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libraryofflo's review against another edition
3.5
This reads as very classic fantasy to me, which I know is a matter of perception, but it does. While this is marketed as a separate series from Brett’s other works, having not read those beforehand, I do feel as though I am missing some of the backstory of the world, as this just throws you right into the action and I’m sure for anyone who had read them it would feel redundant but for someone just coming to this new series it was missing.
I do not think anything would have been lost if Olive and the others had been older, and in fact I think them being 15 or so makes this less effective for me because it becomes the children know better and all adults are stupid and can’t see what is happening, but I think that Olive’s naivety and how they had grown to conform to their mother’s wishes would have still worked with a 17-20 year old instead. I think Olive being intersex is an interesting choice when exploring gender expectations and the rigidity of these roles in different societies. I think that Olive being confined to presenting as a girl from such a young age and their mother’s fears of what would happen if they were found out is an interesting plot line.
I am very interested to see where this goes in the next book, as Olive now has that connection with the demons and knows what is planned. I think especially following what happened to Chadan and Micha, I think Olive will have a lot more to think on and experiencing that loss will have a heavy impact.
I do not think anything would have been lost if Olive and the others had been older, and in fact I think them being 15 or so makes this less effective for me because it becomes the children know better and all adults are stupid and can’t see what is happening, but I think that Olive’s naivety and how they had grown to conform to their mother’s wishes would have still worked with a 17-20 year old instead. I think Olive being intersex is an interesting choice when exploring gender expectations and the rigidity of these roles in different societies. I think that Olive being confined to presenting as a girl from such a young age and their mother’s fears of what would happen if they were found out is an interesting plot line.
I am very interested to see where this goes in the next book, as Olive now has that connection with the demons and knows what is planned. I think especially following what happened to Chadan and Micha, I think Olive will have a lot more to think on and experiencing that loss will have a heavy impact.
cadoca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
5.0
pebblegosling's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
hmclion's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Interesting characters, world setting and story development. Enjoyed the two narrators for the book.
cwebb's review
4.0
Uff. Der Einstieg war nicht einfach. Auch nicht für Leser des ersten fünfbändigen Zyklus.
Hat man das aber mal überstanden, passt das Pacing ganz gut und die 600 Seiten gehen schnell vorbei. Es ist halt eins ehr offenes Ende, weil es wieder eine ganze Serie werden soll.
Hat man das aber mal überstanden, passt das Pacing ganz gut und die 600 Seiten gehen schnell vorbei. Es ist halt eins ehr offenes Ende, weil es wieder eine ganze Serie werden soll.
stressedspidergirl's review
3.0
I feel like I need to read the first series. I had read the author's note saying that this should be open to new readers, but I'm not sure I really felt like it was.
Not saying it wasn't, I'm not always the best most critical thinker when it comes to reading.
I was shocked by the main character, but in a positive way. I've never seen a hero/heroine like this before and I enjoyed that a lot. I like when something is different and surprising and new.
The story itself didn't seem all that interesting to me, on a base level because there's no context for the history behind it. The characters act like the war is something over done and forgotten but it happened in their parents lifespan's. It's a very confusing timeline and I feel lost in time with them. Especially the weird setting. It's like an odd blend of modern day, and the sort of desert Bedouin stereotype literature with bad English. I don't... even know.
I can see lots of lines of inspiration, I can see a lot of positive and I will definitely read more of this series when it comes out if I see it in the library. Overall I will say I am very positive towards this book and it made me want to read more in general. Just, feeling a bit disoriented with it, too.
A lot of sort of almost arabic sounding names and then "olive"... I .. what? Anyway.
Not saying it wasn't, I'm not always the best most critical thinker when it comes to reading.
I was shocked by the main character, but in a positive way. I've never seen a hero/heroine like this before and I enjoyed that a lot. I like when something is different and surprising and new.
The story itself didn't seem all that interesting to me, on a base level because there's no context for the history behind it. The characters act like the war is something over done and forgotten but it happened in their parents lifespan's. It's a very confusing timeline and I feel lost in time with them. Especially the weird setting. It's like an odd blend of modern day, and the sort of desert Bedouin stereotype literature with bad English. I don't... even know.
I can see lots of lines of inspiration, I can see a lot of positive and I will definitely read more of this series when it comes out if I see it in the library. Overall I will say I am very positive towards this book and it made me want to read more in general. Just, feeling a bit disoriented with it, too.
A lot of sort of almost arabic sounding names and then "olive"... I .. what? Anyway.
tatianab's review
4.0
A thrilling start to the series, maybe a little rushed at the end. I love Peter Brett's writing style and this is a wonderful continuation from his previous series
tzurky's review against another edition
4.0
Sigh. I don’t know what to tell you that will help you make sense of why I liked this book.
He writes engaging action scenes, the ark of tension holds your attention in a vise-like grip and the antagonists as always are exactly the right cross between computer game-like mooks that can be killed pleasurably en masse and the literal Minds behind them that you just love to hate. They’ve no redeeming qualities, there’s no complexity to their goals or intentions or world-view so you can really let loose on wanting them all exterminated even through they’re sentient beings. It’s enjoyable to turn off your conscience and let loose any doubts and restraint you may have from time to time.
And I honestly liked the teenagers better than their parents. I could sympathize with them wanting to outgrow the very deep shadows the parents throw.
I haven’t the faintest clue how he can manage to write engaging characters that are so steeped in all manner of stereotypes and even someone who’s ostensibly intersex (cause I don’t think any real medical condition would allow for the full spectrum of both types of reproductive organs and full reproductive capacity on either side but yeah ‘magic’). Olive’s description and thoughts and feelings somehow didn’t make me want to gouge out my eyes as much as her mum before. Maybe because I expect teenagers to still be steeped in simplistic thinking where I want more out of ostensible adults. In any case, it somehow worked. Those were a couple of very diverting hours I spent and I don’t regret reading this at all. It’s good schlock.
He writes engaging action scenes, the ark of tension holds your attention in a vise-like grip and the antagonists as always are exactly the right cross between computer game-like mooks that can be killed pleasurably en masse and the literal Minds behind them that you just love to hate. They’ve no redeeming qualities, there’s no complexity to their goals or intentions or world-view so you can really let loose on wanting them all exterminated even through they’re sentient beings. It’s enjoyable to turn off your conscience and let loose any doubts and restraint you may have from time to time.
And I honestly liked the teenagers better than their parents. I could sympathize with them wanting to outgrow the very deep shadows the parents throw.
I haven’t the faintest clue how he can manage to write engaging characters that are so steeped in all manner of stereotypes and even someone who’s ostensibly intersex (cause I don’t think any real medical condition would allow for the full spectrum of both types of reproductive organs and full reproductive capacity on either side but yeah ‘magic’). Olive’s description and thoughts and feelings somehow didn’t make me want to gouge out my eyes as much as her mum before. Maybe because I expect teenagers to still be steeped in simplistic thinking where I want more out of ostensible adults. In any case, it somehow worked. Those were a couple of very diverting hours I spent and I don’t regret reading this at all. It’s good schlock.
klistoff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.75