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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Don't remember who recommended this, but it was recommended enthusiastically, so I gave it a shot.
I really liked the idea of many of the characters (especially Durzo), but am not sure how I got through 645 pages and felt like most of them were still too thin and predictable.
Some parts of this book really drew me in, but much of it left me thinking of putting the book down. I persevered and it really did seem to pick up towards the end.
All of that said, I do plan on continuing the series and hope Mr. Weeks gets into some of the hidden depths of his characters which were hinted at and gives a clearer description of the world and its many factions/
I really liked the idea of many of the characters (especially Durzo), but am not sure how I got through 645 pages and felt like most of them were still too thin and predictable.
Some parts of this book really drew me in, but much of it left me thinking of putting the book down. I persevered and it really did seem to pick up towards the end.
All of that said, I do plan on continuing the series and hope Mr. Weeks gets into some of the hidden depths of his characters which were hinted at and gives a clearer description of the world and its many factions/
I don't read a lot of fantasy any longer and actually picked this one up on a whim at the library. The main reason I chose it is probably the cover. I've not picked up a book because of the cover in ages.
When I first started it, I was afraid it was your typical "young kid moves on to become a bad ass & a pawn of prophecy." Well... that's exactly what it turned out to be, but dang - It was really good.
The characters are enjoyable, even if they aren't necessarily likable. There are adult situations & language which honestly adds some spice to the story. I'm not against the vanilla stylings of books aimed at a teen age audience, but I'm a bit older than that.
The story, the setting & the magic of this world are different, interesting and again - enjoyable. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
8/22/2015 - I wrote this review seven years ago. What struck me odd on reading it today is that I said, "I don't read a lot of fantasy any longer". This may have helped push me back into reading fantasy and in hindsight, I apparently enjoyed the "Grimdark" aspect of the book. I've since read a lot of the Grimdark Fantasy.
When I first started it, I was afraid it was your typical "young kid moves on to become a bad ass & a pawn of prophecy." Well... that's exactly what it turned out to be, but dang - It was really good.
The characters are enjoyable, even if they aren't necessarily likable. There are adult situations & language which honestly adds some spice to the story. I'm not against the vanilla stylings of books aimed at a teen age audience, but I'm a bit older than that.
The story, the setting & the magic of this world are different, interesting and again - enjoyable. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
8/22/2015 - I wrote this review seven years ago. What struck me odd on reading it today is that I said, "I don't read a lot of fantasy any longer". This may have helped push me back into reading fantasy and in hindsight, I apparently enjoyed the "Grimdark" aspect of the book. I've since read a lot of the Grimdark Fantasy.
I find it hard to believe that so many people don't think this book it absolutely brilliant. Brent Weeks writes in such a different way that this book is like marmite. You either love it or hate it.
It was slow to start, so if you can manage of almost 150, 200 pages of okay, then you won't be able to put down the rest of the book. It has so many plot lines interweaving and twists, that you just never knew what was going to happen next. Multiple times I was left speechless. In a way, it almost reminded me a bit of A Game of Thrones, though I have to admit maybe not as good. The bits and pieces of humour added didn't disappoint either.
But for all I'm praising it up, it could have been better. Personally, I think it lacked in world building, and just simple explanation, especially so on the magic parts. It was hard to understand when just being first introduced into this world, and you definitely got dumped in the deep end, so much so that I felt the need to research what was actually going on via the internet for a better explanation. But once you've wrapped your head around it, there's not much to dislike so I intend to read the second book without fail.
It was slow to start, so if you can manage of almost 150, 200 pages of okay, then you won't be able to put down the rest of the book. It has so many plot lines interweaving and twists, that you just never knew what was going to happen next. Multiple times I was left speechless. In a way, it almost reminded me a bit of A Game of Thrones, though I have to admit maybe not as good. The bits and pieces of humour added didn't disappoint either.
But for all I'm praising it up, it could have been better. Personally, I think it lacked in world building, and just simple explanation, especially so on the magic parts. It was hard to understand when just being first introduced into this world, and you definitely got dumped in the deep end, so much so that I felt the need to research what was actually going on via the internet for a better explanation. But once you've wrapped your head around it, there's not much to dislike so I intend to read the second book without fail.
I picked it up and started to read this about 5 times over the last few years and I. Just. Don’t. Care. I usually put it down within a few pages, but I got to chapter 49 and I still just don’t care. ~sigh. I did try.
adventurous
dark
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
Really enjoyed this one. Started a bit slow, but the pace picked way up at the end.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes