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sloreads_ca's review against another edition
4.0
Full Review
This book was tense. Fast paced, a lot going on simultaneously. Inspector Adamat continues to be the best character! Rolled right into book 3 so I could find out how things actually resolved. McClellan did a great job of giving the reader information that the characters definitely don’t have.
This book was tense. Fast paced, a lot going on simultaneously. Inspector Adamat continues to be the best character! Rolled right into book 3 so I could find out how things actually resolved. McClellan did a great job of giving the reader information that the characters definitely don’t have.
desolation73's review against another edition
5.0
The 2nd part of the Powder mage trilogy or at least the first one, ive really enjoyed both these books and will be reading the last part The Autumn Republic fairly soon, a mix of flintlock (think sharpe) and fantasy that Ive found pretty engrossing.
I did read somewhere that there might be a tv series being made of this and I could really see this working on the screen.
Whyd it take me so long to read? Lots of shifts at work nothing to do with its quality for me.
I did read somewhere that there might be a tv series being made of this and I could really see this working on the screen.
Whyd it take me so long to read? Lots of shifts at work nothing to do with its quality for me.
peterkeep's review against another edition
5.0
Brian McClellan's second book is a great follow-up to his highly-praised debut.
The incredible pacing of [b:Promise of Blood|15790883|Promise of Blood (The Powder Mage, #1)|Brian McClellan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350337505s/15790883.jpg|21512438] continued, the story picking up by dropping us into the middle of the action. I was never overwhelmed, though, by constant action or unexplained events. I was always confident that I knew enough of what was happening to keep up with the story, but not enough to make it boring. There were still surprises along the way to keep me on my toes.
The plot arcs in The Crimson Campaign felt as unique and original as the setting, adding complexity and depth to an already really cool world. The world we learned about in Promise of Blood expands. The political landscape changes and continues to grow in complexity. Politicians plot and scheme to try and control any bit of power they can. The military campaign is unpredictable and exciting. The fallout of some of the actions in the previous book play out without relying on worn-out tropes. It's fresh and exciting the whole way through.
One of the biggest things that I noticed was that minor characters were given so much more impact on the world around them. We stick to the same POV's as Promise of Blood, but it felt like there were so many added "main characters," since the ones who we just got to know on the fringes of the story last time really came into their own here. Nothing felt forced - instead, it felt like some of their motives and actions were revealed as the regular POV characters interacted with them more. We are just given a larger and longer glimpse into these secondary characters and get to see what they're up to.
I really liked seeing some more development in the main POV characters, too. We get to see some of their past fleshed out, we get to see them struggle with different vices, and we get to see how the changing world around them impacts their lives. It's a real treat to get such well-written characters.
Brian McClellan has a lot of work to do to conclude the trilogy, but if his third book is anything like his first two, I'll be very satisfied! I'm extremely excited for [b:The Autumn Republic|20883847|The Autumn Republic (The Powder Mage, #3)|Brian McClellan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393261950s/20883847.jpg|40224712]. February 10th can't come soon enough!
The incredible pacing of [b:Promise of Blood|15790883|Promise of Blood (The Powder Mage, #1)|Brian McClellan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350337505s/15790883.jpg|21512438] continued, the story picking up by dropping us into the middle of the action. I was never overwhelmed, though, by constant action or unexplained events. I was always confident that I knew enough of what was happening to keep up with the story, but not enough to make it boring. There were still surprises along the way to keep me on my toes.
The plot arcs in The Crimson Campaign felt as unique and original as the setting, adding complexity and depth to an already really cool world. The world we learned about in Promise of Blood expands. The political landscape changes and continues to grow in complexity. Politicians plot and scheme to try and control any bit of power they can. The military campaign is unpredictable and exciting. The fallout of some of the actions in the previous book play out without relying on worn-out tropes. It's fresh and exciting the whole way through.
One of the biggest things that I noticed was that minor characters were given so much more impact on the world around them. We stick to the same POV's as Promise of Blood, but it felt like there were so many added "main characters," since the ones who we just got to know on the fringes of the story last time really came into their own here. Nothing felt forced - instead, it felt like some of their motives and actions were revealed as the regular POV characters interacted with them more. We are just given a larger and longer glimpse into these secondary characters and get to see what they're up to.
I really liked seeing some more development in the main POV characters, too. We get to see some of their past fleshed out, we get to see them struggle with different vices, and we get to see how the changing world around them impacts their lives. It's a real treat to get such well-written characters.
Brian McClellan has a lot of work to do to conclude the trilogy, but if his third book is anything like his first two, I'll be very satisfied! I'm extremely excited for [b:The Autumn Republic|20883847|The Autumn Republic (The Powder Mage, #3)|Brian McClellan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393261950s/20883847.jpg|40224712]. February 10th can't come soon enough!
chia_s's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
widald's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The series (so far) has all the ingredients of a great fantasy series but the execution isn’t quite there. Most notably - the women are two dimensional (sexual + powerful).
I’m still entertained but it’s soured slightly by the vision of what could be.
I’m still entertained but it’s soured slightly by the vision of what could be.
sushizhan's review against another edition
5.0
This book. Man. I thought book 1 was good, this one was crazy! So gooood omg. I want more. 😍
ncentopani's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
archaeolaird's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
coffeeandbooked's review against another edition
5.0
bananabreanna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
3.75
Much like the first book in this series, The Crimson Campaign is a very entertaining read. It's a fast-paced story and a lot of fun if you enjoy fantasy war and politics (I do). My only problem with the series and the reason I can't give it a higher rating is that I find the characters to be a little too similar. I don't mean their talents--there are gods, Powder Mages, and Privileged, all of whom can do different amazing things--but in their words and actions. Perhaps it is just me, but I feel that if Taniel, Tamas, or Adamat were exchanged without powder traits, etc. I wouldn't know which was which. That being said, I do still enjoy the world and story very much.