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serru's review
1.0
Really bland book. Feels like not much truly happened despite all the fancy prose. And as in Havemercy, the real plot doesn't kick in until maybe the last 80 pages or so. And it's still bland and boring.
It's also quite obvious that both authors are huge fans of Japanese culture-- Ke-han is basically feudal Japan, though oddly enough, their naming scheme also uses names from other East Asian cultures (a few characters had Chinese- and Korean-sounding names while others had Japanese ones). All four main characters resemble anime cliches: Mamoru and Kouje are like a typical master-servant couple found in a lot of yaoi manga (except without the romantic relationship), and Caius and Alcibiades bicker like an old married couple. Unfortunately, this means that the characters are very two-dimensional. Their interactions were predictable and not at all interesting.
I also get the sense that the authors really love their characters, which explains why so much of the book is spent on detailing their every thought and action in all sorts of unnecessary, filler-like scenes. It was like the authors thought it'd be funny to see this character in this or that situation, regardless of its relevance to the plot.
It's also quite obvious that both authors are huge fans of Japanese culture-- Ke-han is basically feudal Japan, though oddly enough, their naming scheme also uses names from other East Asian cultures (a few characters had Chinese- and Korean-sounding names while others had Japanese ones). All four main characters resemble anime cliches: Mamoru and Kouje are like a typical master-servant couple found in a lot of yaoi manga (except without the romantic relationship), and Caius and Alcibiades bicker like an old married couple. Unfortunately, this means that the characters are very two-dimensional. Their interactions were predictable and not at all interesting.
I also get the sense that the authors really love their characters, which explains why so much of the book is spent on detailing their every thought and action in all sorts of unnecessary, filler-like scenes. It was like the authors thought it'd be funny to see this character in this or that situation, regardless of its relevance to the plot.
hematitesoul's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rebeccacider's review
3.0
Gets three stars because of the lovely writing, often elegantly handled themes, fun setting (fake Japan FTW!), and Kouje, who was just super compelling and deserves the Samwise Gamgee award for being a fantastic servant character in a fantasy novel.
An enjoyable read, but I think Jones and Bennett need to work on constructing and executing better plots. This one was made up of pretty good elements - and so was actually much better than the plot of Havemercy - but even still too often the characters were not doing very much or doing things that didn't 100% make sense in order to set up for future plot. Also, I am generally somewhat tolerant of overheard conversations, but please do not have your characters overhear vital information by running into just the right people *in the middle of a mountain range* and listening in for like ten minutes. Granted it was the part of the mountain range where they were most likely to overhear this information, but you should make your characters work for their overheard conversations - a few hours of espionage at least! :)
Iseul was also not that great of a villain - he was believable and creepy, yes, and the question of how the duty and order-obsessed Ke-Han should deal with having a crazy emperor was an interesting one, but I sort of was wondering why we were being told the story of this particular bad emperor. Emperors who try to assassinate their brothers and go back on peace treaties are probably a dime a dozen if you look at real world history.
Also, while they were well written and often very funny, Caius and Alcibiades were a bit two-dimensional; their thread was also suffering from the lack of plot, which exacerbated this. They sort of felt like anime/television characters and not book characters? If that makes sense.
An enjoyable read, but I think Jones and Bennett need to work on constructing and executing better plots. This one was made up of pretty good elements - and so was actually much better than the plot of Havemercy - but even still too often the characters were not doing very much or doing things that didn't 100% make sense in order to set up for future plot. Also, I am generally somewhat tolerant of overheard conversations, but please do not have your characters overhear vital information by running into just the right people *in the middle of a mountain range* and listening in for like ten minutes. Granted it was the part of the mountain range where they were most likely to overhear this information, but you should make your characters work for their overheard conversations - a few hours of espionage at least! :)
Iseul was also not that great of a villain - he was believable and creepy, yes, and the question of how the duty and order-obsessed Ke-Han should deal with having a crazy emperor was an interesting one, but I sort of was wondering why we were being told the story of this particular bad emperor. Emperors who try to assassinate their brothers and go back on peace treaties are probably a dime a dozen if you look at real world history.
Also, while they were well written and often very funny, Caius and Alcibiades were a bit two-dimensional; their thread was also suffering from the lack of plot, which exacerbated this. They sort of felt like anime/television characters and not book characters? If that makes sense.
silquesoleil's review
5.0
The second novel by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett is one that I wanted to read badly, but It took me quite a long time to do it. The simple reason was that I was afraid that I wouldn't like the four new narrators. Especially Caius Greylace, because all I remembered from „Havemercy“ was that he was the creepy guy with the eye-scream aspect who could torture people with his mind. And then I started reading „Shadow Magic“ and the book had me the very moment that Caius chose that Alcibiades would be his new BFF. Also, I have a thing for little men who are batshit crazy and wear fancy clips in their hair.
I chose to give the book 5 stars because I loved it. It did things to me, I had the stupidest grin on my face while reading. Of course, it has its flaws and it might not appeal everyone but I fell for the words and I fell for the characters; the atmosphere. So, there is not much plot. So, the pacing becomes a bit weird at the end. But sometimes, plot is overrated and the sudden end of the story caused me to yell with disappointment because I wanted more.
I can only recommend this book for those who loved „the Shoebox Project“ and those who like mangas. For obvious reasons; the Ke-Han society is mainly based upon the Japanese with Chinese influences. And well, I don't know about you but crossdressing Bishounen make me happy.
What kept me reading for the most part was the bromance between Caius and Alcibiades. (They reminded me so much of Kurogane and Fai from Tsubasa Reservior Chronicle, so it was impossible for me not to love them. And, to be honest it's impossible for me not to ship them though Caius is fairly asexual and prefers screwing with people's mind. These novels are excellent slash fiction material. XD Which is no surprise, regarding the origins of one of the authors). They are lovely, I think 90 % of my Kindle-Clippings are quotes from them, because they are so different and god, I have no words, just love. I now regard „carnivorous little flower“ as a term of endearment.
I'm so looking forward to the next books. These authors make my day. Also, I can't wait to read more from Rook and Thom, I miss them. Especially Rook.
I chose to give the book 5 stars because I loved it. It did things to me, I had the stupidest grin on my face while reading. Of course, it has its flaws and it might not appeal everyone but I fell for the words and I fell for the characters; the atmosphere. So, there is not much plot. So, the pacing becomes a bit weird at the end. But sometimes, plot is overrated and the sudden end of the story caused me to yell with disappointment because I wanted more.
I can only recommend this book for those who loved „the Shoebox Project“ and those who like mangas. For obvious reasons; the Ke-Han society is mainly based upon the Japanese with Chinese influences. And well, I don't know about you but crossdressing Bishounen make me happy.
What kept me reading for the most part was the bromance between Caius and Alcibiades. (They reminded me so much of Kurogane and Fai from Tsubasa Reservior Chronicle, so it was impossible for me not to love them. And, to be honest it's impossible for me not to ship them though Caius is fairly asexual and prefers screwing with people's mind. These novels are excellent slash fiction material. XD Which is no surprise, regarding the origins of one of the authors). They are lovely, I think 90 % of my Kindle-Clippings are quotes from them, because they are so different and god, I have no words, just love. I now regard „carnivorous little flower“ as a term of endearment.
I'm so looking forward to the next books. These authors make my day. Also, I can't wait to read more from Rook and Thom, I miss them. Especially Rook.
siriface's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
hpstrangelove's review against another edition
5.0
Updated Sep 18, 2022.
Audio book review. Narrator: Cornell Collins
The narration by Mr Collins made all the difference in my updated rating from four to five stars! He brought the story to life. His rendition of the humor between Alcibiades and Caius was so entertaining that I couldn't help but fall in love with the two of them. I actually ended up liking this book more than the first, a complete opposite reaction that I had 12 years ago when I read the physical book. His voicing of the other characters also added to my enjoyment of the story.
I am so glad that this series was made available in audio, and that the wonderful Cornell Collins is the narrator. Looking forward to 'reading' book 3 again.
(Original review, May 16, 2019, four stars)
I enjoyed this very much, although not as much as the first in the series. It was still exciting, but somehow missed the 'magic' of the first book. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book when it comes out next month.
Audio book review. Narrator: Cornell Collins
The narration by Mr Collins made all the difference in my updated rating from four to five stars! He brought the story to life. His rendition of the humor between Alcibiades and Caius was so entertaining that I couldn't help but fall in love with the two of them. I actually ended up liking this book more than the first, a complete opposite reaction that I had 12 years ago when I read the physical book. His voicing of the other characters also added to my enjoyment of the story.
I am so glad that this series was made available in audio, and that the wonderful Cornell Collins is the narrator. Looking forward to 'reading' book 3 again.
(Original review, May 16, 2019, four stars)
I enjoyed this very much, although not as much as the first in the series. It was still exciting, but somehow missed the 'magic' of the first book. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book when it comes out next month.
lautir's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed [b:Havemercy|2305862|Havemercy|Jaida Jones|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266717391s/2305862.jpg|2312276], the first book in this series by the authors and the second one definitely had the same good qualities. There is nothing overly special about the writing style or story for that matter but it just makes for a very nice easy read. But I guess what really hooked me was Caius.
How can you not love a man who was described as "He was dress half like a woman and half like a lunatic."? He and his unwillingly friend carried the story for me, I was almost willing to skip over the sections from the other characters points of view, to get to another one of his. Not that they were bad, they just pale as characters next to him.
How can you not love a man who was described as "He was dress half like a woman and half like a lunatic."? He and his unwillingly friend carried the story for me, I was almost willing to skip over the sections from the other characters points of view, to get to another one of his. Not that they were bad, they just pale as characters next to him.
egelantier's review against another edition
4.0
a sort of sideways sequel to havemercy, better written and better planned out: still bears it's slashfic roots proudly, still won't pass bechdell test for love or money, but also is immensely readable and enjoyable: i've devoured it in a day and wouldn't mind rereading some day. does the two storylines, four povs thing again: caius and alcibiades do the 'manic trixter and his straight man' thing and mamore with kouje go on sort of frodo-and-sam like loyalty quest (guess which one i loved more), and their lines all twist and turn together, and meanwhile the empire's fate gets decided. it's relationship rather than plot-driven, and watching them all spark off each other is pretty fascinating. caius with alcibiades' storyline unfolds more gracefully; mamoru with kouje's gets rushed and partially unresolved in the end, which is a great pity; it draws heavily on benkei and minamoto yoshimoto legend (to the point of cleverly namedropping it once, even), but sort of drops one of the crucial moments of it and forgets it without explanation.
i also really loved the descriptions of ke-han the defeated empire, both from defeaters' and defeated sides, clash of customs and explanations, the way amorphous creepy enemy of the first book got humanized and given a face - this is one of the best strengths of the book, and it works well.
i also really loved the descriptions of ke-han the defeated empire, both from defeaters' and defeated sides, clash of customs and explanations, the way amorphous creepy enemy of the first book got humanized and given a face - this is one of the best strengths of the book, and it works well.
kris7's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5