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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Shea is a pathfinder (like a professionally trained scout) who knows how to navigate the wilderness and watch for signs of dangerous beasts. After a betrayal, she catches the eye of a warlord invading a neighboring territory. She escapes but ends up going into hiding as a scout in his army.
I liked a lot of things about this book -- very intelligent and skilled heroine who continually outsmarts not only an enemy warlord but his entire army, interesting world building with savage monsters, and strong themes of finding an identity and family with unlikely people. Approximately 70% of the book is a build-up to It's a testament to the author's skill that I was really into the story despite the lack of any romance or steam until that far in. And once it kicked in, the tension between the two leads was great.
Some of the things that kept this from being a 5 star read for me: I don't like when modern slang leaks into fantasy novels. Things like "hella" and "workaholic" just take me out of the story world. On the same note, I was confused by the mix of names. There would be rustic, fantasy-appropriate names like Indra and Witt and Jarak, and in the same scene there'd also be Henry, Paul, and Jason. I'd understand if all the traditional names came from one country, but that wasn't the case.
I was also confused by how Fallon and one of his commanders
The reviews of books 2 and 3 in the trilogy aren't super flattering so I'm unsure if I'll keep reading.
I liked a lot of things about this book -- very intelligent and skilled heroine who continually outsmarts not only an enemy warlord but his entire army, interesting world building with savage monsters, and strong themes of finding an identity and family with unlikely people. Approximately 70% of the book is a build-up to
Spoiler
Fallon, the warlord, realizing that Shea has been hiding under his nose for months.Some of the things that kept this from being a 5 star read for me: I don't like when modern slang leaks into fantasy novels. Things like "hella" and "workaholic" just take me out of the story world. On the same note, I was confused by the mix of names. There would be rustic, fantasy-appropriate names like Indra and Witt and Jarak, and in the same scene there'd also be Henry, Paul, and Jason. I'd understand if all the traditional names came from one country, but that wasn't the case.
I was also confused by how Fallon and one of his commanders
Spoiler
end up prisoners of a small, weak town and apparently don't even have a plan to save themselves until Shea comes along. Also, after Shea escapes Fallon in the tent he tells Darius to keep an eye on the scouts, because he has an intuition about it. Then not too long after, he meets "Shane," this mysteriously skilled young scout, and barely bats an eye at him. Like??? Where'd your intuition go, man?The reviews of books 2 and 3 in the trilogy aren't super flattering so I'm unsure if I'll keep reading.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
Shea is a Pathfinder but because she is a woman everyone she leads tends to ignore her advice until she gets sent on a rescue mission to save a couple of village idiots that went on a mission through dangerous territory without a Pathfinder. During the rescue she also saves a couple of Trateri one of which decides that she is now his, she manages to escape. Almost a year later though her and several others are taken as tribute by the Trateri, one recognizing her as the woman who got away. She escapes again but doesn't get far and winds up scouting for them for about 8 months before she's discovered again.
This actually gives me Deed of Paksenarrion vibes(which I loved) just without the asexual MC.
Shea is a Pathfinder but because she is a woman everyone she leads tends to ignore her advice until she gets sent on a rescue mission to save a couple of village idiots that went on a mission through dangerous territory without a Pathfinder. During the rescue she also saves a couple of Trateri one of which decides that she is now his, she manages to escape. Almost a year later though her and several others are taken as tribute by the Trateri, one recognizing her as the woman who got away. She escapes again but doesn't get far and winds up scouting for them for about 8 months before she's discovered again.
This actually gives me Deed of Paksenarrion vibes(which I loved) just without the asexual MC.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars. This was weird for me. I really liked the author's most recent book The Rules of Redemption, which is the first book of theirs that I read. But this really didn't work for me. I liked Shea, but I really struggle with books where women fall in love with their captors and this never quite convinced me that Shea would fall in love with a leader of a conquering force. Also I really wanted Shea to be a hell of a lot angrier about the situation, but she weirdly forgives everyone and even feels bad about not helping the foreign invaders?!?!
I don't care for the other two of the trilogy, but I really really like this one. One of my most reread books and it's just an easy, fun read for when you're in a bad mood.
It's a nice fantasy story with a cool setting, an okay male lead and one of my favourite female protagonists. Shea is smart, pragmatic, capable, logic and all in all just a breath of fresh air. I wish all main characters would be a bit more like her.
It's a nice fantasy story with a cool setting, an okay male lead and one of my favourite female protagonists. Shea is smart, pragmatic, capable, logic and all in all just a breath of fresh air. I wish all main characters would be a bit more like her.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I have two ways of looking at Pathfinder's Way.
1. With regards to the story, the first two-thirds of the book were very compelling, and I really enjoyed Shea's growing friendship/bonds with her squad. The setting was also very detailed and the beasts were suitably frightening; the hunting/fighting scenes were quite strong and the suspense excellent. Where the book kind of lost steam for me was when she was reunited (for lack of a better word) with Fallon. I think the romantic elements needed more time to develop - things felt rushed or "off."
2. With regards to the writing, there were some rather annoying typos (I have a personal pet peeve regarding misused apostrophes) that pulled me out a few times. I also found some of the language a little jarring; for example "butthurt" and "hella" didn't really fit the sense of the story.
3. The book reminded me of [a:Elizabeth Vaughan|38598|Elizabeth Vaughan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1459179132p2/38598.jpg]'s Chronicles of the Warlands/Epic of Pallins series. I highly recommend checking out [b:Warprize|78070|Warprize (Chronicles of the Warlands, #1)|Elizabeth Vaughan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312035638l/78070._SY75_.jpg|2114760] to see if it's your thing
1. With regards to the story, the first two-thirds of the book were very compelling, and I really enjoyed Shea's growing friendship/bonds with her squad. The setting was also very detailed and the beasts were suitably frightening; the hunting/fighting scenes were quite strong and the suspense excellent. Where the book kind of lost steam for me was when she was reunited (for lack of a better word) with Fallon. I think the romantic elements needed more time to develop - things felt rushed or "off."
2. With regards to the writing, there were some rather annoying typos (I have a personal pet peeve regarding misused apostrophes) that pulled me out a few times. I also found some of the language a little jarring; for example "butthurt" and "hella" didn't really fit the sense of the story.
3. The book reminded me of [a:Elizabeth Vaughan|38598|Elizabeth Vaughan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1459179132p2/38598.jpg]'s Chronicles of the Warlands/Epic of Pallins series. I highly recommend checking out [b:Warprize|78070|Warprize (Chronicles of the Warlands, #1)|Elizabeth Vaughan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312035638l/78070._SY75_.jpg|2114760] to see if it's your thing
French & English reviews
Un livre de high fantasy que j'ai dévoré !
Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- l'univers qui est assez intriguant une géographie de petits villages plus ou moins isolés dépendants des mystérieux Pathfinders, différents peuples et cultures (j'aime assez l'ambiance "barbares" des Trateri !) et bien sûr toute l'histoire autour de ce mystérieux cataclysme qui a tout changé ! J'ai adoré voyager avec Shea et découvrir les différentes créatures plus ou moins dangereuses qu'elle croise !
- les personnages ! Shea était un personnage principal à laquelle je me suis vite attachée ... Parce qu'elle réfléchit en zigzag, qu'elle prend des risques inconsidérés pour sauver ceux qu'elle aime mais en même temps on dirait une vieille grand-mère grognon xD Elle a des défauts mais ça ne la rend que plus humaine !
Les personnges secondaires sont également intéressants mais j'attend d'avoir lu plus de livres pour me prononcer (j'ai bien aimé Clarke et Eamon et je pense que je pourrais m'attacher à certains généraux de Fallon !)
- l'intrigue principale qui pour l'instant tourne autour de Shea qui tente de se cacher de Fallon (quand elle est découverte xD) et Fallon qui cherche à conquérir les Lowlands ... Et bien sûr tous les complots pour tuer Fallon =)
- la romance ! J'adore leur dynamique (leur première rencontre ... Puis leur "presque" deuxième xD) Fallon est l'alpha type (j'adore quand on a son POV) mais j'aime bien le voir interagir avec Shea, la façon dont il l'aime comme elle est ... Même si ça ne lui convient pas toujours !
Bref, un premier tome que j'ai lu avec plaisir ! J'ai hâte de voir comment Shea va s'habituer à sa nouvelle vie !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A high fantasy book that I devoured !
What I particularly liked:
- the universe which is quite intriguing, a geography of small more or less isolated villages dependent on the mysterious Pathfinders, different peoples and cultures (I quite like the "barbaric" atmosphere of the Trateri !) and well of course the whole story around this mysterious cataclysm that changed everything ! I loved traveling with Shea and discovering the different more or less dangerous creatures she encounters !
- the characters ! Shea was a main character I quickly grew attached to ... Because she thinks in zigzags, takes reckless risks to save those she loves but at the same time seems like a grumpy old grandmother xD She has flaws but that only makes her more human !
The secondary characters are also interesting but I'm waiting to have read more books to decide (I liked Clarke and Eamon and I think I could get to like some generals of Fallon !)
- the main plot which for now revolves around Shea trying to hide from Fallon (when she is discovered ... xD) and Fallon trying to conquer the Lowlands ... And of course all the plots to kill Fallon =)
- the romance ! I love their dynamic (their first encounter ... Then their "almost" second one xD) Fallon is the alpha type (love it when you get his POV) but I like seeing him interact with Shea, the way he loves her as she is ... Even if it doesn't always suit him!
In short, a first book that I read with pleasure ! I can't wait to see how Shea will get used to her new life !
Un livre de high fantasy que j'ai dévoré !
Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- l'univers qui est assez intriguant une géographie de petits villages plus ou moins isolés dépendants des mystérieux Pathfinders, différents peuples et cultures (j'aime assez l'ambiance "barbares" des Trateri !) et bien sûr toute l'histoire autour de ce mystérieux cataclysme qui a tout changé ! J'ai adoré voyager avec Shea et découvrir les différentes créatures plus ou moins dangereuses qu'elle croise !
- les personnages ! Shea était un personnage principal à laquelle je me suis vite attachée ... Parce qu'elle réfléchit en zigzag, qu'elle prend des risques inconsidérés pour sauver ceux qu'elle aime mais en même temps on dirait une vieille grand-mère grognon xD Elle a des défauts mais ça ne la rend que plus humaine !
Les personnges secondaires sont également intéressants mais j'attend d'avoir lu plus de livres pour me prononcer (j'ai bien aimé Clarke et Eamon et je pense que je pourrais m'attacher à certains généraux de Fallon !)
- l'intrigue principale qui pour l'instant tourne autour de Shea qui tente de se cacher de Fallon (quand elle est découverte xD) et Fallon qui cherche à conquérir les Lowlands ... Et bien sûr tous les complots pour tuer Fallon =)
- la romance ! J'adore leur dynamique (leur première rencontre ... Puis leur "presque" deuxième xD) Fallon est l'alpha type (j'adore quand on a son POV) mais j'aime bien le voir interagir avec Shea, la façon dont il l'aime comme elle est ... Même si ça ne lui convient pas toujours !
Bref, un premier tome que j'ai lu avec plaisir ! J'ai hâte de voir comment Shea va s'habituer à sa nouvelle vie !
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A high fantasy book that I devoured !
What I particularly liked:
- the universe which is quite intriguing, a geography of small more or less isolated villages dependent on the mysterious Pathfinders, different peoples and cultures (I quite like the "barbaric" atmosphere of the Trateri !) and well of course the whole story around this mysterious cataclysm that changed everything ! I loved traveling with Shea and discovering the different more or less dangerous creatures she encounters !
- the characters ! Shea was a main character I quickly grew attached to ... Because she thinks in zigzags, takes reckless risks to save those she loves but at the same time seems like a grumpy old grandmother xD She has flaws but that only makes her more human !
The secondary characters are also interesting but I'm waiting to have read more books to decide (I liked Clarke and Eamon and I think I could get to like some generals of Fallon !)
- the main plot which for now revolves around Shea trying to hide from Fallon (when she is discovered ... xD) and Fallon trying to conquer the Lowlands ... And of course all the plots to kill Fallon =)
- the romance ! I love their dynamic (their first encounter ... Then their "almost" second one xD) Fallon is the alpha type (love it when you get his POV) but I like seeing him interact with Shea, the way he loves her as she is ... Even if it doesn't always suit him!
In short, a first book that I read with pleasure ! I can't wait to see how Shea will get used to her new life !