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dragontomes2000's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am so happy and excited to have finally be getting to this series by Anna Stephens. Godblind is a dark multi POV story about a world on the brink of rebellion and where the light Gods are losing their power and the dark Gods are regaining theirs. This story is a one of political intrigue, found families, lies, deciet, violence, and faith.
The incredibly fast pace and intricate world building are the shining moments of this book. This book literally opens at full speed and never lets off the gas pedal. The world building is told throughout the story in tiny details but also through some of the characters. I think it is done very well, Anna Stephens divulges information but just enough to keep you wanting to come back for more.
Also we are introduced to a slew of main characters right away which can be a tad jarring. This is also the stories weakest element. There are so many characters that not all of them get fleshed out, while some of them are. What is really great is that even though these characters don't seem fleshed out enough, every character has a purpose. There are some standout characters for me like Rillirin, Lanta, Corvus, Dom, Tara, Crys, and Galtas. Plus I do love me a story that tells the stories from both the protagonists and the antagonists.
I see a lot of great potential in this series. Now the first book may not be perfect but the foundation is there. Anna Stephens is an author I can tell is not afraid to take risks. This series is just beginning and I am all strapped in for the ride.
The incredibly fast pace and intricate world building are the shining moments of this book. This book literally opens at full speed and never lets off the gas pedal. The world building is told throughout the story in tiny details but also through some of the characters. I think it is done very well, Anna Stephens divulges information but just enough to keep you wanting to come back for more.
Also we are introduced to a slew of main characters right away which can be a tad jarring. This is also the stories weakest element. There are so many characters that not all of them get fleshed out, while some of them are. What is really great is that even though these characters don't seem fleshed out enough, every character has a purpose. There are some standout characters for me like Rillirin, Lanta, Corvus, Dom, Tara, Crys, and Galtas. Plus I do love me a story that tells the stories from both the protagonists and the antagonists.
I see a lot of great potential in this series. Now the first book may not be perfect but the foundation is there. Anna Stephens is an author I can tell is not afraid to take risks. This series is just beginning and I am all strapped in for the ride.
lsmith36's review
5.0
This book singlehandedly reminded me why I actually do like fantasy. It also finally showed me what Grimdark is, and I can say that it was a wild ride from start to finish and I desperately wish that I could read it again for the first time.
davemg's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
difero05's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
debbiechristina's review against another edition
2.0
DNF'ed at 63%
Maybe audiobook wasn't the best way to go for this book. I was confused the whole time, what was going on and what was the plot of the story. And it didn't help that the book was constantly switching from POV's. Each chapter was a different POV and they were overall short, so I didn't get the time to connect with the characters and I didn't get what made them important to the plot.
Maybe someday I will give this book another try, and that I know I will read it.
Maybe audiobook wasn't the best way to go for this book. I was confused the whole time, what was going on and what was the plot of the story. And it didn't help that the book was constantly switching from POV's. Each chapter was a different POV and they were overall short, so I didn't get the time to connect with the characters and I didn't get what made them important to the plot.
Maybe someday I will give this book another try, and that I know I will read it.
grmatthews's review
5.0
Reading during a pandemic has been tough. I've finished a few books, but this one has a conclusion which makes you want to read the next - there is despair, and some darkness, but is there a spark of hope (even hidden well amongst the death and destruction!)?
nerdyboy's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Overall I enjoyed this book. Had a rough start but picked up about halfway through and I raced through to the end. Written with excessively short chapters that could have been a bit longer and with perhaps fewer POV(there are I think 11) and a bit more worldbuilding this could have been something special. Still enough here for me to continue on to book 2.