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feyn's review
adventurous
dark
medium-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? No
2.5
ahpotts's review against another edition
3.0
Too long. I desperately wanted to finish, but mostly to be done with it. While the story was good, I really felt a lack of pacing here and I never fully connected with the characters. Ah well, it was still a good series.
kadomi's review against another edition
4.0
A fine conclusion to an all-in-all very different kind of fantasy quartet. The last book is massive, but brings the story to a fine, and mostly satisfying conclusion.
The epilogue in particular made me quite sad, which is a good thing, because a series is only great if you truly care about the characters. By the end, I cared deeply about the fate of Pazel, Thasha, Felthrup, all the other wondrous and unique characters introduced in this long series.
The book strangely reminded me The Fellowship of the Ring in many places. The first half of the book details the story of the conclusion to the quest to retrieve the Nilstone in Bali Adro, and the parallels to LotR are a bit overwhelming, with the selk replacing the elves, to the point of being stopped by a balrog, or rather demon, with Gandalf aka Ramachni saving the day. But once the crew has returned to the Chathrand and the voyage finds its conclusion, the book returns to its more unique flavor.
In any case, The Chathrand Voyages is an excellent and unusual quartet, the only weak point being the sluggish second book. The series could have done with some more editing because it was a bit on the long side, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time.
The epilogue in particular made me quite sad, which is a good thing, because a series is only great if you truly care about the characters. By the end, I cared deeply about the fate of Pazel, Thasha, Felthrup, all the other wondrous and unique characters introduced in this long series.
The book strangely reminded me The Fellowship of the Ring in many places. The first half of the book details the story of the conclusion to the quest to retrieve the Nilstone in Bali Adro, and the parallels to LotR are a bit overwhelming, with the selk replacing the elves, to the point of being stopped by a balrog, or rather demon, with Gandalf aka Ramachni saving the day. But once the crew has returned to the Chathrand and the voyage finds its conclusion, the book returns to its more unique flavor.
In any case, The Chathrand Voyages is an excellent and unusual quartet, the only weak point being the sluggish second book. The series could have done with some more editing because it was a bit on the long side, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time.
glowbump's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.75
ofliterarynature's review against another edition
3.0
This probably deserves more than 3 stars, but I don't know how else to display my irritation with the last book in this series. It's not an awful ending, but it was so close to being amazing that I just can't.
*fuller notes to follow*
- regardless of book 4 this was never going to be a 5 star series for me
- abandonment of major plot points from earlier in the series
- wtf was that epilogue, please do not read it
- what point did killing my fave character serve???? (Refer to point 2: spoiler - it's Rose)
*fuller notes to follow*
- regardless of book 4 this was never going to be a 5 star series for me
- abandonment of major plot points from earlier in the series
- wtf was that epilogue, please do not read it
- what point did killing my fave character serve???? (Refer to point 2: spoiler - it's Rose)
gingerpuff11's review against another edition
5.0
Epic and wonderful ending to a truly fantastic series. One of my favorite series now, and the only reason it's not THE favorite is it's a bit dense for frequent re-readability
Seriously, read all four if you remotely enjoy historical-ish fantasy. Or good fiction at all.
Seriously, read all four if you remotely enjoy historical-ish fantasy. Or good fiction at all.
dark_reader's review
5.0
This was so blary good! Please buy this man's books. We need him to keep writing!
A magnificent conclusion to the Chathrand Voyages quartet. After a major triumph in book three, our heroes immediately find themselves at their lowest point yet. Lost, abandoned by their ship, without resources and at wit's end, how can they possibly save all life on Alifros from the stomach-churning, hope-devouring, unwordly threat of the Swarm?
The pulse-pounding adventure continues to take the reader to unique locations, emotional highs, heartfelt character moments, sweet genuine romance (and I hate romance, unless it's authentic like it is here), and many surprises that are wholly earned. Every chapter was a joy and an adventure in itself. There was no rush to the end. I was worried as I entered the final hundred pages; so much still had to happen! But I needn't have worried; it was all handled beautifully.
I don't know what else I need to say to convince others to try this series, or just jump ahead to the author's newest works, [b:Master Assassins|35437058|Master Assassins (The Fire Sacraments, #1)|Robert V.S. Redick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506971662l/35437058._SY75_.jpg|56817764] and [b:Sidewinders|55711345|Sidewinders (The Fire Sacraments, #2)|Robert V.S. Redick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1625084680l/55711345._SY75_.jpg|83969177]. If you love great fantasy, full of endearing characters, imaginative adventure, and above all just plain great writing, you have found the right place.
Oh, and that Sandor Ott character? Absolutely my new most hated literary villain.
********************
Given how I rag on under- or non-edited self-published books for their quality control failings, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the Gollancz trade paperback (October 2012) has a few more typos than I expect to find, even in a 300,000 word epic or whatever the count is for this book. They are concentrated towards the end of the book, and not just basic slips. For example, "NN" is used instead of a character's name (Nolcyndar) at one point.
A magnificent conclusion to the Chathrand Voyages quartet. After a major triumph in book three, our heroes immediately find themselves at their lowest point yet. Lost, abandoned by their ship, without resources and at wit's end, how can they possibly save all life on Alifros from the stomach-churning, hope-devouring, unwordly threat of the Swarm?
The pulse-pounding adventure continues to take the reader to unique locations, emotional highs, heartfelt character moments, sweet genuine romance (and I hate romance, unless it's authentic like it is here), and many surprises that are wholly earned. Every chapter was a joy and an adventure in itself. There was no rush to the end. I was worried as I entered the final hundred pages; so much still had to happen! But I needn't have worried; it was all handled beautifully.
I don't know what else I need to say to convince others to try this series, or just jump ahead to the author's newest works, [b:Master Assassins|35437058|Master Assassins (The Fire Sacraments, #1)|Robert V.S. Redick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506971662l/35437058._SY75_.jpg|56817764] and [b:Sidewinders|55711345|Sidewinders (The Fire Sacraments, #2)|Robert V.S. Redick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1625084680l/55711345._SY75_.jpg|83969177]. If you love great fantasy, full of endearing characters, imaginative adventure, and above all just plain great writing, you have found the right place.
Oh, and that Sandor Ott character? Absolutely my new most hated literary villain.
********************
Given how I rag on under- or non-edited self-published books for their quality control failings, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the Gollancz trade paperback (October 2012) has a few more typos than I expect to find, even in a 300,000 word epic or whatever the count is for this book. They are concentrated towards the end of the book, and not just basic slips. For example, "NN" is used instead of a character's name (Nolcyndar) at one point.
joabroda's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Probably one of the best Fantasy's I have read-ever! 4 books, 2,374 pages
and I still want more! The characters, the world building, everything is spot on.
The Chathrand , one of largest ships ever built, set sail on a mission of peace. Or so the 800 souls on board thought. The secrets of the Kingdom were never known, except by a select few. The journey they took turned into un-pleasurable cruise that took them to the other side of the world.
And now they return to their home, one year in their life, 5 lost years in time. Their mission now turned into something unimaginable: Saving the world.
I cannot rave about this adventure enough. Read this author, buy his books. The man knows how to write and tell a story that will keep you guessing and have you wanting more.
and I still want more! The characters, the world building, everything is spot on.
The Chathrand , one of largest ships ever built, set sail on a mission of peace. Or so the 800 souls on board thought. The secrets of the Kingdom were never known, except by a select few. The journey they took turned into un-pleasurable cruise that took them to the other side of the world.
And now they return to their home, one year in their life, 5 lost years in time. Their mission now turned into something unimaginable: Saving the world.
I cannot rave about this adventure enough. Read this author, buy his books. The man knows how to write and tell a story that will keep you guessing and have you wanting more.
ahpotts's review
3.0
Too long. I desperately wanted to finish, but mostly to be done with it. While the story was good, I really felt a lack of pacing here and I never fully connected with the characters. Ah well, it was still a good series.