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melancholymegs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Kidnapping, Violence, Torture, Murder, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
lhirl's review against another edition
dark
funny
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
4.25
goonerette's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
killjoy131's review against another edition
4.0
It's a great read. Frustrating at times due to how often and hard Kellen falls into his internal cycle of cowardice and self pity instead of steeling himself in the Way of Stone, but it's also very sympathetic, seeing the hardships and choices the universe throws as him that he shouldn't have to make.
pumpkinspice_25's review against another edition
3.0
It's a good book. It just feels lackluster affter reading the last one.
ameliaamison's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
mojoshivers's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve always appreciated the fact that the relationship between Kellen and Reichis resembles that of Murtaugh and Riggs from Lethal Weapon. The only difference is that the main “hero” of these books, Kellen, mostly takes after Murtaugh. This is the guy who, even at fifteen, probably would utter how he’s getting too old for this shit and do everything he could to untangle himself from every potentially dangerous situation. And it falls on Reichis, crazy-ass squirrel cat, to be the bloodthirsty face-tearing and eyeball-eating psychopath. It’s a great dynamic.
The series continues to be half wandering hero’s journey like Kung Fu or Jack Reacher, and half fantasy political series like Game of Thrones or Mistborn. This novel definitely embraces the latter direction. This is one of the most political installments of the series and seems to focus the coming worldwide conflict into something just on the horizon as opposed to years into the future.
I like that Kellen is finally going to put down roots it seems.
I like that Kellen finally found a powerful ally.
I like that Kellen is finally seeing the benefits of consolidating a base of power.
It’s about time.
The series continues to be half wandering hero’s journey like Kung Fu or Jack Reacher, and half fantasy political series like Game of Thrones or Mistborn. This novel definitely embraces the latter direction. This is one of the most political installments of the series and seems to focus the coming worldwide conflict into something just on the horizon as opposed to years into the future.
I like that Kellen is finally going to put down roots it seems.
I like that Kellen finally found a powerful ally.
I like that Kellen is finally seeing the benefits of consolidating a base of power.
It’s about time.
heresmika's review against another edition
3.0
I don't write reviews for this series because I read the books in a different language so the names of the characters and the places are confusing - but, I have a lot to say about this book, so forgive me for any mistakes.
Firstly, Queenslayer is just fun to read. The worldbuilding is amazing and I was completely captivated by the story. The dialogue is fun, the characters are interesting, the book is just really refreshing.
Next is just me ranting about various aspects of the book:
[kellen's character]
The book also felt like kind of a "filler episode" rather than the 5th book in the series. None of the characters that we were introduced to in the last books were there, we didn't learn more about Kellen's problem, and it felt like Kellen lost all of his character development. He didn't use many tricks to win fights, he completely forgot what Ferius taught him, and he couldn't use the shadow magic that he learned about previously. Kellen just felt a lot ruthless and dark; he kills people without a second choice and his POV just felt different. I talked about it with my dad and he said that it might be the Shadowblack taking control of his body, so maybe it was intentional, but it just felt wrong.
[politics]
Kellen had a death sentence and was brought before the queen for a final evolution. But instead of killing him, the queen took him as her new Cards Teacher. Now, I know that the book is supposed to focus on the politics of the castle, but it felt like it had too many details to the point where I got lost about who is who and who supports who - and I took AP government and politics class, I am supposed to understand this kind of plots.
[family]
Something that I always love about this series is the way family is portrayed. Kellen's family betrayed him and used him over and over again, yet he still loves them and wants their appreciation. He talks about it a lot, Kellen hates what his family has become, but sometimes he sees glimpses of the past and he can't help but want their affection. As the reader, it is horrible to read about it. Kellen is confused and hurt and doesn't know how to move on, his family's abuse affected him in ways he doesn't understand.
[women in the book]
You know how in many fantasy books female characters are only there as a symbol of sex and attraction (this is what i felt in 'the name of the wind')? While there are many strong female characters in the books, I felt like this book looked at women in a similar way. In each book, Kellen finds another love interest and in his adventures, he always has a girl he needs to save and they always want to kiss/date him. It wasn't that bad, but in the last three-quarters of the book, something horrible happened, that there was no actual need for it to happen, and I can't move on from the way it was described.
[overall]
The book is nice, the author finds new ideas that are refreshing to read, but it wasn't as good as the rest of the series. I definitely recommend starting reading this series, but this book just didn't live up to my expectations.
cw // attempted sexual assault (not exactly sure if this is the correct tag, but i feel like i should add it because it came out of nowhere)
Firstly, Queenslayer is just fun to read. The worldbuilding is amazing and I was completely captivated by the story. The dialogue is fun, the characters are interesting, the book is just really refreshing.
Next is just me ranting about various aspects of the book:
[kellen's character]
The book also felt like kind of a "filler episode" rather than the 5th book in the series. None of the characters that we were introduced to in the last books were there, we didn't learn more about Kellen's problem, and it felt like Kellen lost all of his character development. He didn't use many tricks to win fights, he completely forgot what Ferius taught him, and he couldn't use the shadow magic that he learned about previously. Kellen just felt a lot ruthless and dark; he kills people without a second choice and his POV just felt different. I talked about it with my dad and he said that it might be the Shadowblack taking control of his body, so maybe it was intentional, but it just felt wrong.
[politics]
Kellen had a death sentence and was brought before the queen for a final evolution. But instead of killing him, the queen took him as her new Cards Teacher. Now, I know that the book is supposed to focus on the politics of the castle, but it felt like it had too many details to the point where I got lost about who is who and who supports who - and I took AP government and politics class, I am supposed to understand this kind of plots.
[family]
Something that I always love about this series is the way family is portrayed. Kellen's family betrayed him and used him over and over again, yet he still loves them and wants their appreciation. He talks about it a lot, Kellen hates what his family has become, but sometimes he sees glimpses of the past and he can't help but want their affection. As the reader, it is horrible to read about it. Kellen is confused and hurt and doesn't know how to move on, his family's abuse affected him in ways he doesn't understand.
[women in the book]
You know how in many fantasy books female characters are only there as a symbol of sex and attraction (this is what i felt in 'the name of the wind')? While there are many strong female characters in the books, I felt like this book looked at women in a similar way. In each book, Kellen finds another love interest and in his adventures, he always has a girl he needs to save and they always want to kiss/date him. It wasn't that bad, but in the last three-quarters of the book, something horrible happened, that there was no actual need for it to happen, and I can't move on from the way it was described.
[overall]
The book is nice, the author finds new ideas that are refreshing to read, but it wasn't as good as the rest of the series. I definitely recommend starting reading this series, but this book just didn't live up to my expectations.
cw // attempted sexual assault (not exactly sure if this is the correct tag, but i feel like i should add it because it came out of nowhere)