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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tower Lord is the second installment in Anthony Ryan’s Raven’s Shadow Series, was disappointing. While the novel is rich in world building, filled with a unique magic system, and inhabited by (some) interesting characters it felt less like a sequel and more like a different novel taking place in the same world as Blood Song.
In this installment Vaelin Al Sorna, recently returned to the Realm is named Tower Lord by the king and . . . . travels a lot, meets people, and prepares for war? The plot is a bit ambiguous – its purpose seems nothing more than to move the characters into position for the next installment of the series. If you were to believe the book blurb (and going by the tone of the first book), you’d think that the novel would focus on Vaelin Al Sorna and his exploits as Tower Lord. But it isn’t, his plot felt secondary (sometime tertiary) to the new characters, and that is highly disappointing.
While I do not mind a book whose plot is little more than a lot of travel interrupted by the occasional battle sequence (hello The Blade Itself) if it is well written and filled with well-developed and interesting characters. Luckily, the novel is well written. Sadly, other than Vaelin Al Sorna I found the other characters flat. Reva was the bloodthirsty orphan set on revenge, while Frentis was the killing machine with a conscience, and Lyrna the whip smart princess that no one listens to. And speaking of Frentis
The biggest disconnect for me was the change in narrative styles between the first and second books. While the first book was all Vaelin, the second had multiple POV chapters. While I do not mind multiple POV narratives, I do find it jarring when the narrative style changes midstory.
I enjoy Mr. Ryan’s writing and find his stories entertaining, this one did not quite hit the mark for me.
In this installment Vaelin Al Sorna, recently returned to the Realm is named Tower Lord by the king and . . . . travels a lot, meets people, and prepares for war? The plot is a bit ambiguous – its purpose seems nothing more than to move the characters into position for the next installment of the series. If you were to believe the book blurb (and going by the tone of the first book), you’d think that the novel would focus on Vaelin Al Sorna and his exploits as Tower Lord. But it isn’t, his plot felt secondary (sometime tertiary) to the new characters, and that is highly disappointing.
While I do not mind a book whose plot is little more than a lot of travel interrupted by the occasional battle sequence (hello The Blade Itself) if it is well written and filled with well-developed and interesting characters. Luckily, the novel is well written. Sadly, other than Vaelin Al Sorna I found the other characters flat. Reva was the bloodthirsty orphan set on revenge, while Frentis was the killing machine with a conscience, and Lyrna the whip smart princess that no one listens to. And speaking of Frentis
Spoiler
I found his chapters especially problematic, especially the repeated rapes of Frentis.The biggest disconnect for me was the change in narrative styles between the first and second books. While the first book was all Vaelin, the second had multiple POV chapters. While I do not mind multiple POV narratives, I do find it jarring when the narrative style changes midstory.
I enjoy Mr. Ryan’s writing and find his stories entertaining, this one did not quite hit the mark for me.
I really quite enjoyed a the first novel, it was fresh and ineresting with a thrilling main character.
However this felt a little flat, even though the violence has considerably inreased and a cliff hanger ending was thown in. The character's don't feel the same, particularly Vailin who has none of his former spunk and grit and is kind of like that big name actor in low budget movies.
However this felt a little flat, even though the violence has considerably inreased and a cliff hanger ending was thown in. The character's don't feel the same, particularly Vailin who has none of his former spunk and grit and is kind of like that big name actor in low budget movies.
I struggled through the first half of this book, thoroughly bored and disappointed. I'm so glad I stuck with it! As soon as I reached midway through, it became interesting and exciting, just like the first book.
I'm starting the third book straight away and I'm hoping it has a satisfying ending!
I'm starting the third book straight away and I'm hoping it has a satisfying ending!
slow-paced
adventurous
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:
No
The enthralling second novel in the New York Times bestselling Raven's Shadow series, and sequel to the critically acclaimed epic fantasy debut Blood SongTHE REALM BURNS.Vaelin Al Sorna is tired of war. He's fought countless battles in service to the Realm and Faith. His reward was the loss of his love, the death of his friends and a betrayal by his king. After five years in an Alpiran dungeon, he just wants to go home. Reva intends to welcome Vaelin back with a knife between the ribs. He destroyed her family and ruined her life. Nothing will stop her from exacting bloody vengeance - not even the threat of invasion from the greatest enemy the Realm has ever faced.Yet as the fires of war spread, foes become friends and truths turn to lies. To save the Realm, Reva must embrace a future she does not want - and Vaelin must revisit a past he'd rather leave buried.Praise for Raven's Shadow: 'A major new talent' - Buzzfeed'Powerful' - SFFWorld'Compelling' - SFX
DNF. Really disappointed because book 1 was such a solid beginning. It wasn't even that I hated anything specific, I just put it down one day and never picked it up again.
Probably more like 3.5 stars. It is a great story, the world has interesting people and....magic. Something about Reva's character bugs me, she is trained extensively in knife fighting, not the sword yet a mere 2 weeks of Vaelin's tutoring makes her some sort of super-natural sword fighter? I think not. The jumps in time and the fact that the Chronicaler part of the book takes place later than much of the rest didn't add to my enjoyment.
The mystery surrounding the immortal bad guys and the Ally is good, on to the third book although I fear for the conclusion, it sounds poorly done.
The mystery surrounding the immortal bad guys and the Ally is good, on to the third book although I fear for the conclusion, it sounds poorly done.
I was a bit disappointed after the 1st book, but not overly so. It's just that the story splinters into the journey of 4 different characters separately and since the main focus leaves Vaelin, my favorite character, I wasn't as connected to this book. No twists, turns or surprises in this book either compared to the first.