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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
Oh my God...
Okay, if you're interested in reading this book, please don't read further in this review. I'm going to talk about some plot stuff that WILL spoil what happens!!!
Okay so I loved this, a lot. It had a bit of a slow start and I will admit, this was my second attempt to read it, but I persevered and I am so so so glad I did. I loved the worldbuilding within the book, the different cultures with their nuances, the multitude of characters who felt very real and the magic system? Well, that was chef's kiss. Really enjoyed reading from Ead and Tané's point of views (and they were the main ones, imo) along with Loth of course, when he had his little misadventures and Doctor Roos - God, Doctor Roos. I hated him most of the time but man, I felt so bad for him too. He kinda got a redemption arc? I think the author handled a multi-pov book very well. There was a good balance between both sides and I never felt one was lacking over the other.
I really enjoyed the variety in representation in characters and the LGBT romance was, not surprising, but a nice change from aggressive male on female action. I appreciated that any sexual encounters were essentially fade to black or just vague enough to get the intention across without being unnecessarily graphic (like some authors...). I think the strong female cast of characters was also a credit to this book and it was nice to see well rounded females who didn't just become consumed by male attention.
So why am I not giving it 5 stars?
Well, there are a few things about it that didn't really satisfy me or left me a bit meh about the book. First would be the minor (since it's mentioned later in the book, only a few times and only a few lines but come on, the dude founded a religion...) but present incest plotline. I just fail to understand why authors are employing this as a plot line. Granted, the incest plot wasn't between blood relatives but between a man who was, for intents and purposes, raised as a character's son. Big yikes, don't like like. Wish it wasn't a thing. Secondly, a lot of the action was tied up in the last 100 or so pages! Like, fighting the BBEG happened in so few pages compared to the rest of the book?
While everything did tie up it was a bit disappointing that the main plot was left until the very end and then over so soon. Well, whatever, they did it, congrats. I just would have liked more of the outcome of what happened that a few short chapters that just happened to wrap a neat bow on everything as quickly as possible. Some plot points moved very quickly throughout the book as well, with some plot aspects seeming rather convenient and, dare I say it, rushed to suit a certain outcome that Shannon was haring towards.
Because of these things, the book fell from a stellar 5 star to a 4 star. Maybe a 4.5 at a push if I'm in a good mood.
That said, I do enjoy Shannon's writing and I'm curious enough to pick up her long running, multibook series - we shall see if that happens. Glad I finally gave this a chance and I would say that if anyone else is considering it, they should just take the plunge.
Okay, if you're interested in reading this book, please don't read further in this review. I'm going to talk about some plot stuff that WILL spoil what happens!!!
Okay so I loved this, a lot. It had a bit of a slow start and I will admit, this was my second attempt to read it, but I persevered and I am so so so glad I did. I loved the worldbuilding within the book, the different cultures with their nuances, the multitude of characters who felt very real and the magic system? Well, that was chef's kiss. Really enjoyed reading from Ead and Tané's point of views (and they were the main ones, imo) along with Loth of course, when he had his little misadventures and Doctor Roos - God, Doctor Roos. I hated him most of the time but man, I felt so bad for him too. He kinda got a redemption arc? I think the author handled a multi-pov book very well. There was a good balance between both sides and I never felt one was lacking over the other.
I really enjoyed the variety in representation in characters and the LGBT romance was, not surprising, but a nice change from aggressive male on female action. I appreciated that any sexual encounters were essentially fade to black or just vague enough to get the intention across without being unnecessarily graphic (like some authors...). I think the strong female cast of characters was also a credit to this book and it was nice to see well rounded females who didn't just become consumed by male attention.
So why am I not giving it 5 stars?
Well, there are a few things about it that didn't really satisfy me or left me a bit meh about the book. First would be the minor (since it's mentioned later in the book, only a few times and only a few lines but come on, the dude founded a religion...) but present incest plotline. I just fail to understand why authors are employing this as a plot line. Granted, the incest plot wasn't between blood relatives but between a man who was, for intents and purposes, raised as a character's son. Big yikes, don't like like. Wish it wasn't a thing. Secondly, a lot of the action was tied up in the last 100 or so pages! Like, fighting the BBEG happened in so few pages compared to the rest of the book?
While everything did tie up it was a bit disappointing that the main plot was left until the very end and then over so soon. Well, whatever, they did it, congrats. I just would have liked more of the outcome of what happened that a few short chapters that just happened to wrap a neat bow on everything as quickly as possible. Some plot points moved very quickly throughout the book as well, with some plot aspects seeming rather convenient and, dare I say it, rushed to suit a certain outcome that Shannon was haring towards.
Because of these things, the book fell from a stellar 5 star to a 4 star. Maybe a 4.5 at a push if I'm in a good mood.
That said, I do enjoy Shannon's writing and I'm curious enough to pick up her long running, multibook series - we shall see if that happens. Glad I finally gave this a chance and I would say that if anyone else is considering it, they should just take the plunge.
adventurous
emotional
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
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I give out 5 stars too easy, but when I finish a book and I feel satisfied and happy and I had no issues with how it ended or how the story progressed, how can I not give it 5 stars?
This story was so well done. I felt immersed in the world and interested in the lore the entire time. The beginning was a little slow for my taste, but the lore we were building kept me invested.
At times, I questioned the choices of which characters we followed and the events that occurred. But in the end, when I saw everything come to fruition, I was completely satisfied with what happened.
I am not dying for more content from the world cause I feel like the book wrapped itself up nicely, but I am glad that there are still some strings floating in the wind because that leaves room for more stories in the world (which I wouldn’t be opposed to).
Overall, well written book with phenomenal characters, story arcs, and world lore. I felt satisfied at the end, not needing more and not exhausted by what I was given.
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
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-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:
No
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous