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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? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Darksoul is a very solid sequel to Godblind. Although it didn't improve where I needed it to, my enjoyment was still the same. Anna Stephens is definitely a master at her craft and this series is dark.
Darksoul picks up pretty much immediately after the end of Godblind. Godblind ended with the siege of the Palace, Darksoul is pretty much the continuation of the siege. The action is immaculate, very detailed. The world and lore is expanded on just a little. Another thing Stephens does well is that she sprinkles enough lore throughout the story to keep you interested. However, I am really hoping she gives it all to the readers in the final book. In Godblind, I had an issue with not getting invested in all of the characters because some of them didn't get enough time to shine. Darksoul has the same issue, but in this case I feel like some of the characters were forgotten. However, Anna Stephens is setting those characters up for a huge arc in book three.
I love how this series, although dark, reads so quickly. The potential is there for greatness and it is great. If Stephens can nail this finale, which I am sure she will, the Godblind trilogy will definitely take a place in my favorites.
Darksoul picks up pretty much immediately after the end of Godblind. Godblind ended with the siege of the Palace, Darksoul is pretty much the continuation of the siege. The action is immaculate, very detailed. The world and lore is expanded on just a little. Another thing Stephens does well is that she sprinkles enough lore throughout the story to keep you interested. However, I am really hoping she gives it all to the readers in the final book. In Godblind, I had an issue with not getting invested in all of the characters because some of them didn't get enough time to shine. Darksoul has the same issue, but in this case I feel like some of the characters were forgotten. However, Anna Stephens is setting those characters up for a huge arc in book three.
I love how this series, although dark, reads so quickly. The potential is there for greatness and it is great. If Stephens can nail this finale, which I am sure she will, the Godblind trilogy will definitely take a place in my favorites.
thefussyreader's review
5.0
Holy fuck!
I'm speechless.
First off, I want to formally apologise to this book's predecessor for rating it only 3 stars. In my defence, I do state in my review for Godblind that I was in a massive fantasy slump and that the book was genuinely good, I just couldn't get into it because of my slump.
I'm now thinking I did that book a massive disservice by not rereading it, cause I think I might have enjoyed it a lot more sans slump.
But this book . . . Holy shit. This book.
Characters
In book one my favourites were Crys, Ash and Tara.
In book two my favourites are still Crys, Ash and Tara, but I also fell in love with Durdil and Mace.
POV characters that I didn't enjoy in book one, I ended up finding genuinely interesting this time around. Such as Dom, the Blessed One, and Corvus.
I still struggle a little with Rillirin and Gilda for some reason. But not because they're bad characters, I just don't feel such a connection to them as I do, say, Crys or Tara.
You know what I really appreciate though?
People died. Lots of people died. Some in blazes of glory. Some in unexpectedly simple ways. Others died off page, which was even more shocking. But the main take-away - people died.
Anna Stephens wasn't afraid to go there and get bloody and commit to the massacre she was unleashing. Even though some people that I loved didn't make it, and - yes I shed a tear - I still can't help but love the fact that so many big players died.
This is one helluva ballsy book.
Plot
It's crazy. It's chaos. It's everything I want from a Grimdark AND MORE!
One thing you should know about me before I start screaming incoherently. I love battles. And I don't just love battles, I LLOOVVEE battles.
Whether it's books or TV, nothing can induce a smile quicker than a bloody good battle.
Let me tell you, this book - this whole book - all 400 pages, is a BATTLE. The seige of Rilporin.
And I'm. Living. For. Every. Second!
And this wouldn't be an Anna Stephens book without a graphic torture scene. It wasn't as toe-curling as that infamous hammer scene from Godblind, but it still had it's moments. To be frank, I don't think she could possibly top that hammer scene, and to be even franker, I don't think I want her to. *internally grimacing*
But Darksoul does something very different on whole from Godblind. And it's a truly masterful feat. It almost feels like book one was building up to this moment. Like book one exists so book two can thrive. And thrive it does. Keeping a reader engaged for an entire battle and keeping it interesting is hard. Now imagine keeping the reader engaged for the entire battle when the entire battle is the entire book!
Anna Stephens, I take my hat off to you, madam.
Writing Style
Well the writing is just fantastic.
It reads so quickly. The pacing, the flow, everything about the writimg is incredibly fluid. It's smooth. You barely notice fifty pages slipping by.
The chapters are short, which I love. In my review for the first book I commented that the short chapters made it difficult to connect to the characters, but I suspected I wouldn't have that issue with book two, having already been introduced to the cahracters.
I was right. Because I was familiar with the cahrcaters, it didn't bother me that the chapters were short.
Now lets talk about the dialogue. It's brilliant. It's natural. The characters talk how real people talk, which is the best kind of dialogue, obviously. No one enjoys contrived dialogue, do they?
This book handles the dialogue incredibly well. It's a joy to read.
Final Impression
There aren't many series out there in which I like the second book more than the first. In fact the only other examples I can think of are The Two Towers, and Ed McDonald's Ravencry. Most other series suffer from 'middle book syndrome.'
This book doesn't.
Fuck me, it doesn't.
Simply put, I need more. I don't just want it. I NEED it.
I'm speechless.
First off, I want to formally apologise to this book's predecessor for rating it only 3 stars. In my defence, I do state in my review for Godblind that I was in a massive fantasy slump and that the book was genuinely good, I just couldn't get into it because of my slump.
I'm now thinking I did that book a massive disservice by not rereading it, cause I think I might have enjoyed it a lot more sans slump.
But this book . . . Holy shit. This book.
Characters
In book one my favourites were Crys, Ash and Tara.
In book two my favourites are still Crys, Ash and Tara, but I also fell in love with Durdil and Mace.
POV characters that I didn't enjoy in book one, I ended up finding genuinely interesting this time around. Such as Dom, the Blessed One, and Corvus.
I still struggle a little with Rillirin and Gilda for some reason. But not because they're bad characters, I just don't feel such a connection to them as I do, say, Crys or Tara.
You know what I really appreciate though?
People died. Lots of people died. Some in blazes of glory. Some in unexpectedly simple ways. Others died off page, which was even more shocking. But the main take-away - people died.
Anna Stephens wasn't afraid to go there and get bloody and commit to the massacre she was unleashing. Even though some people that I loved didn't make it, and - yes I shed a tear - I still can't help but love the fact that so many big players died.
This is one helluva ballsy book.
Plot
It's crazy. It's chaos. It's everything I want from a Grimdark AND MORE!
One thing you should know about me before I start screaming incoherently. I love battles. And I don't just love battles, I LLOOVVEE battles.
Whether it's books or TV, nothing can induce a smile quicker than a bloody good battle.
Let me tell you, this book - this whole book - all 400 pages, is a BATTLE. The seige of Rilporin.
And I'm. Living. For. Every. Second!
And this wouldn't be an Anna Stephens book without a graphic torture scene. It wasn't as toe-curling as that infamous hammer scene from Godblind, but it still had it's moments. To be frank, I don't think she could possibly top that hammer scene, and to be even franker, I don't think I want her to. *internally grimacing*
But Darksoul does something very different on whole from Godblind. And it's a truly masterful feat. It almost feels like book one was building up to this moment. Like book one exists so book two can thrive. And thrive it does. Keeping a reader engaged for an entire battle and keeping it interesting is hard. Now imagine keeping the reader engaged for the entire battle when the entire battle is the entire book!
Anna Stephens, I take my hat off to you, madam.
Writing Style
Well the writing is just fantastic.
It reads so quickly. The pacing, the flow, everything about the writimg is incredibly fluid. It's smooth. You barely notice fifty pages slipping by.
The chapters are short, which I love. In my review for the first book I commented that the short chapters made it difficult to connect to the characters, but I suspected I wouldn't have that issue with book two, having already been introduced to the cahracters.
I was right. Because I was familiar with the cahrcaters, it didn't bother me that the chapters were short.
Now lets talk about the dialogue. It's brilliant. It's natural. The characters talk how real people talk, which is the best kind of dialogue, obviously. No one enjoys contrived dialogue, do they?
This book handles the dialogue incredibly well. It's a joy to read.
Final Impression
There aren't many series out there in which I like the second book more than the first. In fact the only other examples I can think of are The Two Towers, and Ed McDonald's Ravencry. Most other series suffer from 'middle book syndrome.'
This book doesn't.
Fuck me, it doesn't.
Simply put, I need more. I don't just want it. I NEED it.
ashleighbeanxo's review
5.0
The second book in the Godblind trilogy, Darksoul focuses on the war between the Mireces and Rilpor. Now, normally I hate war scenes in books and endless descriptions of fighting. I prefer the political fighting and backstabbing. BUT THIS BOOK THOUGH!
It was as gory and violent and fucked-up as the first book and I loved every second of it! Despite the fact that the majority of this book is the fighting and battling, there was still enough plot for me to power through it, and the plot points and twists did not disappoint..
Going into the last book, my favourite characters have to be Crys, Ash and Tara. I think their characters are the best and have the best development over the two books so far, and they're all badass fighting machines and they're my precious little cinnamon buns. Also, I'm looking forward to seeing Tara kick some more butt in the next book and
Really loved this book and cannot wait to get my hands on Bloodchild!!
It was as gory and violent and fucked-up as the first book and I loved every second of it! Despite the fact that the majority of this book is the fighting and battling, there was still enough plot for me to power through it, and the plot points and twists did not disappoint.
Spoiler
I loved the reveal of Crys being the Fox God, and thought his scenes were so well doneGoing into the last book, my favourite characters have to be Crys, Ash and Tara. I think their characters are the best and have the best development over the two books so far, and they're all badass fighting machines and they're my precious little cinnamon buns.
Spoiler
The relationship between Crys and Ash is so special to me. I love that they undoubtedly love each other and they have this beautiful bond, but it doesn't stop either of them from getting the job done and fighting the enemy. I really thought that Ash was a goner early on in the book when he faced up against Galtas and my heart stopped when Crys found him nailed to the door. But thank the Fox God, Crys was able to bring him back!Spoiler
hopefully kill Crotus and Lanta!!Really loved this book and cannot wait to get my hands on Bloodchild!!
theatrejoel's review
3.0
It began very slowly and the story began properly somewhere after the half point. But when it did began it really did begin. I like the characters and the action.
grvhppr's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I liked the second book much more than the first book. I think the author worked on chapter length, adding more to each POV. The POV's felt much less choppy and flowed more naturally between characters. I felt invested in the storyline and characters, however, I still feel like many of the characters feel more or less shallow. That is why I can't rate the book higher. I do like the plot, and I need to know what happens in the final book of the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, Death, Blood, Cursing, and Violence
Moderate: Murder
hobbleit's review
5.0
ARC provided by Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Holy mother-effing Lord, Darksoul was a good book. It was better than good. It was excellent. I had been excited to read it since I finished Godblind so when I saw it on Netgalley, I requested it immediately. I was that excited to read it. It did not disappoint.
For a book that pretty much spends the entire time set in a city under siege, Darksoul doesn’t half have a lot of stuff happen. Not to give too much of the plot away but I loved where it headed throughout the course of the book. It is a very tense novel and that tension only gets ramped up more and more as the novel progresses. It is edge of the seat level of reading. You desperately hope that the characters can save Rilporin even though it’s only the second book and you know it can’t be that easy.
Characters die: some I was sad about, some I was actually cheering for. Characters survive: some I was happy about and some I am still wishing for their deaths. It is just as dark and violent as Godblind (minus the bollock torture), meaning you get a very tense and very action packed story. The battles scenes were described in all their gory detail and you felt like you were there with the characters as they tried desperately to save Rilporin. I loved every minute of it. It was utterly breath-taking.
The characters we all loved (and hated) in Godblind return and not all of them make it. Crys continues to be my favourite character. I love his personality and humour, especially when everything around is going to hell. Dom goes through hell too, his mind destroyed by a bloody God and he does some things that made my jaw drop a little. The other characters are awesome, Mace, Ash, Tara, Gilda etc. I spent the novel wanting Corvus and Lanta to die horribly, so Stephens did her job well there. Only Rillirin didn’t have much to do in this book but something tells me that she’s going to be more important in part three.
Darksoul is an excellent middle book, and largely avoids the trap that a lot of middle books fall into of just acting as a bridge between the beginning and the end. Certain things are wrapped up and new avenues are opened but Darksoul never feels like a filler novel in the slightest. I was absolutely blown away by how good it was. It is well written. It is compelling and the plot sets up the third book perfectly without sacrificing its own story. I love the relationships between the characters. I love their stories and the journeys they go through. I didn’t want to put the book down at any point, I wanted to keep reading because I was so invested and that’s all I really want in a book.
All in all, Darksoul is an absolute winner for me. I didn’t want it to end and I want to know what happens next. Desperately. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. The Godblind series has very quickly become a firm favourite for me and I am very much looking forward to seeing how it ends.
Holy mother-effing Lord, Darksoul was a good book. It was better than good. It was excellent. I had been excited to read it since I finished Godblind so when I saw it on Netgalley, I requested it immediately. I was that excited to read it. It did not disappoint.
For a book that pretty much spends the entire time set in a city under siege, Darksoul doesn’t half have a lot of stuff happen. Not to give too much of the plot away but I loved where it headed throughout the course of the book. It is a very tense novel and that tension only gets ramped up more and more as the novel progresses. It is edge of the seat level of reading. You desperately hope that the characters can save Rilporin even though it’s only the second book and you know it can’t be that easy.
Characters die: some I was sad about, some I was actually cheering for. Characters survive: some I was happy about and some I am still wishing for their deaths. It is just as dark and violent as Godblind (minus the bollock torture), meaning you get a very tense and very action packed story. The battles scenes were described in all their gory detail and you felt like you were there with the characters as they tried desperately to save Rilporin. I loved every minute of it. It was utterly breath-taking.
The characters we all loved (and hated) in Godblind return and not all of them make it. Crys continues to be my favourite character. I love his personality and humour, especially when everything around is going to hell. Dom goes through hell too, his mind destroyed by a bloody God and he does some things that made my jaw drop a little. The other characters are awesome, Mace, Ash, Tara, Gilda etc. I spent the novel wanting Corvus and Lanta to die horribly, so Stephens did her job well there. Only Rillirin didn’t have much to do in this book but something tells me that she’s going to be more important in part three.
Darksoul is an excellent middle book, and largely avoids the trap that a lot of middle books fall into of just acting as a bridge between the beginning and the end. Certain things are wrapped up and new avenues are opened but Darksoul never feels like a filler novel in the slightest. I was absolutely blown away by how good it was. It is well written. It is compelling and the plot sets up the third book perfectly without sacrificing its own story. I love the relationships between the characters. I love their stories and the journeys they go through. I didn’t want to put the book down at any point, I wanted to keep reading because I was so invested and that’s all I really want in a book.
All in all, Darksoul is an absolute winner for me. I didn’t want it to end and I want to know what happens next. Desperately. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. The Godblind series has very quickly become a firm favourite for me and I am very much looking forward to seeing how it ends.
majaingrid's review
4.0
2020 reread
3,5....maybe even 4 stars (because blood was flowing and that makes me happy)
This book starts shortly after Godblind ended. The whole book is basically about the siege of Rilpor so it's battles galore. And death galore, as well as torture, blood and gore galore. If you all thought Janis getting a nail hammered through his balls to his asshole in Godblind was bad? Hon, you only just seen the beginning. Though that particular scene was just so *chef's kiss*
Lol, okay, back to the plot. It's the siege of Rilporin. As stated in my first review, it feels like it dragged a little.
I also still feel it's too many characters. The short chapters and constant POV changes makes it jumpy and drags you out of the character's story. It's especially annoying when you get a chunk of chapters from characters you enjoy following and you in there deep and feeling. Then you get thrown into a chunk of chapters from characters you don't enjoy following and you can't care less about their story. It takes you out of the book. Dom and Crys are still my faves. And I gotta add Tara and Gilda too. Should have done that already in my review for Godblind. Tara is badass and won't take anyone's bullshit and will chop off your dick. And my brave, precious, will-sass-dark-high-priestesses-any day.
Also quite a few characters died that I had completely forgot died in this book. Some made me sad, some made me happy. Though there's a slight issue of bringing back the dead to life at one point, and I don't fucking care how sad and heartbroken a character death makes me. LET THE DEAD STAY DEAD.
-
2018
Actual rating 3,5 stars.
I thought that, due to my issues with the first book, I would struggle a lot with this one. But it actually went really easy. I still had some issues getting into it, should have reread the first book to freshen up my memory on the plot and all. the. characters. Had lot of problems remembering who everyone was at first. But this one was less "fragmenty" as I remember the first book being. The book is basically the siege of Rilporin, which made it feel like the plot dragged a little. On the other side, it was never not anything happening.
This book could have been a solid 4 star if it was either longer - as it is, it's 10 characters fighting go get page time on less than 400 pages, or if it was half the amount of character PoVs. That would have helped giving the book more depth if we followed fewer characters but each got more space in the book.
For book three I'll have to remember to reread the two first books because I can for real not remember much at all from Godblind.
3,5....maybe even 4 stars (because blood was flowing and that makes me happy)
This book starts shortly after Godblind ended. The whole book is basically about the siege of Rilpor so it's battles galore. And death galore, as well as torture, blood and gore galore. If you all thought Janis getting a nail hammered through his balls to his asshole in Godblind was bad? Hon, you only just seen the beginning. Though that particular scene was just so *chef's kiss*
Lol, okay, back to the plot. It's the siege of Rilporin. As stated in my first review, it feels like it dragged a little.
I also still feel it's too many characters. The short chapters and constant POV changes makes it jumpy and drags you out of the character's story. It's especially annoying when you get a chunk of chapters from characters you enjoy following and you in there deep and feeling. Then you get thrown into a chunk of chapters from characters you don't enjoy following and you can't care less about their story. It takes you out of the book. Dom and Crys are still my faves. And I gotta add Tara and Gilda too. Should have done that already in my review for Godblind. Tara is badass and won't take anyone's bullshit and will chop off your dick. And my brave, precious, will-sass-dark-high-priestesses-any day.
Also quite a few characters died that I had completely forgot died in this book. Some made me sad, some made me happy. Though there's a slight issue of bringing back the dead to life at one point, and I don't fucking care how sad and heartbroken a character death makes me. LET THE DEAD STAY DEAD.
-
2018
Actual rating 3,5 stars.
I thought that, due to my issues with the first book, I would struggle a lot with this one. But it actually went really easy. I still had some issues getting into it, should have reread the first book to freshen up my memory on the plot and all. the. characters. Had lot of problems remembering who everyone was at first. But this one was less "fragmenty" as I remember the first book being. The book is basically the siege of Rilporin, which made it feel like the plot dragged a little. On the other side, it was never not anything happening.
This book could have been a solid 4 star if it was either longer - as it is, it's 10 characters fighting go get page time on less than 400 pages, or if it was half the amount of character PoVs. That would have helped giving the book more depth if we followed fewer characters but each got more space in the book.
For book three I'll have to remember to reread the two first books because I can for real not remember much at all from Godblind.
lindzy's review
5.0
Full review here
Having realised breathing is overrated when devouring Godblind, I was so excited for Darksoul. Who needs to put a book down even when they are walking off a train? I was desperate to turn a couple more pages!
The plot is more simplistic than the first book – the entire thing is one big battle. The two sides are clashing, with a city under siege caught in the middle, and it doesn’t get much more than that. Of course, there are some betrayals, sacrifices, magic and heartbreak thrown into the mix, but that’s what it boils down to.
I love reading about large-scale battles: it’s why I’m so interested in Roman fiction. This, for me, was such a perfect combination; there’s magic flying about adding in the impossible, but there is tactics, schemes and overwhelming odds. Despite the constant fight, and the violence that accompanies it, I didn’t find this book as flinch-worthy as the first one, which may be a relief to some?
There is a definite shift in the characters this time. Dom – while still playing a crucial role – isn’t present as much, nor is Rillirin.
Mace shines as a leader, inspiring men to follow him and dealing with otherwise violate situations (a grieving Lim is a force to be reckoned with) with a quiet strength. He is not invulnerable, however, and his own personal loss nearly topples him over the edge.
Crys still holds the position of my favourite character. Crys in love, however, might just be the giddiest thing ever, despite the war raging. He’s so flustered by it all; it’s nothing short of adorable. But Crys has a bigger role to play than a lover this time, a part bigger than anyone anticipated.
Ash and Tara are a great duo. Dalli keeps Mace standing. The Blessed One is evil and twisted and such a well sculpted character you have to admire her in her own way. Corvus is power-hungry while Galtas holds the position for the most hated.
The characters and writing style leave you no choice but to be emotionally invested in the book. I have never feared for a character as much as I did for Crys at one point – and it wasn’t something physically happening to him, but his reaction to another event. The scene didn’t disappoint: I cried.
This review is hard to put into words without spoiling anything. If you’re not a fan of long, drawn-out battles, you might find the lack of anything else happening for the entire book a little off-putting.
But it’s fast-paced, tense, emotional and you see the best and worst of characters facing impossible situations. The ending was bittersweet, the epilogue scary, and everything has been put into place to lead neatly onto the next book.
If you enjoyed the first book, if you like dark fantasy, you’re going to love Darksoul. I see this becoming a re-read: even knowing what happens doesn’t stop you feeling what the characters are experiencing.
A fantastic read!
Having realised breathing is overrated when devouring Godblind, I was so excited for Darksoul. Who needs to put a book down even when they are walking off a train? I was desperate to turn a couple more pages!
The plot is more simplistic than the first book – the entire thing is one big battle. The two sides are clashing, with a city under siege caught in the middle, and it doesn’t get much more than that. Of course, there are some betrayals, sacrifices, magic and heartbreak thrown into the mix, but that’s what it boils down to.
I love reading about large-scale battles: it’s why I’m so interested in Roman fiction. This, for me, was such a perfect combination; there’s magic flying about adding in the impossible, but there is tactics, schemes and overwhelming odds. Despite the constant fight, and the violence that accompanies it, I didn’t find this book as flinch-worthy as the first one, which may be a relief to some?
There is a definite shift in the characters this time. Dom – while still playing a crucial role – isn’t present as much, nor is Rillirin.
Mace shines as a leader, inspiring men to follow him and dealing with otherwise violate situations (a grieving Lim is a force to be reckoned with) with a quiet strength. He is not invulnerable, however, and his own personal loss nearly topples him over the edge.
Crys still holds the position of my favourite character. Crys in love, however, might just be the giddiest thing ever, despite the war raging. He’s so flustered by it all; it’s nothing short of adorable. But Crys has a bigger role to play than a lover this time, a part bigger than anyone anticipated.
Ash and Tara are a great duo. Dalli keeps Mace standing. The Blessed One is evil and twisted and such a well sculpted character you have to admire her in her own way. Corvus is power-hungry while Galtas holds the position for the most hated.
The characters and writing style leave you no choice but to be emotionally invested in the book. I have never feared for a character as much as I did for Crys at one point – and it wasn’t something physically happening to him, but his reaction to another event. The scene didn’t disappoint: I cried.
This review is hard to put into words without spoiling anything. If you’re not a fan of long, drawn-out battles, you might find the lack of anything else happening for the entire book a little off-putting.
But it’s fast-paced, tense, emotional and you see the best and worst of characters facing impossible situations. The ending was bittersweet, the epilogue scary, and everything has been put into place to lead neatly onto the next book.
If you enjoyed the first book, if you like dark fantasy, you’re going to love Darksoul. I see this becoming a re-read: even knowing what happens doesn’t stop you feeling what the characters are experiencing.
A fantastic read!