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isi__1's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
This novel felt extremely ambitious. The plot spans many years, there‘s a ton of different named characters, a lot of them fairly relevant to the bigger picture, and all of it is told by an omniscient narrator. Thus, the reader always knows what every character in any scene is feeling and/or thinking at any point in time.
The focus of the story constantly switches between different sides of the war and also between more important characters and very minor characters.
The best way to describe this book is that it feels like reading a textbook about this important historical event: This battle happened at this place, then these characters met and had a discussion about this topic, then this other battle took place, then this person died, then another battle took place,…you get the gist.
I saw someone else describe this as “outlining a whole epic series“ which is a rather apt description, in my opinion.
Because the narration felt so clinical and impersonal, I had a hard time getting attached to the characters. In the same way you wouldn‘t really get attached to the characters in a history textbook. I‘ve heard that the sequel is a bit more character-driven. That‘s why I really want to try it. If it doesn‘t manage to pull me in, though, I‘m just gonna have to accept that this series might not be for me.
It very well is a case of this book just not working for me personally. I would still recommend checking it out if it sounds interesting, because it could be a new favorite for someone else.
The writer is certainly skilled and the book feels well-thought-out. The concept is definitely quite intriguing, but the execution simply didn‘t work for me.
I don‘t dislike this book, but I also don‘t care about it at all. It unfortunately left me with this feeling of apathy. Not necessarily what I‘m looking for when I‘m reading a book for entertainment.
The focus of the story constantly switches between different sides of the war and also between more important characters and very minor characters.
The best way to describe this book is that it feels like reading a textbook about this important historical event: This battle happened at this place, then these characters met and had a discussion about this topic, then this other battle took place, then this person died, then another battle took place,…you get the gist.
I saw someone else describe this as “outlining a whole epic series“ which is a rather apt description, in my opinion.
Because the narration felt so clinical and impersonal, I had a hard time getting attached to the characters. In the same way you wouldn‘t really get attached to the characters in a history textbook. I‘ve heard that the sequel is a bit more character-driven. That‘s why I really want to try it. If it doesn‘t manage to pull me in, though, I‘m just gonna have to accept that this series might not be for me.
It very well is a case of this book just not working for me personally. I would still recommend checking it out if it sounds interesting, because it could be a new favorite for someone else.
The writer is certainly skilled and the book feels well-thought-out. The concept is definitely quite intriguing, but the execution simply didn‘t work for me.
I don‘t dislike this book, but I also don‘t care about it at all. It unfortunately left me with this feeling of apathy. Not necessarily what I‘m looking for when I‘m reading a book for entertainment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Violence, Suicide, and Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy
blacksphinx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Misogyny, Infidelity, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Drug use, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Slavery, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
Minor: Infertility, Cannibalism, Excrement, and Colonisation
There is lots of talk of forcing women into sexual slavery. Eye injuries.astatt's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Minor: War and Infidelity
nquinlan's review
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Murder, Suicide, Violence, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Torture, Animal death, Sexual violence, Rape, and Infidelity
Minor: Trafficking, Infertility, and Death of parent
mandkips's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Torture
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Grief, and Infidelity
griffinthief's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Murder, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Cannibalism, Death, and Death of parent
becksusername's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you're into fantasy war books with lots of politics, this is the book for you. It is not the book for me. It was good, and I think the fact that I finished it is a testament to how well-written it is, but before the halfway mark I was thinking "can't we all just get along and be done with this nonsense?"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
rorikae's review
challenging
dark
medium-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
3.5
In 'The Grace of Kings,' Ken Liu starts an epic fantasy silkpunk series that centers on two men who will shape the future of their empire.
Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu grow up in separate areas of the empire. After Emperor Mapidere's death and the ascension of the boy emperor Erishi, the political situation in the empire becomes less stable and both men begin to forge their own paths. When they meet, they strike up respect for one another that becomes a fast friendship. But as the trials of trying to gain control in the empire increase, their friendship and loyalty to one another is tested.
I'm a little bit conflicted about this book. It starts off with an incredibly memorable first scene that does a great job of establishing the world and the empire but then it loses its track for the first 20 to 30% of the book. Liu takes time with each of the characters he introduces but instead of weaving these together to explore more of the backstory of the empire, it feels jumbled and hard to follow. We are constantly being pulled to and fro with new characters and it makes it hard to establish the main characters of the story until far into the book. Once the introductions and background settle and the story focuses more squarely on Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, it flows much better and is much more intriguing. Liu's use of backstory works better further along in the story when characters are introduced every once and awhile and the backstories are allowed the time to flesh out the characters and how they connect to the wider plot. Other than some of these later additions, I found it hard to remember many of the characters beyond the main set.
Some of my favorite parts of the story are the ways that Liu uses the gods and their meddling in human affairs as well as the way technology is utilized. Once the story moves from introducing characters to focusing on character development, it hit its stride and I became far more invested in Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu.
I would be interested to read the next book in the series, especially the way that this book ends. I thought that some of the main parts of this story would continue on throughout the series but with how the book wraps up, it is clear that it will be heading in new directions in book two.
Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu grow up in separate areas of the empire. After Emperor Mapidere's death and the ascension of the boy emperor Erishi, the political situation in the empire becomes less stable and both men begin to forge their own paths. When they meet, they strike up respect for one another that becomes a fast friendship. But as the trials of trying to gain control in the empire increase, their friendship and loyalty to one another is tested.
I'm a little bit conflicted about this book. It starts off with an incredibly memorable first scene that does a great job of establishing the world and the empire but then it loses its track for the first 20 to 30% of the book. Liu takes time with each of the characters he introduces but instead of weaving these together to explore more of the backstory of the empire, it feels jumbled and hard to follow. We are constantly being pulled to and fro with new characters and it makes it hard to establish the main characters of the story until far into the book. Once the introductions and background settle and the story focuses more squarely on Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, it flows much better and is much more intriguing. Liu's use of backstory works better further along in the story when characters are introduced every once and awhile and the backstories are allowed the time to flesh out the characters and how they connect to the wider plot. Other than some of these later additions, I found it hard to remember many of the characters beyond the main set.
Some of my favorite parts of the story are the ways that Liu uses the gods and their meddling in human affairs as well as the way technology is utilized. Once the story moves from introducing characters to focusing on character development, it hit its stride and I became far more invested in Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu.
I would be interested to read the next book in the series, especially the way that this book ends. I thought that some of the main parts of this story would continue on throughout the series but with how the book wraps up, it is clear that it will be heading in new directions in book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Suicide, Torture, Violence, War, and Infidelity
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