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daumari's review against another edition
5.0
Oops, accidentally stayed up too late to inhale the rest of this, which is always a sign of a good book!
My darlings found themselves imperiled at the end of [b:Sunshield|52219046|Sunshield (Outlaw Road, #1)|Emily B. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573869338l/52219046._SY75_.jpg|73010489], having a lot of complicated Feelings with the party split and pursued by various authorities. They have adventures, experience dehydration, and tackle reforming a country's labor system (or at least, starting the process) and it ties up quite satisfyingly.
The one thing the Outlaw Road duology handles well is characters' (yes, multiple) disabilities and the frustrations and triumphs that come with figuring out how to navigate the world with them. Also, the complicated feelings when meeting long-lost or distant family as an adult and whether or not they'll accept you as family (I'm guessing it wasn't intentional, but I can see this having resonance for adoptees).
Plenty of red herrings for the Big Bad; I had maybe half a guess after team did their plan at Giantess but maybe people more perceptive than I can figure it out earlier.
Also, was quite pleased to see our old friends from the Woodwalker trilogy at the end, still recognizable with the maturity of age on them.
My darlings found themselves imperiled at the end of [b:Sunshield|52219046|Sunshield (Outlaw Road, #1)|Emily B. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573869338l/52219046._SY75_.jpg|73010489], having a lot of complicated Feelings with the party split and pursued by various authorities. They have adventures, experience dehydration, and tackle reforming a country's labor system (or at least, starting the process) and it ties up quite satisfyingly.
The one thing the Outlaw Road duology handles well is characters' (yes, multiple) disabilities and the frustrations and triumphs that come with figuring out how to navigate the world with them. Also, the complicated feelings when meeting long-lost or distant family as an adult and whether or not they'll accept you as family (I'm guessing it wasn't intentional, but I can see this having resonance for adoptees).
Plenty of red herrings for the Big Bad; I had maybe half a guess after team did their plan at Giantess but maybe people more perceptive than I can figure it out earlier.
Also, was quite pleased to see our old friends from the Woodwalker trilogy at the end, still recognizable with the maturity of age on them.
frostbitsky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Back in 2020 I read the Woodwalker trilogy and Sunshield by Emily B. Martin. I had wanted to finish the Outlaw Road duology but I didn't want to buy the hardcover and it wasn't available at my library.
Fast forward to 2024 and I saw it available on a 2 for 1 Audible sale. I jumped at the chance to finish this series. I had to read some of my notes to refresh my memory. Also, as I listened the events, plot points, political stances, and character relationships came back to me. Floodpath does a good job recapping the events of Sunshield and does not weigh down the story.
Non-spoiler review: I really loved how the characters developed on their own and in relation to each other. There was some suspense and action. Mistakes were made and lessons learned. The blackmail mystery was solved and everything was wrapped up well. Overall it was a satisfactory conclusion.
I also enjoyed the narrators' performances. Each one fit the personality of their character and I found it easy to follow the dialogue.
Spoiler review:
Tamsin - I loved her journey to find her voice after her tongue was cut. From her frustrations to having limited means to communicate to finding new ways expresses her ideas.
I empathized with her when she was arguing with Prince Iano and became frustrated with her inability to write down everything she wanted to say. The state of their relationship was a bit heartbreaking. After Tamsin was kidnapped in the previous book he chose her over policy and she wanted him to sacrifice her.
Also, their love affair was a secret so was it really love or just the thrill of it? They have issues to work through.
It was exciting and uplifting when she befriended Lark and they invented the printing press and Lark taught her some words in sign language. Their friendship was one of my favorite parts.
I loved when she went to the town to spread the pamphlets about emancipation. I bookmarked these quotes about that:
"I've given them my words. Now let's see what they do with them."
"You didn't take my voice." I confirm. "You just spread it around."
Lark - Her transformation was an emotional one: From the Sunshield Bandit to wanting to leave that behind and find a new purpose.
Throughout both books she's been a fighter. She kicked butt in the palace when she escaped her jail cell. It was satisfying and a bit comical when she tied up that slave trader, Minister Kobok.
Lark's reunion with her parents, Queen Mona and Rou, and sister, Eloise, was so beautiful and emotional. I cried and I loved how their new dynamics were left off. I want to say more but I don't know how to put the feelings into words. Their reunion was one of my favorite parts.
It was obvious that Lark and Veran were meant to end up together. I don't know if I ship them, but I didn't hate them together either.
Veran - Lark was right that he does have a hero complex, and it's because he's trying so hard to fill his mom's shoes. He's also more book smart than street smart. A few times I found myself facepalming at his mistakes. When he messed up the bird call at the ambush, that was not totally his fault. I mean, it was mostly his fault, but not 100%. I think the seizures messed up his brain and some of the roles should have been switched around.
Veran also made silly mistakes when talking too loud in the marketplace, and drinking the poisoned tea. There's a blackmailer in the palace. Trust no one! Don't drink or eat anything!
Going back to the seizures: I loved Lark's dog/coyote, Rat, when he warned them all that a seizure was coming. It's amazing that dogs can sense that.
The scene when Veran and his mom Queen Mae talk at the end was one of my favorites. I loved her wise words that he couldn't train to be a woodwalker when he was ten because he was having too many seizures, but now he's the one holding himself back.
I also loved when Mae said this to him: "Don't conflate mistakes with failure. Folk don't tell legends about people who made no mistakes. Folk tell legends about the people who overcame them."
Returning to this realm was just as enjoyable, emotional, and adventurous as I remembered it. It's an underrated series and I wish it got more attention from fantasy readers. I'm going to keep it in mind when anyone asks me for a recommendations.
4 out of 5 Printing Presses.
Fast forward to 2024 and I saw it available on a 2 for 1 Audible sale. I jumped at the chance to finish this series. I had to read some of my notes to refresh my memory. Also, as I listened the events, plot points, political stances, and character relationships came back to me. Floodpath does a good job recapping the events of Sunshield and does not weigh down the story.
Non-spoiler review: I really loved how the characters developed on their own and in relation to each other. There was some suspense and action. Mistakes were made and lessons learned. The blackmail mystery was solved and everything was wrapped up well. Overall it was a satisfactory conclusion.
I also enjoyed the narrators' performances. Each one fit the personality of their character and I found it easy to follow the dialogue.
Spoiler review:
Tamsin - I loved her journey to find her voice after her tongue was cut. From her frustrations to having limited means to communicate to finding new ways expresses her ideas.
I empathized with her when she was arguing with Prince Iano and became frustrated with her inability to write down everything she wanted to say. The state of their relationship was a bit heartbreaking. After Tamsin was kidnapped in the previous book he chose her over policy and she wanted him to sacrifice her.
Also, their love affair was a secret so was it really love or just the thrill of it? They have issues to work through.
It was exciting and uplifting when she befriended Lark and they invented the printing press and Lark taught her some words in sign language. Their friendship was one of my favorite parts.
I loved when she went to the town to spread the pamphlets about emancipation. I bookmarked these quotes about that:
"I've given them my words. Now let's see what they do with them."
"You didn't take my voice." I confirm. "You just spread it around."
Lark - Her transformation was an emotional one: From the Sunshield Bandit to wanting to leave that behind and find a new purpose.
Throughout both books she's been a fighter. She kicked butt in the palace when she escaped her jail cell. It was satisfying and a bit comical when she tied up that slave trader, Minister Kobok.
Lark's reunion with her parents, Queen Mona and Rou, and sister, Eloise, was so beautiful and emotional. I cried and I loved how their new dynamics were left off. I want to say more but I don't know how to put the feelings into words. Their reunion was one of my favorite parts.
It was obvious that Lark and Veran were meant to end up together. I don't know if I ship them, but I didn't hate them together either.
Veran - Lark was right that he does have a hero complex, and it's because he's trying so hard to fill his mom's shoes. He's also more book smart than street smart. A few times I found myself facepalming at his mistakes. When he messed up the bird call at the ambush, that was not totally his fault. I mean, it was mostly his fault, but not 100%. I think the seizures messed up his brain and some of the roles should have been switched around.
Veran also made silly mistakes when talking too loud in the marketplace, and drinking the poisoned tea. There's a blackmailer in the palace. Trust no one! Don't drink or eat anything!
Going back to the seizures: I loved Lark's dog/coyote, Rat, when he warned them all that a seizure was coming. It's amazing that dogs can sense that.
The scene when Veran and his mom Queen Mae talk at the end was one of my favorites. I loved her wise words that he couldn't train to be a woodwalker when he was ten because he was having too many seizures, but now he's the one holding himself back.
I also loved when Mae said this to him: "Don't conflate mistakes with failure. Folk don't tell legends about people who made no mistakes. Folk tell legends about the people who overcame them."
Returning to this realm was just as enjoyable, emotional, and adventurous as I remembered it. It's an underrated series and I wish it got more attention from fantasy readers. I'm going to keep it in mind when anyone asks me for a recommendations.
4 out of 5 Printing Presses.
chromatick's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This book didn't quite hold up to the promise of the first novel. The writing was still well done, and Lark continued to be my favorite character in the series.
Unfortunately, it just didn't feel like much happened in this one. It's the final book of the two book series as well, so I guess I just expected more. There was basically one action scene in the whole novel and the rest of it was more focused on character development/motivation.
The book wrapped up the story so that's a positive as well. I'd still recommend this duology, just not an overwhelming recommendation.
This book didn't quite hold up to the promise of the first novel. The writing was still well done, and Lark continued to be my favorite character in the series.
Unfortunately, it just didn't feel like much happened in this one. It's the final book of the two book series as well, so I guess I just expected more. There was basically one action scene in the whole novel and the rest of it was more focused on character development/motivation.
The book wrapped up the story so that's a positive as well. I'd still recommend this duology, just not an overwhelming recommendation.
chahn0721's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
brittanyhildreth's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
lectriza's review against another edition
2.0
There are several reasons this didn't work for me, not the least of which was Tamsin's magical speed acquisition of sign language and invention of the printing press.
mmackoy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
rowan_reviews's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, Light. My heart. My. *Heart.*
Such a satisfying wrap up to SUNSHIELD. I love how Martin weaves in found family, and love of the environment, and -
I really hope we get more of these characters in the future.
Such a satisfying wrap up to SUNSHIELD. I love how Martin weaves in found family, and love of the environment, and -
I really hope we get more of these characters in the future.
clhtdr's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tyrean's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cheers for this satisfying finish to The Outlaw Road Duology. The character development, political intrigue, action, and world-building is subtly nuanced and full. With gorgeous prose and perfect pitch, Floodpath is an excellent read for anyone YA and up!
Recommended!
Recommended!