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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
Of the three Dragon Age novels written by David Gaider, Asunder was by the best both in terms of story and craftsmanship. Although Asunder has its superfluous moments, primarily during combat scenes, this novel seemed much more thoroughly edited and lacked the repetitive descriptions too often found in Gaider's earlier publications. I found the characters more interesting and, for the most part, more believable in this novel as well.
While certain assigned motivations occasionally do feel uncharacteristic, most remained in line with specific character development, for which I am very grateful. I will admit, however, that I am exceedingly fed up with the repetitive Allistar characterization - the main character in this novel and Maric in the previous two novels, feel like a poor replication of Allistar's quirky if not oftentimes ridiculously foolish, yet still loveable personality. And while, I personally enjoyed Allistar's personality in the games (if you've never played, it's essentially Maric's with better execution and endearment), it become tedious to run across so many duplicate characters in Gaider's novels (the strong, slightly obnoxious, emotionally distant female warrior/mage figure also has lost it's luster, if it ever had any).
In terms of my own motivations for reading this book, I did appreciate the deeper look into Cole's past, in my opinion one of the best characters created for the DA universe. Although Cole's story remains fairly confusing, I enjoyed the interaction between Cole, the mage (I've forgotten his name already...), and Evangeline, and look forward to replaying that aspect of DAI with closer attention in the future. I also really enjoyed reading about Shale and Wynne, although Gaider attempts to present Wynne in a way separate and hypocritical to the characterization I'm familiar with from DA Origins. I understand Gaider's intent in attempting to make Wynne appear as the cold, stoic, calculating mage especially from the perspective of her son, whose spent most of his life not knowing her at all, but I had a difficult time believing Gaider's characterization. I think there were better ways to present Wynne that could successfully portray her son's distrust and bias against her while preserving the personality original created for DAO (I imagine readers unfamiliar with DAO would enjoy her characterization more this way, too).
In general, a great improvement from the Stolen Throne and he Calling, just in terms of more interesting plot-lines and better writing alone; however, characterizations continue to remain relatively flat, vague or contradictory, and some aspects of the plot/action are so poorly described and fleshed out that my only understanding of what actually happened comes from DA Inquisition, and not the novel itself (not good!). If you love DA, got through Stolen Throne and the Calling, then go ahead and pick up Asunder; if you enjoyed Cole from DAI, pick up Asunder; otherwise, fantasy readers, seek elsewhere.
While certain assigned motivations occasionally do feel uncharacteristic, most remained in line with specific character development, for which I am very grateful. I will admit, however, that I am exceedingly fed up with the repetitive Allistar characterization - the main character in this novel and Maric in the previous two novels, feel like a poor replication of Allistar's quirky if not oftentimes ridiculously foolish, yet still loveable personality. And while, I personally enjoyed Allistar's personality in the games (if you've never played, it's essentially Maric's with better execution and endearment), it become tedious to run across so many duplicate characters in Gaider's novels (the strong, slightly obnoxious, emotionally distant female warrior/mage figure also has lost it's luster, if it ever had any).
In terms of my own motivations for reading this book, I did appreciate the deeper look into Cole's past, in my opinion one of the best characters created for the DA universe. Although Cole's story remains fairly confusing, I enjoyed the interaction between Cole, the mage (I've forgotten his name already...), and Evangeline, and look forward to replaying that aspect of DAI with closer attention in the future. I also really enjoyed reading about Shale and Wynne, although Gaider attempts to present Wynne in a way separate and hypocritical to the characterization I'm familiar with from DA Origins. I understand Gaider's intent in attempting to make Wynne appear as the cold, stoic, calculating mage especially from the perspective of her son, whose spent most of his life not knowing her at all, but I had a difficult time believing Gaider's characterization. I think there were better ways to present Wynne that could successfully portray her son's distrust and bias against her while preserving the personality original created for DAO (I imagine readers unfamiliar with DAO would enjoy her characterization more this way, too).
In general, a great improvement from the Stolen Throne and he Calling, just in terms of more interesting plot-lines and better writing alone; however, characterizations continue to remain relatively flat, vague or contradictory, and some aspects of the plot/action are so poorly described and fleshed out that my only understanding of what actually happened comes from DA Inquisition, and not the novel itself (not good!). If you love DA, got through Stolen Throne and the Calling, then go ahead and pick up Asunder; if you enjoyed Cole from DAI, pick up Asunder; otherwise, fantasy readers, seek elsewhere.
A cool story to give some background to some events and characters from Dragon Age: Inquisition, definitely worth a read if you liked or intend to play the game yourself.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For the dragon age inquisition players this book covers the events that lead directly up to its beginning. I'd argue Cole or Rhys should be on the cover and not who I assume is head seeker lambert.
Good book, slow to start like most of Gaiders dragon age lore books are but it does suck you in eventually. This was a much easier and more enjoyable read than stolen throne. Mainly due to loveable characters like Rhys and Cole.
Good book, slow to start like most of Gaiders dragon age lore books are but it does suck you in eventually. This was a much easier and more enjoyable read than stolen throne. Mainly due to loveable characters like Rhys and Cole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War
Its dragon age. No character has a happy backstory.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the plot of the book! It gave a lot of inside into some in-game characters, like Cole or Wynne —or even Fiona my beloved—, and it made me understand more the conflict between mages and templars. Some bits of the book happened too fast, but overall the place was ok and the relationships between the characters were well developed.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
2.5 stars. I actually thought this was a better book than the other two, but it still lacked polish. Awkward sentences aside, the characters were pretty good. So was the plot. A lot happens in this book, upping the ante from the events of DA2. Keep in mind that this book is separate in time, place, focus, and character from The Stolen Throne and The Calling, so hopefully you've played through DA2 to avoid any spoilers.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No