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tombombadilo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
qjbrown96's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good
I completely did not realize this was historical fantasy. I thought it was going to be historical fiction and honestly I think I would have preferred it that way.
The story follows several characters during Kublai Khans invasion of Persia. I really appreciated this book just because it made me interested in that era of history and have been researching a lot about it.
The prose is really easy, the length is perfect, the ending made me want to continue in the series. My issue is instead of describing action scenes he would say someone “used lurching tiger” or something like that. Idk if that’s some kung fu move or he just pulled something out of his rear but it happens multiple times. Also the pacing was pretty slow but I’m willing to give forgive that on a first book. All in all a good read that I would recommend to people interested in Asian history with fantasy elements.
I completely did not realize this was historical fantasy. I thought it was going to be historical fiction and honestly I think I would have preferred it that way.
The story follows several characters during Kublai Khans invasion of Persia. I really appreciated this book just because it made me interested in that era of history and have been researching a lot about it.
The prose is really easy, the length is perfect, the ending made me want to continue in the series. My issue is instead of describing action scenes he would say someone “used lurching tiger” or something like that. Idk if that’s some kung fu move or he just pulled something out of his rear but it happens multiple times. Also the pacing was pretty slow but I’m willing to give forgive that on a first book. All in all a good read that I would recommend to people interested in Asian history with fantasy elements.
jakelewis_23_'s review against another edition
5.0
I believe this book was written for me! Loved it! Brilliantly combining a very interesting time in history with very mysterious magic! Cannot wait for book 2
unagi_'s review
4.0
[4.2; Bartek's review]
The book is very well written with excellent pacing.
the historical elements to the story were very well explained and the POVs were well balanced.
I only have 2 small complaints. I, personally, didnt like the introduction of magic in this book. i felt that the realistic aspects could have continued throughout the book and it would have been just as good if not better.
On a minor note, the moves in Kokochin's fight scenes being described as animal names etc were not my thing, i didnt enjoy reading them as much.
That being said, its a great introduction to a series with an exciting ending that makes you look forward to the sequel.
The book is very well written with excellent pacing.
the historical elements to the story were very well explained and the POVs were well balanced.
I only have 2 small complaints. I, personally, didnt like the introduction of magic in this book. i felt that the realistic aspects could have continued throughout the book and it would have been just as good if not better.
On a minor note, the moves in Kokochin's fight scenes being described as animal names etc were not my thing, i didnt enjoy reading them as much.
That being said, its a great introduction to a series with an exciting ending that makes you look forward to the sequel.
div94's review
adventurous
dark
informative
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
5.0
saraanneb3's review
1.0
This book finally turns interesting on page 349 and by then it was too late I had already decided I was gonna finish and not read any sequels, so that's a shame because those last couple chapters showed what this book could've been, but definitely were NOT up til that point
grimkeeper35's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
Another great book by Stephen Aryan. I don't read a lot of historical fiction so I was skeptical but I loved the first book in this series. The characters were great and I loved the battle descriptions and the politics. The pace was great and it left me wanting more. I loved that the magic didn't overshadow the rest of the story. I look forward to book #2. I'm hoping that some of the characters who have yet to meet will begin to work together toward a common goal. It's going to be awesome!
nyeran's review
2.0
♠ Faccio una premessa: si, come al solito, il problema sono io e il fatto che per tutta la lettura abbia avuto la sensazione di aver gia letto questa storia, con delle spezie diverse, ma la stessa minestra, di base.
E non capisco nemmeno come un libro ambientato tra la Mongolia e la Persia possa avere nel titolo un riferimento al cristianesimo.
Ammetto che l'autore ha fatto ricerche approfondite dal punto di vista storico e politico ma qualcosa strideva ogni volta che mi ritrovavo a leggere degli usi e costumi e allora, per vedere se era solo una mia impressione, sono andata a leggere alcune recensioni. E no, a quanto pare non sono l'unica a cui tutto sembrava troppo moderno e occidentale. I ristoranti senza piatti condivisi, i teatri descritti come fossero la scala di milano con la platea e il loggione e non come palchi aperti perchè i mongoli, storicamente, erano una popolazione nomade. E mi sta bene che nel momento di massima espansione territoriale i mongoli sono arrivati in Russia, fino alle porte dell'Europa, ma non ancora.
Purtroppo, la scelta di usare personaggi realmente esistiti rende la storia prevedibile e noiosa da seguire perchè le cose succedono perchè storicamente devono succedere ma tu non percepisci che i protagonisti VOGLIONO fare quello che fanno, non sono loro a decidere è la storia che è gia scritta.
E non capisco nemmeno come un libro ambientato tra la Mongolia e la Persia possa avere nel titolo un riferimento al cristianesimo.
Ammetto che l'autore ha fatto ricerche approfondite dal punto di vista storico e politico ma qualcosa strideva ogni volta che mi ritrovavo a leggere degli usi e costumi e allora, per vedere se era solo una mia impressione, sono andata a leggere alcune recensioni. E no, a quanto pare non sono l'unica a cui tutto sembrava troppo moderno e occidentale. I ristoranti senza piatti condivisi, i teatri descritti come fossero la scala di milano con la platea e il loggione e non come palchi aperti perchè i mongoli, storicamente, erano una popolazione nomade. E mi sta bene che nel momento di massima espansione territoriale i mongoli sono arrivati in Russia, fino alle porte dell'Europa, ma non ancora.
Purtroppo, la scelta di usare personaggi realmente esistiti rende la storia prevedibile e noiosa da seguire perchè le cose succedono perchè storicamente devono succedere ma tu non percepisci che i protagonisti VOGLIONO fare quello che fanno, non sono loro a decidere è la storia che è gia scritta.
ibrareads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A great mix of historical fiction and fantasy. The story is alright, but the historical elements make up for it. As an avid reader of history, this book is great to read when you want to relax yet still stay immersed in the world of history.
rebeccareader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A real mixed bag of a book. The first 130 or so pages I devoured. But the last 75 or so I wasn’t all that invested. I really enjoy being in a different setting and time, it felt unique and it read quickly. I just wish it held my attention for longer