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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
This book had an unmistakable ring of the Malazan books by Steve Erikson so I wasn't surprised to read that the author had started reading that series whilst writing this book.
For all of that it was a good book, more manageable because some of the really bizarre aspects of the Malazan books had been somewhat tamped down.
For all of that it was a good book, more manageable because some of the really bizarre aspects of the Malazan books had been somewhat tamped down.
A very stately and thematic fantasy, of the Tolkien school, full of forces, mysteries and struggles, without necessarily getting a lot done. I found it sort of tedious; your mileage may vary.
There seems to be a really interesting story in the back-end of this book, and occasionally glimpses of it were caught through the mist. I was intrigued by the deep inculcation of the warrior culture, interested in the "outsider" characters and their stories, and definitely excited by the origin tales of the world and the Derai (not space elves, totally not space elves, honestly officer). But most of the book was not concerned with exploring those things, preferring to wander about in dreams and the aether dealing in symbolism and prophecy and tableauxed duels of power and will. Occasionally shiny, mostly dull.
Part of my problem with this is that it just didn't move. The first part is concerned with the activities of one night, the second part with the activities of a second night some weeks after the first, and the third part finally gets out in the world and does some stuff, but eh.
Now, don't get me wrong, that's not necessarily an inherently bad structure. I was very impressed with [b:The Forging Of The Shadows|1741471|The Forging Of The Shadows (Lightbringer Trilogy)|Oliver Johnson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187645239s/1741471.jpg|1739096], which takes place from dusk until dawn of one cataclysmic night (but includes oodles of backstory for all the main characters in flashbacks, etc), and one of my favourite books is [b:A Song for Arbonne|104085|A Song for Arbonne|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309212350s/104085.jpg|2498881], which is almost theatrical in the way it moves between acts that are comprised of one-night activities... it's just there are lots of characters moving in intriguingly different directions at those single events.
The Heir of Night combines simplicity of structure with simplicity of plot (there's one storyline, with occasionally tiny shoots of branch-off) and a narrow cast, and it's just too little to engage me fully.
There seems to be a really interesting story in the back-end of this book, and occasionally glimpses of it were caught through the mist. I was intrigued by the deep inculcation of the warrior culture, interested in the "outsider" characters and their stories, and definitely excited by the origin tales of the world and the Derai (not space elves, totally not space elves, honestly officer). But most of the book was not concerned with exploring those things, preferring to wander about in dreams and the aether dealing in symbolism and prophecy and tableauxed duels of power and will. Occasionally shiny, mostly dull.
Part of my problem with this is that it just didn't move. The first part is concerned with the activities of one night, the second part with the activities of a second night some weeks after the first, and the third part finally gets out in the world and does some stuff, but eh.
Now, don't get me wrong, that's not necessarily an inherently bad structure. I was very impressed with [b:The Forging Of The Shadows|1741471|The Forging Of The Shadows (Lightbringer Trilogy)|Oliver Johnson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187645239s/1741471.jpg|1739096], which takes place from dusk until dawn of one cataclysmic night (but includes oodles of backstory for all the main characters in flashbacks, etc), and one of my favourite books is [b:A Song for Arbonne|104085|A Song for Arbonne|Guy Gavriel Kay|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309212350s/104085.jpg|2498881], which is almost theatrical in the way it moves between acts that are comprised of one-night activities... it's just there are lots of characters moving in intriguingly different directions at those single events.
The Heir of Night combines simplicity of structure with simplicity of plot (there's one storyline, with occasionally tiny shoots of branch-off) and a narrow cast, and it's just too little to engage me fully.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really struggled to read this book. I think flow was sacrificed for depth of worldbuilding and it didn't work. I liked the last third of the book more than the two thirds before it as it finally started moving.
I picked this up to read as a favour, and so that I could write a review for a Kiwi author on our sci fi fantasy shelf at work!
I was tremendously surprised by how much I've actually enjoyed the book.
Though the characters are young, it is the beginning of the series, so I imagine we're going to follow them growing up, like in the Belgariad or the Farseer trilogy.
The world they live in sounds fascinating, and I definitely want to hear more, from different perspectives or the same, I don't mind!
Happily anticipating the sequel
I was tremendously surprised by how much I've actually enjoyed the book.
Though the characters are young, it is the beginning of the series, so I imagine we're going to follow them growing up, like in the Belgariad or the Farseer trilogy.
The world they live in sounds fascinating, and I definitely want to hear more, from different perspectives or the same, I don't mind!
Happily anticipating the sequel
I had initially picked up the second book in the series and it has taken me some time to find the first book.
I was surprised by this book as it is a rich fantasy novel with a detailed world and on the whole well realised characters. I was swept easily into this tale and it held my interest.
Where I struggled with the novel was that too much detail and too much background information that really bogged the story down. The information that you are given is useful but was it really necessary? I mean there is so much of it.
The characters are not bad but because they spend so much time explaining everything they never really develop. This meant that at the end of the book you had the two main protagonists Malian and Kalan riding off into the distance but no sense as to who their enemies really are. The only enemy you have is the Swam of the Dark and you have no idea as to their motives or leadership group. I did struggle with the names, while original were confusing and at times it was hard to discern the gender of a character initially.
I enjoyed the book and I will pick up the second to see how it develops. I am hoping that the backstory will dissolve and the action begin.
I was surprised by this book as it is a rich fantasy novel with a detailed world and on the whole well realised characters. I was swept easily into this tale and it held my interest.
Where I struggled with the novel was that too much detail and too much background information that really bogged the story down. The information that you are given is useful but was it really necessary? I mean there is so much of it.
The characters are not bad but because they spend so much time explaining everything they never really develop. This meant that at the end of the book you had the two main protagonists Malian and Kalan riding off into the distance but no sense as to who their enemies really are. The only enemy you have is the Swam of the Dark and you have no idea as to their motives or leadership group. I did struggle with the names, while original were confusing and at times it was hard to discern the gender of a character initially.
I enjoyed the book and I will pick up the second to see how it develops. I am hoping that the backstory will dissolve and the action begin.
I read this story and the following two several years ago and I forgot how much they drew me in. It is such an impressive series and I've heard rumours that the fourth and final book in the Wall of Night series is to release this year, and I cannot wait.
This first installment is all about setting up the various characters and the world and it packs a punch. Malion is the Heir of Night, destined to rule her House and it's a lonely life. When an ancient enemy attacks her Keep, Malion has no choice but to use her newly discovered powers to save everyone.
I adore everything about this world; the growing trust and friendship between Malion and Kalan, the enigmatic Heralds who have vowed to help them and various other characters who added a richness and depth to the story. This enitre world is imbued with various ancient magics and I love the myth and lore woven throughout.
The author's writing style really pulls at me. There is such a sense of gravity to this story. From almost the very beginning you feel the weight of significance of the events unfolding. It's a fantastically epic story, with two young people at it's heart having to find their places within the world. How could I have forgotten how much I loved this?!
This first installment is all about setting up the various characters and the world and it packs a punch. Malion is the Heir of Night, destined to rule her House and it's a lonely life. When an ancient enemy attacks her Keep, Malion has no choice but to use her newly discovered powers to save everyone.
I adore everything about this world; the growing trust and friendship between Malion and Kalan, the enigmatic Heralds who have vowed to help them and various other characters who added a richness and depth to the story. This enitre world is imbued with various ancient magics and I love the myth and lore woven throughout.
The author's writing style really pulls at me. There is such a sense of gravity to this story. From almost the very beginning you feel the weight of significance of the events unfolding. It's a fantastically epic story, with two young people at it's heart having to find their places within the world. How could I have forgotten how much I loved this?!
I enjoyed reading this book, the descriptions and characterization were engaging. As the first book in the series it created the desire to explore the story further, which is a good thing. It is definitely part of a series though, and I will be picking up other books to get answers to the questions raised while reading this one.
I.
Love.
This.
Argh. Yes. How do I even? This book is for me, all for me. Heroic fantasy with casual splashes of sci-fi. Classic tropes that feel fresh and necessary, not just in there for the sake of it. Speed, menace, urgency, a plot that doesn't need to kick its heels and dawdle to fill the pages. I love the characters. I love the magics. I love the world already. It's rich and varied and always a little bit deeper than you think. And the exposition is handled really well. Tales that everyone knows are just dropped in casually. Tales we need to know more of may well have been held back from our main characters for decent enough reasons, so now we get to hear them in full too.
Yes yes yes. I hope the rest are as good because I'm going to buy them both tomorrow.
Love.
This.
Argh. Yes. How do I even? This book is for me, all for me. Heroic fantasy with casual splashes of sci-fi. Classic tropes that feel fresh and necessary, not just in there for the sake of it. Speed, menace, urgency, a plot that doesn't need to kick its heels and dawdle to fill the pages. I love the characters. I love the magics. I love the world already. It's rich and varied and always a little bit deeper than you think. And the exposition is handled really well. Tales that everyone knows are just dropped in casually. Tales we need to know more of may well have been held back from our main characters for decent enough reasons, so now we get to hear them in full too.
Yes yes yes. I hope the rest are as good because I'm going to buy them both tomorrow.