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subversive_augury's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent read. Among the things that I appreciated most about The Last Sun are the suspenseful action and the well-described magic system. As a fantasy reader, I appreciate understanding the possibilities as much as the limitations of magic in the fictive universe of the novel. Knowing and understanding the rules that govern magic make the tension and suspense more meaningful.
Make no mistake: I love reading about powerful magics that can bend and tear reality or that defy the core characters' expectations of what is possible, but magic that too conveniently appears at just the right moment to untangle a complex plot point more often than not dispels the very thing that makes magical fantasy enchanting. Fortunately, K.D. Edwards seems to understand how to well balance potency and surprise with feat and consequence within the magical world of this first entry in The Tarot Sequence, and this is executed to tremendous effect over the course of the novel.
Personally, the pervasive sarcasm and facetious retorts did not land that well, though I must admit that there were a few gems. As a consequence, gratitude and empathy were in shorter supply than would have been my personal preference, but I can also imagine someone who is enamored of sarcasm and self-consciously jocular one-liners really appreciating Edwards' approach here. Overall, the approach to humor made it more difficult for me to connect particularly with Brand in the way I felt I ought to want to connect with him, but the effect was not so substantial as to spoil my overall enjoyment. This is, though, an accounting of my own bias rather than a faulting of the writing, and other readers may very well feel differently.
Make no mistake: I love reading about powerful magics that can bend and tear reality or that defy the core characters' expectations of what is possible, but magic that too conveniently appears at just the right moment to untangle a complex plot point more often than not dispels the very thing that makes magical fantasy enchanting. Fortunately, K.D. Edwards seems to understand how to well balance potency and surprise with feat and consequence within the magical world of this first entry in The Tarot Sequence, and this is executed to tremendous effect over the course of the novel.
Spoiler
Among some of the most interesting scenes were those involving Ciaran's dreamwalking and Quinn's seer visions. These provided a welcome break from the raw utility of damage-based spellcasting (offensive and defensive). Quinn and Ciaran's personalities tempered Brand's brusqueness and Rune's down-to-business approach.Personally, the pervasive sarcasm and facetious retorts did not land that well, though I must admit that there were a few gems. As a consequence, gratitude and empathy were in shorter supply than would have been my personal preference, but I can also imagine someone who is enamored of sarcasm and self-consciously jocular one-liners really appreciating Edwards' approach here. Overall, the approach to humor made it more difficult for me to connect particularly with Brand in the way I felt I ought to want to connect with him, but the effect was not so substantial as to spoil my overall enjoyment. This is, though, an accounting of my own bias rather than a faulting of the writing, and other readers may very well feel differently.
asev's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Will continue series but not too stressed waiting for sequel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
shadylane_00's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
noahhawthorne's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Not the first time I've listened to this masterpiece, and not the last.
fallingwings's review
2.0
2 stars.
It took me FOREVER to finish this book, like holy crap. I have quite a few problems with this book. Let me get the one thing I actually enjoyed from this book out of the way: Brand. I loved Brand's character. He's probably the only reason I'm giving this book two stars.
Now on to the nitty-gritty, which isn't a lot but more than enough for me to deduct at least three stars:
Why was it the only time a woman's physical appearance was mentioned, she was either ugly or fat? Yet practically every man who pops up here, good or bad, young or old, has their handsome/good-looking/attractive physical appearance described far more often and in some cases, more than once? I could not wrap my head around this and it became a habit that every time it happened (so, SO many times) it became instinct to roll my eyes.
The other problem I have is that while this book has plenty of action and interesting world building, it feels...repeated. Action. small break. Action. small break. Action. small break. LOTS OF ACTION PEOPLE SCREAMING. small break. MORE ACTION. It felt like I was reading the first few scenes over and over and over again, just with different characters occasionally and in different locations.
I just...couldn't enjoy this book, hence why it took me so long to finish it. I'm disappointed because I really thought I would enjoy this far more.
It took me FOREVER to finish this book, like holy crap. I have quite a few problems with this book. Let me get the one thing I actually enjoyed from this book out of the way: Brand. I loved Brand's character. He's probably the only reason I'm giving this book two stars.
Now on to the nitty-gritty, which isn't a lot but more than enough for me to deduct at least three stars:
Why was it the only time a woman's physical appearance was mentioned, she was either ugly or fat? Yet practically every man who pops up here, good or bad, young or old, has their handsome/good-looking/attractive physical appearance described far more often and in some cases, more than once? I could not wrap my head around this and it became a habit that every time it happened (so, SO many times) it became instinct to roll my eyes.
The other problem I have is that while this book has plenty of action and interesting world building, it feels...repeated. Action. small break. Action. small break. Action. small break. LOTS OF ACTION PEOPLE SCREAMING. small break. MORE ACTION. It felt like I was reading the first few scenes over and over and over again, just with different characters occasionally and in different locations.
I just...couldn't enjoy this book, hence why it took me so long to finish it. I'm disappointed because I really thought I would enjoy this far more.
lucyprinceofwhales's review
adventurous
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? No
2.25
readingmajor's review
4.0
4.5 Stars!
Rating: 18+ TW: graphic descriptions of sexual assault, rape, violence, gore
I loved this book! Rune is such a refreshing narrator: he's funny, but vulnerable, open with his emotions, but also a badass. The world building in this book is super interesting (if at times a bit hard to follow). I listened to the audiobook (which is amazing! highly recommend!) and I think some of the finer details got lost a bit while listening instead of reading it on the page. It's this super cool combination of all different types of faerie myth/lore set in a city on an island outside of Nantucket MS (think Crescent City, but off the coast of Massachusetts). KD Edwards does my favorite thing, which is just throw you into the action of the world and let you pick up the exposition along the way.
The best parts of this book by far though are the characters. Rune and Brand's friendship is my FAVORITE THING EVER. We need more depictions of friendships like theirs; they love and care about each other so much, and aren't afraid to say it to each other. Many of the most poignant/beautiful moments in this book come from the two of them. Addam is also a really refreshing take on the "Prince Charming" trope. He's hilarious, super compassionate, and unapologetic about expressing his emotions (it's time to normalize men crying!!!!). and OH MY GOD QUINN! What a precious boy, from the moment he entered I just wanted to hug him so tight and never let go!
I felt the plot got away from itself at some points... sometimes I felt it was moving way too fast, others too slow. It gets a bit unmoored from the events of the beginning around the third act, but this feels like the product of the set up for the later books.
Overall, The Last Sun is a great, fun, interesting read with great characters, original world building and an interesting plot. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel soon!
Rating: 18+ TW: graphic descriptions of sexual assault, rape, violence, gore
I loved this book! Rune is such a refreshing narrator: he's funny, but vulnerable, open with his emotions, but also a badass. The world building in this book is super interesting (if at times a bit hard to follow). I listened to the audiobook (which is amazing! highly recommend!) and I think some of the finer details got lost a bit while listening instead of reading it on the page. It's this super cool combination of all different types of faerie myth/lore set in a city on an island outside of Nantucket MS (think Crescent City, but off the coast of Massachusetts). KD Edwards does my favorite thing, which is just throw you into the action of the world and let you pick up the exposition along the way.
The best parts of this book by far though are the characters. Rune and Brand's friendship is my FAVORITE THING EVER. We need more depictions of friendships like theirs; they love and care about each other so much, and aren't afraid to say it to each other. Many of the most poignant/beautiful moments in this book come from the two of them. Addam is also a really refreshing take on the "Prince Charming" trope. He's hilarious, super compassionate, and unapologetic about expressing his emotions (it's time to normalize men crying!!!!). and OH MY GOD QUINN! What a precious boy, from the moment he entered I just wanted to hug him so tight and never let go!
I felt the plot got away from itself at some points... sometimes I felt it was moving way too fast, others too slow. It gets a bit unmoored from the events of the beginning around the third act, but this feels like the product of the set up for the later books.
Overall, The Last Sun is a great, fun, interesting read with great characters, original world building and an interesting plot. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel soon!
justchillin_cuganesan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sir_dagonet's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
ledade503's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lovely modern fantasy, deals with dark stuff without being gritty, and the found family stuff is so good! There were some parts of the book that bothered me, but the parts I liked overshadowed parts I didn't by a lot. Book somehow feels overall heartwarming and cozy, even with all the action, drama, and traumatic stuff goin on!