book is a good start to this series. We learn about the history, and why things are like they are. We get to know the players so far and at the end of it, the story has truly begun. It ends with a cliffhanger, yet not a cliffhanger. It will make you want more, but because of how the ending is written you can survive until the next book. For which I thank the author.
Because of the rich setting and history I want more. I do need to know what happens if Night falls, or if Night can continue to keep the Swarm at bay. The book feels unique and different, perhaps because of that lingering feeling of otherness I spoke of.
mcfade28's review against another edition
2.0
This fantasy novel was unfortunately underwhelming. The story was a bit cliched for my tastes as we follow a young teen suddenly develop magic powers when her home is attacked by monsters. I found the world building a bit poor and how to follow. The characters also felt a bit 2D. The ending was good and it had a good sequel hook but I don't think I'll return for the second novel.
lisalovesreading's review
5.0
Captivating and alluring you will be transported to an other world where power, riddles and mystery lie. A place where the waking and dream worlds overlap and where time stops yet still moves forward.
oliviagrace2806's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book it was an interesting opening to the series and I’m excited to see where it goes
I’m kind of hoping for a romance subplot don’t know if I’m just reading between the lines but there seems to be the opportunity for some development
I’m kind of hoping for a romance subplot don’t know if I’m just reading between the lines but there seems to be the opportunity for some development
davidengland's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
4.5