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lovelyloro's review against another edition
4.0
*****I'm reading this again.... sigh, oh how I love Gen. Just as good, if not better the second time!*****
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'd been a bit turned off from reading since the last two books I read, and I am grateful that this reinstilled my love for reading.
Really wonderful story that had a definite twist at the end, that I did NOT see coming. And that's saying something. My overly analytical mind almost always guesses the ending in books. I found the main character endearing and relatable. I can't wait to pick up book 2.
First date read: 10/10/2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'd been a bit turned off from reading since the last two books I read, and I am grateful that this reinstilled my love for reading.
Really wonderful story that had a definite twist at the end, that I did NOT see coming. And that's saying something. My overly analytical mind almost always guesses the ending in books. I found the main character endearing and relatable. I can't wait to pick up book 2.
First date read: 10/10/2008
mimke4's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lara_marlies's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
charlieteuthis's review against another edition
4.0
If I could, I would give this book 3.5 stars. In general, I had a really good time reading it, and would definitely recommend it.
While the first half was slow, I still really liked that part. I enjoyed seeing how the characters interacted, and seeing how their relationships developed (positively or negatively).
Roughly the third quarter of the book was awesome. There’s your action-packed YA fantasy stuff. I would say more about that, but then I’d spoil it.
The ending was jarring, but alright. I’ve definitely read worse. A lot was revealed about the characters, and many characters were introduced. However, I still liked the ending well enough that it didn’t decrease my rating too terribly much.
The characters were quite interesting. They all had motives for their actions, layers to their personalities, and unique ways of interacting with the other characters.
The plot made sense for the most part (some things got jumbled at the end), and had a logical sequence of events. The quality writing was also pretty good. There were some areas where the writing was lovely, and others were it wasn’t so good, but it tended to stay in the realm of being unnoticeably bad or good.
While the first half was slow, I still really liked that part. I enjoyed seeing how the characters interacted, and seeing how their relationships developed (positively or negatively).
Roughly the third quarter of the book was awesome. There’s your action-packed YA fantasy stuff. I would say more about that, but then I’d spoil it.
The ending was jarring, but alright. I’ve definitely read worse. A lot was revealed about the characters, and many characters were introduced. However, I still liked the ending well enough that it didn’t decrease my rating too terribly much.
The characters were quite interesting. They all had motives for their actions, layers to their personalities, and unique ways of interacting with the other characters.
The plot made sense for the most part (some things got jumbled at the end), and had a logical sequence of events. The quality writing was also pretty good. There were some areas where the writing was lovely, and others were it wasn’t so good, but it tended to stay in the realm of being unnoticeably bad or good.
klaireparavel's review against another edition
3.0
Meh beginning, stronger end. Would read the next.
reality_x's review against another edition
3.0
it's easy to read, but I felt underwhelmed with this book except a moderate time-killer.
hellobookbird's review against another edition
3.0
I am a master of foolhardy plans. I have so much practice I consider them professional risks.
The king's scholar, the magus, believes he knows the site of an ancient treasure. To attain it for his king, he needs a skillful thief, and he selects Gen from the king's prison. The magus is interested only in the thief's abilities.
What Gen is interested in is anyone's guess. Their journey toward the treasure is both dangerous and difficult, lightened only imperceptibly by the tales they tell of the old gods and goddesses.
"It is too bad for you that intelligence does not always attend gifts such as yours, and fortunate for me that it is not your intelligence I am interested in, but your skill."
I'm going to sum up this book in two sentences: The first half is an obscenely long journey where literally nothing of much note happens. The second half saved the novel because the item is finally obtained and things start to get really interesting.
Gen was the single reason why I kept trucking along because I don't think I've ever been charmed by such an obviously guttertrash thief. Honestly! I just had to see how his role played out. In the beginning we think his only loves are his reputation, food, and sleep as he can't be bothered to be much of a help in any other way. And why should he? He only agreed to steal an item. Until it was time to steal said item, it wasn't his problem.
The journey was tedious and boring but speckled with Gen's humor as he offers (unsolicited) opinions on his companion's conversations. He has just the right amount of cleverness mixed with obvious sardonic selfishness.
Like a good tool, for instance, a very well-behaved hammer, I stretched out by the fire and went to sleep.
And then finally! The stone theft happens, bringing in the actual gods that you'd heard about on the way to the stone's location.
And the ending. It was enough to bump my rating by a star. I'd suspected something LIKE it, but got it wrong, and not NEAR the extent of it. While I had to suspend some belief on it, it quite literally flips the entire story on its head and makes you rethink everything you thought you knew up to this point. It's absolutely clear that this is one of those series that starts slow and then gets better the further you get.
Suffice it to say, while this was just an okay read, I'm excited to see where the series goes now.
Recommended as a single read (from the library) as a pre-cursor to the sequel: [b:The Queen of Atolia].
mama_b88's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lilly_koonce's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
librarian_erinn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5