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leitnerkev's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a really, really good book. A high quality fantasy story. I can tell you I would have been obsessed with it if I'd read it in my teens. The style and ambiance of the prose is stellar and its centralization of storytelling is its best quality. I can say it got too long, however, as can happen when an author is too in love with their own tale. If it had been a 500 page book, this would have been 5 stars. Anyway, recommended.
bookworm2148's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
poetsofsweetpea's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
First and most importantly I hate to be left in a place. This book, despite being exceedingly long dumps you into a non ending. I listened to this story and the narrator was enjoyable and provided distinct voices for the various characters. The feminine voices were a little rough though. The book very much tries to emulate Patrick Rothfus, and I thought it was pretty successful. It did feel derivative instead of celebratory at times. The incessant imbeded rhymes were unnecessary and took more than they added from the narrative. Overall though it was an interesting story with an unreliable narrator and an epic journey of revenge. Ari is not very likable despite actually saving a cat. He's impulsive, prideful and clueless. But kudos to the author for creating him that way. If you loved The Name of the Wind and wanted a South Asian version of it, this is the novel for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Child death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, Drug use, Bullying, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Death
whoaexedge's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
blazeofredfiree's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the prose and worldbuilding! I'm aware it's supposed to be a homage but sometimes it felt a little too derivative.
reader89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
mels_reading_rook's review against another edition
Currently loving this book. It's only on hiatus because my library loan period expired.
booksarethenewblack's review against another edition
3.5
You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black
3.5 stars
I have had this book sitting on my bookshelf for so long. This is such a chunky book that it’s intimidating! I had an opportunity to read the second book as an ARC, and decided it was time to jump in! I buddy-read this with Dini, but it took us much longer than anticipated. We did it!
While the story is interesting, there are a lot of info dumps. It took us so long to get into this book. Just know that it is a slow read. It was confused throughout most of the first half. I’m so glad I buddy-read this with Dini so we could bounce thoughts off each other. I think there could have been better execution with the world-building. This world is extremely descriptive, and it suffers from it. The details are where most of the pacing gets bogged down, and it’s a snail’s pace. It takes a while to understand the bindings too. While it’s a cool world, and there are a lot of interesting aspects, there’s too much detail. With that being said, there are many parts that Virdi was able to captivate me with his writing. Most of this happens in the second half of the book. He’s juggling two timelines with Ari’s past and present. I think he did a great job weaving both stories and keeping me interested.
The characters are the best thing about this book! Ari is a character that drives me nuts most of the time, but I am desperately rooting for him. He’s so hot-headed, but it’s for the right reasons. He’s had a tough life, but he can be too rash. It’s a common theme throughout this book, and I’m curious to see if that changes in book two. Eloine is so elusive, but I’m so fascinated by her. I have a feeling she’s going to crush Ari, and I will not be ready for that. There are so many supporting characters throughout this book that I love so much.
Overall, I thought this was a decent read. Even if it suffered a lot of pacing issues, once I got into the story (about halfway), it was harder to put down! The dual timelines were also well done. I can’t wait to jump into book two and see what happens next. There’s a lot that has been left open that I need answers to!!
I own the hardcover, but thank you to Tor Books for sending a Netgalley widget. It was much easier to read with my little one! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
I have had this book sitting on my bookshelf for so long. This is such a chunky book that it’s intimidating! I had an opportunity to read the second book as an ARC, and decided it was time to jump in! I buddy-read this with Dini, but it took us much longer than anticipated. We did it!
While the story is interesting, there are a lot of info dumps. It took us so long to get into this book. Just know that it is a slow read. It was confused throughout most of the first half. I’m so glad I buddy-read this with Dini so we could bounce thoughts off each other. I think there could have been better execution with the world-building. This world is extremely descriptive, and it suffers from it. The details are where most of the pacing gets bogged down, and it’s a snail’s pace. It takes a while to understand the bindings too. While it’s a cool world, and there are a lot of interesting aspects, there’s too much detail. With that being said, there are many parts that Virdi was able to captivate me with his writing. Most of this happens in the second half of the book. He’s juggling two timelines with Ari’s past and present. I think he did a great job weaving both stories and keeping me interested.
The characters are the best thing about this book! Ari is a character that drives me nuts most of the time, but I am desperately rooting for him. He’s so hot-headed, but it’s for the right reasons. He’s had a tough life, but he can be too rash. It’s a common theme throughout this book, and I’m curious to see if that changes in book two. Eloine is so elusive, but I’m so fascinated by her. I have a feeling she’s going to crush Ari, and I will not be ready for that. There are so many supporting characters throughout this book that I love so much.
Overall, I thought this was a decent read. Even if it suffered a lot of pacing issues, once I got into the story (about halfway), it was harder to put down! The dual timelines were also well done. I can’t wait to jump into book two and see what happens next. There’s a lot that has been left open that I need answers to!!
I own the hardcover, but thank you to Tor Books for sending a Netgalley widget. It was much easier to read with my little one! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
thepagelady's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a few pages to get into this story but I am so glad I stuck with it! It's a slow burn character driven story and so many impressive and amazing elements! I loved the way this story is laid out! There's two timelines past and present but wrapped up in both timelines you hear about wonderful and sometimes heartbreaking mythology and folklore. The world building is beautiful and complex and the magical system is amazing! They are both told in rich and vivid details. Ari is an amazing character. There are a lot of layers and depth to him but the more you get to know him the more real he becomes. It's an amazing book and even though it's 800 plus pages it feels like we've only scratched the surface! Thank you Tor Books for sharing this wonderful book with me!
mjgrifferty's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5