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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Good ideas and interesting character interactions, but too much unexplained backstory and poorly written action scenes
Brent Weeks sums up my view of this book in his acknowledgments where he talks about his decision to write the kind of books he likes rather than than the books he ought to like.
I'll admit I struggled with the book at first. To be honest I struggled with the first 50% and when I put it down the first time I wasn't sure I'd pick it up to finish it again. But a friend of mine had recommended the book, the whole trilogy to me, and I really wanted to understand what had made her so excited about this book. And then I got it.
Just when I thought I'd figured out these characters and the games they were playing, it all shifted on me. Then when I thought I'd caught the thread it all seemed to unravel and come together again.
I gave this book 5 stars because I enjoyed it, simple as that. The world was intriguing, the characters complex and there were enough twists to keep me guessing. I'm only hoping I enjoy the second in the trilogy as much.
I'll admit I struggled with the book at first. To be honest I struggled with the first 50% and when I put it down the first time I wasn't sure I'd pick it up to finish it again. But a friend of mine had recommended the book, the whole trilogy to me, and I really wanted to understand what had made her so excited about this book. And then I got it.
Just when I thought I'd figured out these characters and the games they were playing, it all shifted on me. Then when I thought I'd caught the thread it all seemed to unravel and come together again.
I gave this book 5 stars because I enjoyed it, simple as that. The world was intriguing, the characters complex and there were enough twists to keep me guessing. I'm only hoping I enjoy the second in the trilogy as much.
adventurous
mysterious
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
I lovedddd this book!! Not gonna lie, I found myself lost a few times with some of the complications but it all came together so well! Honestly, wanted to slap myself for not picking up on some of the twists, it worked so well! I have been waiting for a read like this for a little while, cannot wait to see how this series continues! Also, Durzo Blint was probably my most favourite character despite his many personality flaws; trying to puzzle him out was brilliant.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The actual narrative structure needs work. The plot is actually decent and reads like a young adult game of thrones level politics. The way all the female characters are written bothered me to no end. They didn't have faces or personalities. They were all body and that was it.
adventurous
dark
tense
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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:
Yes
Tried to read it, but I didn't want to finish it, so as a forewarning, this review may not do the book or the author justice.
It had an interesting plot, it really did, and it was well written, but what I found hard about this book was that the images and themes in this book were so dark and specific that it made my stomach uneasy. That's the only reason. I didn't have the stomach to read about rape, detailed murder, etc, so I quit pretty early on.
It had an interesting plot, it really did, and it was well written, but what I found hard about this book was that the images and themes in this book were so dark and specific that it made my stomach uneasy. That's the only reason. I didn't have the stomach to read about rape, detailed murder, etc, so I quit pretty early on.
medium-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