Scan barcode
rjwebb90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
songwind's review
5.0
This is the best quest-fantasy book I've read in a long time.
It's not about political maneuvering, or an existential threat to the universe. There's a problem, and Auric Manteo is the guy they chose to solve it.
This book has many of the hallmarks of low-effort pulp fantasy. Adventuring guild. Divine magic/intervention. Dungeon delving.
But Shel turns those on their head and presents them back to you in a fresh way that keeps the pages turning. The rationale for the "guild" and its operations is believable and doesn't feel contrived. The fact that the "adventurers" have more in common with Indian Jones than with Generic Fantasy Dungeoneer #6 just adds to the feeling. Similar facts surrounding magic, religion and history keep things engaging.
On top of that, the main character is not the standard fare, either. He's middle aged, retired, and suffering severe PTSD from his last mission for the Syraeic League. He's an elevated commoner with impostor syndrome. But he's also steady, smart, experienced and a natural leader.
The other Syraeic agents he joins with on his mission are equally complex. As the story proceeds we learn more and more about each of them, making them quite human and believable.
The "dungeon crawl" part of the narrative is tense, spooky and uncertain.
The ending of the story, plus the background elements about the history and society of Halifax leave plenty of hooks for Shel to carry on any of the characters stories, or to jump to something else.
The only real complaint I have about the whole thing would be that the first 15-20% is pretty slow. However, the facts and characters established during that time are very relevant later, so I'm not sure how much it could be sped up. Once the team of agents is assembled and the quest begins, it's pretty rollicking in one way or another.
A very solid book, 4.5 stars/5
It's not about political maneuvering, or an existential threat to the universe. There's a problem, and Auric Manteo is the guy they chose to solve it.
This book has many of the hallmarks of low-effort pulp fantasy. Adventuring guild. Divine magic/intervention. Dungeon delving.
But Shel turns those on their head and presents them back to you in a fresh way that keeps the pages turning. The rationale for the "guild" and its operations is believable and doesn't feel contrived. The fact that the "adventurers" have more in common with Indian Jones than with Generic Fantasy Dungeoneer #6 just adds to the feeling. Similar facts surrounding magic, religion and history keep things engaging.
On top of that, the main character is not the standard fare, either. He's middle aged, retired, and suffering severe PTSD from his last mission for the Syraeic League. He's an elevated commoner with impostor syndrome. But he's also steady, smart, experienced and a natural leader.
The other Syraeic agents he joins with on his mission are equally complex. As the story proceeds we learn more and more about each of them, making them quite human and believable.
The "dungeon crawl" part of the narrative is tense, spooky and uncertain.
The ending of the story, plus the background elements about the history and society of Halifax leave plenty of hooks for Shel to carry on any of the characters stories, or to jump to something else.
The only real complaint I have about the whole thing would be that the first 15-20% is pretty slow. However, the facts and characters established during that time are very relevant later, so I'm not sure how much it could be sped up. Once the team of agents is assembled and the quest begins, it's pretty rollicking in one way or another.
A very solid book, 4.5 stars/5
steve_pagechewing's review against another edition
5.0
Great mix of fantasy, dark fantasy and horror. Epic fantasy with a twist, it isn't predictable or by the numbers. The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat.
shalini_gunnasan's review
5.0
Wow. What a pleasure to discover a proper adventure quest with characters that are so real and make you care for them. I can't wait for the sequel!
21/5/18: Add-on since I didn't have the time and this book warrants it:
The thing that really stood out to me in Aching God are the characters. They feel so real, like people you can meet off the street, with a proper blend of both virtues and flaws. I liked all of them, even that annoying prick Gnaeus. While I have not encountered anyone with PTSD, Auric's experience mirrors that of war veterans which books on trauma talk about, such as [b:The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma|18693771|The Body Keeps the Score Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma|Bessel A. van der Kolk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397425897s/18693771.jpg|26542319]. Everyone surely knows a guy like Belech, the cheerful everyone's friend who keeps everyone in good spirits, or Lumari who can get pretty irritating with her constant skepticism but you like her anyway.
The world-building isn't entirely unique of course, it builds off of the older pulps that feature ancient, ruined civilizations with weird gods, dubious morals and rituals that offend modern sensibilities (usually, they're Mayincatec). However, it is still very interesting and I like that not everything is explained. There is much to learn about the Djao and we learn so little in this book.
I love the horror infused throughout. You can feel the characters' dread and fear (even their nausea).
I am also glad that this functions as a standalone, as the quest begins and ends in this book, giving us a proper resolution. Whatever the sequel has in store, I look forward to joining Auric on his next adventure.
21/5/18: Add-on since I didn't have the time and this book warrants it:
The thing that really stood out to me in Aching God are the characters. They feel so real, like people you can meet off the street, with a proper blend of both virtues and flaws. I liked all of them, even that annoying prick Gnaeus. While I have not encountered anyone with PTSD, Auric's experience mirrors that of war veterans which books on trauma talk about, such as [b:The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma|18693771|The Body Keeps the Score Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma|Bessel A. van der Kolk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397425897s/18693771.jpg|26542319]. Everyone surely knows a guy like Belech, the cheerful everyone's friend who keeps everyone in good spirits, or Lumari who can get pretty irritating with her constant skepticism but you like her anyway.
The world-building isn't entirely unique of course, it builds off of the older pulps that feature ancient, ruined civilizations with weird gods, dubious morals and rituals that offend modern sensibilities (usually, they're Mayincatec). However, it is still very interesting and I like that not everything is explained. There is much to learn about the Djao and we learn so little in this book.
I love the horror infused throughout. You can feel the characters' dread and fear (even their nausea).
I am also glad that this functions as a standalone, as the quest begins and ends in this book, giving us a proper resolution. Whatever the sequel has in store, I look forward to joining Auric on his next adventure.
mikeherb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
fantaseemanatee's review against another edition
5.0
Aching God resurrected something in me that I haven’t felt while reading a book since I was a child. I am overwhelmed reflecting on the experience, and I recommend it to anyone seeking high fantasy - deep and rich world-building, character development, and storytelling.
I was completely enraptured throughout the entire novel. It is exciting, thrilling, and beautiful. No detail is spared for your mind’s eye. I am so grateful there are two more books in this series!
I was completely enraptured throughout the entire novel. It is exciting, thrilling, and beautiful. No detail is spared for your mind’s eye. I am so grateful there are two more books in this series!
scoticus_maximus's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. What I loved most is the depth of the secondary characters, the people who kind of meet along the way. So interesting and memorable.
The story and world were familiar and believable which allowed me to stay focused on the characters, which is my preference. Don't get me wrong I love a good unique magic system or Sci-Fi world build, but it's easy for me to get lost in those details and miss things.
Here, the characters are the complex ones and the book is better for it. IMMEDIATELY jumping into Book 2 (if its out.....yikes!?)
The story and world were familiar and believable which allowed me to stay focused on the characters, which is my preference. Don't get me wrong I love a good unique magic system or Sci-Fi world build, but it's easy for me to get lost in those details and miss things.
Here, the characters are the complex ones and the book is better for it. IMMEDIATELY jumping into Book 2 (if its out.....yikes!?)
crxz6's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dgagneaux's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25