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mugwumpun's review against another edition
4.0
Took some time to get into the pace of storytelling, but really enjoyed this book and finished within a few days of starting. I cannot tell if the writing is objectively good but I definitely enjoyed the just-enough explanation of the systems of magic, and the almost excessively descriptive trains of internal thought. I feel I am more blank inside. The characters were engaging and realized, the only complaint maybe that they were all 'good', in the sense that they were all very dutiful except for one... Regardless, I look forward to the next one in the series.
bookish_emily's review against another edition
5.0
A Plague of Giants is the first installment in an epic fantasy series set in a complex world of natural magic. Each country possesses a "kenning," which is magical ability within a particular type - earth, air, fire, water, etc. Hence the "seven kennings" of the series title. This novel begins with a previously unknown race invading a country in the known world and spreading wholesale slaughter in their wake. Fintan, a bard whose kenning gives him perfect recall and the ability to project his voice, has come to this ravaged nation to tell the story of how the invasion unfolded and what has been going on in the other countries as a result.
He tells the story from the viewpoints of a host of different individuals from throughout the realm, giving the novel a range of narration styles. It is fun for readers to dive into each character and learn more about their countries, kennings, and personalities, as well as discerning their role in the larger saga. With a well-built world and an endless opportunity for great characters, the Seven Kennings series is sure to be a hit with fantasy fans!
He tells the story from the viewpoints of a host of different individuals from throughout the realm, giving the novel a range of narration styles. It is fun for readers to dive into each character and learn more about their countries, kennings, and personalities, as well as discerning their role in the larger saga. With a well-built world and an endless opportunity for great characters, the Seven Kennings series is sure to be a hit with fantasy fans!
vashnii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
fakestginger's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and, though I was dubious at first, really came to enjoy the method of storytelling.
I will say that it definitely took longer for me to get really interested in the story, told the way it was, because it’s hard to find attachment to characters you only hear from for a few pages before being pulled out of their world and into someone else’s.
I also found the ending to not be particularly powerful, though that isn’t the worst thing because this is a series. Looking forward to the next one already!
I will say that it definitely took longer for me to get really interested in the story, told the way it was, because it’s hard to find attachment to characters you only hear from for a few pages before being pulled out of their world and into someone else’s.
I also found the ending to not be particularly powerful, though that isn’t the worst thing because this is a series. Looking forward to the next one already!
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
4.0
This book is is about an epic event that is being told to us through different stories and accounts given by a bard over a period of several days. There are many different perspectives and different timelines, it has a strong 'the witcher'(tv show) vibe to it because of the bard aspect and general fantasy elements.
Although the book started off in a pretty interesting and engaging way, because I am a person driven reader I still felt felt pretty bleh about it in the beginning (which admittedly is pretty true for me regarding most books like this) But as we got further along and we learned more about the different characters and the event that was happening I got more and more invested.
I am excited to read the next book and see how I feel about it once everything is wrapped up.
Although the book started off in a pretty interesting and engaging way, because I am a person driven reader I still felt felt pretty bleh about it in the beginning (which admittedly is pretty true for me regarding most books like this) But as we got further along and we learned more about the different characters and the event that was happening I got more and more invested.
I am excited to read the next book and see how I feel about it once everything is wrapped up.
justthejosie's review against another edition
5.0
I would say it’s very different than the Iron Druid. Undoubtably. It’s beautiful, artistic, and more than a little tragic. Jumps into a new world very quickly, and being able to remember complex names is more of an asset here than most places. But wow. I feel invested in so many different characters and worlds and experiences. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel, but, truth be told, this book holds its own independently. Kevin Hearn has earned himself a true fan this day, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what he does next.
thistlereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
philibin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
(2.85 Stars rounded up to 3)
I should start off with a disclaimer... I really love Kevin Hearne's writing style, and absolutely love Luke Daniels as a narrator. With that being said, I don't *love* the format of this book. It is very "meta". several stories within stories, as told over several nights, by a travelling Bard... whose story is also being told.
Each of the stories, although connected, is beautifully written, and expertly narrated, which is being split between the aforementioned Luke Daniels and Xe Sands. Both of these narrators are experts of the craft, and I have to admit... Luke brings back an old "voice" from the Off to Be the Wizard series, which gave me a chuckle.
So, I loved all the "parts", but just couldn't get into the way it was being told. With that being said, there are two things that are true. The first is that Kevin Hearne is such a great writer that I can easily overlook what I don't like about the book because it is exponentially smaller than what I do like about the book. And, secondly, I will be reading the rest of the books in the series.
I should start off with a disclaimer... I really love Kevin Hearne's writing style, and absolutely love Luke Daniels as a narrator. With that being said, I don't *love* the format of this book. It is very "meta". several stories within stories, as told over several nights, by a travelling Bard... whose story is also being told.
Each of the stories, although connected, is beautifully written, and expertly narrated, which is being split between the aforementioned Luke Daniels and Xe Sands. Both of these narrators are experts of the craft, and I have to admit... Luke brings back an old "voice" from the Off to Be the Wizard series, which gave me a chuckle.
So, I loved all the "parts", but just couldn't get into the way it was being told. With that being said, there are two things that are true. The first is that Kevin Hearne is such a great writer that I can easily overlook what I don't like about the book because it is exponentially smaller than what I do like about the book. And, secondly, I will be reading the rest of the books in the series.
motherofdogs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and War
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started Kevin Hearne's newest epic fantasy (and it truly was epic), but I was, as always, pleasantly surprised! This was a really unique book, essentially a story told within a story than expanded throughout most of the world. There were many characters (my favourites being Nel and Abhi), and each one was layered, complex, and had their own clear voice even as they grew into their arcs, though each of them carried Hearne's signature charm. One of my favourite parts was the way the magic––the Kennings––worked and the price they exacted on their users. There is still a lot of unanswered questions, which I can't wait to learn the answers to in future books. And if that wasn't enough, there was plenty action, all of which lead to one glorious climax. Seriously, remind me never to mess with stubborn giants. I really enjoyed this, even when I got my heart broken near the end (there were a couple tears to be sure), and I can't wait to see what happens next.