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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
I really like this series and the narration is fantastically done.
But I wish I read these as book-books because of the scale of the story there are so many characters and places I have a hard remembering who is who.
But I wish I read these as book-books because of the scale of the story there are so many characters and places I have a hard remembering who is who.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
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
This was a really great entry, building upon the breakneck pace of the first novel. Islington’s innate ability to craft such a tight and satisfying storyline, complete with character and plot catharsis is impeccable.
Plot: 5/5
Interweaving time-travel, memory loss and a wider cast of characters, Islington accelerates the pace and doesn’t look back. Flashbacks are often clichéd, but they serve a purpose here - one which leaves the reader hungering for more as the world, and your viewpoint, expands beyond initial imagination. Callbacks to the first book (mere mentions in some cases) had me trawling through to confirm my suspicions. All packaged up expertly, the bow on top begging to be untied for book 3.
Prose: 3.5/5
Taking cues from Sanderson, it’s more ‘window-pane’ writing, though not without its beauty. For sure - it’s clear Islington isn’t writing poetry, but it’s also clear that isn’t his goal. What we do have is novel asking the question of if a single word was wasted in carting us to the finish line.
World - 4/5
The world continues to expand, and much faster compared to the first. One could argue that some exposition was dealt with clumsily - there’s a lot of mythical characters simply explaining huge plot events - but it was never delivered too overtly to beat down my intrigue.
Character - 3/5
I still think character work is the one flaw of the book. It’s not bad, it’s just not fantastic. Much like the first, some characters semi blended for me in tone, though the main quartet does stand apart, particularly Caeden as he develops, grows and even regresses at points. It’s clear that Islington’s character development and interweaving with themes is improving though, with explicit time reserved for dwelling on moral ambiguity and wrestling with some of the darker moments in the novel.
All in all, great fun and a superb series to recommend to new fantasy readers.
Plot: 5/5
Interweaving time-travel, memory loss and a wider cast of characters, Islington accelerates the pace and doesn’t look back. Flashbacks are often clichéd, but they serve a purpose here - one which leaves the reader hungering for more as the world, and your viewpoint, expands beyond initial imagination. Callbacks to the first book (mere mentions in some cases) had me trawling through to confirm my suspicions. All packaged up expertly, the bow on top begging to be untied for book 3.
Prose: 3.5/5
Taking cues from Sanderson, it’s more ‘window-pane’ writing, though not without its beauty. For sure - it’s clear Islington isn’t writing poetry, but it’s also clear that isn’t his goal. What we do have is novel asking the question of if a single word was wasted in carting us to the finish line.
World - 4/5
The world continues to expand, and much faster compared to the first. One could argue that some exposition was dealt with clumsily - there’s a lot of mythical characters simply explaining huge plot events - but it was never delivered too overtly to beat down my intrigue.
Character - 3/5
I still think character work is the one flaw of the book. It’s not bad, it’s just not fantastic. Much like the first, some characters semi blended for me in tone, though the main quartet does stand apart, particularly Caeden as he develops, grows and even regresses at points. It’s clear that Islington’s character development and interweaving with themes is improving though, with explicit time reserved for dwelling on moral ambiguity and wrestling with some of the darker moments in the novel.
All in all, great fun and a superb series to recommend to new fantasy readers.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes