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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
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
In some ways pretty typical fantasy stuff, but definitely enjoyable. A bit of unexpectedness right at the end. I'm not quite sure where the next two books are going, but I think this one wraps up most things pretty nicely, at least for the main character.
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Not enough world building and too much conflict during what should be the declining action.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, Classism
Picked this book up on a whim while en route to a weekend trip to Monterey, CA. Read the back cover and insert and based on the description and positive review by Terry Brooks (my favorite author) I gave it a shot.
This was just my kind of book. Enough action to keep me entertained and an amount of character development that didn't leave me bored and waiting for more action. The twists and surprises always kept me guessing and there were even parts that emotionally affected me (in a good way). I would recommend this book to anyone.
I am looking forward to the next books in the trilogy.
This was just my kind of book. Enough action to keep me entertained and an amount of character development that didn't leave me bored and waiting for more action. The twists and surprises always kept me guessing and there were even parts that emotionally affected me (in a good way). I would recommend this book to anyone.
I am looking forward to the next books in the trilogy.
This was recommended to me by some of my guy friends, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked the book. Glad I bought the whole trilogy so I have the next two to read on my nook!
My only complaint about this story was that the viewpoints changed more than I would have liked. Sometimes parts of the story left me really confused because I didn't have a good grasp of what was going on.
My only complaint about this story was that the viewpoints changed more than I would have liked. Sometimes parts of the story left me really confused because I didn't have a good grasp of what was going on.
¿Me ha gustado este libro? bastante ¿lo recomiendo? depende. Es un libro con muy pocos personajes femeninos y todos los que tiene están relacionados de una forma o de otra con la prostitución/abuso sexual/violencia excesiva. No es que en la vida de los hombres no haya violencia, es que a las mujeres esa violencia las anula. Mamá K es la única con algo de relevancia real y no os voy a hacer spoiler, pero cada vez que salía terminaba mirando al techo y suspirando.
Dicho esto, es una historia altamente cinematográfica. Engancha. Tiene una parte a la mitad donde empieza a hacerse un poco más cuesta arriba pero lo compensa con el bastante vertiginoso tramo final.
¿Seguiré con los otros? Sí.
Dicho esto, es una historia altamente cinematográfica. Engancha. Tiene una parte a la mitad donde empieza a hacerse un poco más cuesta arriba pero lo compensa con el bastante vertiginoso tramo final.
¿Seguiré con los otros? Sí.
There's imagination lurking here, and story potential -- just enough to keep me reading (well, or skimming; enough chapters in a row of highly detailed combat gets pretty boring). I'd have appreciated if in 600 pages we could have found out a little more about this world's magic, which was easily its most original idea.
The chief problem is how much the story is overwhelmed by the formulaic. Almost everyone is a walking trope, and the two protagonists substitute character development for either perpetually angsting out at each other or engaging in overlong fight scenes. (It's also not a very good sign when plot-climax-induced revelations, intended to give the story epic dimensions, only alienate you further from characters you already felt you didn't know.) The women are all virgins or whores (with hearts of gold), both of whom are constantly being sacrificed on the altar of male plot fuel.
And finally, the climactic clash between the two antiheroes just seemed stupid. Why are they fighting? Something something vengeance? Except that they need to explain to each other their mysterious grievances while they fight? (Actually, no matter how much the author lectured me on their motivations along the way, none of it really fit their characters or actions.) At least one of them is supposed to be endlessly clever, but couldn't think of a way out of a perfunctory bit of blackmail? The other one's supposed to be impulsive, but he's the one trying to avoid the fight and focus on what really matters?
It's pretty hard to enjoy a dance of death between two ultimate assassins when you're just thinking of all the ways you could have arranged for them to clash more plausibly and meaningfully. Or better yet, be doing something more interesting and productive. Or at least coherent. Sheesh.
The chief problem is how much the story is overwhelmed by the formulaic. Almost everyone is a walking trope, and the two protagonists substitute character development for either perpetually angsting out at each other or engaging in overlong fight scenes. (It's also not a very good sign when plot-climax-induced revelations, intended to give the story epic dimensions, only alienate you further from characters you already felt you didn't know.) The women are all virgins or whores (with hearts of gold), both of whom are constantly being sacrificed on the altar of male plot fuel.
And finally, the climactic clash between the two antiheroes just seemed stupid. Why are they fighting? Something something vengeance? Except that they need to explain to each other their mysterious grievances while they fight? (Actually, no matter how much the author lectured me on their motivations along the way, none of it really fit their characters or actions.) At least one of them is supposed to be endlessly clever, but couldn't think of a way out of a perfunctory bit of blackmail? The other one's supposed to be impulsive, but he's the one trying to avoid the fight and focus on what really matters?
It's pretty hard to enjoy a dance of death between two ultimate assassins when you're just thinking of all the ways you could have arranged for them to clash more plausibly and meaningfully. Or better yet, be doing something more interesting and productive. Or at least coherent. Sheesh.