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dawn_marie's review against another edition
3.0
The Empire’s Ruin is the first of Brian Staveley’s “next generation” novels set in the Unhewn Throne world. In this offering, the reader follows three main characters: Gwenna Sharpe, a disgraced Kettral commander sent to foreign lands searching for kettral eggs; Ruc, a priest of the goodness of love with a dark, deadly secret; and Akiil, a Shin monk who has returned to his thieving/grifting roots.
Mr. Staveley builds upon the world and magic system he created in the Unhewn Throne series, expanding it as the main characters work their way through the story. While a reader does not necessarily need to have read the first series to appreciate/understand the inner workings of this world – the author does a good job of summarizing relevant details – the events of those novels add texture and color to this novel.
The character work, at least for the three main characters, was strong. Each was presented as an individual with a fully realized backstory that often informs their current behavior. The characters often experience complex, and sometimes contradictory, emotions. I just wish that some of the supporting characters were less dull, annoying, or cartoonish (I’m looking at you Bien and Goatface).
There really wasn’t a plot so much as a moving of the characters into position for future installments; and it wasn’t until the final act that the reader can see the beginnings (just the beginnings) of how the separate story lines might weave together. As is typical for the first entry into a new series, the pacing for The Empire’s Ruin is slow. Very, very slow – laboriously slow. While there were “events” or “action” that occurred throughout the plot, it often was tedious and repetitive.
Though flawed (minorly so), The Empire’s Ruin was enjoyable and I look forward to future installments.
Mr. Staveley builds upon the world and magic system he created in the Unhewn Throne series, expanding it as the main characters work their way through the story. While a reader does not necessarily need to have read the first series to appreciate/understand the inner workings of this world – the author does a good job of summarizing relevant details – the events of those novels add texture and color to this novel.
The character work, at least for the three main characters, was strong. Each was presented as an individual with a fully realized backstory that often informs their current behavior. The characters often experience complex, and sometimes contradictory, emotions. I just wish that some of the supporting characters were less dull, annoying, or cartoonish (I’m looking at you Bien and Goatface).
Spoiler
I appreciate the development of Gwenna Sharpe and her struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Too often authors have their characters experience some devastating event, have them be sad for a paragraph or two, and then move on as if the “thing” that happened never happened. While it was difficult to read some of the Gwenna chapters due to her mental anguish, it was refreshing to see a character deal with horrific events in a realistic fashion.There really wasn’t a plot so much as a moving of the characters into position for future installments; and it wasn’t until the final act that the reader can see the beginnings (just the beginnings) of how the separate story lines might weave together. As is typical for the first entry into a new series, the pacing for The Empire’s Ruin is slow. Very, very slow – laboriously slow. While there were “events” or “action” that occurred throughout the plot, it often was tedious and repetitive.
Though flawed (minorly so), The Empire’s Ruin was enjoyable and I look forward to future installments.
kelseyjl22's review against another edition
Dnf; did not like writing style or characterization of women
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
Damn, I have forgotten a lot from the previous series. Like what happened to Kaden? Ack. But yes it still worked great to jump back in into this new series.
We follow Gwenna, sent to find more Kettral in a hostile land. The first part of the trip was not the most interesting, but when they got there. Oh so good.
Then there was Ruc, I liked him at once. But when Gwenna´s story started getting really good, Ruc´s waned as he was stuck in one place. Oh and totally need more info about his foster parents. It kept me reading like crazy
Then there was Akiil. He just was. Sorry man, but Gwenna´s and Ruc´s stories was too good. I needed to binge through those.
Such a good book and I can´t wait to read more. I need more now!
We follow Gwenna, sent to find more Kettral in a hostile land. The first part of the trip was not the most interesting, but when they got there. Oh so good.
Then there was Ruc, I liked him at once. But when Gwenna´s story started getting really good, Ruc´s waned as he was stuck in one place. Oh and totally need more info about his foster parents. It kept me reading like crazy
Then there was Akiil. He just was. Sorry man, but Gwenna´s and Ruc´s stories was too good. I needed to binge through those.
Such a good book and I can´t wait to read more. I need more now!
fantasyfunk's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. It's really close to a true 5 star for me. Maybe even 4.75 stars.
aerron's review
4.0
Staveley really cements his writing with this book as an epic fantasy writer. The characters had a lot of depth even without knowing the tie in's to his previous works in the Annurian Empire. The different POV's really complement and extricate the monotonous of having to portray things always in one view or trying to relieve tension or inflict certain emotions and feelings becomes easier. This thrived in every aspect of survival and romance. The lore just felt that amount of right and being this immersive was key to take a shine to the opening.
Overall this book sometimes dealt into the heavier side of reading with words and phrases not always being attuned to those of everyday life however this was not enough to deter me particularly from an amazing read.
Overall this book sometimes dealt into the heavier side of reading with words and phrases not always being attuned to those of everyday life however this was not enough to deter me particularly from an amazing read.
_b_a_l_'s review against another edition
5.0
It feels like the entire first epic trilogy was in fact only the slow burn prequel for this even more expansive story.
Loved it and so excited for the next one.
“No one gets out. There is no out to get. This is the beauty and the truth of the Arena: in Dombâng, in the delta, in the wide world”—he gestured grandly with his slim blade, a sweep taking in the fire and screams, the monsters and the fighting and the dying—“there is only ever this.”
Loved it and so excited for the next one.
“No one gets out. There is no out to get. This is the beauty and the truth of the Arena: in Dombâng, in the delta, in the wide world”—he gestured grandly with his slim blade, a sweep taking in the fire and screams, the monsters and the fighting and the dying—“there is only ever this.”
randomdreamer'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
5.0
siavahda's review against another edition
This is absolutely, ridiculously epic, but it's been years since I read the first trilogy and I forgot how grimdark Staveley's books are. And it turns out I am not up to reading grimdark at the moment.
That is no fault of the book! And what I read - 26% - was excellent. I will definitely come back and read this in another year. But right now I'm too fragile, and I suggest other fans check in with themselves to make sure they're up to it before reading.
That is no fault of the book! And what I read - 26% - was excellent. I will definitely come back and read this in another year. But right now I'm too fragile, and I suggest other fans check in with themselves to make sure they're up to it before reading.
mangokiste's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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
5.0
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I refuse to give any book that's 700+ pages and doesn't give a bunch of closure 4 stars. I don't want to "encourage" that as the standard. I don't want to devote my entire reading life to one series. Back in my day we had novels that were 300 pages and told an entire story, and we liked it!
Seriously though, the writing was great, but EVERY SCENE was too long. I loved the characters, but I think that comes from reading 100's of pages of character development. I want to love characters with 10's of pages of character development spread throughout a story. It was the worst at the end when I was hoping for resolution and the flashbacks and introspection started happening (again) and then I got nothin.
One other problem. Gwenna Sharpe is basically invincible.
Rat was my favorite character. The narrators were great on this one, especially enjoyed the Rat voice.
Seriously though, the writing was great, but EVERY SCENE was too long. I loved the characters, but I think that comes from reading 100's of pages of character development. I want to love characters with 10's of pages of character development spread throughout a story. It was the worst at the end when I was hoping for resolution and the flashbacks and introspection started happening (again) and then I got nothin.
One other problem. Gwenna Sharpe is basically invincible.
Rat was my favorite character. The narrators were great on this one, especially enjoyed the Rat voice.