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chelsea_mh's review against another edition
2.5
Might have enjoyed this more if I read as a book rather than listening to as an audiobook due to length
afroditi86's review against another edition
4.0
I just put this down and therefore it's not easy to come back to reality and write a review. It was a very very good read. The world building for one was amazing and the characters so skillfully crafted. I had lost my reading mojo as of late but this book brought it back.
I'm looking forward for the next two installments in the trilogy.
I'm looking forward for the next two installments in the trilogy.
kuraias's review against another edition
1.0
Really not my jam. I wish I'd been less stubborn and just given up instead of hoping it would change.
It's not a bad book, I just hated it.
The writing is in a conversational style like someone telling a story (which is 24h long) and bragging about his achievements. There's tons of graphic violence, much of it should really come with a content note, a lot of sex (which is described in such an unappealing way that it's straight-up repulsive -- kind of impressive as a feat), and the overall story gets lost in those retellings of violence and sex. If that sounds appealing, give the book a shot. If you can get through the first 1-2 chapters and enjoy it, it may be for you.
It's not a bad book, I just hated it.
The writing is in a conversational style like someone telling a story (which is 24h long) and bragging about his achievements. There's tons of graphic violence, much of it should really come with a content note, a lot of sex (which is described in such an unappealing way that it's straight-up repulsive -- kind of impressive as a feat), and the overall story gets lost in those retellings of violence and sex. If that sounds appealing, give the book a shot. If you can get through the first 1-2 chapters and enjoy it, it may be for you.
alisaws88's review against another edition
2.0
I can see why people either love or hate this book. It was too much for me personally but I don’t deny that James is an interesting writer.
sarahwiltshire's review against another edition
I hadn't read any Maton James and thought that I would start with this one, as it's part of his 'Dark Star' trilogy. I haven't just had enough dedicated time to do the book justice, as I feel reading it in big chunks would help to really get into the style of the book. I've read the first section and have found it quite violent and sometimes difficult to follow. I will perhaps try it again in the future.
heartsdesire's review against another edition
5.0
definitely worth to read for 600 pages. that's it.
aarnireads's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at somewhere 1/3, skimmed some. While I appreciate the originality and the colorful language and the diversity and I realize this is (somewhat?) inspired by mythology that is always, well, a Lot. I just can't stomach page upon page of unrestrained shit, among them pedophilia and constant rape. Also the lack of any, and i mean ANY, coherent story, pacing or characterization absolutely killed any interest in touching this with a ten-foot-pole.
I'm also very fucking tired of rape as a plot device. Or rape being presented in media at all, especially so graphically. It is unnecessary and absolutely gross and in this one it is constantly there, more often than not directed towards women and literal children. No, thank you.
I'm also very fucking tired of rape as a plot device. Or rape being presented in media at all, especially so graphically. It is unnecessary and absolutely gross and in this one it is constantly there, more often than not directed towards women and literal children. No, thank you.
librarylandlisa's review against another edition
5.0
Woma Woma Woma Woma! I loved this epic fantasy.
lucardus's review against another edition
4.0
Eine sehr finstere, afrikanische Fantasy-Story, die keine Zurückhaltung bei der Schilderung von Gewalt kennt, sich in Sprache und Ausführung eher an literarischen Vorbildern orientiert als an anderen Genre-Autoren. Wer hier einen afrikanischen Tolkien erwartet oder einen Literaten, der in die Fußstapfen von George R. R. Martin treten will, wird sich getäuscht fühlen. Solche Erwartungen werden hier nicht erfüllt. Der Klappentext von Neil Gaiman trifft es recht gut mit den aufgeführten Vergleichen zu Gene Wolfe (Erzählerstimme) und Robert E. Howard (Mentalität und Problemlösungsstrategien des Protagonisten). Was Gaimans dritte Stimme in diesem Chor angeht, Angela Carter, bin ich nicht befähigt ein Urteil zu fällen.
Zum 5-Sterne-Gipfel reicht es nicht, da Marlon James zuweilen etwas zu viel des Guten tut, wenn es um die Schilderung von Kämpfen geht. Gegen Ende kam dahingehend eine leichte Ermüdung bei mir auf.
Aber in jedem Fall ist hier ein ziemlich einzigartiges, faszinierendes, aber auch nicht leicht verdauliches Werk entstanden, das neugierig macht auf mehr. Und es ist am Ende dieses ersten Bandes überhaupt nicht klar, wie es weitergeht.
Zum 5-Sterne-Gipfel reicht es nicht, da Marlon James zuweilen etwas zu viel des Guten tut, wenn es um die Schilderung von Kämpfen geht. Gegen Ende kam dahingehend eine leichte Ermüdung bei mir auf.
Aber in jedem Fall ist hier ein ziemlich einzigartiges, faszinierendes, aber auch nicht leicht verdauliches Werk entstanden, das neugierig macht auf mehr. Und es ist am Ende dieses ersten Bandes überhaupt nicht klar, wie es weitergeht.