Scan barcode
keepawayrobot's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lycanhood's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
argent_'s review
3.0
Not an amazing short story, but not a bad one either. I expected - or maybe hoped for - more action, especially given the nature of [b:The Penitent Damned|18191856|The Penitent Damned (The Shadow Campaigns #0.5)|Django Wexler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1377401975s/18191856.jpg|25596112], but this one was much slower paced, with almost no action, and almost entirely character development. If I liked character stories more, I probably would've enjoyed this more.
rubenstein's review
3.0
OOH, I AM INTRIGUED! At 50 pages (the other 20-ish are a preview of the upcoming novel) there was more than enough story and substance to give me a good feel for Wexler's writing, the characters, and just what this world is all about. There was a twist I hadn't expected (and actually gasped out loud!)
I tend to shy away from side stories - usually you already need to be familiar with the series. Here, however, I was more than able to walk in blind and now I am more than eager to dive into the series!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
I tend to shy away from side stories - usually you already need to be familiar with the series. Here, however, I was more than able to walk in blind and now I am more than eager to dive into the series!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
oneandonlywm3's review
4.0
It's no secret how much I enjoyed the first two books of The Shadow Campaigns series, so when I saw this up for grabs on netgalley, I had to click request. Gladly I got accepted, but it took me weeks before I finally read this.
This novella didn't have any of the main characters of the series, but that doesn't mean that the characters were boring. I honestly liked Abraham, but unfortunately I had no background of Alex, because I only read about 10 pages of the prequel novella and decided to skip it and read this instead. Despite the lack of background though, I still liked her a bit. I was expecting a bit of a cliche romance, but got something way different instead. Not going to spoil anything though so better read this to know what I'm talking about.
4/5 stars. Just like any other novellas, they are just too short. I hate short stories, never liked them, probably never will, but this one managed to be one of those good ones. Highly recommended for readers of the series, although I don't think it played any role to the main novels at all. Django Wexler is one of those rising authors readers should check out.
This novella didn't have any of the main characters of the series, but that doesn't mean that the characters were boring. I honestly liked Abraham, but unfortunately I had no background of Alex, because I only read about 10 pages of the prequel novella and decided to skip it and read this instead. Despite the lack of background though, I still liked her a bit. I was expecting a bit of a cliche romance, but got something way different instead. Not going to spoil anything though so better read this to know what I'm talking about.
4/5 stars. Just like any other novellas, they are just too short. I hate short stories, never liked them, probably never will, but this one managed to be one of those good ones. Highly recommended for readers of the series, although I don't think it played any role to the main novels at all. Django Wexler is one of those rising authors readers should check out.
daaan's review
2.0
Fundamentally, this is a flawed work. It should never have been written in 1st POV.
1) It runs counter to all the other books in the series. You need to have a very good reason to switch to 1st POV in an ongoing series. It didn't.
2) The final section of the book narrates something that the 1st POV didn't see. That's a glaring error.
3) The 1st POV was underutilised. 1st POV typically only works well when your narrator is a fascinating enigma/thoughtful and insightful. Abraham was neither. The writing was plain. Most of the shadow campaigns was written plainly, but that was OK, it's functional it gets the job done and it was all 3rd POV limited. See point 1.
Plot wise, it has all the problems of most short fiction attached to a series. It's basically an extended origin story. I think this was why it was done in 1st POV as alternate chapters were flashbacks, and 1st POV was the easiest way to justify this rocking backwards and forwards in time. This was a mistake, the present tense story was stunted and ended at the point it should have placed the inciting event, the extended flashbacks should be included as small paragraphs that explained particular present tense events, though most should just be cut as superfluous.
Ultimate verdict, did this tell me anything I needed to know for the series? No. Did it tell a compelling independent story? No. Would I recommend it to others reading the shadow campaigns? No.
1) It runs counter to all the other books in the series. You need to have a very good reason to switch to 1st POV in an ongoing series. It didn't.
2) The final section of the book narrates something that the 1st POV didn't see. That's a glaring error.
3) The 1st POV was underutilised. 1st POV typically only works well when your narrator is a fascinating enigma/thoughtful and insightful. Abraham was neither. The writing was plain. Most of the shadow campaigns was written plainly, but that was OK, it's functional it gets the job done and it was all 3rd POV limited. See point 1.
Plot wise, it has all the problems of most short fiction attached to a series. It's basically an extended origin story. I think this was why it was done in 1st POV as alternate chapters were flashbacks, and 1st POV was the easiest way to justify this rocking backwards and forwards in time. This was a mistake, the present tense story was stunted and ended at the point it should have placed the inciting event, the extended flashbacks should be included as small paragraphs that explained particular present tense events, though most should just be cut as superfluous.
Ultimate verdict, did this tell me anything I needed to know for the series? No. Did it tell a compelling independent story? No. Would I recommend it to others reading the shadow campaigns? No.
elf_on_a_bookshelf's review
4.0
Again, really wish I read this before books four and five! I would have cared so much more about precious boi Abraham.
belowvaultedsky's review
4.0
A nice short read. It's great to see that Wexler can write just as effectively in the first-person as the third. Most of the story is spent on Abraham's past, from early childhood to the present, which I didn't mind in the least. The author did a very good job fleshing out the character as much as he could in such a short span. It was also interesting seeing the little differences between life in Murnsk and in Vordan.
The ending was a bit abrupt and I was disappointed to part with the characters so soon, but I assume (read: hope) I'll be seeing them in later volumes.
The ending was a bit abrupt and I was disappointed to part with the characters so soon, but I assume (read: hope) I'll be seeing them in later volumes.
leons1701's review
3.0
Another novella set in the world of The Shadow Campaigns. Pretty good for getting a slightly different look at the world, but feels unfinished. I assume we'll see more of these eventually as the series continues.