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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
In a world where humans can control the elements, the one human boy in the world who cannot access these powers finds himself one of the only people with knowledge of a coming invasion and must dodge multiple attempts on his life and save his home.
I'm a sucker for a good underdog story. Someone with a huge disadvantage overcoming the odds and saving the day is a super satisfying story for me to read as someone with disabilities myself. All of the main characters are super likeable, and the villains are also very enjoyable to read. It's written well, which is no surprise from Jim Butcher, and it contains his usual mix of darkness, excitement, and humour to high degrees. It's also a very creative fantasy world - the Wax Forest sequence, in particular, was full of creativity in concept.
I don't really have any complaints save one. The leader of the invading horde, Atsurak, only makes a couple of appearances and could do with some fleshing out. What we do see of him sets him up as an intimidating, sadistic threat well enough, but he isn't as compelling as the other villains of the story despite his very important role.
So, yeah, it's a creative, well-written fantasy story with good characters, but a villain who could've done with a bit more attention. Fantastic and totally recommended.
I'm a sucker for a good underdog story. Someone with a huge disadvantage overcoming the odds and saving the day is a super satisfying story for me to read as someone with disabilities myself. All of the main characters are super likeable, and the villains are also very enjoyable to read. It's written well, which is no surprise from Jim Butcher, and it contains his usual mix of darkness, excitement, and humour to high degrees. It's also a very creative fantasy world - the Wax Forest sequence, in particular, was full of creativity in concept.
I don't really have any complaints save one. The leader of the invading horde, Atsurak, only makes a couple of appearances and could do with some fleshing out. What we do see of him sets him up as an intimidating, sadistic threat well enough, but he isn't as compelling as the other villains of the story despite his very important role.
So, yeah, it's a creative, well-written fantasy story with good characters, but a villain who could've done with a bit more attention. Fantastic and totally recommended.
I was afraid this was just going to be "Harry Dresden with dragons" or something. Which I would probably still read and enjoy, since I love Harry Dresden and I love dragons. But he definitely had a different tone and different humor. So far I think I like the Dresden books better, but I'm already looking to buy the next books, so this is a definite will-read-all series for me (unless they majorly go downhill later or something.)
This wasn't a particularly epic story, but I COULD NOT put it down. I can't wait to see how the characters flesh out and evolve over the next books.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's certainly different from the Dresden Files novels, but if I wanted another of Harry Dresden's adventures, I'd go read the next one in that series (which I am going to do anyway - but you get the point).
Anyway - Furies of Calderon is a great start to a new fantasy series. The Roman-ish setting is different to most epic fantasies, which is interesting enough on its own. The world-building is rich and detailed as well, without getting *too* detailed that the flow of the story gets bogged down.
If I had a complaint, it would be that I don't know what was the point of Isana's capture by the disgusting slave holding creep. The other characters' storylines and challenges dealt directly with the impending invasion and they all tied nicely together in the end. But the slave plotline? Not so much. Unless it comes into play in a later book, that is. I just think it was dumb of Kord to try and enslave a woman who is near enough his equal in this society (as far as leadership, etc. is concerned).
That's all the plothole-poking I'm going to do, though. Like I said, I enjoyed this book and I'm going to read the rest of the series. It's certainly on par with other epic fantasy series I've read.
Anyway - Furies of Calderon is a great start to a new fantasy series. The Roman-ish setting is different to most epic fantasies, which is interesting enough on its own. The world-building is rich and detailed as well, without getting *too* detailed that the flow of the story gets bogged down.
If I had a complaint, it would be that I don't know what was the point of Isana's capture by the disgusting slave holding creep. The other characters' storylines and challenges dealt directly with the impending invasion and they all tied nicely together in the end. But the slave plotline? Not so much. Unless it comes into play in a later book, that is. I just think it was dumb of Kord to try and enslave a woman who is near enough his equal in this society (as far as leadership, etc. is concerned).
That's all the plothole-poking I'm going to do, though. Like I said, I enjoyed this book and I'm going to read the rest of the series. It's certainly on par with other epic fantasy series I've read.
I had found the depiction of the Marat (not sure how to spell since I "read" the audiobook) in this book to be problematic. The depiction might get better as the series continues, but I found that there wasn't enough progress in this book to warrant continuing to read more books.
4.6
If I was rating in terms of enjoyment it would easily be a 5. Magic system similar to stormlight with writing that reminded me of weeks was a really fun mix to read. There was a real lack of worldbuilding and the plot was a little to simple to give this a 5 but definitely the most i’ve enjoyed a book in awhile.
If I was rating in terms of enjoyment it would easily be a 5. Magic system similar to stormlight with writing that reminded me of weeks was a really fun mix to read. There was a real lack of worldbuilding and the plot was a little to simple to give this a 5 but definitely the most i’ve enjoyed a book in awhile.
Fun, unique and engaging. Great story, characters, and magic system. A few traditional fantasy flaws (cheesy relationships, some gaps in magic-logic), but overall a plain ol' good book that I didn't want to put down.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Transitioning from the Dresden files into this series is a bit of a culture shock.
I found it hard to relate to most of the characters and because the story is set in a completely new world, it was difficult for me to get into the story. Eventually it does pick up its pace when one of the main characters is taken hostage by a hostile tribe.
Overall, I will be continuing with the series, though I am hesitant to say when I will start them.
I found it hard to relate to most of the characters and because the story is set in a completely new world, it was difficult for me to get into the story. Eventually it does pick up its pace when one of the main characters is taken hostage by a hostile tribe.
Overall, I will be continuing with the series, though I am hesitant to say when I will start them.