Scan barcode
litagentsaritza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was not ready. This is truly a masterful story with an ending I could not have guessed when while knowing how it was likely to end. I am a mess and will need some time to recover.
“Where we fight! The world burns!”
“Where we fight! The world burns!”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, and Death
cooperjdlyons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blizzardbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rwatkins's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay. Overall: 2/5 (10/25)
This was an action-heavy fantasy centered around war, revenge, romance, training and an underdog competition. If you like the movie Gladiator, The Way of King's Bridge Four, or typical male teen fantasy heroes (overpowered, makes dumb decisions without consequences, gets the girls, wins the fights), then this book is for you.
Minor Spoilers Below.
Plot: 2/5
Tau is the main character, set on a path of vengeance. He must train to grow stronger, then enters into a gladiatorialish team event with his underdog company to get closer to the targets of his rage. War will finally arrive once Tau is hopefully made ready for it. He will have to choose between his care for others and getting revenge, quite a few times. The plot wasn't anything new to fantasy but it was executed okay.
Setting: 3/5
Lightly African-inspired and set in the Bronze Age, there is also an alternate magical realm and demonic dragons. Winter spends most of his description time on battles, and not the sights, sounds, colors and places of the world, unfortunately, and I wanted more from the setting. The magical realm of demons was interesting, but visits there are brief and focused mostly on demon fighting. The dragons are lacking in presence, given the title of the book. Although I wanted more from the setting, I did like what was presented.
Characters: 1/5
Tau's plot armor is thick. He is constantly making decisions that would get anyone whose not the main character killed, but he is let off the hook repeatedly. With no consequences, he has no reason to ever question his own part in how things unfold. His actions regularly harm those around him and those he tries to protect. He never changes, except to grow stronger and more dangerous. But he's supposed to be the hero and none of his blame is ever given any serious thought. He is selfish, dumb, brash and incapable of self-reflection so it becomes harder and harder to root for him as the story progresses. Any empathy gained in the beginning is soon lost.
Other characters are all one-note: the big guy, the smart guy, the mentor, the love interest. None are developed beyond that, unless you count the big guy liking to drink as characterization.
Style: 2/5
The pacing feels fast because there are constant battle scenes, but the training goes through most of the book, the competition portion overlaps with the training, and then a sudden war makes it all irrelevant, except for serving to show how Tau becomes a bad@$$.
There is a LOT of time spent on Tau training, first under his father, then with his company, then with demons. More variety in scenes and breathers from the action scenes could have helped.
I wanted more African flavor, more dragons, more characterization.
The military aspects drew from African-themed language. I wish there was more to this book than all the military training. The terms used weren't overwhelming and a glossary is included to check what all those curses meant.
Themes: 2/5
The themes introduced had such potential, but are hardly explored at all. Anger, hatred, grief, colonization, a caste system, blood hierarchy, love, found family, soldier bonds, war, power, rebellion, order, unfair laws and customs and so much more are brought up. There are so many side-plots that could have been interesting to delve into, from politics to romance. But Tau is interested only in Revenge and so that's the theme that overrides everything else.
This was an action-heavy fantasy centered around war, revenge, romance, training and an underdog competition. If you like the movie Gladiator, The Way of King's Bridge Four, or typical male teen fantasy heroes (overpowered, makes dumb decisions without consequences, gets the girls, wins the fights), then this book is for you.
Minor Spoilers Below.
Plot: 2/5
Tau is the main character, set on a path of vengeance. He must train to grow stronger, then enters into a gladiatorialish team event with his underdog company to get closer to the targets of his rage. War will finally arrive once Tau is hopefully made ready for it. He will have to choose between his care for others and getting revenge, quite a few times. The plot wasn't anything new to fantasy but it was executed okay.
Setting: 3/5
Lightly African-inspired and set in the Bronze Age, there is also an alternate magical realm and demonic dragons. Winter spends most of his description time on battles, and not the sights, sounds, colors and places of the world, unfortunately, and I wanted more from the setting. The magical realm of demons was interesting, but visits there are brief and focused mostly on demon fighting. The dragons are lacking in presence, given the title of the book. Although I wanted more from the setting, I did like what was presented.
Characters: 1/5
Tau's plot armor is thick. He is constantly making decisions that would get anyone whose not the main character killed, but he is let off the hook repeatedly. With no consequences, he has no reason to ever question his own part in how things unfold. His actions regularly harm those around him and those he tries to protect. He never changes, except to grow stronger and more dangerous. But he's supposed to be the hero and none of his blame is ever given any serious thought. He is selfish, dumb, brash and incapable of self-reflection so it becomes harder and harder to root for him as the story progresses. Any empathy gained in the beginning is soon lost.
Other characters are all one-note: the big guy, the smart guy, the mentor, the love interest. None are developed beyond that, unless you count the big guy liking to drink as characterization.
Style: 2/5
The pacing feels fast because there are constant battle scenes, but the training goes through most of the book, the competition portion overlaps with the training, and then a sudden war makes it all irrelevant, except for serving to show how Tau becomes a bad@$$.
There is a LOT of time spent on Tau training, first under his father, then with his company, then with demons. More variety in scenes and breathers from the action scenes could have helped.
I wanted more African flavor, more dragons, more characterization.
The military aspects drew from African-themed language. I wish there was more to this book than all the military training. The terms used weren't overwhelming and a glossary is included to check what all those curses meant.
Themes: 2/5
The themes introduced had such potential, but are hardly explored at all. Anger, hatred, grief, colonization, a caste system, blood hierarchy, love, found family, soldier bonds, war, power, rebellion, order, unfair laws and customs and so much more are brought up. There are so many side-plots that could have been interesting to delve into, from politics to romance. But Tau is interested only in Revenge and so that's the theme that overrides everything else.
adeledsg's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
alicia_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
chrissyanity's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rebeccahauck's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really fun read! I'm excited to move on to the next one and see what unfolds for Tau next.
I'm always on board with a troubled and imperfect main character. Tau absolutely delivered. The man is haunted and determined, his rage is more than a match for any Dragon's.
I could definitely see where things were going, but the getting there was entertaining enough that I didn't feel impatient or let down by the fore knowledge. Which I usually find is the downfall for most books, so I was pleasantly surprised. There were enough surprises to balance it out, and the slow introduction of information throughout felt really well-paced.
I'm always on board with a troubled and imperfect main character. Tau absolutely delivered. The man is haunted and determined, his rage is more than a match for any Dragon's.
I could definitely see where things were going, but the getting there was entertaining enough that I didn't feel impatient or let down by the fore knowledge. Which I usually find is the downfall for most books, so I was pleasantly surprised. There were enough surprises to balance it out, and the slow introduction of information throughout felt really well-paced.
idonttcareeeee's review against another edition
3.0
as you can tell, this took me three months to read, and it wasn't even that long.
but it was sooooo slow. i mean, it was well written, but it was soooooooooooooooo slow
but it was sooooo slow. i mean, it was well written, but it was soooooooooooooooo slow