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palomares266's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
tara_reads_romantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bethtabler's review against another edition
4.0
Destiny for the Dead, Kel Kade's newest addition to the Shroud of the Prophecy series, aims to beat the hero's journey trope with a hammer. For the most part, this series, and specifically this story, Destiny for the Dead, is very successful in that aim. But I think as the story progresses, it is settling into some more of the common writing patterns we see in fantasy.
"Aaslo rubbed his chest as he led the odd group of horses and undead toward the chamber where he was most likely going to meet his own death."
The story picks up directly where we left off in the first book, Fate of the Fallen. Aaslo and his merry band of thieves, prophets, drop-out wizards, and the undead are on the march from one spectacular fight to the next. This chapter is much more violent, and Aaslo starts to come into his powers a bit more thoroughly.
Fate of the Fallen aimed to subvert the chosen one trope, which it did well. However, now in book two, it feels like the story is moving towards a found-family quest-type fantasy. The subversion of the chosen one trope feels much less important than it did in Fate of the Fallen. I like how the story is progressing and maturing; I think if Kade kept hammering home how Shroud of the Prophecy was smashing the chosen one trope, it would feel hackneyed. Instead, it balances well.
Plot-wise, much of this story covers the political machinations of various gods and their minions. It is a bubbling brew of characters with different aims working against each other. My only slight qualm with this book is that it can be challenging to follow. There is so much going on that it is hard to latch onto any of the essential side characters. And there is no fluff; all side characters are purposeful to the driving narrative. But there are quite a few, and I got lost in them a few times. However, Aaslo's group, a found family, if you will, is fantastic. His group is peppered with distinctive voices that I knew and understood and followed.
For instance, Dolt, the weird horse who is more than just a ride, is hilarious. I am convinced that he is the reincarnation of Mathias; that is the sort of energy Dolt brings to the story. Teza is great, as is Mory, Peck, Myra the Reaper, and Ijen the not-so-helpful- Prophet. Ijen gets more fleshed out in this story, as does Myra. We have so much to learn about the two of them. Kade drops some profound tidbits that will be important in the third novel.
Aaslo, our protagonist, is such a refreshing character. Instead of an asshole, the antihero is philosophically an 80-year-old man yelling at folks to get off his lawn. I can picture Aaslo hitting some poor unsuspecting ten-year-old in the ass with a stick for stepping on his begonias. He wants none of this nonsense, but he will put up with it out of duty and love of humanity.
The actual chosen one, Mathias, who was preordained for greatness, resides in a bag that swings from Aslos hip. I love this little bit of macabre that Kade wrote into the story. Not only is the hero dead, but his head hangs from the hip of his best friend, and he talks to Aaslo. Mathias is super dead and an excellent comedic foil for Aaslo so that he might relax a little bit. It doesn't work, but Mathias tries.
Destiny for the Dead was one of the books I was looking forward to for 2022, and it didn't let me down. Unique voices, a moving plot, a bit of the macabre, and a unique narrative made this series a lot of fun. I can't wait for book 3.
"Aaslo rubbed his chest as he led the odd group of horses and undead toward the chamber where he was most likely going to meet his own death."
The story picks up directly where we left off in the first book, Fate of the Fallen. Aaslo and his merry band of thieves, prophets, drop-out wizards, and the undead are on the march from one spectacular fight to the next. This chapter is much more violent, and Aaslo starts to come into his powers a bit more thoroughly.
Fate of the Fallen aimed to subvert the chosen one trope, which it did well. However, now in book two, it feels like the story is moving towards a found-family quest-type fantasy. The subversion of the chosen one trope feels much less important than it did in Fate of the Fallen. I like how the story is progressing and maturing; I think if Kade kept hammering home how Shroud of the Prophecy was smashing the chosen one trope, it would feel hackneyed. Instead, it balances well.
Plot-wise, much of this story covers the political machinations of various gods and their minions. It is a bubbling brew of characters with different aims working against each other. My only slight qualm with this book is that it can be challenging to follow. There is so much going on that it is hard to latch onto any of the essential side characters. And there is no fluff; all side characters are purposeful to the driving narrative. But there are quite a few, and I got lost in them a few times. However, Aaslo's group, a found family, if you will, is fantastic. His group is peppered with distinctive voices that I knew and understood and followed.
For instance, Dolt, the weird horse who is more than just a ride, is hilarious. I am convinced that he is the reincarnation of Mathias; that is the sort of energy Dolt brings to the story. Teza is great, as is Mory, Peck, Myra the Reaper, and Ijen the not-so-helpful- Prophet. Ijen gets more fleshed out in this story, as does Myra. We have so much to learn about the two of them. Kade drops some profound tidbits that will be important in the third novel.
Aaslo, our protagonist, is such a refreshing character. Instead of an asshole, the antihero is philosophically an 80-year-old man yelling at folks to get off his lawn. I can picture Aaslo hitting some poor unsuspecting ten-year-old in the ass with a stick for stepping on his begonias. He wants none of this nonsense, but he will put up with it out of duty and love of humanity.
The actual chosen one, Mathias, who was preordained for greatness, resides in a bag that swings from Aslos hip. I love this little bit of macabre that Kade wrote into the story. Not only is the hero dead, but his head hangs from the hip of his best friend, and he talks to Aaslo. Mathias is super dead and an excellent comedic foil for Aaslo so that he might relax a little bit. It doesn't work, but Mathias tries.
Destiny for the Dead was one of the books I was looking forward to for 2022, and it didn't let me down. Unique voices, a moving plot, a bit of the macabre, and a unique narrative made this series a lot of fun. I can't wait for book 3.
mnyberg's review against another edition
4.0
A solid 2nd book installment in the series, but I really thought the 1st book was much better.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I need book 3 Now!
I knew this story was nearing the end and there were WAY too many unresolved issues . . . I was right! I need to know what's going to happen. The side commentary from Mathias REALLY makes this story. But I do also love how much Aaslo has grown.
4.5 stars
I knew this story was nearing the end and there were WAY too many unresolved issues . . . I was right! I need to know what's going to happen. The side commentary from Mathias REALLY makes this story. But I do also love how much Aaslo has grown.
4.5 stars
madiemayhem's review against another edition
4.0
Why do I keep picking all the books that end in cliffhangers?!?
This series has really grabbed my attention. I love the character dynamics, the politics, the magic system! And especially the deities! The concept all around is fun and is keeping me on the edge of my seat
This series has really grabbed my attention. I love the character dynamics, the politics, the magic system! And especially the deities! The concept all around is fun and is keeping me on the edge of my seat
kmann1199's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rayofsunshine95's review against another edition
4.0
“You don’t need to be sane to be a hero”.
This had the same satirical feel as the first book and the cast of characters were just as hilarious and quirky as ever. I did switch to the audiobook a quarter in and it did not disappoint. I really like this type of fantasy - it has the same ‘on a quest’ plot of typical books in this genre but more chaotic and less predictable.
4/5 ⭐️
This had the same satirical feel as the first book and the cast of characters were just as hilarious and quirky as ever. I did switch to the audiobook a quarter in and it did not disappoint. I really like this type of fantasy - it has the same ‘on a quest’ plot of typical books in this genre but more chaotic and less predictable.
4/5 ⭐️