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melissalurie81's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
unicorn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
skycrane's review
3.0
While enjoyable, I thought this book was weaker than those in the previous series. Many of the characters didn't feel properly developed, perhaps because of the narrow scope in time, and the way they were introduced one after another as they all show up in the early parts of the book. Also, a lot of the story beats and character roles felt strongly reminiscent of those in The Tethered Mage, to the extent that it feels a little like the author was repeating herself.
On the other hand, I purchased this book as soon as it came out, started it immediately, and barely put it down until I finished it. My criticisms and complaints seem like minor things compared to how absorbed I was while reading it.
On the other hand, I purchased this book as soon as it came out, started it immediately, and barely put it down until I finished it. My criticisms and complaints seem like minor things compared to how absorbed I was while reading it.
ecstaticrhubarb's review
2.0
I didn't mean to give it 2, but according to Goodreads "It was Ok". I really didn't get interested until the last quarter or so, and even then - I really didn't care about the characters.
I think it may be worth it to read the Swords and Fire trilogy first (although not necessary) because maybe it will give you a better idea of the world? I started with this book, and the first little bit I was trying to figure out who was doing what and why and what things were and why I should care. I feel like the first trilogy would help with that a little bit (maybe?).
Otherwise, I liked some of the characters and was hoping certain things would happen to other characters.
I think it may be worth it to read the Swords and Fire trilogy first (although not necessary) because maybe it will give you a better idea of the world? I started with this book, and the first little bit I was trying to figure out who was doing what and why and what things were and why I should care. I feel like the first trilogy would help with that a little bit (maybe?).
Otherwise, I liked some of the characters and was hoping certain things would happen to other characters.
flyingorcas's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
spazgirl76's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
xknight95's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the eARC…
I thought this was a great start to the trilogy. We have mysterious magical artifacts, murder mysteries, political discord, chimeras (which are always fun), and really great LGBT+ representation. There were lots of questions that I had a long away, and some were answered and some were left unanswered which makes me keen to discover the answers in the next two books.
As much as I enjoyed the plot and the mysteries, the characters are what drove this book home for me. I love captivating and morally grey characters. Ryx, our main character has a magic that everyone else considers “broken”. Any living thing she touches dies. I thought she was a solid main character. Not my favourite in the book but she was interesting and witty enough to hold my attention (important as this is told as first person). The Rookery were my favourites, especially Ashe. I really love her “stab first, ask questions later” attitude, though the rest of the Rookery do a good job at holding her back from those impulses. Severin was another interesting character. A bit of a mystery most of the book, you never knew what side he was on. Speaking of characters their was quite a bit of representation that I really loved to see; bisexual main character, a non-binary character, a potentially asxual/ maybe aromantic character, and some potential lesbian characters. As it is only the first book I expect my “potentials” will become more clear.
Then there is Gloamingard. This is the name of Ryx’s grandmothers castle and where the majority of the story takes place. I really loved Gloamingard. I found it fascinating how every new Witch Lord would add to the castle, with an end result with various secret passages, and various rooms built quite differently, from bones to plants and trees. Looking at the map, this world is quite vast. In this first book we did not do much exploring, but I look forward to exploring more of the world of Eruvia in the coming books.
Really the only faults I can say is that I found the beginning a little slow to captivate me, and that I was not crazy over how the end conflict was resolved. The latter is more of a preference thing. There was just a lot of talking to get out of a couple tight spots where I was just thinking “do the antagonists really not know what is going on?” I am also on the fence with the magic system. Maybe it is because we did not get much from it in this first book. I would love to learn more about the magic of this world. Really just a few minor things. The ending itself was good, in that it resolved some conflicts while leaving/creating more for the upcoming books to solve.
In conclusion I would recommend this book to someone who loves magic and mystery mixed with some fantasy politics.
I thought this was a great start to the trilogy. We have mysterious magical artifacts, murder mysteries, political discord, chimeras (which are always fun), and really great LGBT+ representation. There were lots of questions that I had a long away, and some were answered and some were left unanswered which makes me keen to discover the answers in the next two books.
As much as I enjoyed the plot and the mysteries, the characters are what drove this book home for me. I love captivating and morally grey characters. Ryx, our main character has a magic that everyone else considers “broken”. Any living thing she touches dies. I thought she was a solid main character. Not my favourite in the book but she was interesting and witty enough to hold my attention (important as this is told as first person). The Rookery were my favourites, especially Ashe. I really love her “stab first, ask questions later” attitude, though the rest of the Rookery do a good job at holding her back from those impulses. Severin was another interesting character. A bit of a mystery most of the book, you never knew what side he was on. Speaking of characters their was quite a bit of representation that I really loved to see; bisexual main character, a non-binary character, a potentially asxual/ maybe aromantic character, and some potential lesbian characters. As it is only the first book I expect my “potentials” will become more clear.
Then there is Gloamingard. This is the name of Ryx’s grandmothers castle and where the majority of the story takes place. I really loved Gloamingard. I found it fascinating how every new Witch Lord would add to the castle, with an end result with various secret passages, and various rooms built quite differently, from bones to plants and trees. Looking at the map, this world is quite vast. In this first book we did not do much exploring, but I look forward to exploring more of the world of Eruvia in the coming books.
Really the only faults I can say is that I found the beginning a little slow to captivate me, and that I was not crazy over how the end conflict was resolved. The latter is more of a preference thing. There was just a lot of talking to get out of a couple tight spots where I was just thinking “do the antagonists really not know what is going on?” I am also on the fence with the magic system. Maybe it is because we did not get much from it in this first book. I would love to learn more about the magic of this world. Really just a few minor things. The ending itself was good, in that it resolved some conflicts while leaving/creating more for the upcoming books to solve.
In conclusion I would recommend this book to someone who loves magic and mystery mixed with some fantasy politics.
itputsthebookupontheshelf's review
4.0
"Guard the tower, ward the stone
Find your answers writ in bone
Keep your trust through wits or war:
Nothing must unseal the Door"
I have not read any of Caruso's other works, but this story takes place in the same realm of her Swords and Fire series. You don't need to have read that series first to enjoy this one, though. I enjoyed it quite well, knowing nothing of the previous series beforehand.
With its quick paced plot and chaos insuing right from the start, this book is a page turner.
We first meet Ryx, who is from a line of witch lords where powers are passed along the family line. But somehow Ryx's magic backfired, and instead of making things better, she can kill with a touch. I loved watching her character development.
I would say this story was more about court intrigue and character/world building than anything, but I didn't mind, and I believe it was a good start to this new series.
Now that I know there are other stories in this same realm, I will definitely be checking those out. Caruso does a wonderful job of drawing you into her world with her writing.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy
Find your answers writ in bone
Keep your trust through wits or war:
Nothing must unseal the Door"
I have not read any of Caruso's other works, but this story takes place in the same realm of her Swords and Fire series. You don't need to have read that series first to enjoy this one, though. I enjoyed it quite well, knowing nothing of the previous series beforehand.
With its quick paced plot and chaos insuing right from the start, this book is a page turner.
We first meet Ryx, who is from a line of witch lords where powers are passed along the family line. But somehow Ryx's magic backfired, and instead of making things better, she can kill with a touch. I loved watching her character development.
I would say this story was more about court intrigue and character/world building than anything, but I didn't mind, and I believe it was a good start to this new series.
Now that I know there are other stories in this same realm, I will definitely be checking those out. Caruso does a wonderful job of drawing you into her world with her writing.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy
justagirl22's review
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.75