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classy4116's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.5
thesinginglights's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-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
It's been a while—perhaps N.K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season or Joe Abercrombie's Age of Madness—that I have walked away from a fantasy novel that had such a searing clarity, control of its narrative, and thorough exploration of its themes. The first volume of this trilogy was a promising tale and this second one built on rock-solid foundations. Legal thriller, action-packed, and eldritch horror aplenty. And so dense a novel. Ever chapter briskly expands the story and the single POV allows for a feeling of tightness in a tale with a large scope.
The prose, characters, and worldbuilding are absolutely top notch. Perhaps the only major flaw was the romance which did not have the same brilliance. Fortunately it's not too much in the way of the larger stories, of an empire teetering on the brink of great change...
cinsity's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
eletoile's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.25
raila_h's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ngallion's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It took everything from Book 1 that worked for me (even though I wasn’t blown away by it as a whole there were certainly things to like.) and cranked it up to 11. From political maneuvering to arcane magic to weird investigative powers, it’s all so much more interesting here.
I will say that my interest waned a little when the crew hit the road and started traveling the countryside. The book lost a bit of momentum there for me, but it came to a wild conclusion that really worked for me. I’m very excited for the third book if this trilogy.
I will say that my interest waned a little when the crew hit the road and started traveling the countryside. The book lost a bit of momentum there for me, but it came to a wild conclusion that really worked for me. I’m very excited for the third book if this trilogy.
stormblessedtt's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
ellin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mlang's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0