Reviews

The Warden by Daniel M. Ford

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malignantcactus's review

2.0

DNF'd around 20% in. It's fine, just wasn't interested in it.

Newly graduated necromancer Aelis is assigned a faraway post in rural Lone Pine. The inhabitants are terrified of her and she feels her talents are being wasted, but she gradually begins to make connections. It ends up having a mostly cozy feel that I enjoyed. The world has a very stereotypical DND fantasy build (one may say... too stereotypical), and the tone reminds me of classic stories- but with a female (and bisexual) protagonist. The scale starts small with a series of quests that help Aelis begin to convince the villagers of her good intentions. It gradually opens to a larger mystery, which I think unfortunately takes her farther away from the building-trust aspect, and into her own separate plot. While there was definitely necromancy here, I picked up the book for necromancy, so I wish there was a bit more. I did like how both Aelis and her love interest were kind of assholes- especially for Aelis, as her background as a rich city girl made her struggles to connect to Lone Pine feel more realistic and rewarding. However, the romance was unfortunately completely obligatory (I mean that), and I truly hate that in a story. I appreciated her friendship with Tun, who is great, and someone that felt much more connected to Aelis emotionally and plot-wise. Unfortunately, her speaking to herself EVERY TIME she had a thought was terrible, especially when it connected with drawn-out flashback scenes that could have been more concisely summarized. Overall, it was somewhat enjoyable but of bad quality.

lesbianbarista's review

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adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

WOW. Okay this book was so so interesting. Ford is SO skilled at his descriptors, it painted such a clear image in my head. I think it was on the first ten pages, when there was a description about the tower Aelis would inhabit, that really stole my breath away. It was so clear and honestly so well done. And it continued for our heroine, each new thing she encountered I was so excited to SEE it. It was painted with words and I was there, beside Aelis, witnessing it.

And Aelis... oh Aelis, my self-talking, learning to adapt, ruthless bad ass necromancer beloved. Bi sexual (maybe poly???) and crushing HARD on a very charming elven archer. I think she's made it to my list of top ten favorite character, her internal/external dialogue was so interesting and let us get to know her in a way I hadn't really seen before. Everyone loves an underdog and Aelis may not have been born one, but she became one and kept her head high through it all. GOD. Love her.

The pacing was a little odd, I thought it would be cozy for most of the book, getting to know the village, but that part was short lived. Seeing a look at the world surrounding the village Aelis is in really got me excited for the rest of the series that will follow. There's a rich world here I honestly can't wait to explore.

AND THE ENDING. OH GOD. Stress... and I still have -checks calendar- 8 months until the next one........

vortacist's review

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adventurous mysterious 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

4.75

shanaqui's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I had a really good time with Daniel M. Ford's The Warden. The components are fairly familiar: cocky new graduate is dispatched to a place she believes is below her station and capabilities, becomes part of the community there, and quickly discovers that there are dangers aplenty that require her skills. Aelis looks down a little on the community, and stands upon her dignity, but in part that's what she's been taught to do -- and she makes up for it with hard graft, never failing in her duty to put her skills and her life on the line for the people she must, as Warden, protect. She's impatient at times, but ultimately she does her best by her responsibilities, and that wins you a lot.

I did find that one aspect of the plot -- Aelis kind of dropping a subject that was actually really important -- wasn't well handled and didn't really make sense. It's explained later, but I felt somewhat blindsided by the explanation; I think it needed a little more foreshadowing.

Stylistically, I could have done with a bit less of Aelis talking to herself, and the flashbacks didn't always feel smooth; it was obviously being used to fill in the world, character and background info needed, but sometimes felt a touch clunky. Aelis' relationship with Maurenia could have done with some fleshing out, too, but I really feel like I'm nitpicking here. I had fun, I loved Tun and Aelis' scenes with him, and I think the types and bounds of magic that Aelis can wield (and which exist in general) are interesting. Obviously we have much to learn about the history of the world, and Aelis has a heck of a job left to do.

I'm definitely eager to read Necrobane. I'm even going to try and break my usual mould and read it right away!

rhbubbles's review

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2.0

By time I finished this, I didn't have anything good to say. It'll be for some people but not for me, mostly because the book overstayed it's welcome. Could have ended 20+ pages before it did. And whoever said it's like Twin Peaks has never seen Twin Peaks or watched a very very different show than me. I would say, market this a bit different (not Twin Peaks) to actually get the right audience so people like me don't read it hoping for one thing and being very disappointed.