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rwatkins's review
3.0
I liked it. Overall: 2.5/5 (12.5/25)
If you like heavy Christian symbolism in your fantasy, a grimdark tone, classic fantasy, or competing prophecies, then give it a try. A lot of classic fantasy tropes, including The Chosen One, prophecies, coming-of-age story, a damsel in distress, political intrigue and bored children running amok in a castle. I struggled to connect to characters, as most of the mc's are typical classical-fantasy teenagers. The ending was fantastic, with all the best twists and turns saved for the climax and last few chapters.
Content Warnings: Rape, Incest and some Gore may bother certain Readers.
Minor Spoilers Below.
Plot: 2.5/5
The main plot follows a young bastard Chosen One, possibly of secret royal blood, thrust into deadly adventure with the sacking of his small village. He is set on an adventure to find some hidden weapons and magical stones. All common classic fantasy stuff.
There is some decent political intrigue with a pair of princesses and their brother King. The older sister is in conflict with her brother, while seeking to prove a woman can be a soldier, too. The younger is caught up in a mystery to save her best friend. In the background is the invading force, as it begins its siege.
The politics weren't bad and the mystery was pretty good. But the main plotline was fairly predictable and not a whole lot new to it different from other classic fantasy stories.
Characters: 2/5
Most of the main cast are teenagers, acting young, and without a lot of distinction between them. Some are grey/good, others are totally evil from the start, but that's the extent of the distinctions. The plot drives the story and characters forward and determines their actions.
Nail is okay, but nothing unique to him from other young, grim classic fantasy protagonists. He's moody, blames himself for everything that goes wrong around him, learning to come into his own.
Jondralyn is headstrong, too eager to prove herself to her brother, the King, which causes distrust between them instead. She makes some pretty dumb choices throughout, in service of the story instead of logic.
Tala is the younger princess, sister to Jon and the King. She's basically the embodiment of curiosity killed the cat, endangering herself and her friends while causing general mayhem around the castle. She is motivated to unravel a mystery and was one of the more interesting characters to follow, staying mostly consistent except for the odd major decision here and there.
There are a bunch of other side characters, some of which do get pov chapters, but less so than those main three. Gault might be a standout, questioning his warmongering Lord.
There is some teenage rape by older men, incest, and women are generally all viewed solely through a sexual lens throughout.
Setting: 1.5/5
This is a low magic, medieval-Euro world with very light fantasy elements. There is only one distinctive feature about the setting, which is the fantasy religion. But that religion borrows heavily from Christian/Catholic symbolism, including a God-Son on Earth, sacrifice on the cross to save humankind, fight between angels and demons, cross symbology, an underworld with demons, heaven with God and angels, issues with gay activity and women in the church, corruption and sexual deviancy within the priesthood, a pope-figure that supposedly hears from and speaks for their God, and so on. This religion was too close to Christianity for me to consider it fantasy.
Boring world, unoriginal religion. Not much worldbuilding here. Some hidden weapons and stones that might be magical, but they play a minor role in this book. They do serve as the motivation for the Chosen One and the Big Bad. But they have minimal actual usage so far.
Style: 3.5/5
This is the start of classic epic fantasy, so slow-pacing to start with a lot of setup for the following books.
This is grimdark, with all the potty humor, meaningless murdering, gory descriptions, and torturous consequences that entails. This was overdone at times, teetering on the ridiculous.
I really liked the inclusion of competing prophecies, as a complication to the well-worn trope. There are at least 3 different prophecies, all claiming the others are false, and part of the fun is reading to see which one, if any, wins out.
Prose was dark, but also mostly aware of itself. Descriptions went long, but worked to set the scenes. There were times I didn't understand the motives behind certain actions, or didn't believe them, because the plot really drives things forward even at the expense of character work. But I never felt lost or confused about what was happening, just some character decisions felt forced to service the plot.
Themes: 3/5
Betrayal is one of my favorites, as it sets up later Vengeance. Betrayal and Mistrust are woven throughout, as characters are regularly reminding themselves not to trust anyone.
False Prophecy, Fate, Delusions spurred by Prophecy, Chosen Ones, Responsibility, Coming-of-Age, the darker sides of War, Sexual Assault and Religious Zealotry all are topics introduced and explored at length.
Solid thematic work laid out.
If you like heavy Christian symbolism in your fantasy, a grimdark tone, classic fantasy, or competing prophecies, then give it a try. A lot of classic fantasy tropes, including The Chosen One, prophecies, coming-of-age story, a damsel in distress, political intrigue and bored children running amok in a castle. I struggled to connect to characters, as most of the mc's are typical classical-fantasy teenagers. The ending was fantastic, with all the best twists and turns saved for the climax and last few chapters.
Content Warnings: Rape, Incest and some Gore may bother certain Readers.
Minor Spoilers Below.
Plot: 2.5/5
The main plot follows a young bastard Chosen One, possibly of secret royal blood, thrust into deadly adventure with the sacking of his small village. He is set on an adventure to find some hidden weapons and magical stones. All common classic fantasy stuff.
There is some decent political intrigue with a pair of princesses and their brother King. The older sister is in conflict with her brother, while seeking to prove a woman can be a soldier, too. The younger is caught up in a mystery to save her best friend. In the background is the invading force, as it begins its siege.
The politics weren't bad and the mystery was pretty good. But the main plotline was fairly predictable and not a whole lot new to it different from other classic fantasy stories.
Characters: 2/5
Most of the main cast are teenagers, acting young, and without a lot of distinction between them. Some are grey/good, others are totally evil from the start, but that's the extent of the distinctions. The plot drives the story and characters forward and determines their actions.
Nail is okay, but nothing unique to him from other young, grim classic fantasy protagonists. He's moody, blames himself for everything that goes wrong around him, learning to come into his own.
Jondralyn is headstrong, too eager to prove herself to her brother, the King, which causes distrust between them instead. She makes some pretty dumb choices throughout, in service of the story instead of logic.
Tala is the younger princess, sister to Jon and the King. She's basically the embodiment of curiosity killed the cat, endangering herself and her friends while causing general mayhem around the castle. She is motivated to unravel a mystery and was one of the more interesting characters to follow, staying mostly consistent except for the odd major decision here and there.
There are a bunch of other side characters, some of which do get pov chapters, but less so than those main three. Gault might be a standout, questioning his warmongering Lord.
There is some teenage rape by older men, incest, and women are generally all viewed solely through a sexual lens throughout.
Setting: 1.5/5
This is a low magic, medieval-Euro world with very light fantasy elements. There is only one distinctive feature about the setting, which is the fantasy religion. But that religion borrows heavily from Christian/Catholic symbolism, including a God-Son on Earth, sacrifice on the cross to save humankind, fight between angels and demons, cross symbology, an underworld with demons, heaven with God and angels, issues with gay activity and women in the church, corruption and sexual deviancy within the priesthood, a pope-figure that supposedly hears from and speaks for their God, and so on. This religion was too close to Christianity for me to consider it fantasy.
Boring world, unoriginal religion. Not much worldbuilding here. Some hidden weapons and stones that might be magical, but they play a minor role in this book. They do serve as the motivation for the Chosen One and the Big Bad. But they have minimal actual usage so far.
Style: 3.5/5
This is the start of classic epic fantasy, so slow-pacing to start with a lot of setup for the following books.
This is grimdark, with all the potty humor, meaningless murdering, gory descriptions, and torturous consequences that entails. This was overdone at times, teetering on the ridiculous.
I really liked the inclusion of competing prophecies, as a complication to the well-worn trope. There are at least 3 different prophecies, all claiming the others are false, and part of the fun is reading to see which one, if any, wins out.
Prose was dark, but also mostly aware of itself. Descriptions went long, but worked to set the scenes. There were times I didn't understand the motives behind certain actions, or didn't believe them, because the plot really drives things forward even at the expense of character work. But I never felt lost or confused about what was happening, just some character decisions felt forced to service the plot.
Themes: 3/5
Betrayal is one of my favorites, as it sets up later Vengeance. Betrayal and Mistrust are woven throughout, as characters are regularly reminding themselves not to trust anyone.
False Prophecy, Fate, Delusions spurred by Prophecy, Chosen Ones, Responsibility, Coming-of-Age, the darker sides of War, Sexual Assault and Religious Zealotry all are topics introduced and explored at length.
Solid thematic work laid out.
ahhlex's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jakelewis_23_'s review against another edition
4.0
Really Good
Really enjoyed this, some good twists and turns and great action sequences! The world is very interesting and can’t wait to get to book 2
Really enjoyed this, some good twists and turns and great action sequences! The world is very interesting and can’t wait to get to book 2
wellejj's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ian_ramos's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
internetrichie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
antonio_j's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
marlimead's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
kodermike's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75