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rmonnin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
spirogyra_sp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.75
ktuco1's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It felt just like an adventure in the games and I enjoyed all the little references to the video games! It is a perfect segway into the story of Dragon Age Origins and reading the backstory of some of those characters was super entertaining! Highly recommend if you enjoy the Dragon Age games!
jodieripley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book at the request of my daughter. She adores the computer game and the first three books based on the game. I read the first in the series a while back and like the author. I knew this one would be as immersive and it would take me a long while to read it, due to the intricacy, but I didn't expect it to take as long as it did. I had to be in the right mood and have the right amount of time to read it and give it its due.
I highly enjoy fantasy, especially intricately well-imagined fantasy. This has superb world-building and characters that keep you on your toes. Nothing and everything is as it appears.
I don't play the game but I don't need to for complete enjoyment of the book. I look forward to reading the next one but it will likely be some time before diving in. I started because my daughter wanted me to read this series, but I will continue because I enjoy the world of the Grey Warden.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and writer
I highly enjoy fantasy, especially intricately well-imagined fantasy. This has superb world-building and characters that keep you on your toes. Nothing and everything is as it appears.
I don't play the game but I don't need to for complete enjoyment of the book. I look forward to reading the next one but it will likely be some time before diving in. I started because my daughter wanted me to read this series, but I will continue because I enjoy the world of the Grey Warden.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and writer
leonidskies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
aeonarin's review against another edition
3.0
I considered giving it 4 stars, but unfortunately, I hate Maric/Katriel romance, as it is the least believable romance I've ever read, and seeing him so in love years after what I consider a youthful fling made me annoyed. Also, how many times are you going to reuse sloth demon, Gaider? Other than these two issues, this book was better than previous, writing much improved. I hoped for a lead as to what was the reason of Fiona's recovery from the taint, but I guess I will have to wait until The Warden story, wont I? Anyway, the ending was good and I even shed a tear, proud of my choice in the game of not making Alistair king.
absurtiddy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
itadakinasu's review against another edition
3.0
David Gaider writes good characters. I know that when I read something of his, I'll probably like it. The Calling is no exception, although it was slightly disappointing compared to The Stolen Throne.
Maric is not an unfamiliar character for readers of the Dragon Age series. I have a love-hate relationship with him; I find him frustratingly predictable and cannot stomach his character flaws. However, he is a good and truly flawed character, unlike some Gary Stus, who are especially prevalent in fantasy literature.
I liked the characters we are introduced to in The Calling. Each one has a distinct personality and something likable or at least relatable about them, however they do definitely have a distinct David Gaider-ness. I particularly liked Genevieve and Kell and was hoping to dig a little deeper into their motivations than what was written here. Some attempts were made to introduce the characters' backgrounds to readers, but it felt melodramatic and shoehorned in without adding anything of substance to the plot.
My main problem with the story was... the story. Maric is somehow convinced to go on a wildly dangerous rescue mission while knowing almost nothing. Forget the fact that he's the king of Ferelden (he constantly seems to), forget the fact that he has no relationship whatsoever with any of the rest of the characters, and forget the fact that he isn't even a good warrior or guide. Not only is it not believable, it's stupid.
Along the way, there are plenty distractions from the main plot that serve only to force in another morsel of the characters' tragic backgrounds. Likewise, the ending felt messy and pushed the limits of plausibility.
That being said, The Calling does address some interesting aspects of Grey Warden nature, the royal family, and our beloved Duncan (from Dragon Age: Origins). So, it's not all bad.
Maric is not an unfamiliar character for readers of the Dragon Age series. I have a love-hate relationship with him; I find him frustratingly predictable and cannot stomach his character flaws. However, he is a good and truly flawed character, unlike some Gary Stus, who are especially prevalent in fantasy literature.
I liked the characters we are introduced to in The Calling. Each one has a distinct personality and something likable or at least relatable about them, however they do definitely have a distinct David Gaider-ness. I particularly liked Genevieve and Kell and was hoping to dig a little deeper into their motivations than what was written here. Some attempts were made to introduce the characters' backgrounds to readers, but it felt melodramatic and shoehorned in without adding anything of substance to the plot.
My main problem with the story was... the story. Maric is somehow convinced to go on a wildly dangerous rescue mission while knowing almost nothing. Forget the fact that he's the king of Ferelden (he constantly seems to), forget the fact that he has no relationship whatsoever with any of the rest of the characters, and forget the fact that he isn't even a good warrior or guide. Not only is it not believable, it's stupid.
Along the way, there are plenty distractions from the main plot that serve only to force in another morsel of the characters' tragic backgrounds. Likewise, the ending felt messy and pushed the limits of plausibility.
That being said, The Calling does address some interesting aspects of Grey Warden nature, the royal family, and our beloved Duncan (from Dragon Age: Origins). So, it's not all bad.
mdilu's review against another edition
5.0
First of all, I've played through all of the Dragon Age games and I loved each one so much that I had to get my hands on as much lore as I possibly could. I read The Stolen Throne and really liked it, but this novel I gave a full five stars. It gave me what I wanted, which was more of the backstory for the whole franchise. I didn't know things about darkspawn or the Blight as I do now. The characters, to me, were compelling and I really loved Duncan.
For me, it had a perfect crescendo throughout the book. The pace was right. Gaider gives the perspective of more than a few different characters, which I really liked for this type of novel as it gave me an angle as to what was each of their motivations. It allowed me to feel a multitude of emotions for each character. That's magic. The story as a whole was great. It leads perfectly into DA:O, which was the intent. The climactic points throughout the book were very good.
Honestly, there were no parts that I disliked.
I'm positive that I am biased, as I've already played the DA games, but truly Gaider is the godfather of the story behind Dragon Age.
For me, it had a perfect crescendo throughout the book. The pace was right. Gaider gives the perspective of more than a few different characters, which I really liked for this type of novel as it gave me an angle as to what was each of their motivations. It allowed me to feel a multitude of emotions for each character. That's magic. The story as a whole was great. It leads perfectly into DA:O, which was the intent. The climactic points throughout the book were very good.
Honestly, there were no parts that I disliked.
I'm positive that I am biased, as I've already played the DA games, but truly Gaider is the godfather of the story behind Dragon Age.