Reviews

The Fiend and the Forge by Henry H. Neff

ronniewest's review against another edition

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3.0

I thought this book actually got better as it went. Not quite 4 stars, but better than the first 2 in the series. Some good developments to the story.

senevilla's review against another edition

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5.0

I cannot even begin to say how great this series is! The harector development is incredible, and the story has gotten better with every page. You can see the author improving with each chapter, and each page is even better than the next. Anyone who speaks English will love this series!

bekljb's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Delicious 

melissavanlindt's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

squidsy_blue's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.75

annamulcahy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional slow-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

katdjz's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved, loved, loved this one!

I figured I would since the first two were great, but you never know. I was afraid that since I read the last one awhile ago, that I would forget what was going on and not feel connected to the story anymore, but that wasn't the case. It was easy to jump back into Max's world and I couldn't put the book down. So much action and drama, parts that made me cry, it was great. My only complaint is that I have to wait so long for the next one, I'm not sure I can wait!

jeykehey's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

aamontillado's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

lynsiedaniels's review against another edition

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4.0

In a perfect world, I would stay... But this isn't a perfect world. You were born to lead this place and these people. I was born for other things.

Rating: 3.75

We are finally raising the stakes at Rowan Academy! This book definitely feels like a turning point, a new beginning if you will, for the series. Not only has Max lost so much, he also has so much more to lose. He's also getting to the point (age is kinda funky in this series, who knows if he's aged 3 or 5 or 10 years since the beginning of the first book??? Either way he is definitely maturing) where he is finding out who he is. During his whole journey, he's been asked the question, by himself and others, "Who am I?", and he is now discovering and accepting his true identity.

You are the child of Lugh Lamfhada. You are the sun and the storm and master of all the feats I have to teach. You are these things because you must be.

Honestly, I don't know with Chosen One trope I like more, the "I'm super BA because I trained for it and am actually the best" or the "I am the fiercest warrior because fate wills it so and I just have to deal with it." Clearly this story exhibits the latter. Max's physical development, in terms of how quickly he trains, is the best and most feared/famous warrior ever, and can win in battle against anyone, is a little implausible for me I will say. He's fought some bad guys like a couple of times and suddenly every demon in the world knows who he is and fears him? And he's better than every other Agent, all of whom have devoted their lives to training? Eh...

That being said, Max's strength in battle is extremely entertaining. This book is a blast to read because the battles are so interesting and creative. I loved everything about Max's time at the farm house, and I loved the contest of champions bit too (especially the appearance of the Myrmidon!). Neither of these fit super well in the story, but I still thought it was fun.

The one thing that has always kept the books in this series from getting higher ratings from me are the characters. They just don't work at all. They aren't interesting, they aren't relatable to the reader, and they don't even have realistic or interesting relationships with each other. It's just a super bummer. Therefore, -0.25 for implausibility, -0.25 for uncohesiveness, and -0.75 for the characters. Considering all the aforementioned issues, the book still receives a relatively high rating from me because the plot continues to intrigue and entertain me, which is the main goal of a middle grade fantasy series IMO.