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downtowndaly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book has me conflicted. JA gets you so connected to the characters and so entrenched in the battle that when the plot seems to kind of sputter to an end you feel left wanting more. Maybe it's just the futility of war, but the story of this one was my least favourite of his so far. Still a 4 mostly for JA's typically wonderful character work. You do have to be realistic about this sort of thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
amir_hamza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
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
A clear step up from Best Served Cold and comfortably my second favourite First Law Book after Last Argument of Kings, The Heroes was still something that left me somewhat disappointed. By all means, it's not a bad book, but my expectations from it were much, much higher. When I finished Day 2 I thought the quality of the book would just keep on climbing higher, but it seemed from that point the quality, like the pacing, it just jogged steadily towards the ending. This is a straightforward book, almost painfully so. (Vague spoilers) There's no mind-blowing plot twist, no jaw-dropping revelation or epic magical twist (this book has basically no magic or fantastical element at all). There's just a deus ex machina in the very last part Shivers killing Dow , after which literally everything goes to Calder's favour instantaneously , which was the only decision in the book I hated, as it was far too convenient a thing to occur by First Law standards.
Yes, the character work is the best yet, by far. Yes, so is the thematic work. This is absolutely one of the most thoughtful reads I've had along with Dandelion Dynasty. But it just lacks that oomph that to me, regrettably makes it harder to rate above:
8.5/10.
Yes, the character work is the best yet, by far. Yes, so is the thematic work. This is absolutely one of the most thoughtful reads I've had along with Dandelion Dynasty. But it just lacks that oomph that to me, regrettably makes it harder to rate above:
8.5/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Cursing, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Still great. Enjoyed it even more on a reread via audiobook. Rereading all of these back to back continues to be a rewarding and worthwhile exercise!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Cursing, Blood, War, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Animal death, Sexism, Vomit, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Medical content, and Excrement
blue123's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
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