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grunks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Suicide, Death of parent, War, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Torture, Animal death, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
surdiablo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
2.0
Well, that was.. disappointing. My excitement to continue this series was revitalized after finishing Ruin, which regardless of my constant criticisms, still managed to stir some strong emotions within me, making me consider the potential for its successor. But alas, I got the same regurgitated tropes/plotlines in this one, where people still travel back and forth for the majority of the book, at least 3-4 instances where good/bad guys are distracted and get stabbed from behind or saved by their friends, repetitive skirmishes with someone barely dying, all the unnecessary pov changes that did nothing except break the momentum, silly thought bubbles, etc. It lacked the impact of a final book till the last 20%, and while the final battle was good overall, I don't think it was amazing enough to raise the rating further. I still noticed some grammatical errors here and there, awkward sentences that made me raise my eyebrow, and moments that were too corny/goofy for me to enjoy, which has proven again that Gwynne's writing just doesn't work for me. I think the ending itself was fine, and while I felt somewhat emotional regarding the deaths of two side characters, I mainly remained indifferent and had no hype whatsoever for the final battle. I was thinking thank god it's over! rather than feeling any satisfaction from all these random villains dying ( except for Lykos perhaps ), since they just lived for too long, dragging everything longer than what was necessary. . The one thing that surprised me most is something that actually didn't happen regardless of my expectations, which would be the lack of a cameo appearance or interference from Elyon himself. Ultimately, my main complaint comes down to this, something that was always an issue but not so irritating till now, which would be convenience. Most of the events transpired in such a convenient way for both good/bad guys that it became rather hard for me to suspend my disbelief by the end. Fidele's capture, recapture, and death later if you want an example. I also have several questions, like if Maquin and Fidele have been united in the afterlife, what about their previous spouses that they were in good terms with? Why didn't Calidus make more super soldiers like at the end of book 2 if his powers are stronger with more treasures around? What was the point in that 'prophecy being fake' twist since nothing ever really came out of it and Asroth and Meical were turned into statues anyway in such an anti-climactic way? I will stop now as I feel like I've ranted enough, but overall, I did have fun reading it, more than Malice anyway, so that's something. I will try the sequel series someday with the vague hope that it will be better, although I doubt it.
TLDR: It's fine. Might be worth it if you want a popcorn read, a modern take on classic fantasy but that's where my praise ends. Ruin > Valour > Wrath > Malice.
TLDR: It's fine. Might be worth it if you want a popcorn read, a modern take on classic fantasy but that's where my praise ends. Ruin > Valour > Wrath > Malice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Animal death, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Slavery, Death of parent, and Self harm
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I am Faithful and the Fallen trash forever. That's it. That's the review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
seanml's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It’s been a while since I’ve felt this “cold” after finishing a book. I can’t say any piece of literature has so thoroughly captured my imagination since my favorite book The Once and Future King. Finishing this series is surreal, and I became almost apprehensive to finish it. What is there to not rave about?
The gradual inclusion of making a noticeable bulk of the cast giants was an amazing choice that helps differentiate the series from so many other anthropocentric fantasy narratives. The Kadoshim-possessed Jehar are the most frighteningly cool enemies since the OG Nazgul.
And then there’s the characters: so many to even count. With such a vast wealth of characters, I’m so impressed by the fact that I cared about the wellbeing of relatively minor characters like Kulla or Wulf as much as I did about the major characters. Cywen was quickly one of my favorites since Malice and I loved to see her bludgeon her way through any trial thrown at her. Edana was so wonderfully done and one of the greatest arcs of the series. The slow and rising chess game of tactics between Camlin and Rafe was an unexpected narrative choice and so well done. I am so very glad Alcyon got his due. Fidele and Nathair have two vastly different, but equally tragic stories, and the eventual drift in their initially similar moralities become wonderful parallels. Veradis was one of my favorites from the start, and I am so enthused that he survived, because I was convinced halfway through Malice that he wasn’t making it out. Coralen, Dath, and Farrell are all so uniquely badass and I enjoyed every single moment that a paragraph was dedicated to their heroics. And I cannot go through a review of this book (Nobody should) without referencing Maquin. Without a doubt, Maquin has to be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time: Indiana Jones, Jane Eyre, Lancelot, Rick Grimes, Ellen Ripley, Lady de Winter, Achilles, Link, Anakin Skywalker, Beowulf, Aragorn, and with all of them: Maquin. This entire series of gold and in my opinion Maquin is that tiny little sparkle at the top of the pile. Also, in case I forget, I absolutely adore Craf. And then the three heroes: all the protagonists exude truth and courage but I have to give it up for these three: Corban, Gar, and Haelan. Corban and Gar of course have been with us the entire narrative, and I loved their relationship, their convictions, and their blind honor every step of the way. Haelan came out of nowhere as one of the most exciting characters. It appears for a while that he exists to be saved, and then in the final book he just barrels through all expectations.
I’m sure there is much more to say, but all in all, I am forever grateful for the series and will recommend it to all who cross my path. Bravo, Mr.Gwynne. Truth and courage.
The gradual inclusion of making a noticeable bulk of the cast giants was an amazing choice that helps differentiate the series from so many other anthropocentric fantasy narratives. The Kadoshim-possessed Jehar are the most frighteningly cool enemies since the OG Nazgul.
And then there’s the characters: so many to even count. With such a vast wealth of characters, I’m so impressed by the fact that I cared about the wellbeing of relatively minor characters like Kulla or Wulf as much as I did about the major characters. Cywen was quickly one of my favorites since Malice and I loved to see her bludgeon her way through any trial thrown at her. Edana was so wonderfully done and one of the greatest arcs of the series. The slow and rising chess game of tactics between Camlin and Rafe was an unexpected narrative choice and so well done. I am so very glad Alcyon got his due. Fidele and Nathair have two vastly different, but equally tragic stories, and the eventual drift in their initially similar moralities become wonderful parallels. Veradis was one of my favorites from the start, and I am so enthused that he survived, because I was convinced halfway through Malice that he wasn’t making it out. Coralen, Dath, and Farrell are all so uniquely badass and I enjoyed every single moment that a paragraph was dedicated to their heroics. And I cannot go through a review of this book (Nobody should) without referencing Maquin. Without a doubt, Maquin has to be one of my favorite fictional characters of all time: Indiana Jones, Jane Eyre, Lancelot, Rick Grimes, Ellen Ripley, Lady de Winter, Achilles, Link, Anakin Skywalker, Beowulf, Aragorn, and with all of them: Maquin. This entire series of gold and in my opinion Maquin is that tiny little sparkle at the top of the pile. Also, in case I forget, I absolutely adore Craf. And then the three heroes: all the protagonists exude truth and courage but I have to give it up for these three: Corban, Gar, and Haelan. Corban and Gar of course have been with us the entire narrative, and I loved their relationship, their convictions, and their blind honor every step of the way. Haelan came out of nowhere as one of the most exciting characters. It appears for a while that he exists to be saved, and then in the final book he just barrels through all expectations.
I’m sure there is much more to say, but all in all, I am forever grateful for the series and will recommend it to all who cross my path. Bravo, Mr.Gwynne. Truth and courage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
Minor: Rape, Death of parent, and Sexual content
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