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clarks_dad's review against another edition
2.0
Fizzle fo shizzle. I'll assume that if you're looking at this you have some knowledge of events in book:The Innocent Mage|1051620].
After a promising plotting and world-building start, this duology really falls to pieces in the end. Likable characters from the first volume turn completely unlikable by the second and remain one-dimensionally flat, even though that dimension changes. Couple that with poor, shrill, repetitive, and melodramatic dialogue and you have a recipe for disaster.
Awakened Mage picks up immediately after the stunning conclusion of The Innocent Mage and I'll admit that I was pretty eager to see where the story was going - Morg ascendant and Gar empowered, the royal family all dead and the circumstantial transformation of the friendship that carried most of the first book; what was there not to look forward to? The plotting continues to be the sole saving point of this novel. In spite of some seriously annoying characters and dialogue, you plod through because you HAVE to know what happens.
In spite of whatever she may have been thinking, Miller's frequent reference to the Prophecy that starts this whole business does not aid in that respect. With most stories that involve fate, you expect the surprise twist to how things work out rather than the literal fulfillment of prophecy. Usually, once introduced, the prophecy fades to the background of the story and is only referenced again at the time of completion. To make stories designed around foreshadowing work, you need all the subtlety you can get, and that, unfortunately, is a subtlety Miller lacks. There's a logical inconsistency to her use of prophecy as a plot device that only becomes more and more apparent as you progress. For example, if prophecy foretells events fated by determinism to happen, what use is there of a Circle of Olken devoted to ensuring the fulfillment of prophecy? What idiocy and arrogance to insist absolute belief in the fulfillment of a prophecy while simultaneously believing its your job to make sure prophecy "happens" or that you can do things that will spoil it. On a philosophical scale, it's a stupid idea and Miller's inability to cope with the implications of predestination lead to some pretty unfortunate dialogue choices on the part of characters (most notably Dathne) that become incredibly distracting the more often they're mentioned. Miller also has a tendency to have her characters anthropomorphize Prophecy as if it has a will that changes and desires of its own. I present to you some examples from among the 109 uses of the word "prophecy" in this book (yes, I counted), in all their horrific glory:
"...it seemed Prophecy weren't [sic] outwitted afterall."
"Prophecy was appeased..."
"Prophecy's protected us this far, it won't abandon us now."
"But that's how Prophecy wanted it, and who am I to question Prophecy?"
"I wonder if this is what Prophecy wanted"
"What was Prophecy thinking?"
"Then Prophecy should've thought of a different plan!"
"All things are possible with Prophecy..."
All that's missing is a Forrest Gump cameo on a bunch in the middle of Dorana with a signature "Mama always said, Prophecy is as Prophecy does." One of my favorites was "Prophecy protect us!" By anthropomorphizing prophecy and fate in their dialogue the narrative suggests that prophecy is some fickle thing that can "change its mind" whenever it feels like it to keep things fresh. Indeed, the members of the Olken circle have a religious zealousness in their belief in Prophecy that is as unthinkingly stupid. Unthinkingly stupid as in refusal to use the mental faculties of logic in even ordinary circumstances and instead taking comfort in ideas and thoughts not your own as a means of sheltering you from confronting reality. Dathne in particular combines this zealousness with an unparalleled narcissism that forced me to put the book down several times. Her "How dare you question prophecy!" statements and her "But, but, but ... I'm Jervale's Heir and I'm supposed to do this and that to make sure prophecy gets fulfilled" protestations reminded me of a child throwing a temper tantrum every time she opened her mouth in condescending indignation. Which is not to say you can't have unlikable characters in stories! You absolutely can! Some of the greatest stories have characters that you revile and loathe, which makes their undoing all the more satisfying in the end. But I have the distinct impression that Miller wanted you to feel sympathy for this character, especially given the way Prophecy worked out (wink) and that was out of the question for me by the end of the novel.
And what to make of the Prophecy as a plot device in the final analysis?
A lot of the backstory Miller fills in about the origins of the interesting social problems in Lur was similarly disappointing.
Again, I'd give this one star, but I did finish it, so there had to be just enough there for me to keep slogging through this thing. Still, with so much better fantasy out there, why waste your time with this?
Recommendation: Read [b:The Name of the Wind|186074|The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1)|Patrick Rothfuss|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1270352123s/186074.jpg|2502879] or [b:The Lies of Locke Lamora|127455|The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)|Scott Lynch|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320532483s/127455.jpg|2116675] for fantastic plotting, witty dialogue and a more fulfilling pay-off on your time investment.
After a promising plotting and world-building start, this duology really falls to pieces in the end. Likable characters from the first volume turn completely unlikable by the second
Spoiler
or are just killed offAwakened Mage picks up immediately after the stunning conclusion of The Innocent Mage and I'll admit that I was pretty eager to see where the story was going - Morg ascendant and Gar empowered, the royal family all dead and the circumstantial transformation of the friendship that carried most of the first book; what was there not to look forward to? The plotting continues to be the sole saving point of this novel. In spite of some seriously annoying characters and dialogue, you plod through because you HAVE to know what happens.
In spite of whatever she may have been thinking, Miller's frequent reference to the Prophecy that starts this whole business does not aid in that respect. With most stories that involve fate, you expect the surprise twist to how things work out rather than the literal fulfillment of prophecy. Usually, once introduced, the prophecy fades to the background of the story and is only referenced again at the time of completion. To make stories designed around foreshadowing work, you need all the subtlety you can get, and that, unfortunately, is a subtlety Miller lacks. There's a logical inconsistency to her use of prophecy as a plot device that only becomes more and more apparent as you progress. For example, if prophecy foretells events fated by determinism to happen, what use is there of a Circle of Olken devoted to ensuring the fulfillment of prophecy? What idiocy and arrogance to insist absolute belief in the fulfillment of a prophecy while simultaneously believing its your job to make sure prophecy "happens" or that you can do things that will spoil it. On a philosophical scale, it's a stupid idea and Miller's inability to cope with the implications of predestination lead to some pretty unfortunate dialogue choices on the part of characters (most notably Dathne) that become incredibly distracting the more often they're mentioned. Miller also has a tendency to have her characters anthropomorphize Prophecy as if it has a will that changes and desires of its own. I present to you some examples from among the 109 uses of the word "prophecy" in this book (yes, I counted), in all their horrific glory:
"...it seemed Prophecy weren't [sic] outwitted afterall."
"Prophecy was appeased..."
"Prophecy's protected us this far, it won't abandon us now."
"But that's how Prophecy wanted it, and who am I to question Prophecy?"
"I wonder if this is what Prophecy wanted"
"What was Prophecy thinking?"
"Then Prophecy should've thought of a different plan!"
"All things are possible with Prophecy..."
All that's missing is a Forrest Gump cameo on a bunch in the middle of Dorana with a signature "Mama always said, Prophecy is as Prophecy does." One of my favorites was "Prophecy protect us!" By anthropomorphizing prophecy and fate in their dialogue the narrative suggests that prophecy is some fickle thing that can "change its mind" whenever it feels like it to keep things fresh. Indeed, the members of the Olken circle have a religious zealousness in their belief in Prophecy that is as unthinkingly stupid. Unthinkingly stupid as in refusal to use the mental faculties of logic in even ordinary circumstances and instead taking comfort in ideas and thoughts not your own as a means of sheltering you from confronting reality. Dathne in particular combines this zealousness with an unparalleled narcissism that forced me to put the book down several times. Her "How dare you question prophecy!" statements and her "But, but, but ... I'm Jervale's Heir and I'm supposed to do this and that to make sure prophecy gets fulfilled" protestations reminded me of a child throwing a temper tantrum every time she opened her mouth in condescending indignation. Which is not to say you can't have unlikable characters in stories! You absolutely can! Some of the greatest stories have characters that you revile and loathe, which makes their undoing all the more satisfying in the end. But I have the distinct impression that Miller wanted you to feel sympathy for this character, especially given the way Prophecy worked out (wink) and that was out of the question for me by the end of the novel.
And what to make of the Prophecy as a plot device in the final analysis?
Spoiler
It adds zero dramatic value. The Olken circle plays absolutely no crucial role in the working out of events whatsoever. Minus the quirk of Gar substituting himself for Asher "laying down his life" there was absolutely no need to harp on Prophecy every other page for over 600 pages. It perhaps would have been better to open with Jervale's prophecy as an epigram, introduced the Olken circle as an organization founded and maintained to witness the final days foretold, and never mention it again till the very end. Dathne's "destiny" as Jervale's Heir is of monumentally zero importance to the overall story. In fact, I don't think she had a single vision that progressed the narrative in any way in the entire second book. In fact, her lines in the story are reduced to complaints that "Prophecy" had abandoned her and frustration at inability to see where any of the events around her were going.A lot of the backstory Miller fills in about the origins of the interesting social problems in Lur was similarly disappointing.
Spoiler
When settling in Lur, Doranen under Barl discovered a protected land with a magical people (the Olken) who were going through a brief period of drought and bad harvests. In exchange for promising to ensure the weather forever, the Olken agreed to never use magic again and demote themselves to second class citizens in their own homeland. Firstly, why the hell would anybody do that? And second, why make them promise to never use magic again in exchange for the weather? The trade is illogical and is a really, really lazy way to explain away legitimate issues of segregation and discrimination that gave Miller's world depth.Again, I'd give this one star, but I did finish it, so there had to be just enough there for me to keep slogging through this thing. Still, with so much better fantasy out there, why waste your time with this?
Recommendation: Read [b:The Name of the Wind|186074|The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1)|Patrick Rothfuss|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1270352123s/186074.jpg|2502879] or [b:The Lies of Locke Lamora|127455|The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)|Scott Lynch|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320532483s/127455.jpg|2116675] for fantastic plotting, witty dialogue and a more fulfilling pay-off on your time investment.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
First, this is book 2 of course there are gonna be spoilers from book 1, duh.
Book 1 ended with a bang, for a book that is pretty light then that was sure an evil ending. She killed almost the entire royal family, only prince Gar was left standing. Yes evil indeed. So that is where the book starts. What on earth will happen now? Prince Gar recently found his magic. But can he keep the weather in check? Can he keep his keep stupid Lord Jarralt away from the throne? Can Ashe be safe as others around him think he has risen too fast. And what about Morg, trapped in Durm's body? All hell will break lose if he gets what he wants, which is everyone and everything dead and eaten.
I know it's a total cliche to say it BUT in this book the pages just flew by. Such a cliche thing to say but they did. I read it in record time. The book was 700 pages? What? No, it was like 300 cos it was so light and suddenly I was 300 pages into the story and the next time I was done. The pages turned themselves.
I wish there were more books though, I think it had been better as a trilogy. Then the suspense could have grown bigger and bigger and ended with the OMG! NOOO! thing and the next book could have been a battle. But hey I am not complaining, the series is done and I am happy it all worked out. There is another series with 2 books that takes place like 20 years after or something and I will read that one soon too. I can't wait.
Light, good, fun fantasy.
Book 1 ended with a bang, for a book that is pretty light then that was sure an evil ending. She killed almost the entire royal family, only prince Gar was left standing. Yes evil indeed. So that is where the book starts. What on earth will happen now? Prince Gar recently found his magic. But can he keep the weather in check? Can he keep his keep stupid Lord Jarralt away from the throne? Can Ashe be safe as others around him think he has risen too fast. And what about Morg, trapped in Durm's body? All hell will break lose if he gets what he wants, which is everyone and everything dead and eaten.
I know it's a total cliche to say it BUT in this book the pages just flew by. Such a cliche thing to say but they did. I read it in record time. The book was 700 pages? What? No, it was like 300 cos it was so light and suddenly I was 300 pages into the story and the next time I was done. The pages turned themselves.
I wish there were more books though, I think it had been better as a trilogy. Then the suspense could have grown bigger and bigger and ended with the OMG! NOOO! thing and the next book could have been a battle. But hey I am not complaining, the series is done and I am happy it all worked out. There is another series with 2 books that takes place like 20 years after or something and I will read that one soon too. I can't wait.
Light, good, fun fantasy.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
3.0
The second and final installment of the series makes an exciting, suspenseful, and satisfying conclusion. I really like the fact that this series was so unique: 1) only two books in length as opposed to the typical trilogy or epic fantasy that won't end but probably should; 2) did not have the typical fantasy races (dwarves, elves) or monsters (orcs, dragons); 3) the main character was charming because he was truly your average Joe.
8shar8's review against another edition
1.0
As hard as I tried I just couldn't finish this book. It started off well, then just dwindled until I kept putting off picking it back up again, so I didn't.
It's dissappointing because the first book was so good, the story flowed and I was interested in the characters. This book was clunky and so very slow, I got bored.
It's dissappointing because the first book was so good, the story flowed and I was interested in the characters. This book was clunky and so very slow, I got bored.
patty_creatively_bookish's review against another edition
4.0
Innocence Lost (Kingmaker, Kingbreaker, #2);
Who is this for? People who love (the development of) relationships in a solid fantasy setting.
story 4/5 Loved the focus on the relations and politics, pleasant read.
characters 4/5
writing 4/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? I might!
Recommend it? Yes.
Voor wie? Voor mensen die houden van (de ontwikkeling) allerlei relaties in een fijne fantasie setting.
Verhaal: 4/5 Vond de focus op de politiek en de relaties tussen de karakters heel fijn lezen.
Karakters: 4/5
Schrijfstijl: 4/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Misschien!
Aanrader? Ja.
Who is this for? People who love (the development of) relationships in a solid fantasy setting.
story 4/5 Loved the focus on the relations and politics, pleasant read.
characters 4/5
writing 4/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? I might!
Recommend it? Yes.
Voor wie? Voor mensen die houden van (de ontwikkeling) allerlei relaties in een fijne fantasie setting.
Verhaal: 4/5 Vond de focus op de politiek en de relaties tussen de karakters heel fijn lezen.
Karakters: 4/5
Schrijfstijl: 4/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Misschien!
Aanrader? Ja.
acepiary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
futuregazer's review against another edition
3.0
Sigh....The first book of this duology was a promising start that I thought would improve as it left the land of set-up, and got on to the main event. However, in this second book I find that the pace is slower, the plot more empty, and the dialogue degrading into madness. I enjoyed the way the innocent mage present some familiar story elements in a slightly new way and new light. I did find some of the dialogue odd, but not that much. However, in this book, there was no payoff, and the characters go from staid and stolid to foaming at the mouth and raving in an instant. Perhaps that was on the audiobook narrator a bit, but I don't think so. The narrator I listened to did what I consider to be a great job of emoting, rather more so than usual I think; I just slightly wish he had not, because he was emoting a script that oscillated wildly from zero to 60 and back. Characters should not ALWAYS be that quick to anger - sometimes is good, but not always - and honestly if people spoke like some of the "privy counselors" (aka politicians) in this book, then they would be thrown in the loony bin, or at least thrown out of polite company. No matter what era of historical culture you are trying to portray, or what sort of striated society, people will jump on that kind of naked fury and vitriol, if only to advance themselves by taking down a rival for him impoliteness and vulgarity. Plus, it grates on my ears!
On the other hand, the portions where the characters are not going schizoid hold some wonderful developments. I do like the ruffian character of Asher, and enjoy many of the side-characters as well. Gar became a mopey whiney fellow, but with understandable reason. His were actually the most understandable outbursts. So, I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but sink me sideways if I could.
On the other hand, the portions where the characters are not going schizoid hold some wonderful developments. I do like the ruffian character of Asher, and enjoy many of the side-characters as well. Gar became a mopey whiney fellow, but with understandable reason. His were actually the most understandable outbursts. So, I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but sink me sideways if I could.
toricolliss's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
This was incredibly long for no reason, the action didn't really even start until after pg 600. I still enjoyed it though.
This was incredibly long for no reason, the action didn't really even start until after pg 600. I still enjoyed it though.
reubendb's review against another edition
2.0
At the end of the day it all comes down to this. The Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duology should have just been a single book. (Also they don't really explain the title of this series at all!). There is a few exceptional chapters in both The Innocent Mage and The Awakened Mage but I would say out of the 650 pages between the books about 350 of it is fluff.
There are some great characters in this series and a ton of character development. I particularly liked the expansion of the secondary characters of Darran the Royal Secretary and Captian Orrick of the City Guard but man! did the banter and roundabout arguments ever tear this book down. Plus some of the great character traits were lost; Asher's simple humour faded into simple anger, Gar's relentless attitude to adversity was worn thin and crippled just like his magic was.
It's got a pretty decent ending but then you sit back and think..... that was about 20 pages of action in this book and 50+ pages of arguments and bickering.....
You could make a good movie based on the two, has all the ingredients just the wrong amount of everything.
There are some great characters in this series and a ton of character development. I particularly liked the expansion of the secondary characters of Darran the Royal Secretary and Captian Orrick of the City Guard but man! did the banter and roundabout arguments ever tear this book down. Plus some of the great character traits were lost; Asher's simple humour faded into simple anger, Gar's relentless attitude to adversity was worn thin and crippled just like his magic was.
It's got a pretty decent ending but then you sit back and think..... that was about 20 pages of action in this book and 50+ pages of arguments and bickering.....
You could make a good movie based on the two, has all the ingredients just the wrong amount of everything.