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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
I have read two of this author's books. For me, the main technical inadequacy that one must get past to enjoy his writing is that, while he does create a unique and complex world for his characters, the characters all think, act, and talk as if they live in 2010s America. That is, one doesn't receive the impression that the characters were formed by the fantastic world they inhabit. This level of sophistication as a writer seems absent: the fantasy world is the platform for the plot, but not for the character's psychology.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3 ½ stars
I think I have been spoilt ROTTEN by reading Brandon Sanderson books. I found the female characters a lot stronger than the male ones and the storyline almost cautious, not taking chances. I think the author is taking his time building the momentum as there are 6 books in this series and many of the climaxes felt a little safe and convenient
There are 3 main characters:
Raithe – part of the more savage tribes known to fight rather than talk. The plot starts when he kills a Fhrey, which are worshiped as Gods during this era. This sparks the flame of rebellions.
Persephone – Wife of the village chieftain, she struggles to fit into her new role as widow in a village that is being threatened by war
Suri – a young girl having been brought up to follow in the footsteps of the local mystic. She is full of intricate tattoos, wanders around the forest with her wolf and occasionally talks to trees
The main antagonist felt like a little like a cookie cutter bad guy adding nothing new in his role in the story. The politics between the Fhrey was also not the best part of the storyline and I constantly wanted to get back to Raith, Persephone and Suri.
But the writing was good, with plenty of action and unexpected humour.
Overall really enjoyed reading this and am looking forward to reading book 2 during holidays when I want to read something nice and easy.
If you like fantasy then this is a good author to try out.
I think I have been spoilt ROTTEN by reading Brandon Sanderson books. I found the female characters a lot stronger than the male ones and the storyline almost cautious, not taking chances. I think the author is taking his time building the momentum as there are 6 books in this series and many of the climaxes felt a little safe and convenient
There are 3 main characters:
Raithe – part of the more savage tribes known to fight rather than talk. The plot starts when he kills a Fhrey, which are worshiped as Gods during this era. This sparks the flame of rebellions.
Persephone – Wife of the village chieftain, she struggles to fit into her new role as widow in a village that is being threatened by war
Suri – a young girl having been brought up to follow in the footsteps of the local mystic. She is full of intricate tattoos, wanders around the forest with her wolf and occasionally talks to trees
The main antagonist felt like a little like a cookie cutter bad guy adding nothing new in his role in the story. The politics between the Fhrey was also not the best part of the storyline and I constantly wanted to get back to Raith, Persephone and Suri.
But the writing was good, with plenty of action and unexpected humour.
Overall really enjoyed reading this and am looking forward to reading book 2 during holidays when I want to read something nice and easy.
If you like fantasy then this is a good author to try out.
And we are off on another adventure. Michael J. Sullivan is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I love the Riyera novels. This new series backs up several thousand years and starts anew in the far-prehistory. It is an interesting concept. Do you need to read his previous novels? Nope. Does it help? It does add a lot of fun.
What I love about the way Sullivan writes these prehistory novels is that not all the facts are ... facts. Events change over time. What actually happened gets retold, changed, inflated, deflated, remembered incorrectly, altered to the point that what happens in this book are recognizable at times, but not quite exactly as they are presented three millennia later. I like this technique. It is kind of fun, actually.
Another consideration Sullivan made I enjoy is the change in technology. Life is very different for these people. Technology isn't there. In fact, he presents new 'inventions', like a pocket, that I had always taken for granted, but of course someone had to invent the concept. It really made me stop and rethink the evolution of society over the ages.
The entire story is engaging and well laid out. I had some things figured out from the beginning, others surprised me - just the way I like a story. I can't wait until the next book comes out this summer.
What I love about the way Sullivan writes these prehistory novels is that not all the facts are ... facts. Events change over time. What actually happened gets retold, changed, inflated, deflated, remembered incorrectly, altered to the point that what happens in this book are recognizable at times, but not quite exactly as they are presented three millennia later. I like this technique. It is kind of fun, actually.
Another consideration Sullivan made I enjoy is the change in technology. Life is very different for these people. Technology isn't there. In fact, he presents new 'inventions', like a pocket, that I had always taken for granted, but of course someone had to invent the concept. It really made me stop and rethink the evolution of society over the ages.
The entire story is engaging and well laid out. I had some things figured out from the beginning, others surprised me - just the way I like a story. I can't wait until the next book comes out this summer.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed the other series in this world but this just fell completely flat. A friend had warned me but I still expected it to be passable. This is a DNF less than 10% of the way in.
I was a beta reader for Rhune, and it's awesome. Sullivan's new entry in the world of Riyria takes place thousands of years before the previous series, but the drama and intensity remain. Really looking forward to this book coming out next year to see what kind of changes are made!