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capgambit's review against another edition
3.0
Alright so I went into this book with high expectations. I did really enjoy the story but was let down a bit as well.
First of all I think it's awesome that Seeker has such great power now. Finally we're getting to the "Noble Warrior" part. I wish we would have gotten to "seen" a more complete view of his power however.
The part that does bother me is the title. With a title of "Jango" one would expect more in the story about Jango. I can guess where it's leading and am interested to see how it gets pulled off in the last book. But, Jango wasn't in the story enough for me to merit the title
First of all I think it's awesome that Seeker has such great power now. Finally we're getting to the "Noble Warrior" part. I wish we would have gotten to "seen" a more complete view of his power however.
The part that does bother me is the title. With a title of "Jango" one would expect more in the story about Jango. I can guess where it's leading and am interested to see how it gets pulled off in the last book. But, Jango wasn't in the story enough for me to merit the title
chroniqled's review against another edition
5.0
William Nicholson does it again. The second book is just as strange as the first, and I inexplicably love it. To bits. I couldn’t put it down. On to the third book!!
chroniqled's review
5.0
William Nicholson does it again. The second book is just as strange as the first, and I inexplicably love it. To bits. I couldn’t put it down. On to the third book!!
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
4.0
William Nicholson has a knack for "middle stories" - I remember being equally invested in the second volume of his Wind on Fire trilogy. Perhaps it's the fact that all three characters step out from under the shadows of their archetypes here, whereas in the first volume, they were almost too easily cast - I don't know. I just know that I very much appreciate the rich themes and ideas Nicholson allows to breathe in his work. He never softens the impact of certain actions. His stories feel true. That's perhaps the best compliment I can give to any work of fiction. (Also, he wins the bizarre award for some of the plot devices and characters - Professor Ortus and his "charged water"? Weird stuff, man.)
spiderstapdance's review against another edition
4.0
These books are an interesting mix of Star Wars and Avatar: the Last Airbender, with a touch of Game of Thrones thrown in for good measure. But for a series that claims on the book jacket to be about friendship, there isn't a whole lot of interaction between the friends. In truth, at least in Seeker and Jango it's been more about their separate journeys, which is fine, it just doesn't fulfill the claims of the book jacket. It seems that the only proof of the friendship between the three heroes is when the narrator tells us how they feel about each other; we aren't really shown it through their actions.
I was sad to see Morning Star take more of a back seat to Seeker and the Wildman in this one, and rather repulsed at
Nicholson weaves in an enchanting collection of complex and purposefully shallow characters (can Soren Similin be any more stupid?). I can't wait to see where Echo Kittle's and the Wildman's journeys will take them. However, Nicholson seems to prefer exploration of things and settings over in-depth exploration of characters, and it's really quite a shame given he's set himself up with an array of characters so full of potential.
I was sad to see Morning Star take more of a back seat to Seeker and the Wildman in this one, and rather repulsed at
Spoiler
how her sudden realization of her love for the Wildman turns her into his groveling servant, willing to do anything for him so long as she is allowed to remain in his presence, never expecting anything more from him. I understand that Morning Star has always had self-image issues, but in Seeker the narration mentions how her soft outward demeanor is really a mask for her true self: the tough, clear-eyed Morning Star. Where was that Morning Star in Jango? I liked it better when she and the Wildman were bickering all the time.Nicholson weaves in an enchanting collection of complex and purposefully shallow characters (can Soren Similin be any more stupid?). I can't wait to see where Echo Kittle's and the Wildman's journeys will take them. However, Nicholson seems to prefer exploration of things and settings over in-depth exploration of characters, and it's really quite a shame given he's set himself up with an array of characters so full of potential.
chroniqled's review against another edition
5.0
William Nicholson does it again. The second book is just as strange as the first, and I inexplicably love it. To bits. I couldn’t put it down. On to the third book!!
stephilica's review against another edition
I don't think I've been so conflicted on a novel for a while!
On the one hand, it's well-written, and I like the world. The new character Echo Kittle is also such a wonderful addition that I feel partially cheated she wasn't in the first book. I loved the constant reminder that she failed a test of moral character, and that it leaves such a lasting impression on her for the rest of the book. Nicholson's punchy, vivid prose returns but this time it paints mood more than setting. In particular, we get more of Morning Star's empath powers, which are sometimes shorthand for how other characters are feeling.
On the other hand, all the main characters appear to have which was... a choice. Seeker strongly reminded me of Rand in "The Dragon Reborn" and "The Path of Daggers" (Wheel of Time III and VIII, respectively). Surely something *bad* will come of Seeker's attitude ? Surely Morning Star and Wildman's choices to will lead to consequences?
The main antagonist of this book is handily resolved within the page count but you can see the set-up for Book III. It's not a terrible structure but I am aching for some answers! I was also surprised by how the Nom, which appeared to be mostly Abrahamic in the last book, suddenly took on a more Taoistic atmosphere in this novel.
Still, good characters, great setting, compelling plot. I eagerly await the series conclusion, and perhaps my discomfort about some specific plot points will no longer be an issue with the retrospection that the final installment will give.
On the one hand, it's well-written, and I like the world. The new character Echo Kittle is also such a wonderful addition that I feel partially cheated she wasn't in the first book. I loved the constant reminder that she failed a test of moral character, and that it leaves such a lasting impression on her for the rest of the book. Nicholson's punchy, vivid prose returns but this time it paints mood more than setting. In particular, we get more of Morning Star's empath powers, which are sometimes shorthand for how other characters are feeling.
On the other hand, all the main characters appear to have
Spoiler
separate psychotic breaksSpoiler
and weird thrill for murdering the Savanters, even if they are pure evilSpoiler
brainwash a bunch of Spikers to create an armyThe main antagonist of this book is handily resolved within the page count but you can see the set-up for Book III. It's not a terrible structure but I am aching for some answers! I was also surprised by how the Nom, which appeared to be mostly Abrahamic in the last book, suddenly took on a more Taoistic atmosphere in this novel.
Still, good characters, great setting, compelling plot. I eagerly await the series conclusion, and perhaps my discomfort about some specific plot points will no longer be an issue with the retrospection that the final installment will give.
chroniqled's review against another edition
5.0
William Nicholson does it again. The second book is just as strange as the first, and I inexplicably love it. To bits. I couldn’t put it down. On to the third book!!
opalamber's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
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