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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
| Character | 8 – The characters are really good
| Atmosphere | 9 – I want to read more books in this setting
| Writing | 8 – Very good
| Plot | 9 – Very unique and good
| Intrigue | 9 – Couldn’t put it down
| Logic | 7 – No holes but I have questions
| Enjoyment | 8 – I had a good time
Please read my review at the following link:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/09/05/the-children-of-gods-and-fighting-men-gael-song-1-by-shauna-lawless/
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/09/05/the-children-of-gods-and-fighting-men-gael-song-1-by-shauna-lawless/
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This has so much to recommend it. It's really nicely written, the characters zing, the politics are bloody and the battles cunning, and the twistiness of good and bad, actions and intentions, self-preservation and self-aggrandisement... it all works really nicely. The mesh of history and magic feels absolutely intrinsic (which, as the author notes, is also pretty much historically accurate).
However, there's a scene about halfway through (with Gormflaith facing off with Olaf) and it's just electrifyingly magnificent, just absolutely riveting. And unfortunately none of the rest of the book was at that level. Without that scene, I might have been far more whelmed with the whole piece. As it was, I was itching through the whole second half for more of that. Which feels unfair, and almost laughable, but there it is.
Anyway, great historical fantasy, not as grimdark as I was expecting (while still having plenty of grit).
However, there's a scene about halfway through (with Gormflaith facing off with Olaf) and it's just electrifyingly magnificent, just absolutely riveting. And unfortunately none of the rest of the book was at that level. Without that scene, I might have been far more whelmed with the whole piece. As it was, I was itching through the whole second half for more of that. Which feels unfair, and almost laughable, but there it is.
Anyway, great historical fantasy, not as grimdark as I was expecting (while still having plenty of grit).
MacHalo Buddy Read
This book definitely has the Bouncy approval.
Both Wolfie and I had a fan-girl moment when Uhtred the Bold was mentioned.
More review to come when I finish!
-----------------
Finished!
Oh my stars, this was a good read! I'm absolutely thrilled to find a new author. I just loved the way Shauna Lawless mashed up fantasy and historical fiction. She piqued my interest on Irish history.
Now I'm left with waiting patiently for a year for the next book. I hope she stays true to her writing style because it really is a joy to read.
This book definitely has the Bouncy approval.
Both Wolfie and I had a fan-girl moment when Uhtred the Bold was mentioned.
More review to come when I finish!
-----------------
Finished!
Oh my stars, this was a good read! I'm absolutely thrilled to find a new author. I just loved the way Shauna Lawless mashed up fantasy and historical fiction. She piqued my interest on Irish history.
Now I'm left with waiting patiently for a year for the next book. I hope she stays true to her writing style because it really is a joy to read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
I really loved this! There was a lot more political machination, scheming and powerplays within this than I first thought, and the magic took rather a back step in the story. However, the schemes and political moves themselves were incredibly well done, and the level of thought that must go into these moves is a lot. I found myself able to follow all the decisions and steps, but knowing where I in the same position, I could never come up with something so clever. Moves and countermoves and marriages and alliances everywhere to get what is needed. The magic, while not prominent throughout, was an interesting idea, and well executed. And while it was more of a minor link throughout, it helped tie everything together and make it more cohesive. The political side felt like the speech scenes in Game of Thrones, were there’s no immediate action and excitement, just very clever talks that ultimately decide the fate of the country. The end of the story left me on such an interesting, climatic note I am incredibly intrigued to see how the sequel plays out