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ash_sunshine's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Fatphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
banjo_hammer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A few critiques: first, it drags on at times. There are side adventures and party members keep getting added. There's also a fair bit of overwriting, repeating details from earlier chapters before verbatim (helpful, but done more than necessary) or using a paragraph for something that only needs 3-5 words. If you're someone comfortable skimming such sections, then it's not so bad.
Second, the idea of mercenary bands being an allegory for real world rock bands was at times amusing, and at others groan worthy. The conceit seemed to come and go throughout the story. A few chapters in I found it annoying, wishing the author would go full-on satire or just lay off with the cute nods and references. I mostly got over it by the middle of the book.
And third, there's a fair bit of Dad the Protector fantasy that's very Taken-esque, in the sense that the dads indeed have "a very particular set of skills." This will appeal to some readers but, I'm sure, not others. That said, I'm a middle aged dad so it hit home with me. Others' mileage may vary.
That said, overall the story was dang fun. The characters are all likeable, if not loveable, in their own ways. Lots of classic D&D style adventure elements, for folks who dig that. I liked that most of the heroes were old and past their glory days. The world felt lived in and its mythology was interesting. I spent the whole book rooting for Clay, Gabe, Moog, and all the rest, curious to see how they would make it all the way across the map. Despite some eye rolls along the way, it was a good time cover to cover
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
foxcoloredcat's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Fatphobia
billyjepma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Fatphobia, and Cannibalism
avacadosocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Fatphobia
Minor: Gore
valjeanval's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
humbug87's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Fatphobia