driish's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The way to describe this book is as a rollercoaster – I wasn’t expecting to love it so much. The writing was immaculate and compelling - it gripped my attention instantly. The way that the author played with past, present and the letters was enchanted and charming – it added an extra layer of brilliance.
Emily was a very likable character that I could help to cheer on especially through her war journey. I loved her bravery and resilience to accept the progression of her ranks and loved how unapologetically she was towards her beliefs. The most beautifully written moments were the chaos of the war – it was so easy to understand and follow through the imagery. It felt those moments were demanding and scary.
Cristian was a flawed love interest that was selfish and very human-like – he wasn’t unnecessarily righteous or polished. He served as silent and romantic person in Emily’s life where he always allowed her to listen to her without any expectations. I will say that I hated how she played with this man – I found unjust because he was doing his best to come into terms that there was another person. She was very callous on how she treated him, but the ending (for me) suggested that she choose Cristian (maybe?) – I was rooting for them since the moment that she barged on his office door.
The other characters (her friends, the enemies, the nonsense people) were so charismatic and hard to forget. The interactions were very vivid and lively. Her relationship with her friends and subordinates was beautifully depicted and showed throughout - it felt realistic and endearing. I didn’t find his writing overwhelming or annoying, rather the plots were written in a manner that transported me to a different place. I really like how the war was depicted in one's experience, rather the politics aspect (like Promise of Blood Trilogy). Furthermore, the way that the war ended seemed plausible and painful – but in entirety it felt unnecessary. So many people died, for what? For a piece of land? It felt hurtful. Later, the royalists want to rise and bring another war, but Emily stops it – I think that’s the best resolution, because this revolution would be weird had it happened. The book wrapped up well - I loved Emily, her war journey and her decisions.
Emily was a very likable character that I could help to cheer on especially through her war journey. I loved her bravery and resilience to accept the progression of her ranks and loved how unapologetically she was towards her beliefs. The most beautifully written moments were the chaos of the war – it was so easy to understand and follow through the imagery. It felt those moments were demanding and scary.
Cristian was a flawed love interest that was selfish and very human-like – he wasn’t unnecessarily righteous or polished. He served as silent and romantic person in Emily’s life where he always allowed her to listen to her without any expectations. I will say that I hated how she played with this man – I found unjust because he was doing his best to come into terms that there was another person. She was very callous on how she treated him, but the ending (for me) suggested that she choose Cristian (maybe?) – I was rooting for them since the moment that she barged on his office door.
The other characters (her friends, the enemies, the nonsense people) were so charismatic and hard to forget. The interactions were very vivid and lively. Her relationship with her friends and subordinates was beautifully depicted and showed throughout - it felt realistic and endearing. I didn’t find his writing overwhelming or annoying, rather the plots were written in a manner that transported me to a different place. I really like how the war was depicted in one's experience, rather the politics aspect (like Promise of Blood Trilogy). Furthermore, the way that the war ended seemed plausible and painful – but in entirety it felt unnecessary. So many people died, for what? For a piece of land? It felt hurtful. Later, the royalists want to rise and bring another war, but Emily stops it – I think that’s the best resolution, because this revolution would be weird had it happened. The book wrapped up well - I loved Emily, her war journey and her decisions.
nf07's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
yogeshvk5's review against another edition
5.0
A book about War and Peace
This was my seventh book of Adrian Tchaikovsky. By now I have realised that whenever I have a doubt about my next book, I can reliably turn to him. This man does not fail to entertain and amaze with his originality and creativity.
The guns of dawn is a story about War between 2 imaginary nations and most of it takes place in swamps. The trajectory of the main character Emily is fascinating.
The characters are fully fleshed and their relationships with each other evolve in a natural manner.
Overall, highly recommended for readers of fantasy, fiction and warfare genres.
This was my seventh book of Adrian Tchaikovsky. By now I have realised that whenever I have a doubt about my next book, I can reliably turn to him. This man does not fail to entertain and amaze with his originality and creativity.
The guns of dawn is a story about War between 2 imaginary nations and most of it takes place in swamps. The trajectory of the main character Emily is fascinating.
Spoiler
Her journey from a gentlewoman to a soldier to a warrior queen Sargent feels very organic. The description is so vivid, at times, you feel as if you are in the dreaded swamp yourself.The characters are fully fleshed and their relationships with each other evolve in a natural manner.
Overall, highly recommended for readers of fantasy, fiction and warfare genres.
hazelrinn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
yvonnie90's review against another edition
2.0
Im not sure what to think. The setting, the characters and the writing style were all good. But the pace was too slow and while the final conclusion of the book felt rushed by comparison. Also the big build up regaring a relationship between two characters was for me not fully closed to my satisfaction. On balance I did like it, but I would not be quick to recommend it to others.
awishman's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up
This was such a unique book, basically the feel of a Jane Austen novel but with guns. The pacing was a little uneven but I was intrigued throughout. I've never read anything quite like this before.
This was such a unique book, basically the feel of a Jane Austen novel but with guns. The pacing was a little uneven but I was intrigued throughout. I've never read anything quite like this before.
zanosgood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
livingamongpages's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
People's review's on this book are great, the premise looks great. Then why I didn't like this? It really felt like little women meets pride and prejudice at war, it was painful to read some chapters. It dragged on so much and in the end nothing happened.
I want the time I spent reading this book back. Please
I want the time I spent reading this book back. Please
librosydragones's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Well, this book was boring.
This was a buddy read with my lovely friends Claudia and Maru, and oh boy, was it a fun one (?) that was sarcasm, in case you didn't notice.
I felt I was reading a mashup between Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, and some historical drama from the French Revolution. Throw some mages into that mix, and you'll pretty much have an idea of how the book is. Definitely not what I was expecting when I was told this was a fantasy war book. I was expecting something more like Promise of Blood. It was nothing of the sort.
This was a buddy read with my lovely friends Claudia and Maru, and oh boy, was it a fun one (?) that was sarcasm, in case you didn't notice.
I felt I was reading a mashup between Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, and some historical drama from the French Revolution. Throw some mages into that mix, and you'll pretty much have an idea of how the book is. Definitely not what I was expecting when I was told this was a fantasy war book. I was expecting something more like Promise of Blood. It was nothing of the sort.