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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
The first half of the book introduces us to the protagonist Azoth, who is later called Kylar, Logan Gyre, the Sakage, the magic system and it gives a bit background information. I personally think that the this part was to long. The author just spends to much time with Azoth. I also would have liked if the different kinds of magic would be more differentiated. I don't really get how the magic the wytches use is different from the magic the wetboys use.
I would have also liked if the author would have explained the structure of the Sakage more (I didn't get that the nine had a Leader until much later in the story, and even then it isn't really stated how he gets appointed).
I also didn't really liked that Kylar was always questioning himself if being a wetboy is what he wants and who he really is. In the Mistborn trilogy Vin is also asking herself the same question but in contrast to Kylar she was just shoved into the events. Kylar on the other hand chose this way for himself, so I don't buy the „Who am I?” part of the story.
In the second half of the book the plot finally sets in. And then the book gets just AWESOME. There are alot of twists, which are surprising but don't come out of nowhere. The description of the characters is also fantastic. For example the passage where you see Durzo's human side when he tells Kylar about what happened with Vonda. This is just perfectly written and rounds Durzo's character up.
After I forced myself through the first half, I really enjoyed the book. I hope that the second book will get even better.
I would have also liked if the author would have explained the structure of the Sakage more (I didn't get that the nine had a Leader until much later in the story, and even then it isn't really stated how he gets appointed).
I also didn't really liked that Kylar was always questioning himself if being a wetboy is what he wants and who he really is. In the Mistborn trilogy Vin is also asking herself the same question but in contrast to Kylar she was just shoved into the events. Kylar on the other hand chose this way for himself, so I don't buy the „Who am I?” part of the story.
In the second half of the book the plot finally sets in. And then the book gets just AWESOME. There are alot of twists, which are surprising but don't come out of nowhere. The description of the characters is also fantastic. For example the passage where you see Durzo's human side when he tells Kylar about what happened with Vonda. This is just perfectly written and rounds Durzo's character up.
After I forced myself through the first half, I really enjoyed the book. I hope that the second book will get even better.
I tried, dammit. I feel like there are good ideas here, but like everything is being just told to me. Weeks will both show and tell something and it grates on my nerves
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Buen libro, pense que seria un poco infantil, pero estaba equivocado, es bastante crudo. Es una historia fantastica con personajes humanos, me refiero a que ninguna de sus acciones o motivaciones escapan de lo que llegaria a hacer alguien en su situación. Fue una buena compra el libro.
Terminado de leer me deja un sabor agridulce, no me arrepiento de haberlo comprado, pero me parece que la curva de entusiasmo se estanco antes del final.
Terminado de leer me deja un sabor agridulce, no me arrepiento de haberlo comprado, pero me parece que la curva de entusiasmo se estanco antes del final.
3.5
Having hit my 300-books-read in 2017 goal with 2 days to spare, I decided to splurge with a long book. The Way of Shadows is 659 pages long and fit the bill. Considering I bought it in October of 2014, I was confused about why I hadn't read it before now. They I discovered (or rediscovered, because this is undoubtably why I set it aside and forgot about it) that it is the first in a SPINOFF series.
I cannot tell you how many times I've picked up a 'book one,' only to realize it's not actually a first book at all, and I'm starting to get a little sensitive about it. I stuck with it though, since I'd already started it when I made this rediscovery. For those in the same boat, it's readable. Though you certainly feel you're missing some history.
Overall, I felt this was overly long but other wise pretty good (with one major exception). I liked the characters, the world, the writing, the magic system and the story. I'm interested in going back and picking the series up at the beginning and reading the rest of it. All good things.
Here's my one BIG exception. I understand that throughout history the age of majority has not always been what it is today and that people often married a lot earlier than we do now, which means having sex earlier. I even understand that in certain parts of the world this is still happening. I'm not a prude about sex and I get that this book is meant to be gritty. But after the 11-year-old boy gets repeatedly raped (one of many), another uses sex as bait, 2 8-year-old prostitutes offer debasing sex acts, the 15-year-old's sexy body is described in detail as she attempts to consummate her marriage, and the mere existence of child brothels as a practice, as well as several other vaguer references, I just started to feel a little contaminated and dirty. It was just constantly there. Never told in glorified, titillating detail, but always present. And that was just sex, there was of course the constant reality of violence and starvation too. It was too much for me.
Similarly, no female characters exist outside of their sex. They're either prostitutes, mistresses, exceptional virgins or being used for political bargaining chips. Epic fantasy has a long history of this, but it's still aways disappointing to find.
Outside of that one biggy, I consider this a win and look forward to reading more of Weeks work.
Having hit my 300-books-read in 2017 goal with 2 days to spare, I decided to splurge with a long book. The Way of Shadows is 659 pages long and fit the bill. Considering I bought it in October of 2014, I was confused about why I hadn't read it before now. They I discovered (or rediscovered, because this is undoubtably why I set it aside and forgot about it) that it is the first in a SPINOFF series.
I cannot tell you how many times I've picked up a 'book one,' only to realize it's not actually a first book at all, and I'm starting to get a little sensitive about it. I stuck with it though, since I'd already started it when I made this rediscovery. For those in the same boat, it's readable. Though you certainly feel you're missing some history.
Overall, I felt this was overly long but other wise pretty good (with one major exception). I liked the characters, the world, the writing, the magic system and the story. I'm interested in going back and picking the series up at the beginning and reading the rest of it. All good things.
Here's my one BIG exception. I understand that throughout history the age of majority has not always been what it is today and that people often married a lot earlier than we do now, which means having sex earlier. I even understand that in certain parts of the world this is still happening. I'm not a prude about sex and I get that this book is meant to be gritty. But after the 11-year-old boy gets repeatedly raped (one of many), another uses sex as bait, 2 8-year-old prostitutes offer debasing sex acts, the 15-year-old's sexy body is described in detail as she attempts to consummate her marriage, and the mere existence of child brothels as a practice, as well as several other vaguer references, I just started to feel a little contaminated and dirty. It was just constantly there. Never told in glorified, titillating detail, but always present. And that was just sex, there was of course the constant reality of violence and starvation too. It was too much for me.
Similarly, no female characters exist outside of their sex. They're either prostitutes, mistresses, exceptional virgins or being used for political bargaining chips. Epic fantasy has a long history of this, but it's still aways disappointing to find.
Outside of that one biggy, I consider this a win and look forward to reading more of Weeks work.
adventurous
dark
funny
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
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story was interesting and definitely had potential, but I just couldn’t get into the writing style. There wasn’t enough character or world-building for my taste either. Kinda disappointing. I don’t think I’ll be finishing the trilogy.
