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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I have not touched epic fantasy in a while, but I loved this. It confirmed all the faith I had in the author from reading [b:Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Sundered Bond|52817077|Ikoria Lair of Behemoths Sundered Bond|Django Wexler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585578888l/52817077._SY75_.jpg|78962109], [b:The Gathering Storm|46226731|The Gathering Storm|Django Wexler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584648886l/46226731._SX50_.jpg|71203401] and his short story in [b:From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back|53965796|From a Certain Point of View The Empire Strikes Back (From a Certain Point of View, #2)|Elizabeth Schaefer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594737990l/53965796._SX50_.jpg|84332286].
The interesting worldbuilding is first, of course. It builds on the now probably well-established formula of "fantasy built on collapsed sci-fi" I first encountered in [b:Anathem|2845024|Anathem|Neal Stephenson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488349209l/2845024._SX50_.jpg|6163095] (and which I know Wexler to be a fan of) and later in 2018's Magic: The Gathering Dominaria setting - post-post-apocalypse. If you know about the Star Wars influence, it does take away some of the mystery around the Order (clearly inspired by the Jedi), but it also makes it easier to picture everything in your mind's eye. Wexler mixes and matches his influences, but he does so with great inventive spirit.
What keeps the book together, however, is not the worldbuilding, but the sympathetic characters approaching the same problem from opposite (or are they?) sides. Both of their stories are equally interesting, passionate and driven. It's a writing sleight of hand that they meet for the first time at the exact middle of the book and then drift apart again.
I very much look forward to what will happen next.
The interesting worldbuilding is first, of course. It builds on the now probably well-established formula of "fantasy built on collapsed sci-fi" I first encountered in [b:Anathem|2845024|Anathem|Neal Stephenson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488349209l/2845024._SX50_.jpg|6163095] (and which I know Wexler to be a fan of) and later in 2018's Magic: The Gathering Dominaria setting - post-post-apocalypse. If you know about the Star Wars influence, it does take away some of the mystery around the Order (clearly inspired by the Jedi), but it also makes it easier to picture everything in your mind's eye. Wexler mixes and matches his influences, but he does so with great inventive spirit.
What keeps the book together, however, is not the worldbuilding, but the sympathetic characters approaching the same problem from opposite (or are they?) sides. Both of their stories are equally interesting, passionate and driven. It's a writing sleight of hand that they meet for the first time at the exact middle of the book and then drift apart again.
I very much look forward to what will happen next.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very fun and fresh. I only wish it read a litttle less like a standalone. Hopefully this will be an expansive epic fantasy novel (just wish it gave a littttle less ya vibes) overall it hit the spot tho
Superpowered sister and brother. Yet, I think it's OK. Not marysue :-D
Some "magical" rescues, but - I'm fine with that, too
Some "magical" rescues, but - I'm fine with that, too
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Another average coming of age story that felt very YA instead of an engrossing, epic fantasy for adults. Teens might like this...or not.
Read this on a whim based on the cover art & a coworker’s recommendation and was pleasantly surprised (I even bought books 2 & 3 before finishing this one lol). It’d get 5 if Maya’s story was the only one…however, the brothers chapters were a slog to read and I really didn’t like one the characters in them. But overall I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to fantasy fans. It’s kinda like a “M” rated version of RWBY.
a lot of fun but not as much of an intense emotional conflict as i'd hoped there would be. Not as "deep" as i wanted for lack of a better term