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brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty average epic fantasy, with nothing that really stood out to recommend it above the other epic fantasies that are out there. I guess if you'd already read through all the really good fantasy, you might eventually make your way here. It's not bad, it's just not particularly groundbreaking or even very memorable.
With that out of the way, I mostly enjoyed reading this. Although I thought the first half was slow, it really picked up in the second half. It got good enough that I will continue with the series.
Devlin is an interesting main character, and showed a lot of growth throughout the book. I liked that we also got the story from the POV of some secondary characters. The setting is fairly generic, but is about what you'd expect of a fantasy of this type.
I would probably only recommend this if you've already read a bunch of fantasies, and are looking for a new author to try.
With that out of the way, I mostly enjoyed reading this. Although I thought the first half was slow, it really picked up in the second half. It got good enough that I will continue with the series.
Devlin is an interesting main character, and showed a lot of growth throughout the book. I liked that we also got the story from the POV of some secondary characters. The setting is fairly generic, but is about what you'd expect of a fantasy of this type.
I would probably only recommend this if you've already read a bunch of fantasies, and are looking for a new author to try.
betharanova's review against another edition
5.0
This is the comfort food of fantasy books. Solid, simple fun. An awkward, brooding, grim warrior hero here to save a kingdom he doesn't care for. A cheerful bard friend who deserves the world. A host of guards and soldiers, nobles and mages, all of whom I enjoy. This is probably the tenth time I've read this, and I'll continue to come back to it when I need a good time.
cyrce's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book I’ve read before, but diving back into old reads is a guarantee that there’s something enjoyable in the next few pages and sometimes you find new things to love about old favourites.
Patricia Bray has been one of the authors I’ll find myself circling back to, along with a handful of others. This time I decided to chain her trilogy Sword of Change one after another, starting with Devlin’s Luck.
Most of the time I have a bit of trouble with older fantasy books. There are some moments when they get bogged down into details and I have to stop reading or I’ll start skimming things and miss something important. But Patricia Bray made Devlin’s Luck a book I couldn’t put down. I enjoyed ever page of it.
In spite of reading the series once before, I was on edge wanting to know what would happen next Devlin and Stephen, the minstrel he picked up. I wanted to dive in deeper, to know if Devlin would survive the trials he faced. The transformation Devlin undergoes from seeking death to growing into his role as the ‘Chosen One’ drives the plot of Devlin’s Luck, but Stephen’s own transformation from a minstrel with romantic ideals to a far more grounded man was equally interesting. I can’t wait to follow their growth further in the next book.
Patricia Bray has been one of the authors I’ll find myself circling back to, along with a handful of others. This time I decided to chain her trilogy Sword of Change one after another, starting with Devlin’s Luck.
Most of the time I have a bit of trouble with older fantasy books. There are some moments when they get bogged down into details and I have to stop reading or I’ll start skimming things and miss something important. But Patricia Bray made Devlin’s Luck a book I couldn’t put down. I enjoyed ever page of it.
Spoiler
Devlin, the titular character, is the outsider of the book, coming to the capital city in order to become the ‘Chosen One’, an unstable position that will give him the two things he needs most–to provide for his brother’s widow and to follow his family into the realm of the dead. Becoming the ‘Chosen One’ is easy for Devlin and the reward associated with the position allows him to send back money anonymously to ensure his brother’s widow is provided for. The only problem is that death doesn’t seem to want to take him.In spite of reading the series once before, I was on edge wanting to know what would happen next Devlin and Stephen, the minstrel he picked up. I wanted to dive in deeper, to know if Devlin would survive the trials he faced. The transformation Devlin undergoes from seeking death to growing into his role as the ‘Chosen One’ drives the plot of Devlin’s Luck, but Stephen’s own transformation from a minstrel with romantic ideals to a far more grounded man was equally interesting. I can’t wait to follow their growth further in the next book.
lyndiane's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely brilliant!!
This was my first read by Patricia Bray and I could not put this book down. The characters are complex and the story, woven around a young man who has experienced a devastating tragedy, is filled to the brim with personal loss, courage and the discovery of unexpected hope. And, of course, loads of political intrigue!
This was my first read by Patricia Bray and I could not put this book down. The characters are complex and the story, woven around a young man who has experienced a devastating tragedy, is filled to the brim with personal loss, courage and the discovery of unexpected hope. And, of course, loads of political intrigue!
wallsmitotic's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-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
lib_britannia's review against another edition
4.0
Simple, straight forward medieval fantasy. Despite being no frills it still manages to satisfy. I would say this is a good pick for lovers of classic medieval fantasy, but probably not for everyone. It falls short of five stars due to its simplicity and predictability. More depth is needed in both characters and plot to be a masterwork. Bray also has the tendency to tell rather than show so foreshadowing feels clumsy at times.
If I could give half stars this would have been a 3.5 for me but because I enjoyed it and I've been struggling to find a read I really got into and loved lately I decided to be generous and round up.
If I could give half stars this would have been a 3.5 for me but because I enjoyed it and I've been struggling to find a read I really got into and loved lately I decided to be generous and round up.
kaeritha's review against another edition
4.0
In a complete turnaround, I loved this trilogy of hers. Go figure.
jordantaylor's review against another edition
3.0
I read this fantasy book by chance, sitting in an office with nothing else available.
No one wants the job of being the Chosen One, because those chosen are known for getting killed so quickly. Devlin, a man who has tragically lost everything he cares about, signs up in hopes that his life will be ended with honor as opposed to committing suicide. However, the magical sword he carries senses his motives, and miraculously keeps him alive because of it. Forced to continue living, Devlin begins to appreciate life again.
No one wants the job of being the Chosen One, because those chosen are known for getting killed so quickly. Devlin, a man who has tragically lost everything he cares about, signs up in hopes that his life will be ended with honor as opposed to committing suicide. However, the magical sword he carries senses his motives, and miraculously keeps him alive because of it. Forced to continue living, Devlin begins to appreciate life again.
alesia_charles's review
3.0
I'd like it better if the character development and theme weren't quite so heavy-handed.
jessmahler's review
4.0
The book looks like it should be classic sword and sorcery of the Conan variety - and it does hit a lot of the key tropes - barbarian warrior who wanders into civilization after the death of his family and ends up saving everyone, secretive evil sorcerer, brave but clueless sidekick...
But somewhere it takes a left turn. In fact, it takes a left turn almost immediately, because Devlin is not your classic sword and sorcery hero. He was a farmer and a blacksmith. And he doesn't want fame or glory or fortune. The only thing he wants is to repay his debts and find an honorable death. He thinks becoming the Chosen One of Jorsk will give him both, but is wasn't counting on the gods or his own sense of duty...
From Captain Drakken of the Palace Guard to the minstrel Stephen and Duke Gerhard of the King's Council, Devlin's journey brings him into contact with a number of characters who will help and hinder him. And it the actions and interactions of these characters that takes this book from cliched sword and sorcery to gripping tale of rebirth - the rebirth of a man and the rebirth of a kingdom.
I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys classic fantasy, but is tired of seeing the same old muscle-thewed barbarians cut their way through the same old enemy hordes.
But somewhere it takes a left turn. In fact, it takes a left turn almost immediately, because Devlin is not your classic sword and sorcery hero. He was a farmer and a blacksmith. And he doesn't want fame or glory or fortune. The only thing he wants is to repay his debts and find an honorable death. He thinks becoming the Chosen One of Jorsk will give him both, but is wasn't counting on the gods or his own sense of duty...
From Captain Drakken of the Palace Guard to the minstrel Stephen and Duke Gerhard of the King's Council, Devlin's journey brings him into contact with a number of characters who will help and hinder him. And it the actions and interactions of these characters that takes this book from cliched sword and sorcery to gripping tale of rebirth - the rebirth of a man and the rebirth of a kingdom.
I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys classic fantasy, but is tired of seeing the same old muscle-thewed barbarians cut their way through the same old enemy hordes.