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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This was a good plot concept but the characters were poorly drawn, not much depth to any of them
For whatever reason, this book didn't grab me. I had to struggle to get through it a bit.
Still, interesting world building, and I'll probably read sequels.
Still, interesting world building, and I'll probably read sequels.
Very good looking forward to the next book. Very original!!
First impression after just finshing this novel by Brian McClellan was "what a fun read". Anyone who is a fan of epic fantasy needs to pick this one up.
For those who enjoy this genre, you pretty much know what to expect when you start reading a new epic fantasy series, action, intrigue and lots of battles in a good vs. evil type of story. Brian McClellan has included all of that in the Powder Mage series but he doesn't stop there, powerful sorcerers (Privileged), Powder Mages with power over (and from) gunpowder (Marked) and others with many different individual powers (Knacked). Throw in rifles, pistols and the odd assorted God and you have the beginning of a new type of epic fantasy that I might call "weapons and wizardy". Great world building and interesting characters that will keep you entralled all the way through and wanting more.
5 stars for one of the best original stories I have read in some time. All fantasy fans are going to want to read this one.
For those who enjoy this genre, you pretty much know what to expect when you start reading a new epic fantasy series, action, intrigue and lots of battles in a good vs. evil type of story. Brian McClellan has included all of that in the Powder Mage series but he doesn't stop there, powerful sorcerers (Privileged), Powder Mages with power over (and from) gunpowder (Marked) and others with many different individual powers (Knacked). Throw in rifles, pistols and the odd assorted God and you have the beginning of a new type of epic fantasy that I might call "weapons and wizardy". Great world building and interesting characters that will keep you entralled all the way through and wanting more.
5 stars for one of the best original stories I have read in some time. All fantasy fans are going to want to read this one.
I wasn't sure what to make of this as it is a bit twisty. It's not on par with a lot of fantasy novels out there as in the characters aren't as fun as Locke Lamora or Kvothe *but* the last 100 pages definitely pick up and it redeems itself. I love the concept of magic being how much gunpowder you can snort (definitely no parallels to ground of fairy bones at all #TheMagicians) so I will be trying out the other books in the trilogy.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(Minor spoilers)
This is what I would call Male Wish Fulfillment Fantasy. The focus is on men. The plot focuses on themes that often come up in badly written history books about the French Revolution. Emphasis is put on intentions rather than impacts. Gender is badly portrayed. Monarchy is bad. Democracy is good.
The worldbuilding is decent for the most part. There's a developed religion and political philosophies, and I had a pretty good understanding of class dynamics; the French Revolution influences are obvious. The worldbuilding is quite poor in one respect--it's sexist. This doesn't make sense within the context of the world where power is based on magical ability and both men and women seem to have the same amount. Under these circumstances, you would expect a fairly egalitarian society to develop unless there are other mitigating factors. However, McClellan doesn't present what those factors could be. The sexism is problematic in other ways as well. Multiple times, the harems of the Privileged are mentioned but we only ever read about the harems of the men. The cast of characters is overall unbalanced, with a heavy emphasis on men.
Taniel's relationship with Ka-Poel is very problematic. At best he infantilizes her, and at worst, he's a pedophile. For the first 400 pages, she is consistently described as girl and Taniel takes a very protective approach toward her. He treats her as a child but also frequently mentions his attraction to her (hence the pedophilia vibes). However, near the end, we find out there is only a three year age gap between them, which does not read well with their relationship so far. Now, this could just reflect Taniel's own warped views, but the other problems with the worldbuilding and the writing of female characters point to a larger issue. Lady Winceslav faints when watching the execution despite owning a mercenary company. This notion is ridiculous. Many of the women's motivations revolved around men (ex. Julene wanted revenge on Bo for spurning her despite having much bigger and more important goals). Many of the female characters descriptions focused on their boobs or figure (because god forbid we forget that these powerful sorcerers are also super sexy).
This is what I would call Male Wish Fulfillment Fantasy. The focus is on men. The plot focuses on themes that often come up in badly written history books about the French Revolution. Emphasis is put on intentions rather than impacts. Gender is badly portrayed. Monarchy is bad. Democracy is good.
The worldbuilding is decent for the most part. There's a developed religion and political philosophies, and I had a pretty good understanding of class dynamics; the French Revolution influences are obvious. The worldbuilding is quite poor in one respect--it's sexist. This doesn't make sense within the context of the world where power is based on magical ability and both men and women seem to have the same amount. Under these circumstances, you would expect a fairly egalitarian society to develop unless there are other mitigating factors. However, McClellan doesn't present what those factors could be. The sexism is problematic in other ways as well. Multiple times, the harems of the Privileged are mentioned but we only ever read about the harems of the men. The cast of characters is overall unbalanced, with a heavy emphasis on men.
Taniel's relationship with Ka-Poel is very problematic. At best he infantilizes her, and at worst, he's a pedophile. For the first 400 pages, she is consistently described as girl and Taniel takes a very protective approach toward her. He treats her as a child but also frequently mentions his attraction to her (hence the pedophilia vibes). However, near the end, we find out there is only a three year age gap between them, which does not read well with their relationship so far. Now, this could just reflect Taniel's own warped views, but the other problems with the worldbuilding and the writing of female characters point to a larger issue. Lady Winceslav faints when watching the execution despite owning a mercenary company. This notion is ridiculous. Many of the women's motivations revolved around men (ex. Julene wanted revenge on Bo for spurning her despite having much bigger and more important goals). Many of the female characters descriptions focused on their boobs or figure (because god forbid we forget that these powerful sorcerers are also super sexy).
This book is a gloriously messy mix of styles, it's really hard to pin down and even harder to put down.
From pistol-wielding, gunpowder-addicted mages to fire-throwing near-immortal sorcerers to interdimensional wizards so powerful they're basically gods, we're submerged into a world of revolution, intrigue, magic and lore so deep it can be overwhelming at times but always fascinating.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
From pistol-wielding, gunpowder-addicted mages to fire-throwing near-immortal sorcerers to interdimensional wizards so powerful they're basically gods, we're submerged into a world of revolution, intrigue, magic and lore so deep it can be overwhelming at times but always fascinating.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
the story is ok, but the author is a socialist. He tries to introduce some elements of economics, but his ideas about unions increasing production and righteous revolutions only work in a world, in which powder mages exist, and human mind doesn't. It's a shame, the book would had been much better without this shit.
Powder mages are ok, but his fantasies about economics do cross into the uncanny valley for me
Powder mages are ok, but his fantasies about economics do cross into the uncanny valley for me
This is my second flintlock fantasy and both times I went in very skeptical because for some reason fantasy and guns don't mix in my head. However both experiences were great despite my initial reluctance. So I need to let that go.
This book has so many great things that I love to see in books. Magic system is a bit derivative from Sanderson, but still really cool. I liked the magic addiction aspect, which is interesting to see, though at this point is more hinted at than actually explored. The characters and their relationships are interesting and complicated and messy. The world building is great. There is politics, intrigue, revolutions, gods walking among people, messy family dynamics... I am very interested to see how this continues.
This book has so many great things that I love to see in books. Magic system is a bit derivative from Sanderson, but still really cool. I liked the magic addiction aspect, which is interesting to see, though at this point is more hinted at than actually explored. The characters and their relationships are interesting and complicated and messy. The world building is great. There is politics, intrigue, revolutions, gods walking among people, messy family dynamics... I am very interested to see how this continues.