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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a unique fantasy!
In a city ruled by three gods of light -- three suns -- some people have special powers or abilities by using light to their advantage, while others find they can let go of unwanted things in darkness. Five characters, Lax, Val, Ilumi, Aiana, and Dawb, are all facing their own challenges and journeys in Luminocity. They all have separate and individual stories, yet they connect in unexpected ways. All five are motivated by personal missions, but something sinister lurks in the deepest shadows of the city.
From the very first page of Grieving Gold, readers will be engaged and have no choice but to continue reading. McDaniel has weaved a perfect web of five main character stories, and with all possessing unique voices and arcs, they are easily distinguishable. Simultaneously, the author creates a delightfully anomalous world of three sun gods and a standout magic system I hadn't seen before. While we don't get a full explanation of the magic in this book, I didn't mind because it's so interesting and I suspect there will be more to come in the rest of the series. The descriptions are vivid and the prose is excellent, allowing readers to imagine the city, the market, the caves, the lab, the palace, and the entire setting and surroundings. A movie jumped out of the book and played in my brain while reading the details of the beautiful, ancient city now in ruins.
Switching the POVs to a different character each chapter was a smart choice that kept me engaged and turning the pages. Because while there is a lot going on, it was executed well, and I became invested in each of the their stories. It was hard not to root for them all, and I can't decide who was my favorite! Each character had layers and depth, and I'm excited to see their arcs continue in the rest of the series. The side characters also play a pivotal role in each of the MC's lives.
McDaniel explores themes of classism, social structure, and power, while including influences from South American culture, along with advances in technology and how it can shape and influence both individuals and society as a whole.
This is the start of a fresh, epic fantasy series that fans of Brandon Sanderson and George R. R. Martin will love. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
And how cool is the cover?!
CWs: violence, blood, animal deaths, death of parent, child death, tons of spiders. TONS. big boys, itty bitty boys, all of 'em.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
I am eagerly awaiting book #2 and beyond. The mix of horror and fantasy is rarely done so well and this book was an epic example of getting it completely right!
I especially enjoyed the character building and development. Having 5 POV's throughout the novel gives such an interesting angle for each story. I hope in the second book we see more direct involvement between them.
I will say this...I LOVE the name Luminocity. It's a perfect name for a city with 3 suns.
I was given this Arc via NetGalley and Endless Equinox in return for an honest review. Thank you!
I especially enjoyed the character building and development. Having 5 POV's throughout the novel gives such an interesting angle for each story. I hope in the second book we see more direct involvement between them.
I will say this...I LOVE the name Luminocity. It's a perfect name for a city with 3 suns.
I was given this Arc via NetGalley and Endless Equinox in return for an honest review. Thank you!
adventurous
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story has a lot of potential. Since this book is the first in the series, the world building has a lot of information. It took me days to sink it all in. There are things that actually excites me especially with the action pack scenes. It will take you on a wholly different world. Not my cup of tea but I like how this world takes place in my mind.
This is an ARC copy from Netgalley. Thank you Netgalley and Author to give me the opportunity to read this story!
This is an ARC copy from Netgalley. Thank you Netgalley and Author to give me the opportunity to read this story!
I received a copy through NetGalley and my review is voluntary and honest.
Unfortunately, I made it one quarter into this book, but it didn't manage to make me care about any of the characters or the world, and I found myself skimming more than actually reading, so I don't think I would like to continue. I think switching POV every chapter made it difficult to actually get to know or care about any of the characters, and there was too much worldbuilding information to process at once. But I also just didn't find either the dialogue or the descriptions very engaging.
To say something positive, my favourite POV from the parts I read was Ilumi, a young woman who leaves her tribe to move into the city and prove her intelligence and skill. I liked the descriptions of her culture shock on her first visit to Luminocity.
Unfortunately, I made it one quarter into this book, but it didn't manage to make me care about any of the characters or the world, and I found myself skimming more than actually reading, so I don't think I would like to continue. I think switching POV every chapter made it difficult to actually get to know or care about any of the characters, and there was too much worldbuilding information to process at once. But I also just didn't find either the dialogue or the descriptions very engaging.
To say something positive, my favourite POV from the parts I read was Ilumi, a young woman who leaves her tribe to move into the city and prove her intelligence and skill. I liked the descriptions of her culture shock on her first visit to Luminocity.
“There were more ways someone could lie than just with words.”
“Grieving Gold” by Daniel McDaniel is a five POV book. In a world where light is strength, when the light starts to fade, and shadows get more powerful everyone’s lives will change. Laxerion, noble son turned thief, deals with his father’s passing and his responsibility to his family and friends. Val-Gustus, Laxerion’s brother and general, deals with the family obligations and the threats upon the city. Ilumi, a scientist, juggles with creating and morality. Aiana, a huntress in the depths, guggles her darkness and need to get respect for her accomplishments. Dawb, an orphan boy, is determined to fight monsters in the dark because of his grief.
I loved this book so much! The lore and world-building were so great and all encompassing. All the different POV’s created a great unbiased look on what’s going on in the book but also it helped me view the entire world in different aspects that I felt I knew every crook and crevasse to the world. I cannot explain enough how much I loved this world. The writer wrote about the world building better than any book I’ve read before, it was seamless. The lore was so unique and interesting. I did not get bored for a second while reading. 5 out of 5 stars, so good.
-Multi POV
-Poverty
-Sun Gods
-Futuristic Technology