Scan barcode
masquerader888's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a well written epic fantasy embodying the character of a healer. Like most in this genre, it covered a wide array of world building, plot points, and character development. Some of these things I felt were done superbly, while others I felt were less deft in their execution.
I found the characters in this book to be likeable and enduring. While some of the secondary characters seemed to be introduced into this work to be used at a later time, the characters we did interact with enough to know were both real and relatable. They grew as the story went on and showed both fortitude and resilience. Some of the conflicts between characters early in this book were used in a large part to shape our main protagonist and her view of the world she had been thrust into. That these were then later forgotten left me feeling incomplete. This lack of closure could be in part so that these old conflicts can be reincarnated in later books in this series, but even still I felt that it was almost an avoided opportunity.
The world building in this book was both a strength and weakness. The cultures were vividly done, and for the most part, dynamic in their opposition. The physical imagery was a weakness; while expansive in scope much of the world was just lightly penciled in. Some of the terrain I could clearly picture while vast amounts of it were still washed in a water-color haze. I also felt that the flow of this book was a bit dragging in places. There were days and days of waiting where I felt our main character could have been actually doing something instead of watching the days go by.
The plot was wide-spread and for a good portion of the book focused on escape. This was a bit of a problem for me as while our character wanted escape her attempts were lack-luster at best. When she did finally succeed she was thrust into the second half of the plot which pretty much deemed the first half irrelevant. Once she discovers her “destiny” the plot still took the meandering path to go anywhere, and our main character’s eureka moment was not reached until the last chapter in this work.
I found it intriguing that this book was written in first person. It may well be the first epic fantasy I have encountered that chose this writing style. I was impressed by Ms. Marton’s ability to convey and explore such a scope while remaining firmly rooted in the main characters first-person viewpoint.
While I felt it was quite well written, this book was not exactly my cup of tea. This is due in a large part to the genre; I am not the biggest epic fantasy aficionado. For those who like the genre, especially the sub-set of a healer story, I would recommend checking this book out. As for me, it is one of the down-sides of an e-book copy, as I highly doubt I will ever reread this story and wish I could pass it along to someone who would get more joy out of it that I have. I guess that is the balance of the tasting menu price of e-books.
I give this book a strong three stars.
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/reviews/
I found the characters in this book to be likeable and enduring. While some of the secondary characters seemed to be introduced into this work to be used at a later time, the characters we did interact with enough to know were both real and relatable. They grew as the story went on and showed both fortitude and resilience. Some of the conflicts between characters early in this book were used in a large part to shape our main protagonist and her view of the world she had been thrust into. That these were then later forgotten left me feeling incomplete. This lack of closure could be in part so that these old conflicts can be reincarnated in later books in this series, but even still I felt that it was almost an avoided opportunity.
The world building in this book was both a strength and weakness. The cultures were vividly done, and for the most part, dynamic in their opposition. The physical imagery was a weakness; while expansive in scope much of the world was just lightly penciled in. Some of the terrain I could clearly picture while vast amounts of it were still washed in a water-color haze. I also felt that the flow of this book was a bit dragging in places. There were days and days of waiting where I felt our main character could have been actually doing something instead of watching the days go by.
The plot was wide-spread and for a good portion of the book focused on escape. This was a bit of a problem for me as while our character wanted escape her attempts were lack-luster at best. When she did finally succeed she was thrust into the second half of the plot which pretty much deemed the first half irrelevant. Once she discovers her “destiny” the plot still took the meandering path to go anywhere, and our main character’s eureka moment was not reached until the last chapter in this work.
I found it intriguing that this book was written in first person. It may well be the first epic fantasy I have encountered that chose this writing style. I was impressed by Ms. Marton’s ability to convey and explore such a scope while remaining firmly rooted in the main characters first-person viewpoint.
While I felt it was quite well written, this book was not exactly my cup of tea. This is due in a large part to the genre; I am not the biggest epic fantasy aficionado. For those who like the genre, especially the sub-set of a healer story, I would recommend checking this book out. As for me, it is one of the down-sides of an e-book copy, as I highly doubt I will ever reread this story and wish I could pass it along to someone who would get more joy out of it that I have. I guess that is the balance of the tasting menu price of e-books.
I give this book a strong three stars.
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/reviews/
perilous1's review against another edition
4.0
Full Review for RT Magazine
4 Stars
An ambitious, vividly imagined epic fantasy. Marton has created a promising and immersive world that is, at the same time, darkly brutal.
Although barely a woman, Tera is a fully formed and sympathetic character from the start. Belonging to a passive people, she's thrown unwillingly into a foreign culture and situations of intense cruelty, violence, and political maneuvering. Her naivete persists at great cost to herself and those around her, bringing about steady but inevitable growth in her maturity and self-perception. Complex issues of identity are examined unobtrusively. So too is the incompatibility of innocence and war—the necessity of sacrifice and survival. The romantic angle is muted and allowed to develop in a natural, non-formulaic manner that plot-centric readers will find refreshing.
The prose is pleasant and skillful. And considering the amount and quality of story you're getting, the ebook price is more than fair. There were a handful of minor grammatical errors, and the pacing wobbles a bit (mainly in the last quarter) which seems to hold it back just slightly from it's full potency. But the splendor of the author's vision cannot be overlooked.
4 Stars
An ambitious, vividly imagined epic fantasy. Marton has created a promising and immersive world that is, at the same time, darkly brutal.
Although barely a woman, Tera is a fully formed and sympathetic character from the start. Belonging to a passive people, she's thrown unwillingly into a foreign culture and situations of intense cruelty, violence, and political maneuvering. Her naivete persists at great cost to herself and those around her, bringing about steady but inevitable growth in her maturity and self-perception. Complex issues of identity are examined unobtrusively. So too is the incompatibility of innocence and war—the necessity of sacrifice and survival. The romantic angle is muted and allowed to develop in a natural, non-formulaic manner that plot-centric readers will find refreshing.
The prose is pleasant and skillful. And considering the amount and quality of story you're getting, the ebook price is more than fair. There were a handful of minor grammatical errors, and the pacing wobbles a bit (mainly in the last quarter) which seems to hold it back just slightly from it's full potency. But the splendor of the author's vision cannot be overlooked.
dreamerfreak's review against another edition
4.0
Let me be honest here. Most self-published books could use a little more editing, so when I picked up The Third Scroll, even with its lovely cover, I thought I would be wincing once in a while over little grammatical mistakes and typos. I didn't. Not once. I am beyond impressed that Dana managed to get this book whistle clean in the editing department. So the reading was smooth sailing.
And it was a wonderful trip too. The plot is a bit classical prophecy fantasy, but well-played and very focused on the central plot. The romance was pleasantly subtle, as opposed to many of the "leap into bed" romances out there. The symbiotic relationship between the Shahala and Kadar was fascinating as well. I never expected Tera to end up where she did, and the changes she experienced along the way were inspiring. I hope the next in this series comes out soon!
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
And it was a wonderful trip too. The plot is a bit classical prophecy fantasy, but well-played and very focused on the central plot. The romance was pleasantly subtle, as opposed to many of the "leap into bed" romances out there. The symbiotic relationship between the Shahala and Kadar was fascinating as well. I never expected Tera to end up where she did, and the changes she experienced along the way were inspiring. I hope the next in this series comes out soon!
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
More...