Reviews

Charmcaster by Sebastien de Castell

adelle_bookworm's review against another edition

4.0

S de Castellovými knihami mám ten problém, že se mi fakt nelíbí, jakým směrem se ubírají. Pořád jsem si říkala, že tohle jako snad neudělá. Pořád.
Bylo to boží, neustále jsem se chechtala a konec byl naprosto mega, ale někde vprostřed mě to moc nebavilo a připadalo mi, že autor prostě ždímá, co může. Oba předchozí díly se mi zdály jako ucelená zápletka, ke které se hromadilo to kolem, ale tady to šlo jedno za druhým a to mi nějak neštimovalo.

ezrazoe4's review

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Fun read. Worldbuilding is great, very different feel from the first book, which so far remains my favourite in the series. I liked that we got more of Ferius’s backstory, and surprisingly I grew to like Shalla as a character as well. The squirrel cat was fun as always.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Torture, and Religious bigotry

tsukibunny68's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

franrodalg's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A substantial step down for me from the previous entries. What made those so enjoyable (particularly the banter between the MC and his companions) is much scarcer here, and what kept them from reaching five stars for me remains (namely some weird pacing choices). On top of that, I didn't appreciate adding yet another (soft and deus-ex-machina-inducing) magic system to the world instead of expanding and exploring what the worldbuilding had introduced so far. I also saw supposed plot twists coming from a mile away, and some apparent plot holes are left unexplained. That being said, the positives still outweigh the negatives for now, and I will be continuing with the series, but I hope the quality from the first two entries returns soon.

the_literary_cat's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I struggled getting into this book, but that’s mostly my own fault. I waited too long to continue this series and I had forgotten most of the first books. Luckily, the author did a good job reminding me about some of the plot points and characters of the previous books. I really liked the characters in this book, but the plot dragged at some points. Nevertheless, I am continuing this series because I really want to find out what happens next. 

dromwald's review against another edition

5.0

Reading one of this author's stories is like getting behind the wheel of a big plush car with leather upholstery your bum can sink into, really efficient heated seats and cruise control; I might not know where I am going but I know I am going to enjoy the trip. De Castell's characters are something special in that they are often flawed and sometimes as far removed from the heroic as they could possibly be. I mean that in a good way of course because I find myself easily empathising with them and ultimately caring what happens to them. The relationship between Kellen and Reichis in this ongoing adventure is fun, quirky and at the end of the day very special.
Can't wait to find out what happens next.

siyalovestoread's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

mjporterauthor's review

4.0

I received a free EArc from Netgalley.

This is clearly going to be quite a long series!

I enjoy the main characters of Kellen, Ferius and especially Reichis, and I enjoyed the ending of the book. But, it felt like it took a long time to get there, and there are so many twists and turns, and betrayals that it was beginning to feel a little bit like Mission: Impossible, only without as much action.

An enjoyable jaunt.

labunnywtf's review against another edition

4.0

Ancestors, when I come back in the next life, let me carry this one thought with me: next time you meet an Argosi, run away as fast as you can.

I can't believe I slept on this series for so long. These characters, this world, it is all so fantastic.

This installment opens with Kellen and Ferrius (and Reichis, our star) in the desert, on the run from a magical bounty hunter. As with all things in the world, nothing is as it seems, and we get an even bigger view of the world in which this story plays out.

Now joined by a Charmcaster with a familiar face, our growing motley crue sets off to find out the story behind the newest Discordance card, a beautiful mechanical bird. What they find is kind of awesome, but also incredibly sad.

Seriously, I love this crew so much. I'm already curious about the events of the next book, who continues on, who we'll see again, and what's really going on that Kellen doesn't know about.

Because I have theories.

Also, our new recurring villain is going to make for loads of fun. Totally called their identity, just saying.

One of my 2020 reading goals is to finish this series, and start on de Castell's Great Coats series. Because godDAMN.

joe16210's review against another edition

5.0

Third book in the series is again full of action, surprises and new characters. Who knows what will bring the second half of the series when those first three books were so good already? 90 % is the final rating with expectations for higher rating later for next parts.