Scan barcode
givemedatangst's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
kristinajoy07's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, and War
meowster18's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
This book was a journey that I was willing to go on from page one. This was beautifully written. Entirely immersive. I felt everything from the love of Thorkiel to war of the Battle-Grime and Bloodsworn, To Orka’s pain and rage, and lastly Varg’s and Elvar journey to discovery and Battle-Fame. A must read. The ending had me gasping and yelling “no f-ing way!”. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, War, Alcohol, Cursing, Kidnapping, Grief, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Body horror
Please look up trigger warnings for this book. It is very goreyhiddeninfantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Slavery, Body horror, Child abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Gore, Blood, Genocide, and War
sinaprst's review
adventurous
dark
funny
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? It's complicated
4.75
this was ngl one of the best fantasy books I've ever read!
the plot, the lore, the characters, the monsters, the magic, the fighting, all of it is just amazingly written and really sucks you into this beautiful and compelling but deadly world, where nothing and noone ever feels save...
... and the ending just leaves you wanting for more!
(the beginning was a bit slow though, which is the only reason why I'm not rating this 5 stars)
recommended reading ambience: https://youtu.be/ERW4uLhNoH8?si=9qcRSMORewkBwLev
the plot, the lore, the characters, the monsters, the magic, the fighting, all of it is just amazingly written and really sucks you into this beautiful and compelling but deadly world, where nothing and noone ever feels save...
... and the ending just leaves you wanting for more!
(the beginning was a bit slow though, which is the only reason why I'm not rating this 5 stars)
recommended reading ambience: https://youtu.be/ERW4uLhNoH8?si=9qcRSMORewkBwLev
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Murder, Blood, and Cursing
Moderate: Kidnapping, Animal death, and Torture
sher_lostinabook's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, and Gore
ohloulou's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Blood, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
theo221's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Grief and Slavery
pages_of_emma's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
I'll be very honest, I was apprehensive about reading this book. Not because I thought it would be bad, but because I am not usually one for 'bloody' stories. However I now wish I'd gotten around to it so much sooner!
I really love how simple the book was. By that I mean there was no complicated magic system, no twisty love story and no long glossary (just a little one) of terms to try and remember. Of course there is magic and intrigue, but I appreciated not having to stop and try to remember all these little details. I could just keep reading and reading, following our three main characters on their individual journeys, never losing my immersion in the tale.
I think this might also be the reason I did not seem to mind how bloody the story was either, because belive me it is bloody! Nothing ever felt over the top or done for no reason.
I was transported fully into the world from page one; Gwynne's writing was so vivid and atmospheric. The setting felt both fantastical and grounded, and I loved the depictions of the Old Gods. I found myself flying through the story - I know some say that it is slow at times, but I found the quieter moments a needed break from the epic action. I was also pleasantly surprised to find themes of family and companionship running very close to the surface of an otherwise violent tale - there is a lot of heart and many insightful moments in this book!
We see the story through the eyes of three characaters: Orka, Elvar and Varg. Each of them were so vividly realised they could easily be real people. Gwynne made me root for all three of them equally and I was never sad to see a different character name at the top of a chapter because I was so invested in their individual journeys.
I was totally hooked from start to finish, and it is safe to say that John Gwynne has a new fan who is eager to dive straight into the next book!
I really love how simple the book was. By that I mean there was no complicated magic system, no twisty love story and no long glossary (just a little one) of terms to try and remember. Of course there is magic and intrigue, but I appreciated not having to stop and try to remember all these little details. I could just keep reading and reading, following our three main characters on their individual journeys, never losing my immersion in the tale.
I think this might also be the reason I did not seem to mind how bloody the story was either, because belive me it is bloody! Nothing ever felt over the top or done for no reason.
I was transported fully into the world from page one; Gwynne's writing was so vivid and atmospheric. The setting felt both fantastical and grounded, and I loved the depictions of the Old Gods. I found myself flying through the story - I know some say that it is slow at times, but I found the quieter moments a needed break from the epic action. I was also pleasantly surprised to find themes of family and companionship running very close to the surface of an otherwise violent tale - there is a lot of heart and many insightful moments in this book!
We see the story through the eyes of three characaters: Orka, Elvar and Varg. Each of them were so vividly realised they could easily be real people. Gwynne made me root for all three of them equally and I was never sad to see a different character name at the top of a chapter because I was so invested in their individual journeys.
I was totally hooked from start to finish, and it is safe to say that John Gwynne has a new fan who is eager to dive straight into the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Gore
changelingreader_adrian's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Was a temporary DNF because it wasn't catching me and I had other stuff I needed/wanted to get to, but I liked this enough to pick it back up once a hold on an audiobook I forgot I placed came in. Very slow for like the first half-ish and then got really going and good. So. Medium pace is the best I can give it since it's slow and then pretty fast
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Alcohol, War, Body horror, and Murder
Testicles and descriptions of them are a bit weirdly there, so be prepared for that