Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I'm a little disappointed here because I liked it, but not a lot? And it has so many elements that should work for me! And I would read a second book... if it were already out. In essence, the epitome of three stars. Since this lands squarely in the middle, let's talk pros and cons.
Pros: I really enjoyed Aaslo as a character and as our protagonist. He's a grumpy forest man who doesn't realize he's also kind warrior man. Love that for me. I think making Aaslo a forrester by trade and nature and sending him off on this adventure is smart and a really interesting premise. I was invested enough in seeing where exactly this was going because it did small things that surprised me. I wasn't entirely convinced Aaslo would make it through the whole dang book, which is a sign of good tension building.
I also enjoyed that Aaslo built up a little team and found family around him.
Cons: Even though... those found family characters were underdeveloped compared to Aaslo. And things kept happening to him that didn't necessarily feel very cohesive. Part of the problem is that we jumped around to a couple different points of views, so when we got back to Aaslo and the main action, it sometimes felt like I was missing something. One of the pitfalls of multiple POVs is that one might be more interesting than the others, and that definitely happened to me here. Anytime we jumped away from Aaslo, I was like ugh, boooo, bring it back. Sometimes it felt like there was too much going on and not enough time to sink your teeth into the cast of characters or any particular villain or any particular part of the adventure.
I guess the reason why I would read a second book is because I feel like all of this out of the way, the story would settle more. The reason I probably won't is that I'm not convinced I'll remember much of this by the time a second book is out.
4.5 stars actually. But because it didn't totally blow my mind, not 5 stars.
First, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I read it. As a matter of fact, I listened to the audio book narrated by Nick Podehl. I'm convinced that his narration made this book even better. I was genuinely surprised when the first girl (Rayla?) spoke because I hadn't thought it was a multi-cast narration. He was a very convincing girl. And older woman, and nobleman, and young boy, and girl with a Scottish accent, man with a French accent and many, many more. Every single character with dialogue had a very unique and very convincing voice. I'm flabbergasted to be quite honest. So, some people found that the dialogue sounded stilted, but Nick Podehl infused that dialogue with life and character. The Marquess *was* very pompous sounding, but it fit perfectly. Eye-reading it I probably would've found it cartoonish too.
I felt like many of the characters had a lot of depth and flaws and showed real emotion and motivation. This was a wonderful part of this book.
Spoilers ensue!
I was genuinely surprised by several events and said, "wait, what?" several times. The first being when Mathias was killed. I was just wondering when this was going to become something other than teen romance drama, when that happened. Same with the mega-rad lizard arm and Maury's non-death.
I will definitely continue with the series, because 1) I want to know what the deal is with Dolt. I kept expecting him to break out in song or say something sardonic, letting us know that he is not just a stupid, contrary horse. 2) What happens with an epic quest Fantasy that now has Zombies and their Zombie king and 3) Can Aaslo attach Mathias' head to one of his headless zombies and have him back? Not to mention all the threads left dangling (the gods and Myropa; Tezza and Aaslo; the magi and the fae; etc, etc.).
First, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I read it. As a matter of fact, I listened to the audio book narrated by Nick Podehl. I'm convinced that his narration made this book even better. I was genuinely surprised when the first girl (Rayla?) spoke because I hadn't thought it was a multi-cast narration. He was a very convincing girl. And older woman, and nobleman, and young boy, and girl with a Scottish accent, man with a French accent and many, many more. Every single character with dialogue had a very unique and very convincing voice. I'm flabbergasted to be quite honest. So, some people found that the dialogue sounded stilted, but Nick Podehl infused that dialogue with life and character. The Marquess *was* very pompous sounding, but it fit perfectly. Eye-reading it I probably would've found it cartoonish too.
I felt like many of the characters had a lot of depth and flaws and showed real emotion and motivation. This was a wonderful part of this book.
Spoilers ensue!
I was genuinely surprised by several events and said, "wait, what?" several times. The first being when Mathias was killed. I was just wondering when this was going to become something other than teen romance drama, when that happened. Same with the mega-rad lizard arm and Maury's non-death.
I will definitely continue with the series, because 1) I want to know what the deal is with Dolt. I kept expecting him to break out in song or say something sardonic, letting us know that he is not just a stupid, contrary horse. 2) What happens with an epic quest Fantasy that now has Zombies and their Zombie king and 3) Can Aaslo attach Mathias' head to one of his headless zombies and have him back? Not to mention all the threads left dangling (the gods and Myropa; Tezza and Aaslo; the magi and the fae; etc, etc.).
full disclosure: i received a free arc at comic con 2019.
3.5/5. this was right on the cusp of being something i could've really, really loved. most of the humor, some of the characters, the ideas, the branching plots were right there but didn't quite tip over that edge for me. there was just so much (too much) going on that the things that didn't work really dragged down the things that did.
that said, there were a lot of elements i really enjoyed: the glimpses of the gods - their relationships to each other and to the mortal world, aaslo's entire character and how earnest and steadfast he was, how much respect and love he had for mathias, peck and mory's unbreakable bond, and teza's quick-to-anger-and-loyalty personality.
i definitely plan to read the sequel because nothing was so egregious as to keep me from it and i'm hoping a lot of these weaker threads will wrap up quickly and it will have more meat now that it doesn't have to spend so much time laying groundwork.
3.5/5. this was right on the cusp of being something i could've really, really loved. most of the humor, some of the characters, the ideas, the branching plots were right there but didn't quite tip over that edge for me. there was just so much (too much) going on that the things that didn't work really dragged down the things that did.
that said, there were a lot of elements i really enjoyed: the glimpses of the gods - their relationships to each other and to the mortal world, aaslo's entire character and how earnest and steadfast he was, how much respect and love he had for mathias, peck and mory's unbreakable bond, and teza's quick-to-anger-and-loyalty personality.
i definitely plan to read the sequel because nothing was so egregious as to keep me from it and i'm hoping a lot of these weaker threads will wrap up quickly and it will have more meat now that it doesn't have to spend so much time laying groundwork.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
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:
No
Fate of the Fallen delivers a fun and exciting epic fantasy that flips fantasy tropes on their heads, giving readers an unpredictable read.
Entertaining & Unexpected
Fate of the Fallen was not what I expected at all. Word of warning, there are spoilers in this review.
The story starts far into the future with an older man telling a group of children a story of when the dead walked the earth. This is where our story begins. We meet the heroes Mathias and Aaslo, one of whom is prophesied to save the world from darkness. Without him, everything is doomed. They say that a lot, especially when our prophesized hero loses their head in chapter three.
Yes, readers, the chosen one loses their head at the story’s beginning! Talk about unexpected delight. Hey, I warned you there were going to be spoilers ahead.
From here, our forester takes on the charge in search of someone who will replace his best friend and brother as the hero. However, everyone has pretty much given up, forcing our hero to be, well, the hero.
It is fun and truly delightful to see this story unfold because it does not unfold in the way you expect it to at all. The band of heroes, if you can even call them that, should not make sense, but it does. They evolve together, pushed together by the extraordinary circumstances that have unfolded.
The many plot twists and turns, the way the story goes back and forth from our hero to the ever-watchful gods keeps the reader engaged. Again, the way the story unfolds is hilarious and wholly unpredictable. It is just fun!
Great Voices
However, the story could have been much different if the character’s voices were not so alive. Admittedly, this is one of those novels I went back and forth between physical and audiobook versions. When I started reading it, the narration in my head was somber, more serious. It was not until the first switch to the audiobook that I realized I was reading it all wrong. I was taking the story too seriously. However, once I began reading it the way the audiobook was recorded, I found myself enjoying the story so much more.
The characters have so much life in them that I was missing. I was reading this with seriousness rather than with the humor the author imbued into her storytelling and characters. Once I moved past that, I enjoyed the story more than I was when I had first started.
I was laughing more, which made going back and forth between the two easier.
Final Thoughts
Fate of the Fallen is a great novel. However, keep in mind that when you are reading it, do not take the story so seriously, or else you will miss the humor that Kade layered into her storytelling.
I was lost. No world building. I needed an info dumps somewhere. To hard to follow.
I love fantasy, and I really enjoyed the unique series of unfortunate events this story took. I already love Aaslo, and I am so excited for him...and heartbroken for him. What misfortune will book two hold?!
I good middle of the road fantasy about the chosen one dying and his trusty friend taking up the mantle. I very much liked Aaslo and will be interested in the next installment. I'm still not sure how i feel about seeing "behind the veil" at the gods and their involvement in prophesies. Has a Clash of the Titans feel to it.
All in all, I enjoyed it. Easy read, likable characters, good mental visuals.
All in all, I enjoyed it. Easy read, likable characters, good mental visuals.