Reviews

Ten Arrows of Iron by Sam Sykes

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asriram's review

4.0

This book was really strong. Even better than the first. Everything, from the plot, to the characters, felt more rich and deep in this novel than the first. I’m looking forward to seeing what Sam Sykes does with the final novel in the trilogy.

frogggirl2's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Like the first book, this is way longer than it needs to be. It's very repetitive, and the whining, overwrought melodrama every time her ex-girlfriend's name comes up is really played out after 1400 pages of these first two books.

The first book had a clear goal, and although we didn't know exactly what it was, the story seemed like it had an overarching plot and direction. This whole book is one long side quest that doesn't directly impact the main Kill Bill-esque mission at all.

I did really like the new characters that were introduced. I thought they were a lot more well-defined and interesting and contributed to the plot and pushed the main character in fun ways.

The airship battle in this book gets absolutely ridiculous - you've literally got people in mechs, mages, cultists, elder gods, dragons, bombs - it goes to 11.

Although, like the first book, this was a slog, I leave this book optimistic that the third book is going to be better.

ridy22's review

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dark emotional funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

danj91's review

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adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

5.0

emmalikescats's review

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adventurous dark 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

4.25

Content Warnings

unavezmas's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny fast-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

4.25

"How many people did we get to kill to make a better world before it wasn't worth it anymore?"

It's perhaps the most realistic fantasy I read in a long while. It's the only word I have that can describe it. In a traditional story hero's will be fighting for greater good. Here there's no greater good, every one just wants to live another day. There isn't much to say that I didn't say in my review of book 1 to be frank.

"If there's any mercy in this dark earth, you and I will be forgotten."

I develops story and the relationships from book 1 nicely. SAL FINALLY LEARNS TO TALK TO PEOPLE ALSO HOPEFULLY SHE'LL REMEMBER SHE HAS FRIENDS before epic stuff happens in book 3. 🤞🏻

The antagonist of the book (not technically the main one but the one you'll probably remember) is mirror of Sal herself. They sre hurt beyond repain and they want to hurt everyone back. It won't bring their family back but at least they won't be the only one who's hurt.🥲

There are plenty of characters with different moral codes and I enjoyed learning about all of them. Liette is always trying to fix things. Sal is trying to break things. At leasts there's some STABility here. 😏

Also there's review by Pierce Brown in the book cover.

Orbit included preview of Ashes of the sun saying it's similar to this book and IT GOT ME EVEN MORE EXCITED TO READ IT. It was described to me like star wars with gray morality and the gays.