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testpattern's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable, pleasingly detailed epic fantasy yarn, blessedly concise (in that it only spans a single volume, if a hefty one), but balanced and satisfying.
rremer's review against another edition
4.0
A great story with so many moving pieces and characters. There was so much to the world that made the story great and the mythology of the gods and the secrets and histories so many of them had pieces of built a great book.
seak's review against another edition
4.0
Hey, I have a booktube channel (youtube for book reviews, etc.), and I include Blackdog in my Top 10 Standalone books list here. Please subscribe if I've earned it!
I've spent a good amount of time on online fantasy forums (you know, with all my free time) where I can geek out about fantasy books and authors and discuss the important questions like who would win in a fight, Ser Loras Tyrell or Aragorn (Sorry Loras, Elf training wins!). Be it sffworld (where I found Goodreads actually), r/fantasy on reddit, or a number of other places such as blogs.
Often, they are filled with jaded readers who've read all the traditional stuff, and they're always looking for something new and unique. More specifically, people are tired of the Medieval Europe setting.
The other question that also comes up quite often is what are the best stand-alone books. I love a great, long series, but I understand the desire to avoid the commitment a long series brings.
All that is to say, Blackdog is both of these. A unique stand-alone book in non-Eurocentric setting.
In a world where gods walk among men, where their rule is limited to streams or lakes or mountains, one is the target of a great evil. She has made herself vulnerable in order to get closer to her people and she is only a child, not yet grown to her full power.
Her protector is the Blackdog, whom some think is a devil himself. A man with the uncontrollable power inside him who only thinks of the protection of the god of Lissavakail.
I had heard this book was good and yet I was still weary going into it. Don't ask me why, that Reymond Swanland artwork alone shouts "read me!" However, I enjoyed every moment of this book. It's insanely good, insanely rich, and the details are wonderful.
It's a thick book, but remember, it's stand-alone! There's no more commitment after this. Plus, it's a unique fantasy world, built all in one book around a compelling plot. That takes some time to develop and it's all worth it.
I can easily say Blackdog is highly recommended. And even though it's stand-alone, I just got a copy of The Leopard, which is the start of a new duology set in the same world surrounding a place referred to a number of times in Blackdog. I'm looking forward to this one. I'm not 100% sure, but I doubt you have to have read Blackdog first. I'll let you know. :)
4.5 out of 5 Stars (very highly recommended)
I've spent a good amount of time on online fantasy forums (you know, with all my free time) where I can geek out about fantasy books and authors and discuss the important questions like who would win in a fight, Ser Loras Tyrell or Aragorn (Sorry Loras, Elf training wins!). Be it sffworld (where I found Goodreads actually), r/fantasy on reddit, or a number of other places such as blogs.
Often, they are filled with jaded readers who've read all the traditional stuff, and they're always looking for something new and unique. More specifically, people are tired of the Medieval Europe setting.
The other question that also comes up quite often is what are the best stand-alone books. I love a great, long series, but I understand the desire to avoid the commitment a long series brings.
All that is to say, Blackdog is both of these. A unique stand-alone book in non-Eurocentric setting.
In a world where gods walk among men, where their rule is limited to streams or lakes or mountains, one is the target of a great evil. She has made herself vulnerable in order to get closer to her people and she is only a child, not yet grown to her full power.
Her protector is the Blackdog, whom some think is a devil himself. A man with the uncontrollable power inside him who only thinks of the protection of the god of Lissavakail.
I had heard this book was good and yet I was still weary going into it. Don't ask me why, that Reymond Swanland artwork alone shouts "read me!" However, I enjoyed every moment of this book. It's insanely good, insanely rich, and the details are wonderful.
It's a thick book, but remember, it's stand-alone! There's no more commitment after this. Plus, it's a unique fantasy world, built all in one book around a compelling plot. That takes some time to develop and it's all worth it.
I can easily say Blackdog is highly recommended. And even though it's stand-alone, I just got a copy of The Leopard, which is the start of a new duology set in the same world surrounding a place referred to a number of times in Blackdog. I'm looking forward to this one. I'm not 100% sure, but I doubt you have to have read Blackdog first. I'll let you know. :)
4.5 out of 5 Stars (very highly recommended)
bookwyrmed's review against another edition
4.0
Kept getting semi-distracted by 'what the fuck, it's a simultaneously-gritty-and-epic fantasy book that presents the idea that women have internal lives and are a varied group of people matter-of-factly WITHOUT making it into a sweeping feminist statement and rather just a regular normal part of the world,' which I am not used to, but was enormously gratified by. Also I like weird possession stuff, and there's a ton of that.
thecanary's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure how I feel about this yet. Maybe it's time to admit I'm over the entire epic fantasy genre?
Review coming soon.
Review coming soon.
ibustama's review against another edition
4.0
Epic? Intricate? Rich? Yes, Yes, Yes
Long? Certainly . . . but if you stick with it you won’t be disappointed.
Not the traditional type of fantasy. So if you’re looking for something different. Something found in the slush pile which actually caught someone’s attention because it stood out from the rest, then give this a try.
My only complaints: I wish Atalissa had kicked butt a little more, a little earlier. And maybe it could have been a few pages shorter with less exposition.
But as a whole, I enjoyed it.
Long? Certainly . . . but if you stick with it you won’t be disappointed.
Not the traditional type of fantasy. So if you’re looking for something different. Something found in the slush pile which actually caught someone’s attention because it stood out from the rest, then give this a try.
My only complaints: I wish Atalissa had kicked butt a little more, a little earlier. And maybe it could have been a few pages shorter with less exposition.
But as a whole, I enjoyed it.
wizardmacdonald's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
nightwyrm's review against another edition
3.0
Not really sure what io9 saw in this to give it such a rave review. It was an okay story but felt a little lacking somewhere... can't really put my finger on it.
lanikei's review against another edition
2.0
Some books suffer from their form factor, and I think this may have been one of them. It's a long book and the edition I read was a HUGE paperback - about the size of a 'standard' hardcover. My main complaint was that it was too long and slow, but I'm not sure that would have been my main takeaway if the book had been a little more manageable.
Physical size aside, the book was pretty unique. I wasn't sucked in, but I did appreciate such a new (to me) take on fantasy. Instead of being influenced by the somewhat cliched European or Chinese mythology so common in the genre, this was more of a Tibetan/polytheist take on society - as I understand it anyway. Warrior women and a matriarchical society while still having a strong male protagonist or two was refreshing.
The Bedouin lifestyle and the 'living goddess' concept were special as well. Watching a goddess develop from childhood into her full strength felt natural and her bonds with those she meets along the way are very believable.
It's been awhile since I read this and now I can't think of specific criticisms beyond - slow and long (which makes me think size DID matter). But if you're willing to slog through for a different take on a pretty standard story of a girl growing into a hero with companions, this is worth a read.
Physical size aside, the book was pretty unique. I wasn't sucked in, but I did appreciate such a new (to me) take on fantasy. Instead of being influenced by the somewhat cliched European or Chinese mythology so common in the genre, this was more of a Tibetan/polytheist take on society - as I understand it anyway. Warrior women and a matriarchical society while still having a strong male protagonist or two was refreshing.
The Bedouin lifestyle and the 'living goddess' concept were special as well. Watching a goddess develop from childhood into her full strength felt natural and her bonds with those she meets along the way are very believable.
It's been awhile since I read this and now I can't think of specific criticisms beyond - slow and long (which makes me think size DID matter). But if you're willing to slog through for a different take on a pretty standard story of a girl growing into a hero with companions, this is worth a read.
pantailamon's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best fantasy books I've read in ages. The worldbuilding was fantastic, the premise extremely interesting and well-done, the characters well-developed, diverse, and intriguing (even the villains, which I really loved; complex villains are always great), the pacing excellent, and the writing beautiful. I also appreciated the lack of sexism and the casual acceptance of lesbian relationships, though all the romances were understated and took a backseat to the plot. Still, nice.