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hckilgour's review
I want to start this review by saying there is nothing wrong with this book, I just can’t stand politic heavy books. If I’d actually finished I’d have likely given it 3 or 4 stars.
The writing style was wonderful and rich and full of description. And the while the characters are a little flat, it’s likely I didn’t get to really see them shine. Pacing was also a bit of an issue for me as it was slow. But politic heavy books usually are.
The writing style was wonderful and rich and full of description. And the while the characters are a little flat, it’s likely I didn’t get to really see them shine. Pacing was also a bit of an issue for me as it was slow. But politic heavy books usually are.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing
jagodasbooks's review
5.0
It was really goooood. It was interesting political fantasy. 4,5/5⭐
Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
jakesespach's review
DNFing at 43%
Unfortunately not invested in any of the characters or the world or the story. In fact, all the characters are slightly infuriating to me lol. Think other people will definitely enjoy this book, and I'm glad there is more epic fantasy out there with gay male leads, but this one is not for me.
Unfortunately not invested in any of the characters or the world or the story. In fact, all the characters are slightly infuriating to me lol. Think other people will definitely enjoy this book, and I'm glad there is more epic fantasy out there with gay male leads, but this one is not for me.
bookscalltobooks's review
3.0
2.5 stars - Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an eArc.
I think that Wake of the Phoenix had so much potential, from the beautiful cover and description, which was what made me intrigued about it.
But once I started reading it, I really struggled to get along with it. There were so many information dumps, long drawn out bits that I felt could have been left out or shortened down too. I'm not keen on political, or political fantasy reads, so this was a struggle to get along with. I found it boring after a while if I'm honest. It was so filled with politics and had a slow pace to it that when I finished reading it, it put me in a slump.
The world-building, its culture and background was really interesting and the author had clearly taken an interest in building that really well.
Some of the characters were great, they did develop a but throughout but some of them did grow to be more annoying than anything.
Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment and didn't live up to my expectations.
I think that Wake of the Phoenix had so much potential, from the beautiful cover and description, which was what made me intrigued about it.
But once I started reading it, I really struggled to get along with it. There were so many information dumps, long drawn out bits that I felt could have been left out or shortened down too. I'm not keen on political, or political fantasy reads, so this was a struggle to get along with. I found it boring after a while if I'm honest. It was so filled with politics and had a slow pace to it that when I finished reading it, it put me in a slump.
The world-building, its culture and background was really interesting and the author had clearly taken an interest in building that really well.
Some of the characters were great, they did develop a but throughout but some of them did grow to be more annoying than anything.
Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment and didn't live up to my expectations.
brittneymichelle's review
DNF @ 30%.
I tried and I wanted to love this but it put me in a slump. I’m not one to keep reading things that aren’t for me but that’s not to say this is at all bad. The politics of this world are immersive and the machinations thrilling—but I couldn’t care for the POV characters sans Saylina. The world building is phenomenal and gripping. I just feel meh about the book as a whole. The characters didn’t click with me—and I found that I was pretty bored with the pacing.
However, if you’re a fan of slow-paced political high fantasy this would be a great fit. The court system feels unique and trying to decipher what’s really happening does keep the story moving, albeit not as quickly as I would like. Maybe after publication I’ll try again but right now it just wasn’t for me.
Thanks NetGalley for a free arc to review.
I tried and I wanted to love this but it put me in a slump. I’m not one to keep reading things that aren’t for me but that’s not to say this is at all bad. The politics of this world are immersive and the machinations thrilling—but I couldn’t care for the POV characters sans Saylina. The world building is phenomenal and gripping. I just feel meh about the book as a whole. The characters didn’t click with me—and I found that I was pretty bored with the pacing.
However, if you’re a fan of slow-paced political high fantasy this would be a great fit. The court system feels unique and trying to decipher what’s really happening does keep the story moving, albeit not as quickly as I would like. Maybe after publication I’ll try again but right now it just wasn’t for me.
Thanks NetGalley for a free arc to review.
_isabel_'s review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Wake of the Pheonix" was absolutely magnificent. Complex and political, original and at times difficult to follow, but with a whole cast of characters that was memorable and fantastic.
It's main characters, Arkean and Lasha, Niamsha and Saylina, are wonderfully complex and have unique relationships with one another. I especially loved Arkean and Lasha. Their relationship, the complex way they work together, the love and pain they hold for one another: it was to gut-wrenching to witness but also, it gave me that high-stakes, til-death-do-us-part kind of vibe that I rarely see in high fantasy (especially with same sex couples).
The writing is fantastic, the world-building original and magical, the atmosphere highly charged and political, with scheming and plots and life-changing prophecies and decisions, under the ever-present threat of war.
I loved it. A lot. Highly recommended
"Wake of the Pheonix" was absolutely magnificent. Complex and political, original and at times difficult to follow, but with a whole cast of characters that was memorable and fantastic.
It's main characters, Arkean and Lasha, Niamsha and Saylina, are wonderfully complex and have unique relationships with one another. I especially loved Arkean and Lasha. Their relationship, the complex way they work together, the love and pain they hold for one another: it was to gut-wrenching to witness but also, it gave me that high-stakes, til-death-do-us-part kind of vibe that I rarely see in high fantasy (especially with same sex couples).
The writing is fantastic, the world-building original and magical, the atmosphere highly charged and political, with scheming and plots and life-changing prophecies and decisions, under the ever-present threat of war.
I loved it. A lot. Highly recommended
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