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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I feel like I should have liked this book a lot more than I did. I'm not sure what it was, but I couldn't get immersed in the world like I usually do with fantasy books. About halfway through the book the action ramped up which got me more interested, but I kept forgetting who people were, how they related to each other, what their motivations were etc. At the end of the book I also didn't have a clear idea of the world - politics, magic structure etc - but that may have been my fault for not paying close enough attention.
All in all I liked it and will probably read the other books in the series at some point, but won't go out of my way to do so.
All in all I liked it and will probably read the other books in the series at some point, but won't go out of my way to do so.
Despite a somewhat cheesy cover this book doesn't disappoint. In the post George R. R. Martin era of gritty fantasy this book is a joy and a pain to read. It's a pain only in that Brent Weeks pulls so few punches and this story climaxes into an ending that leaves nobody unscathed. If you want a grimdark fantasy that leaves your flawed heroes worse off than when they started but more admirable for their struggles then look no further.
My biggest qualm was that the magic system of this world feels very "magicky" and doesn't provide the readers with much understanding as to what limitations exist within the magic world. Brandon Sanderson has spoiled me that way though. Otherwise this is a great book and a fun but dark read!
My biggest qualm was that the magic system of this world feels very "magicky" and doesn't provide the readers with much understanding as to what limitations exist within the magic world. Brandon Sanderson has spoiled me that way though. Otherwise this is a great book and a fun but dark read!
I had heard this series was good, but have only now gotten around to starting it. So far it is pretty awesome. Looking forward to the next two in the series.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a bad start to the series. Not sure I want to read 2 more just like this, but if it progresses well, I'm in. Lots of good stuff and lots of good potential.
Twas poorly written, but the story itself was enthralling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Oh my God, that was epic! A perfect blend of a believable kingdom in squalor and beautifully crafted magic and mystery. Add some humor, sarcasm, passion love and death (going hand in hand), and a little unnecessary profanities (however, they were very well placed and didn't seem so bad in that setting) and you have an altogether good read. I loved it. School and work has been keeping me from reading as much as I would have liked, and I would have liked to stay up for two days straight, wired on caffeine, and read until either A) my eyes dried up and fell out or B) I finished this wonderful read. I have to get to the next few books, and soon.
Lots of fun, but the last third is a bit muddled, and a major twist toward the end - while obvious - was unnecessary, and detracted from the story.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No