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wannabekingpin's review against another edition
4.0
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night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About: Blight is over, but troubles are far from it. Kirkwall fell as mage Anders pushed the Chantry, Templars, and the Circle of Magi into an open conflict, forcing everyone’s hand. He believed a change is necessary, and can only happen when there’s no other choice. Otherwise everyone will succumb to the old ways. His actions rippled through Thedas in an echo, creating tension and outright battles.
While some mages, still huddled in their Circles, formed loud political groups, demanding freedoms and rights, others believed there ought to be a better way than lose mages on the world, or mages locked in their towers, away from the world, under constant, maddening surveillance. One of such mages is Wynne. And with the secret support from Divine Justinia herself, she sets off to a former Grey Wardens keep, now left scared due to a fairly recent demon outbursts. For, you see, Wynne seeks a friend there. A friend who has become an abomination against all odds. For this friend was a Tranquil, cut away from the Fade, and all human emotions, made as unsavory for demons as a rock would be. And thus, the answer to how this happened, and how it affected the said Tranquil might just be what they all need.
Mine: The setting of this book is right after the second game, and just before the third one. There’s very many familiar faces, names, places. Some very interesting lore, a bit of history, and a good handful of nostalgia to those who have played their share of Hero of Ferelden, or Champion of Kirkwall. On top of that, one of the most prominent characters in this book is a young man called Cole, who people either can’t see or if they saw him – they forget all about it. The only true minus I got for this book is that there was truly plenty of time for walking and talking spared. Of course, it’s understandable, if you remember the maps in the third game, for those are the ones they cover in this book. But still, pacing could be just a little brisker.
I loved it alright. There wasn’t even a chance that I didn’t love it. 4 out of 5. Ah how I wish I could replay them all now…
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About: Blight is over, but troubles are far from it. Kirkwall fell as mage Anders pushed the Chantry, Templars, and the Circle of Magi into an open conflict, forcing everyone’s hand. He believed a change is necessary, and can only happen when there’s no other choice. Otherwise everyone will succumb to the old ways. His actions rippled through Thedas in an echo, creating tension and outright battles.
While some mages, still huddled in their Circles, formed loud political groups, demanding freedoms and rights, others believed there ought to be a better way than lose mages on the world, or mages locked in their towers, away from the world, under constant, maddening surveillance. One of such mages is Wynne. And with the secret support from Divine Justinia herself, she sets off to a former Grey Wardens keep, now left scared due to a fairly recent demon outbursts. For, you see, Wynne seeks a friend there. A friend who has become an abomination against all odds. For this friend was a Tranquil, cut away from the Fade, and all human emotions, made as unsavory for demons as a rock would be. And thus, the answer to how this happened, and how it affected the said Tranquil might just be what they all need.
Mine: The setting of this book is right after the second game, and just before the third one. There’s very many familiar faces, names, places. Some very interesting lore, a bit of history, and a good handful of nostalgia to those who have played their share of Hero of Ferelden, or Champion of Kirkwall. On top of that, one of the most prominent characters in this book is a young man called Cole, who people either can’t see or if they saw him – they forget all about it. The only true minus I got for this book is that there was truly plenty of time for walking and talking spared. Of course, it’s understandable, if you remember the maps in the third game, for those are the ones they cover in this book. But still, pacing could be just a little brisker.
I loved it alright. There wasn’t even a chance that I didn’t love it. 4 out of 5. Ah how I wish I could replay them all now…
bentomology's review against another edition
4.0
Really awesome little interlude on the Mage Rebellion between DA2 and DA:I. Also it has Shale.
storiesofmagic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
cakesandtea's review against another edition
4.0
It must be incredibly difficult (and confining) to write a book set in a universe where the player creates the story. As a result this book had few references to the characters we know and love and instead takes place after the events of Dragon Age 2 where mages are sitting uneasily with the reign of the Templars.
The story itself is about a mage named Rhys who, along with his companions (including a game companion in a risky move of 'canonising' a certain storyline...) set out to seek information on the process of making mages Tranquil. The story also focuses on the aftermath of Anders' actions in Dragon Age 2 which have complicated matters between the mages and Templars. The end certainly sets up the action for the (inevitable but not yet announced) Dragon Age 3.
Pros:
Expanding on the background of a much loved companion from Dragon Age: Origins
Insight into mages, The Circle and the process of making mages tranquil as well as the grey area relationship between the mages and the Templars.
David Gaider is an excellent storyteller and writes dialogue very well.
Fantastic for anyone (like me) who just wants to hoover up every little piece of knowledge about the Dragon Age universe.
Good set up for Dragon Age 3.
Cons:
Unlike the previous two Dragon Age novels it would be very difficult for a newcomer to the series to digest and enjoy.
Few characters you can really feel 'close' to.
First half of the book is frustratingly slow at times.
The relationships between the characters seems somewhat empty.
Overall I can't compare it to the other two novels as I haven't read them but I understand they're slightly more accessible and the characters are expanded more.
I'd read it if you're a hardcore Dragon Age fan but otherwise there's definitely better fantasy fiction out there.
The story itself is about a mage named Rhys who, along with his companions (including a game companion in a risky move of 'canonising' a certain storyline...) set out to seek information on the process of making mages Tranquil. The story also focuses on the aftermath of Anders' actions in Dragon Age 2 which have complicated matters between the mages and Templars. The end certainly sets up the action for the (inevitable but not yet announced) Dragon Age 3.
Pros:
Expanding on the background of a much loved companion from Dragon Age: Origins
Insight into mages, The Circle and the process of making mages tranquil as well as the grey area relationship between the mages and the Templars.
David Gaider is an excellent storyteller and writes dialogue very well.
Fantastic for anyone (like me) who just wants to hoover up every little piece of knowledge about the Dragon Age universe.
Good set up for Dragon Age 3.
Cons:
Unlike the previous two Dragon Age novels it would be very difficult for a newcomer to the series to digest and enjoy.
Few characters you can really feel 'close' to.
First half of the book is frustratingly slow at times.
The relationships between the characters seems somewhat empty.
Overall I can't compare it to the other two novels as I haven't read them but I understand they're slightly more accessible and the characters are expanded more.
I'd read it if you're a hardcore Dragon Age fan but otherwise there's definitely better fantasy fiction out there.
twosuns's review against another edition
3.0
This was the Dragon Age book I was most looking forward to reading as it leads up to the events of Dragon Age Inquisition. However, I found it incredibly slow and struggled to finish it. It wasn’t a complete waste of time as as I gained some insight into the events that lead to the mage rebellion but I expected more. I was planning on reading all DA novels but I’m not sure I want to anymore.
nashxra's review against another edition
1.0
there's a lot I don't like about the series, but it gets a generous star because I deeply love Dragon Age.
jodieripley's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
mmc_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Oh god, Dragon Age 3 is going to be very exciting. Hope we get to see a few of the new characters, like Rhys and Evangeline, again.
catherine_louise's review against another edition
3.0
workmanlike but still enjoyable. cool if you want to actually know how the mage-templar war in inquisition went down because that history wasn't shown in game. gaider's prose is pretty workmanlike but it does its job. as for characters, some are flatter than others, which is surprising because gaider is responsible for most of my favorite characters in the series. rhys and evangeline, however, are the book's moral centers and they're done quite well so you probably can't ask for too much more from a tie-in novel.