Reviews

Dragon Age: Asunder by David Gaider

storiesofmagic's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jaggo's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

David Gaider's writing is just *chefs kiss*

cakesandtea's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

It must be incredibly difficult (and confining) to write a book set in a universe where the player creates the story. As a result this book had few references to the characters we know and love and instead takes place after the events of Dragon Age 2 where mages are sitting uneasily with the reign of the Templars.

The story itself is about a mage named Rhys who, along with his companions (including a game companion in a risky move of 'canonising' a certain storyline...) set out to seek information on the process of making mages Tranquil. The story also focuses on the aftermath of Anders' actions in Dragon Age 2 which have complicated matters between the mages and Templars. The end certainly sets up the action for the (inevitable but not yet announced) Dragon Age 3.

Pros:
Expanding on the background of a much loved companion from Dragon Age: Origins
Insight into mages, The Circle and the process of making mages tranquil as well as the grey area relationship between the mages and the Templars.
David Gaider is an excellent storyteller and writes dialogue very well.
Fantastic for anyone (like me) who just wants to hoover up every little piece of knowledge about the Dragon Age universe.
Good set up for Dragon Age 3.

Cons:
Unlike the previous two Dragon Age novels it would be very difficult for a newcomer to the series to digest and enjoy.
Few characters you can really feel 'close' to.
First half of the book is frustratingly slow at times.
The relationships between the characters seems somewhat empty.

Overall I can't compare it to the other two novels as I haven't read them but I understand they're slightly more accessible and the characters are expanded more.

I'd read it if you're a hardcore Dragon Age fan but otherwise there's definitely better fantasy fiction out there.

twosuns's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This was the Dragon Age book I was most looking forward to reading as it leads up to the events of Dragon Age Inquisition. However, I found it incredibly slow and struggled to finish it. It wasn’t a complete waste of time as as I gained some insight into the events that lead to the mage rebellion but I expected more. I was planning on reading all DA novels but I’m not sure I want to anymore.

nashxra's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

there's a lot I don't like about the series, but it gets a generous star because I deeply love Dragon Age.

jodieripley's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

mmc_librarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Oh god, Dragon Age 3 is going to be very exciting. Hope we get to see a few of the new characters, like Rhys and Evangeline, again.

catherine_louise's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

workmanlike but still enjoyable. cool if you want to actually know how the mage-templar war in inquisition went down because that history wasn't shown in game. gaider's prose is pretty workmanlike but it does its job. as for characters, some are flatter than others, which is surprising because gaider is responsible for most of my favorite characters in the series. rhys and evangeline, however, are the book's moral centers and they're done quite well so you probably can't ask for too much more from a tie-in novel.

morcades's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

El mejor de los tres. La acción se desarrolla poco después de los sucesos de Kirkwall (Dragon Age 2) y continúa con la trama del enfrentamiento entre los magos y los templarios, la Capilla y la Inquisición. Preludio imprescindible para Dragon Age Inquisition.

spirogyra_sp's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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

4.5