You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Great characters, everyone's motivations seemed to make sense and you get a way through the book before figuring out the protagonist/antagonist.
Even then, it's never black and white for most.
My first fantasy book in a while after being kind of burnt out on them.
Even then, it's never black and white for most.
My first fantasy book in a while after being kind of burnt out on them.
Good, but not Daniel's strongest. I don't know what it is lately with me and reading books about cities personified. This one wasn't the better of the two I've read, but it's still worth a read. The characters are well realized, the plot is engaging, and the turns are interesting. I just wish there had been more time taken to develop the world and flesh out the character motivations.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The descriptive prose building the world in which this story is set is absolutely beautiful. It was simply a joy to explore city of Kathamar and some of the denizens therein from the POV of the struggling street rats. All of the flawed characters were sympathetic and easy to identify with although there is plenty to dislike as well … the two main being Alys and Sammish who are part of a ‘crew’ of pickpockets that are thrown into the intrigue of the powerful city rulers with a mystery … and that is really what this story is about … the mystery … so if you are looking for any action, there really isn’t much and even the mystery takes a while to pick up and get going (about half way through the book).
Alys tries very hard to follow in her dead brother’s footsteps, not seeing his flaws even as she takes them on as well. Her friend Sammish struggles with how to help Alys get back to the person she fell in love with and ends up working for the other side. Neither of them are strong enough to operate outside of the shadows; which is probably the reason there isn’t much action. While the main characters do evolve and most of their story is completed by the end, it still feels like a story left unfinished when you get there … just enough to pull you into the sequel (maybe).
I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#AgeOfAsh #NetGalley.
Alys tries very hard to follow in her dead brother’s footsteps, not seeing his flaws even as she takes them on as well. Her friend Sammish struggles with how to help Alys get back to the person she fell in love with and ends up working for the other side. Neither of them are strong enough to operate outside of the shadows; which is probably the reason there isn’t much action. While the main characters do evolve and most of their story is completed by the end, it still feels like a story left unfinished when you get there … just enough to pull you into the sequel (maybe).
I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#AgeOfAsh #NetGalley.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
-Three words: Underwhelmed, Bored, Forgettable. This was a solid book, which struggled to keep me captivated. I found the characters simplistic, and lacking in depth, in a book that had little magic or world building. The issues of poverty, grief, family ties had possibilities, but left me flat. Maybe I wasn't in the right space to appreciate this author's work better, but it's a no from me and I won't be continuing the series.
I am such a fan of Daniel Abraham. He is a rock solid plotter and storyteller—a real craftsman. It’s never generic; he’s innovative while being quite grounded and often nicely subtle. AGE OF ASH does not disappoint! He’s completely on his game here and I can’t wait for the second book. This is fantasy for grown ups, much like his THE DAGGER AND THE COIN quartet (and like THE EXPANSE which he co-authored). Read this!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced