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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.
luciearan's review against another edition
4.0
Většinou se k přečtení knihy nechám nalákat převážně anotací, případně obálkou, tentokrát na mě ale anotace měla přesně opačný účinek. Dlouho jsem váhala a nakonec vsadila spíše na autora. Jeho sérii Železného druida, už mám totiž přečtenou kompletně, tedy alespoň, všechny dosud česky vydané díly (a už se moc těším na díl 7.).
Způsob, jaký Hearne k převyprávění tohoto příběhu zvolil, mě zpočátku překvapil. V rámci epic fantasy, jsem se s ním zatím ještě nesetkala. Počáteční představení hlavních postav, však záhy doplnilo bardovo vyprávění, které se příjemně a velice originálně prolínalo s dějem a stalo se ústředním motivem knihy. Myšlenka společného večerního poslechu příběhů, mě nadchla. Navíc to, že osudy jednotlivých hrdinů přicházely zpočátku na řadu postupně, výrazně ulehčilo celkový přehled ve větším množství postav. Možná, že tím příběh malinko ztratil na hloubce, ale rozhodně získal na poetičnosti. A i když mi poněkud chyběl vtip a jiskra série Železného druida (což je možná dáno i žánrem - Urban F. vs. Epic F.), není tato kniha o nic méně kvalitní a příběh propracovaný, nebo poutavý. Je prostě jiný.
Způsob, jaký Hearne k převyprávění tohoto příběhu zvolil, mě zpočátku překvapil. V rámci epic fantasy, jsem se s ním zatím ještě nesetkala. Počáteční představení hlavních postav, však záhy doplnilo bardovo vyprávění, které se příjemně a velice originálně prolínalo s dějem a stalo se ústředním motivem knihy. Myšlenka společného večerního poslechu příběhů, mě nadchla. Navíc to, že osudy jednotlivých hrdinů přicházely zpočátku na řadu postupně, výrazně ulehčilo celkový přehled ve větším množství postav. Možná, že tím příběh malinko ztratil na hloubce, ale rozhodně získal na poetičnosti. A i když mi poněkud chyběl vtip a jiskra série Železného druida (což je možná dáno i žánrem - Urban F. vs. Epic F.), není tato kniha o nic méně kvalitní a příběh propracovaný, nebo poutavý. Je prostě jiný.
samrushingbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a complex story with so many perspectives to follow. Coming from someone who adores reading big epic fantasy books with complicated stories, it may be saying something that I had times where I struggled with this one.
I really enjoyed Fintan the bard, and his kenning–or magical ability–to project his voice over long distances and tell stories. That plus seeming stones that allowed him to look like the person whose story he was telling was really interesting. The problem is that the POV of Dervan is also in first person. So you jump from Dervan who is watching the bard, to the bard’s tales, which are also in first person. Sometimes it makes it difficult to remember which of the 11 characters you’re following in that moment.
Primarily this book is about the orations that Fintan the bard is giving. In fact, the story spans over 19 days as Fintan goes out to tell these stories, typically telling three smaller bits of the overall story each day, and rotating through the various people whose tales he has collected.
The world-building is great, and I loved the wide diversity of the world in general. Add into that the magic of the kennings and things get even more interesting. The people of the world commonly accept five different kennings, but through these tales it is suggested that there may be a sixth and perhaps even a seventh kenning.
Learning about these different people from all different lands in the world was an adventure, and while sometimes I felt like it was taking me a while to get through the book, I did overall like what I was reading.
This does not have the same feel as the Iron Druid Chronicles, which definitely have an easier urban fantasy flow to them. Instead, the first book in the Seven Kennings trilogy sets up a vast magical world with plenty of political complications and other issues. I may have to read this book again to fully grasp some of the developments and such, but I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
I really enjoyed Fintan the bard, and his kenning–or magical ability–to project his voice over long distances and tell stories. That plus seeming stones that allowed him to look like the person whose story he was telling was really interesting. The problem is that the POV of Dervan is also in first person. So you jump from Dervan who is watching the bard, to the bard’s tales, which are also in first person. Sometimes it makes it difficult to remember which of the 11 characters you’re following in that moment.
Primarily this book is about the orations that Fintan the bard is giving. In fact, the story spans over 19 days as Fintan goes out to tell these stories, typically telling three smaller bits of the overall story each day, and rotating through the various people whose tales he has collected.
The world-building is great, and I loved the wide diversity of the world in general. Add into that the magic of the kennings and things get even more interesting. The people of the world commonly accept five different kennings, but through these tales it is suggested that there may be a sixth and perhaps even a seventh kenning.
Learning about these different people from all different lands in the world was an adventure, and while sometimes I felt like it was taking me a while to get through the book, I did overall like what I was reading.
This does not have the same feel as the Iron Druid Chronicles, which definitely have an easier urban fantasy flow to them. Instead, the first book in the Seven Kennings trilogy sets up a vast magical world with plenty of political complications and other issues. I may have to read this book again to fully grasp some of the developments and such, but I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
thestoryowl's review against another edition
4.0
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This one drops you right into the story and just expects you to keep up. The bard culture and the world history were fascinating to me and I found myself getting sucked into the politics and strategy of war story. It's definitely good enough for me to invest in the next book.
This one drops you right into the story and just expects you to keep up. The bard culture and the world history were fascinating to me and I found myself getting sucked into the politics and strategy of war story. It's definitely good enough for me to invest in the next book.
jesslynh's review against another edition
5.0
Added this to auto-buy on my series list. Nicely done!