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anova's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
_readwithash's review against another edition
3.0
This book was sort of weird. The writing was mediocre, the plot didn't pull me in too much, and the characters felt extremely shallow, and yet I'm fascinated by it.
This is a Chosen One novel, but in chapter 2 the chosen one dies. (That spoiler tag is for the truly adamant NO SPOILERS people, but it won't change the way you read the novel.) This story took such a unique turn because of that, so I absolutely had to see what other twists Kade had up her sleeve.
Ultimately the book was a bit of a disappointment. It had such incredible potential, but it needed to be filled out and polished up. I probably wouldn't recommend it, but if you're looking for something that is somehow extremely familiar, while also being wildly unique, this is a great choice.
This is a Chosen One novel, but in chapter 2
Ultimately the book was a bit of a disappointment. It had such incredible potential, but it needed to be filled out and polished up. I probably wouldn't recommend it, but if you're looking for something that is somehow extremely familiar, while also being wildly unique, this is a great choice.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Fate of the Fallen is the first book in a new series by Kel Kade. Released 5th Nov 2019 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
I thought this was going to be a standard epic quest 'chosen' one series. It's emphatically not that. I loved that the author basically took a large axe to the standard narrative trope within the first few chapters and the rest of the book was an interesting exploration of what happens when the 'one true prophecy' is lost?
The author has a strong and readable voice in her narrative. The plotting and tension arc are impressive. The characters are well drawn and the technical aspects of the writing are very well controlled. The author can certainly write. This book has been difficult to review because I don't write spoilers into my reviews (even with spoiler warnings) which means even a general precis is out of the question. I'll just say that I enjoyed the heck out of this one, I fully intend to search out the following book(s), and in fact, I intend to search out some of the author's other books.
Four stars. Strong story and engaging characters, creepy antagonists and monsters, and even a touch of humor.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Fate of the Fallen is the first book in a new series by Kel Kade. Released 5th Nov 2019 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
I thought this was going to be a standard epic quest 'chosen' one series. It's emphatically not that. I loved that the author basically took a large axe to the standard narrative trope within the first few chapters and the rest of the book was an interesting exploration of what happens when the 'one true prophecy' is lost?
The author has a strong and readable voice in her narrative. The plotting and tension arc are impressive. The characters are well drawn and the technical aspects of the writing are very well controlled. The author can certainly write. This book has been difficult to review because I don't write spoilers into my reviews (even with spoiler warnings) which means even a general precis is out of the question. I'll just say that I enjoyed the heck out of this one, I fully intend to search out the following book(s), and in fact, I intend to search out some of the author's other books.
Four stars. Strong story and engaging characters, creepy antagonists and monsters, and even a touch of humor.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
skconaghan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
Well. This doesn’t begin where it should, beginning at a sort of beginning, and thus it seems rushed in order to lay the foundation, which is to say it isn’t well written at the start...
But THEN, once the scene is set, which really only takes a tenth of the novel, it gets thick with plotty plot and comes alive with character, witty banter, and the darkly humorous quest of a reluctant hero.
This is a sword-wielding adventure, full of bizarre characters from all the fantasies and fairytales, twisting every expectation and dumping it on its head.
To say it’s similar to Robert Jordan’s Eye of the World is a bit of an understatement since it uses many of the same symbols, themes, characters (in different bodies) and plot devices throughout. Although, the journey itself doesn’t drag nearly as heel-heavy as Jordan’s multiple lengthy tomes.
If you want fantasy adventure without the political complexities and an infinity of pages of being lost in the woods and stranded on unknown islands, read this one instead of the fine-print door-stops of Martin, Tolkien, Jordan and other epic writers of the genre.
This is the McDonald’s version of a gourmet fantasy burger: Ready fast, over fast, not nearly as filling as others, immediately satisfying but not long-lasting, and always good in a pinch—oh! and slightly addictive because of that secret sauce, the je ne sais quoi that keeps us coming back.
I do like a dark, broody-type for a reluctant hero though, so Aslo has my full attention for this and any more to come…
enbyglitch's review against another edition
3.0
This book tries to do a lot of unique and interesting things, but falls flat more often than it succeeds.
The Good:
-Characters are self-consistent and fairly realistic
-Female characters actively drive the plot forward
-(The premise of this novel) works well enough
-Seeing the gods in the background was surprisingly interesting, reminded me of 'The Color of Magic' and Greek/Norse mythology. Also a nice method of skipping travel.
The Bad:
-The book starts with one frame narrative and never returns to it, then adds another in the form of the gods. I guess the goal will be to return to the former at the end of the series? But I was really disappointed that we didn't get more insight there, and it just seems sloppy to double dip like that.
-Just STOP having Aaslo talk out loud to Matthias, when it is so clear to the reader that mental communication would be entirely functional. It would be fun if it happened 2-3 times in the book, but after the twentieth or so the mistaken bits of conversation were utterly annoying.
-For the conceit of being a story where the chosen one dies immediately, Aaslo spends this book acting like more of a chosen one than just about any I have read about.
The Ugly:
-I listened to the audiobook, and I was really turned off by the performance of Peck, Mory, and most of the women. I don't recall having the same reaction to the narrator's performance of Name of the Wind, but some of the characters' voices ranged from cringeworthy to offensive.
-There are just so many threads dangling at the end of this book that I would be surprised if even half are picked up again. This book could have been at least 3-4 hours shorter and conveyed the same general plot.
The Good:
-Characters are self-consistent and fairly realistic
-Female characters actively drive the plot forward
-(The premise of this novel) works well enough
-Seeing the gods in the background was surprisingly interesting, reminded me of 'The Color of Magic' and Greek/Norse mythology. Also a nice method of skipping travel.
The Bad:
-The book starts with one frame narrative and never returns to it, then adds another in the form of the gods. I guess the goal will be to return to the former at the end of the series? But I was really disappointed that we didn't get more insight there, and it just seems sloppy to double dip like that.
-Just STOP having Aaslo talk out loud to Matthias, when it is so clear to the reader that mental communication would be entirely functional. It would be fun if it happened 2-3 times in the book, but after the twentieth or so the mistaken bits of conversation were utterly annoying.
-For the conceit of being a story where the chosen one dies immediately, Aaslo spends this book acting like more of a chosen one than just about any I have read about.
The Ugly:
-I listened to the audiobook, and I was really turned off by the performance of Peck, Mory, and most of the women. I don't recall having the same reaction to the narrator's performance of Name of the Wind, but some of the characters' voices ranged from cringeworthy to offensive.
-There are just so many threads dangling at the end of this book that I would be surprised if even half are picked up again. This book could have been at least 3-4 hours shorter and conveyed the same general plot.
iam_griff's review against another edition
4.0
This story starts out like so many other novels, there’s a prophecy & the chosen one who has been groomed & trained since birth “to save the world”. Unfortunately/fortunately the chosen dies in their first encounter & the B team steps in to try. . .
I’ve enjoyed Kade’s other series & for some reason put off reading this book. After a miscalculation of my vacation dates I picked this book up & moved it up my ‘to read list’. Like another reviewer said “this story is better if you don’t know too much about the plot”, Kade does a great job of trying some new tropes about prophecy’s. Her world building & character development for the story are pretty solid. I do plan on continuing to the second book.
I’ve enjoyed Kade’s other series & for some reason put off reading this book. After a miscalculation of my vacation dates I picked this book up & moved it up my ‘to read list’. Like another reviewer said “this story is better if you don’t know too much about the plot”, Kade does a great job of trying some new tropes about prophecy’s. Her world building & character development for the story are pretty solid. I do plan on continuing to the second book.
troll_for_initiative's review against another edition
Two dimensional characters making dumb and unprompted decisions (if any) and the plot got lost somewhere in the first 100 pages. That's a nope from me.
lindseyllado's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
Turning the chosen one trope inside out, The Fate of the Fallen features Aaslo, a forester who would generally prefer not to have much to do with people in general. But with the world at stake, this band of misfits and outcasts--who have no business handling the fate of existence--find that they are the only ones available to step up and face the darkness hanging over them. Full of gods and magic and gripping adventure, Kel Kade's opening to the new series is in turns dark and fun, ridiculous and epic. The strength of its characters and the truly unexpected turns of the narrative more than carry a few rough patches in delivery. For readers of fantasy, there is much here that is familiar. But in Kade's capable hands, it is transformed into a truly remarkable start to a story that I expect will only keep getting better. The misadventures of this group doing everything they can to preserve all they know surprised and delighted me. It's big and fantastic, but at the center, it also has a great deal of humanity and heart. I'm excited to tag along for the ride.