Reviews

The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

ghostycell's review against another edition

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3.0

DNF at 36% - well written with interesting characters but the heavy military aspect bored me. No slander to the book, I think it is simply not for me.

shakirae's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad tense slow-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

This is my favorite book of the year so far.

labunnywtf's review against another edition

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3.0

I have felt the mercy of armed men, and they will never find me helpless again.

Dammit.

I buddy read this with my amazing friend AJ, my buddy read partner of choice (also one of only 3 people I have buddy read with, so....that's...). He chose it, and I got my library to buy it. I was concerned because adult fantasy and I are not on friendly terms, but having a friend to talk it out with makes almost any book enjoyable.

MAN, did this book let me down.

Dammit.

The basic skeleton of this book, this series, is kind of amazing. The Omehi people came to this land hundreds of years ago (I think) in order to escape from something trying to end their civilization (I think). They are in a centuries long battle with the original inhabitants of this land (I think), the Hedeni, who don't take kindly to their presence and are constantly at war with them.

The Omehi have powers, though. Matriarchal powers, which heeeeeey. They can knock you into a shadow world, they can call forth dragons, they can turn men into the Incredible Hulk without all that nasty gamma radiation. Women rule.

Tau is the son of a soldier trainer (or something). He doesn't really want to fight. He wants to marry the girl of his dreams, and live a life of luxury (even though he's a commoner) (but a high commoner) (which is important) (for reasons). But then bad bad bad shit goes down, and he ends up joining up with the army and vowing blood and vengeance against these people who you've literally just met and couldn't tell apart from the rest of the cast of characters.

The absolute best part of this book is what happens during Tau's training. From the trials to be chosen for a "scale" (think: platoon) to the fierce regiment Tau puts himself through in order to be ready for vengeance. I could've read all of that for months. The lengths he goes to, what he puts himself through, in order to be the best? Ahhhh, that was INCREDIBLE. If not for the other flaws, all of the training would've easily gotten this book 5 stars.

But see all these "I think"s throughout this review?

The world building and magic system? Are shit. They're beyond shit. Nothing is explained, and when it is explained, it's done in a way where you think, "Wait, am I supposed to know what they're talking about?"

My kingdom for some exposition. My kingdom for more exposition and less stabby stabby, frankly.

I didn't hate this book. I'd rate it 3.5. But I'm really not motivated to continue the series.

corbar2704's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

megatron1560's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

snackrun's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

himalaya's review against another edition

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i don't know why i keep picking up big fantasy books about dudes and expecting them to be for me

oolymee's review against another edition

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5.0

*shrieking*

horoxv's review against another edition

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5.0

Fucking masterpiece.

The Rage of Dragons is something that has been on my radar for a while, though never at the top of my to-read list. I made a goal in 2020 to read a book each week and decided to start off strong in week two with this.

I am soooooo glad I did.

What Evan Winter has created here is more than a story. It's a statement. It shows that not only can fantasy break its bounds and be more than medieval European, but it can mean and teach something as well.

“I have come for you, and I bring Isihogo with me.”

I felt rage against the caste system and unfair treatment of "Lessers".
I felt love and compassion from not only the relationship between Tau and Zuri but from his sword-brothers.
I felt fear and heartache whenever there was a battle because nobody is safe in this brutal world.
I felt... a lot. And in my mind that is what makes a book more than good. It's what makes a book great.

Also kudos on writing romance in a non-awkward and adult way, as well as creating believable and powerful women characters. God I could spew praises about Evan Winter all day. It doesn't help that he's a super friendly and awesome guy to boot!

P.S. Tau is a fucking bad ass. Sure he is immature (He's young) and does stupid stuff sometimes, but he never ever ever gives up and is one of my new favorite protagonists.

Go read it. Book two coming this year!

ngreads's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is hands down one of the best debut novels I have ever read. Between a unique world, and amazing protagonist, fantastic action, wonderful humour, and one of the most amazing moments of heart break I’ve ever seen, this book rises to masterpiece status in my eyes. The writing is fantastic, the characters are flawed and beautiful, and the plot is simply wonderful.

And the end hurt me in all the best ways. I didn’t cry, but I got very, VERY close. (Which is pretty dang rare for me, so bravo)

Absolutely CANNOT WAIT for book two.