Reviews

Destiny of the Dead by Kel Kade

heysunbee's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

skconaghan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Certainly adventurous, but the tragedies are so multiple, you quickly learn to guard yourself against caring for any of these characters, which makes for rapid unemotional reading despite the clashing swords and constant peril this growing mass of participants faces.

Plot takes precedence over character development, though we are privy to feelings and thoughts galore as we jump from scene to scene, person to person, reading minds like mages ourselves.

The story is complex and unexpected—that is, whatever you think might happen, it’s not that the opposite happens, but the otherworldly thing that no one could have predicted happens. Keeps things very interesting throughout. All the lost time (spent in sudden trances or daydreams or dream-not-dream type encounters) and memories of things that haven’t yet happened (and other nonsensical reasoning) add to the fantastical element, and as they mostly happen to our uncouth, broody, half-dragon, fae-powered, necromancer woodsman-slash-accidental-hero Aaslo—even better. One of these days, I expect Aaslo will cross over to this other world and never return.

Also, monsters and dragons (or at least very large geckos) keep things aflame.

Telepathic banter between the living, the spirits of the dead, the sexy dogsbody Aphrodite of all Grim Reapers, the voices of the Fae, a full cast of catty and petty gods, and several of the walking dead (oh no, wait, the living can hear them too, sometimes) is consistent and often hilarious. It is mad and witty and humorous writing, but I wish I’d been able to connect to some of these slightly deranged social pariahs on a deeper level (and, man, you’d think I was primed for that)—but they sure made me laugh.

The versatility of the audiobook narrator is perfect for this varied gang of nut jobs.

joshgauthier's review against another edition

4.0

What an absolutely wild ride. The stakes have exploded to entirely new levels as the fate of the world is left to those who can barely take care of themselves. But as chaos and death overtake the land and the scheming of the gods threatens a new form of conflict, our scruffy band of heroes continues to fight for the only home they have. Fate decrees that they all will die, and the struggle will change them in ways they cannot imagine--but grim determination and a healthy dose of luck certainly make a difference.

Kade's series marries grimdark fantasy with bantering, haywire characters. The plotting and pacing continue to be distinct, but The Shroud of Prophecy books are fresh, engaging, unexpected, and utterly delightful.

truthaurdare's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

jeristotle's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

shesreadingagain_'s review against another edition

adventurous funny relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

reader89's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

rocinantebookcrew's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

5.0

lindsayreadingbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

4.0

kay_slayerofbooks's review

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