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cliffrcarlson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
zeemonster's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
mollymadworld's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
4.0
A really fun fantasy novel, fast paced and at some points breakneck as we follow our hero and this unruly pack of mercenaries he has found. Really excited for book 2.
gcjay1994's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This was one where I was sure it would be a 3.5-4 stars, but unfortunately didn’t work for me. The characters were fun, but I like to have a more high-stakes plot and that wasn’t happening here.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
The Black Hawks by David Bragg is a fun book if a little slow to get going, with the first 20% all a bit 'go here, but then, go back here,' before the characters really start to feel fleshed out and enjoyable.
When the narrative is focused on the members of The Black Hawks, the book is at its finest - and the section that runs from about 20% to 50% is rife with promise, humour and a great deal of action.
After that, the novel tends to fall down a few fantasy 'holes' and the reliance on a religion as the ultimate 'baddies' feels laboured and a bit disappointing. I was hoping for something a bit different for The Black Hawks company to get their teeth into, as they certainly deserved it.
I read on though, hoping for something a 'little more' only to be further disappointed that the book has no true ending, but rather just stops. This is frustrating. Series and trilogies should still ensure that the characters reach an 'ending' even if it is only the beginning of something else, and leading into another book. The ending of The Black Hawks is frustrating.
Overall, this book holds a bucket load of promise, and while hugely enjoyable in places, it lacks the real punch of 'original' which I think the fab characters truly deserved. A firm 4/5. I wish it had been a 5/5, and I wish it had truly had an 'ending.'
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
When the narrative is focused on the members of The Black Hawks, the book is at its finest - and the section that runs from about 20% to 50% is rife with promise, humour and a great deal of action.
After that, the novel tends to fall down a few fantasy 'holes' and the reliance on a religion as the ultimate 'baddies' feels laboured and a bit disappointing. I was hoping for something a bit different for The Black Hawks company to get their teeth into, as they certainly deserved it.
I read on though, hoping for something a 'little more' only to be further disappointed that the book has no true ending, but rather just stops. This is frustrating. Series and trilogies should still ensure that the characters reach an 'ending' even if it is only the beginning of something else, and leading into another book. The ending of The Black Hawks is frustrating.
Overall, this book holds a bucket load of promise, and while hugely enjoyable in places, it lacks the real punch of 'original' which I think the fab characters truly deserved. A firm 4/5. I wish it had been a 5/5, and I wish it had truly had an 'ending.'
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
itsfreelancer's review against another edition
4.0
This is a pretty good book 1. The black hawks are a band of mercenaries who aren't famous or rich or anything at all. This is not even their book.
It's basically how one random guy escapes an invasion, gets stuck with a spoilt prince and then finds themselves kidnapped by a band of mercenaries who may or may not ransom them.
And then as usual, there are fair challenges won by cheating
Sneak attacks by 3rd party villains
Family drama and backstabbings
Internal politics and a looming war
Welcome to the Black Hawks
It's basically how one random guy escapes an invasion, gets stuck with a spoilt prince and then finds themselves kidnapped by a band of mercenaries who may or may not ransom them.
And then as usual, there are fair challenges won by cheating
Sneak attacks by 3rd party villains
Family drama and backstabbings
Internal politics and a looming war
Welcome to the Black Hawks
asish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tatsuyaki's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
This is a work of art. I picked this book up randomly to get me started on the fantasy garner not expecting much, but i was pleasantly surprised. The writing, the characters the plot, everything had me hooked l. Ive ordered the second book in the series and i cannot wait to finish it. I whole heartedly recommended you give this one a try, as well as any of Mr.Wraggs other works.