Scan barcode
robi22's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
davidgreenwriter's review
5.0
Ambiguous and delightfully dark, this is epic fantasy distilled into a wonderful novelette. Scraw held my attention throughout, and at times I found myself rooting for him.
Excellent writing, gripping story.
Excellent writing, gripping story.
booknookbella's review
5.0
Gravitas
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
World: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: N/A
This was an intriguing short. Dark and from the POV of the villain, but hard to summarise without spoiling. I enjoyed this one, though. I'd read more about this world.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
World: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: N/A
This was an intriguing short. Dark and from the POV of the villain, but hard to summarise without spoiling. I enjoyed this one, though. I'd read more about this world.
constant2m's review
5.0
Gravitas is a strange tale of a strange man with strange magic. Scraw is a fixer, which means exactly what it sounds like it means. He is the only one with the ability to save Lestadt. But that requires more magic, much more magic. When magic is granted to him by more and less conventional means, Scraw uses it to build a monument, the ultimate monument. But will it be enough to save them? Or will the rebels get to him first?
This fantastic villain story tackled more than most short stories are capable of, laying out a fascinating world with its politics and wars and social classes. I recommend this to anyone who loves a smart story with hints and foreshadowing and scheming villains. (I've also heard that Christopher's full length novel is even better, and I'm looking forward to seeing how its worldbuilding intersects with this story.)
Full disclosure: I edited this story. But I also thought it was excellent writing and have reviewed it freely.
This fantastic villain story tackled more than most short stories are capable of, laying out a fascinating world with its politics and wars and social classes. I recommend this to anyone who loves a smart story with hints and foreshadowing and scheming villains. (I've also heard that Christopher's full length novel is even better, and I'm looking forward to seeing how its worldbuilding intersects with this story.)
Full disclosure: I edited this story. But I also thought it was excellent writing and have reviewed it freely.
ketreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Spoiler free:
A fast paced 50 page novella by Christopher Russell following the main character of Fixer Scraw, our anti-hero, attempting to save his country at any cost.
The world felt familiar and yet strange right off the bat. The Court of Magisters, the ruling power of Lestadt, calls on Scraw as a last-ditch effort when a prophecy foretells the fall of Lestadt. I loved that our main guy was clearly a, excuse my ineloquent language, right knob head straight away. He isn't our usual fantasy good guy. None of those in power are, but he sees himself as a lesser evil.
My favourite part was the magic system. Something we got to see a small taster of, though I'd love to see it explored further in some of Russell's future works. I'd much rather do a spoiler free review and hopefully get people to read it. (Read it! It's free and only 50 pages.) I won't go into further detail. Just know; the magic is super cool and nothing like I've seen in fantasy before!
Overall, the story was thrilling and kept me on my toes the whole way through. I am definitely interested in reading any further books set in this world 😍
A fast paced 50 page novella by Christopher Russell following the main character of Fixer Scraw, our anti-hero, attempting to save his country at any cost.
The world felt familiar and yet strange right off the bat. The Court of Magisters, the ruling power of Lestadt, calls on Scraw as a last-ditch effort when a prophecy foretells the fall of Lestadt. I loved that our main guy was clearly a, excuse my ineloquent language, right knob head straight away. He isn't our usual fantasy good guy. None of those in power are, but he sees himself as a lesser evil.
My favourite part was the magic system. Something we got to see a small taster of, though I'd love to see it explored further in some of Russell's future works. I'd much rather do a spoiler free review and hopefully get people to read it. (Read it! It's free and only 50 pages.) I won't go into further detail. Just know; the magic is super cool and nothing like I've seen in fantasy before!
Overall, the story was thrilling and kept me on my toes the whole way through. I am definitely interested in reading any further books set in this world 😍
More...