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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
A Solid Follow-up
I read The Ember Blade back at the end of 2021 and had a great time so this was a pretty highly anticipated release. One concern I had being that I had read the first book over 2 years ago was remembering the finer details of the story and characters. This book offers no recap or dramatis personae either in the book nor online. I just decided to jump in anyway, and I did think lacking that context made the beginning a bit more of a struggle than it should have been. I can't imagine what readers who read TEB upon release 5 years ago would feel like if there memory is like mine. So suggestion to all authors, put a recap somewhere for your readers especially if you're going to release books in a series this infrequently. That being said, as I continued the author does put some gentle reminders in the narrative that eventually I was able to get immersed.
As for what I liked here I would say first of all, despite its length, this book reads very fast. It has short chapters, digestible but solid prose, and something is always happening to keep you interested. I wish more fantasy books were like this. Second, I love a story with a good crew banding together to accomplish something with some found family vibes. You get that here just like in book 1 and I'm here for it. Grub is probably one of my favorite characters in fantasy. Anytime he's on the page it's a good time. Third, I'm a sucker for books about a revolution and underdogs sticking it to an Empire. It's done well here. Finally, and this is difficult to talk about without spoiling, but there are some chapters here that exceed my expectations for what you normally see in fantasy in terms of how it mixes plot, character, and emotional moments by A LOT. The type of thing where you have to put the book down for a minute and think, "Damn, did that really just happen like that? What did I just read." Those parts shine like diamonds in what at other times kind of feel like more pedestrian fare. Let's get into that.
I think this book has more flaws than The Ember Blade, or maybe I set my expectations higher for book 2. Either way I don't think it quite gets there. Early on the author chooses to add kind of a cringe romance subplot that hints at going full blown Degrassi Jr High bullshit complete with live triangle. It's mostly averted but what's there adds nothing and is a net negative especially for one POV who seemed to do very little but think about romantic interests and later another development I won't go into. It hurt my enjoyment because it made that character and perspective one dimensional. Luckily the page time for that was pretty limited. Secondly, while something is always happening to keep the pages turning, at points it starts to feel repetitive with little forward plot movement for the overall story. This is the kind.of pedestrian fantasy thing I was talking about. Like oh were going to a new location where the enemy won't find us. Ope betrayal guess we have to run again. Lastly, for a book named The Shadow Casket I wish it had been more important to this book and to the story. It might be important to the overall series eventually in 10 years or whatever when this is finished, but will I even care by then? The sections (few though they are) are really cool and interesting, but I needed and wanted more.
Overall still really enjoyed this book and series. One thing I do need to give it credit for is having a really good complex and layered villain POV. Those chapters added a lot to this book and kept it in 4 star territory at parts when it was flagging a bit. Those chapters also added horror elements which were great and unexpected. Add to that the last 150.pages or so being absolute gasoline in terms of a climax I'm definitely going to be coming back for more. Let's just maybe get the next one a bit sooner eh Chris Wooding?
I read The Ember Blade back at the end of 2021 and had a great time so this was a pretty highly anticipated release. One concern I had being that I had read the first book over 2 years ago was remembering the finer details of the story and characters. This book offers no recap or dramatis personae either in the book nor online. I just decided to jump in anyway, and I did think lacking that context made the beginning a bit more of a struggle than it should have been. I can't imagine what readers who read TEB upon release 5 years ago would feel like if there memory is like mine. So suggestion to all authors, put a recap somewhere for your readers especially if you're going to release books in a series this infrequently. That being said, as I continued the author does put some gentle reminders in the narrative that eventually I was able to get immersed.
As for what I liked here I would say first of all, despite its length, this book reads very fast. It has short chapters, digestible but solid prose, and something is always happening to keep you interested. I wish more fantasy books were like this. Second, I love a story with a good crew banding together to accomplish something with some found family vibes. You get that here just like in book 1 and I'm here for it. Grub is probably one of my favorite characters in fantasy. Anytime he's on the page it's a good time. Third, I'm a sucker for books about a revolution and underdogs sticking it to an Empire. It's done well here. Finally, and this is difficult to talk about without spoiling, but there are some chapters here that exceed my expectations for what you normally see in fantasy in terms of how it mixes plot, character, and emotional moments by A LOT. The type of thing where you have to put the book down for a minute and think, "Damn, did that really just happen like that? What did I just read." Those parts shine like diamonds in what at other times kind of feel like more pedestrian fare. Let's get into that.
I think this book has more flaws than The Ember Blade, or maybe I set my expectations higher for book 2. Either way I don't think it quite gets there. Early on the author chooses to add kind of a cringe romance subplot that hints at going full blown Degrassi Jr High bullshit complete with live triangle. It's mostly averted but what's there adds nothing and is a net negative especially for one POV who seemed to do very little but think about romantic interests and later another development I won't go into. It hurt my enjoyment because it made that character and perspective one dimensional. Luckily the page time for that was pretty limited. Secondly, while something is always happening to keep the pages turning, at points it starts to feel repetitive with little forward plot movement for the overall story. This is the kind.of pedestrian fantasy thing I was talking about. Like oh were going to a new location where the enemy won't find us. Ope betrayal guess we have to run again. Lastly, for a book named The Shadow Casket I wish it had been more important to this book and to the story. It might be important to the overall series eventually in 10 years or whatever when this is finished, but will I even care by then? The sections (few though they are) are really cool and interesting, but I needed and wanted more.
Overall still really enjoyed this book and series. One thing I do need to give it credit for is having a really good complex and layered villain POV. Those chapters added a lot to this book and kept it in 4 star territory at parts when it was flagging a bit. Those chapters also added horror elements which were great and unexpected. Add to that the last 150.pages or so being absolute gasoline in terms of a climax I'm definitely going to be coming back for more. Let's just maybe get the next one a bit sooner eh Chris Wooding?
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
First, I want to say the writing when describing the Dreadknights was phenomenal. Wooding should be very proud with the sense of dread and horror he builds up whenever they're present on the page.
However, I think this book suffers from a lack of clear motive. The plot feels meandering, and it can be hard to keep straight what the main goal is. I wish I'd read Ember Blade closer to this novel because some of the events and character arcs from that are built upon here.
It has a more hopeful view of revolution than something like Abercrombie's Age of Madness trilogy, but it doesn't shy away from moral complexity and grey areas.
Overall worth a read if fantasy is your thing. I can see where a character like Aren might annoy some, but I really love him as a protagonist.
However, I think this book suffers from a lack of clear motive. The plot feels meandering, and it can be hard to keep straight what the main goal is. I wish I'd read Ember Blade closer to this novel because some of the events and character arcs from that are built upon here.
It has a more hopeful view of revolution than something like Abercrombie's Age of Madness trilogy, but it doesn't shy away from moral complexity and grey areas.
Overall worth a read if fantasy is your thing. I can see where a character like Aren might annoy some, but I really love him as a protagonist.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
emotional
funny
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.5
Alright this is the second installment in the Darkwater Legacy and while I did really enjoy it I felt the plot was a little meandering at times, and found some of the stepping stones needed to setup the next installment a smidge clunky. My biggest complaint is one of the main characters had a story arc that I didn't find as believable as the others. I'm unsure if it was the way it was written or the pacing but even though this book takes place 3 years after the first I just didn't fully buy into our brainwashing side arc.
Now what did work for me: most of the main characters had excellent development, and the theme of moral judgement calls vs making morally questionable decisions in the immediate for the sake of victory was well done. I think the various new factions we learn about were compelling but I would have loved them to be fleshed out a bit more.
One thing that cracked me up the whole book; what the fuck is a shadow casket???? 800 pages in and frankly none of the characters seem to know and neither do we. For the title of the book, it almost felt like the "search" for this object took a backseat and we don't even know really what the hell it is or does. The title just didn't land for me compared to the content but I think that's a nitpicky complaint.
I still really really enjoyed the series, this book just fell a bit short for me compared to the first but I have a feeling the 3rd will be spectacular with all these pieces falling into place.
Alright this is the second installment in the Darkwater Legacy and while I did really enjoy it I felt the plot was a little meandering at times, and found some of the stepping stones needed to setup the next installment a smidge clunky. My biggest complaint is one of the main characters had a story arc that I didn't find as believable as the others. I'm unsure if it was the way it was written or the pacing but even though this book takes place 3 years after the first I just didn't fully buy into our brainwashing side arc.
Now what did work for me: most of the main characters had excellent development, and the theme of moral judgement calls vs making morally questionable decisions in the immediate for the sake of victory was well done. I think the various new factions we learn about were compelling but I would have loved them to be fleshed out a bit more.
One thing that cracked me up the whole book; what the fuck is a shadow casket???? 800 pages in and frankly none of the characters seem to know and neither do we. For the title of the book, it almost felt like the "search" for this object took a backseat and we don't even know really what the hell it is or does. The title just didn't land for me compared to the content but I think that's a nitpicky complaint.
I still really really enjoyed the series, this book just fell a bit short for me compared to the first but I have a feeling the 3rd will be spectacular with all these pieces falling into place.