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amartz's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
sleeka's review against another edition
5.0
While I gave a 5 star for book 2, I realized I'd never given a rating for book 1 (4.5* rounded up). After reading both books, I feel that the story could have been benefited more if books 1 and 2 were one book altogether. Book 1 is clearly a setup for its sequel so I can see why some people might think it a bit slow. Not for me though since I really enjoyed the dialogue between the characters (finished it in 4 days while it took me 3 days to finish The Rightful Queen). Book 2 has more action and the world + the magic are explored more in depth. I just hope I don't have to wait another 3 years for the last book to come out. So good.
spookyclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
3.0
After reading this very long book. It was a little hard for me to keep the characters straight. Most characters had names that were of some similarities to the lands and then I found myself very confused on what was what. I did like Roger, Majorie and Seth’s character though. I thought they offered great entertainment to the book. If the writer could bring some simple verbiage rather than flamboyant words; example the the names of lands or the leaders of armies, then I could have a good chance of following with the book. Possibly the narrative to the story could be clear and precise, which could pull my attention more into the story. Also, starting off the story with some good action sequels followed by the Hero explanation about that scene would be a real attention getter.
the_midwest_library's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5
This is a pretty good book, I actually was surprised with how much I enjoyed this world and the characters. There is a lot of really smart writing here, and the characters have rich histories and motives which really informs their political decision making and because of the political conflicts in this world each character's decisions create ripples for the others.
My biggest issues are in the clutter of the first half of the book, there are a lot of characters we meet in quick succession without much to ground their stories into a moment in time while we are new to the world and locations that are named that aren't on the map in the first half of the book. Both of which created situations where it was hard to keep track of who was going where and for what purpose. Around the halfway point I think the writing and the pacing really leveled out and the last quarter of the book was fantastic.
Overall, a really interesting world, lord of political intrigue, I'm excited the trilogy is finished and has a finale in mind and we will approach it in the next 2 books because the world is quite rich and I think some of these plot points and character arcs could get muddled if not handled by an author with firm intentions on concluding their series. Happy to say that doesn't appear to be the case here and I'm looking forward to building up on the knowledge from book one as I head into book 2!
This is a pretty good book, I actually was surprised with how much I enjoyed this world and the characters. There is a lot of really smart writing here, and the characters have rich histories and motives which really informs their political decision making and because of the political conflicts in this world each character's decisions create ripples for the others.
My biggest issues are in the clutter of the first half of the book, there are a lot of characters we meet in quick succession without much to ground their stories into a moment in time while we are new to the world and locations that are named that aren't on the map in the first half of the book. Both of which created situations where it was hard to keep track of who was going where and for what purpose. Around the halfway point I think the writing and the pacing really leveled out and the last quarter of the book was fantastic.
Overall, a really interesting world, lord of political intrigue, I'm excited the trilogy is finished and has a finale in mind and we will approach it in the next 2 books because the world is quite rich and I think some of these plot points and character arcs could get muddled if not handled by an author with firm intentions on concluding their series. Happy to say that doesn't appear to be the case here and I'm looking forward to building up on the knowledge from book one as I head into book 2!
gotathingforthings's review against another edition
2.0
Check out my review of The Empire’s Ghost and The Rightful Queen here: https://youtu.be/26IDNaiAFhM
The Empire’s Ghost is a massive fantasy book, with lots of characters and subplots! I think it is hard to describe it in one synopsis, because it is so vast and complex.
I had several issues with it, mainly the pacing and the writing. It barley moves plotwise and I found it a bit frustrating. The writing also did not match with me at all, and for example changed POV mid-page which was very disconnecting. I think the book had parts I did enjoy, there were some characters I really liked following and I wanted to know their journeys. But overall I struggled a lot with this first book and ended up giving it 2/5 stars.
The Empire’s Ghost is a massive fantasy book, with lots of characters and subplots! I think it is hard to describe it in one synopsis, because it is so vast and complex.
I had several issues with it, mainly the pacing and the writing. It barley moves plotwise and I found it a bit frustrating. The writing also did not match with me at all, and for example changed POV mid-page which was very disconnecting. I think the book had parts I did enjoy, there were some characters I really liked following and I wanted to know their journeys. But overall I struggled a lot with this first book and ended up giving it 2/5 stars.
shankl's review against another edition
4.0
In the first installment of the Paths of Lantistyne series, The Empire's Ghost, the readers is introduced to a new fantasy series by author Isabelle Steiger. We find ourself immersed into stories of its kingdoms, its leaders and the servants fighting for each. We also find a lonesome bar with a group of misfits quietly keeping the peace and thieving for survival.
This epic fantasy reads at a very slow pace, and takes a bit to understand all its characters. The ending pulls all the storylines together leaving you wanting book 2 to continue the journey through this place and its people.
Rating 3.5
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Thomas Dunne Books for the complimentary copy of this novel.
This epic fantasy reads at a very slow pace, and takes a bit to understand all its characters. The ending pulls all the storylines together leaving you wanting book 2 to continue the journey through this place and its people.
Rating 3.5
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Thomas Dunne Books for the complimentary copy of this novel.
lostinvellichor's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4
This is an extremely ambitious book with a massively sprawling story, so many characters and plot threads that it takes some time to really get into the story. This whole first book was really just world building and introducing the many characters…it’s a lot, so much that it took most of the book to really be able to start keeping who/where/what (mostly) straight in my head. I’m hoping there will be more focus on character development in the next book now that the world is established, as they feel rather shallow thus far…most of them feel like caricatures of stereotypes so I’d really love to see them fleshed out. But even with all of that and some issues with the writing style feeling a bit clumsy and unpolished, by the end I’m feeling invested in the story and most of the characters, and I am looking forward to diving straight into the next book!
This is an extremely ambitious book with a massively sprawling story, so many characters and plot threads that it takes some time to really get into the story. This whole first book was really just world building and introducing the many characters…it’s a lot, so much that it took most of the book to really be able to start keeping who/where/what (mostly) straight in my head. I’m hoping there will be more focus on character development in the next book now that the world is established, as they feel rather shallow thus far…most of them feel like caricatures of stereotypes so I’d really love to see them fleshed out. But even with all of that and some issues with the writing style feeling a bit clumsy and unpolished, by the end I’m feeling invested in the story and most of the characters, and I am looking forward to diving straight into the next book!