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tadhgerman's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been a fan if Feist since I was very young and always loved his writing. It’s great to see he has lost nothing moving to a new world and new characters. This promises to be an excellent series with memorable characters.
historydragon54's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jaybeereads's review against another edition
Boring. Repetitive. Bland characters.
str1d3r's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
heidi_mcj's review against another edition
4.0
Very entertaining. I am looking forward to the next installment.
xavierdragnesi's review against another edition
4.0
Despite being a fantasy aficionado, this has been my first foray into Feist's work (though the Riftwar series is on my to-read list). Given his reputation for interesting characters and detailed world building, it's perhaps not surprising that I very much enjoyed discovering the world of Garn through the eyes of Hatu, Declan and the supporting cast. While some of the world's constituents are typical fantasy elements, the detail Feist applies to brings them to life as well as the process of learning about them through the characters' own viewpoints were both very fulfilling.
My main gripe with the book is that it does seem like a bit of an extended prologue. Although there were certainly moments of excitement and climax, the plot mainly felt purposed to bring the characters together in preparation for something bigger that is yet to come. As happy as I was to have the backgrounds and personalities of Hatu, Declan, Daylon and others intricately teased out throughout the length of the book, I did feel the payoff to be rather lacking, especially with me just coming out of the Wheel of Time. Similarly, while refreshing to have a fantasy where the magical and otherworldly elements seem more subtle, they were also often unexpected and unexplored, so I hope we see more about their nature and their place in the world later. However, all of this does make me all the more interested to see how this all plays out in the rest of the trilogy.
All in all, I thought this was a solid start to a new series, and for me, as good an opportunity as any other to experience Feist's writing, and I look forward to the publication of the next book.
My main gripe with the book is that it does seem like a bit of an extended prologue. Although there were certainly moments of excitement and climax, the plot mainly felt purposed to bring the characters together in preparation for something bigger that is yet to come. As happy as I was to have the backgrounds and personalities of Hatu, Declan, Daylon and others intricately teased out throughout the length of the book, I did feel the payoff to be rather lacking, especially with me just coming out of the Wheel of Time. Similarly, while refreshing to have a fantasy where the magical and otherworldly elements seem more subtle, they were also often unexpected and unexplored, so I hope we see more about their nature and their place in the world later. However, all of this does make me all the more interested to see how this all plays out in the rest of the trilogy.
All in all, I thought this was a solid start to a new series, and for me, as good an opportunity as any other to experience Feist's writing, and I look forward to the publication of the next book.
mellhay's review against another edition
4.0
The one thing that pops for me in Raymond's writing is his ability to bring characters to life. He creates solid, full systems in which they live in and then break out of. His world creating is always vast and complete with the lives and characters we have.
Declan and Hatu are two special young men who, of course, don't know how special they are. Individually, we follow them as they journey out into the world at important moments in their lives. They see and learn things they didn't think they would experience, but somehow they survive and carry on.
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
Declan and Hatu are two special young men who, of course, don't know how special they are. Individually, we follow them as they journey out into the world at important moments in their lives. They see and learn things they didn't think they would experience, but somehow they survive and carry on.
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
hanseah's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing Character and World Building
Book One is definitely setting up for a wonderful saga. I truly enjoyed the characters stories as they unfold and intertwine to set the stage for book 2. I limited the rating to 4 stars because at times the story felt a bit weak and there was a need to move it a bit quicker. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
Book One is definitely setting up for a wonderful saga. I truly enjoyed the characters stories as they unfold and intertwine to set the stage for book 2. I limited the rating to 4 stars because at times the story felt a bit weak and there was a need to move it a bit quicker. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
bekah_beks's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wanted to like it, but there just did not seem to be a solid plot and the main character Hatu, I found annoying.
mshield's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounded up.
If I was asked how this was, my genuine response would be, "It was alright".
It was very run of the mill, with no real innovation shining through. Which would be fine if, like in Sword in the Storm (by David Gemmell, my last fantasy read), there was plenty going on. Alas, there were extended periods of near boredom, particularly for the first quarter.
It suffers from first in a series syndrome. Feist is too concerned with big picture for the series that the individual book fell flat. It was not a satisfactory or rounded ending, though it sets up nicely for a sequel.
So, what was not bad? Some of the characters were likeable. Small story elements and action sequences were OK. I appreciate that he tried to feel us into the world, rather than info dumping it on us.
I might read the next entry, but I won't be rushing to do so.
Side note: the copy I have (published by Harper Voyager, 2019) is riddled with typographical errors. If at least 10 counts as riddled - I've never read a book with more than 2 or 3 typos, so I'm classing this as infested.
If I was asked how this was, my genuine response would be, "It was alright".
It was very run of the mill, with no real innovation shining through. Which would be fine if, like in Sword in the Storm (by David Gemmell, my last fantasy read), there was plenty going on. Alas, there were extended periods of near boredom, particularly for the first quarter.
It suffers from first in a series syndrome. Feist is too concerned with big picture for the series that the individual book fell flat. It was not a satisfactory or rounded ending, though it sets up nicely for a sequel.
So, what was not bad? Some of the characters were likeable. Small story elements and action sequences were OK. I appreciate that he tried to feel us into the world, rather than info dumping it on us.
I might read the next entry, but I won't be rushing to do so.
Side note: the copy I have (published by Harper Voyager, 2019) is riddled with typographical errors. If at least 10 counts as riddled - I've never read a book with more than 2 or 3 typos, so I'm classing this as infested.