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gotoboston's review against another edition
4.0
This was just as good as the first one. Much longer and definitely more lore heavy and a little less action packed. Still, there's a lot of action and heists and plotting. And I definitely enjoyed learning more about this world and it's history and all the lore. It's a shame that this series doesn't seem to be continuing cause I really enjoyed it.
soulfulsin's review against another edition
5.0
Need...sequel...what do you mean there isn't even a glint of it on the horizon? Aaah...
jasonoffer's review against another edition
5.0
Hulick just seems to have that ability to drag you into a story, keep you interested and make you desperate for some spare time to get back to the book. Hulick has this. The main protagonist is simply a fantastic creation, he is interesting, get's himself in to all sorts of spots and in a strange way is believable.
The main thing above all others that I enjoy is the interaction between various characters, this is often witty and often equates to verbal warfare. The only other author who seems to excel in this interaction, humor, pace and action in the first person is Daniel Polansky. i cannot recommend this book highly enough.
The main thing above all others that I enjoy is the interaction between various characters, this is often witty and often equates to verbal warfare. The only other author who seems to excel in this interaction, humor, pace and action in the first person is Daniel Polansky. i cannot recommend this book highly enough.
wmhenrymorris's review against another edition
An entertaining follow-up that delivers answers to several of the questions raised in the first. What more could you ask for?
schomj's review against another edition
4.0
What I liked:
* it's not a battle of good versus evil, it's Drothe versus the world, and I'm glad the author recognizes that those concepts are not the same
* while Drothe is the protagonist, he's also a pawn for other, more powerful characters. It's fun to watch a main character figure his way out of dilemmas through guile and having friends, and even by accident, rather than being saved by conveniently-appearing superpowers or being some sort of chosen one. (I liked that from the first book too, and glad it's continuing)
* while moral ambiguity is the name of the game, and the tone is dark at times, the writing is also light enough that I ended the book delighted rather than depressed. I actually laughed out loud when I found out the Order's plans for Drothe at the end of the book, even though it totally screws up Drothe's plans for himself.
* a multicultural cast of characters, with female characters who are actual characters with their own agendas and skills that are completely unrelated to getting into Drother's pants -- and no expectation that Drothe has any right to get into theirs just because he's the book's hero (seriously, this new era of fantasy is such an improvement in that aspect)
What I didn't:
There wasn't anything that really bothered me, so these are pretty minor points --
* It is kind of formulaic. But, I like the fantasy-caper formula, especially the kind with lots of twisty reveals, so I'm actually ok with that. May not be for everybody though.
* I really hope we don't have to wait another 3 years for the next volume. (I'm sure the author has work and family obligations, so I get it, but... I want to read the next book now!)
* it's not a battle of good versus evil, it's Drothe versus the world, and I'm glad the author recognizes that those concepts are not the same
* while Drothe is the protagonist, he's also a pawn for other, more powerful characters. It's fun to watch a main character figure his way out of dilemmas through guile and having friends, and even by accident, rather than being saved by conveniently-appearing superpowers or being some sort of chosen one. (I liked that from the first book too, and glad it's continuing)
* while moral ambiguity is the name of the game, and the tone is dark at times, the writing is also light enough that I ended the book delighted rather than depressed. I actually laughed out loud when I found out the Order's plans for Drothe at the end of the book, even though it totally screws up Drothe's plans for himself.
* a multicultural cast of characters, with female characters who are actual characters with their own agendas and skills that are completely unrelated to getting into Drother's pants -- and no expectation that Drothe has any right to get into theirs just because he's the book's hero (seriously, this new era of fantasy is such an improvement in that aspect)
What I didn't:
There wasn't anything that really bothered me, so these are pretty minor points --
* It is kind of formulaic. But, I like the fantasy-caper formula, especially the kind with lots of twisty reveals, so I'm actually ok with that. May not be for everybody though.
* I really hope we don't have to wait another 3 years for the next volume. (I'm sure the author has work and family obligations, so I get it, but... I want to read the next book now!)
cupiscent's review
3.0
There are many things about this that I like - Drothe as a character, because he feels very of-the-street without being overwhelmingly badass; his relationships, complex and messy, with the people around him; the mistakes he makes and the plot they drive; and a world with a lot of interesting elements flapping around. It just wasn't quite as tight as it could be, though, and a lot of the detail and intricacy was distracting rather than immersive. Still, a fun thief's-tale fantasy romp.
reznyson's review against another edition
3.0
When writing any story, a good question to ask ones self is "what is that's propelling the story forward? What is it that needs to be resolved before the story can end?"
It was certainly asked in Hulick's first novel, Among Thieves. There was a clear throughline of challenges the protagonist Drothe has to get through in short order, for the sake of survival, friendship, and other things. And those challenges felt clear and understandable.
Unfortunately Sworn in Steel doesn't really have the same drive the first one had. In fact a lot of the time the drama and challenges Drothe once again faces feel artificial, and sometimes forgotten altogether like the author brought it up to go somewhere but then couldn't find anywhere for it to go.
For example, apparently the only way any criminal in this world ever greets any other is through threats, cons, setups, cajolery, kidnapping, or etc. No other means of communication is apparently allowed. Even when, as is often the case in Sworn in Steel, the two parties don't actually have any direct reason before hand to be hostile towards each other whatsoever, the go to greeting is "do it or I'll kill you and everyone you know!"
It becomes a crutch to rely on when things are getting too dull. It's not just how the entire story starts back up again *Minor spoilers*
Despite a quick face to face talk obviously showing that both initial main characters would share a mutual goal anyway with animosity between the two really only complicating matters */Spoilers*
But it also happens quite often, again and again and again, just to introduce some drama to proceedings the author seems to realize would otherwise have gotten kind of dull. And often these threats to Drothe don't even go anywhere or are forgotten about for half the book. One character will show up, threaten Drothe's life, and then disappear with no consequence for most of the rest of the book, which is what makes for the dull dead areas to begin with and necessitates yet another character/party showing up to threaten Drothe yet again. It gets utterly tiring, and the author even knows that pretty much none of these threats really make any sense, as each one is followed up by a detailed explanation trying justify it that doesn't really connect.
Apparently in the "Tales of the Kin" universe the only possible greeting or even communication whatsoever between two parties of criminals is one going up to the other, hitting them in the face a couple times, insulting them, and putting a knife to their throat, and only then asking them who they are, what they're doing there, and would they like to stop by for some tea later?
It was certainly asked in Hulick's first novel, Among Thieves. There was a clear throughline of challenges the protagonist Drothe has to get through in short order, for the sake of survival, friendship, and other things. And those challenges felt clear and understandable.
Unfortunately Sworn in Steel doesn't really have the same drive the first one had. In fact a lot of the time the drama and challenges Drothe once again faces feel artificial, and sometimes forgotten altogether like the author brought it up to go somewhere but then couldn't find anywhere for it to go.
For example, apparently the only way any criminal in this world ever greets any other is through threats, cons, setups, cajolery, kidnapping, or etc. No other means of communication is apparently allowed. Even when, as is often the case in Sworn in Steel, the two parties don't actually have any direct reason before hand to be hostile towards each other whatsoever, the go to greeting is "do it or I'll kill you and everyone you know!"
It becomes a crutch to rely on when things are getting too dull. It's not just how the entire story starts back up again *Minor spoilers*
Despite a quick face to face talk obviously showing that both initial main characters would share a mutual goal anyway with animosity between the two really only complicating matters */Spoilers*
But it also happens quite often, again and again and again, just to introduce some drama to proceedings the author seems to realize would otherwise have gotten kind of dull. And often these threats to Drothe don't even go anywhere or are forgotten about for half the book. One character will show up, threaten Drothe's life, and then disappear with no consequence for most of the rest of the book, which is what makes for the dull dead areas to begin with and necessitates yet another character/party showing up to threaten Drothe yet again. It gets utterly tiring, and the author even knows that pretty much none of these threats really make any sense, as each one is followed up by a detailed explanation trying justify it that doesn't really connect.
Apparently in the "Tales of the Kin" universe the only possible greeting or even communication whatsoever between two parties of criminals is one going up to the other, hitting them in the face a couple times, insulting them, and putting a knife to their throat, and only then asking them who they are, what they're doing there, and would they like to stop by for some tea later?
balefire's review against another edition
4.0
Very nearly 5* excellent intrigue and twists. I enjoyed how the storyline progressed and how we found out more secrets. I liked the new characters and the last 10% was fantastic.
jamiebarrows's review against another edition
4.0
Good sequel to the first book. Drothe is now a gray prince and is struggling to keep his organization under control. And the Degan mercenary brotherhood is not helping as they push him to hunt for his old friend Bronze Degan.