Reviews

Lamentation by Ken Scholes

csdaley's review against another edition

5.0

This was a great book. Very fast paced with some very interesting characters and story lines. It did suffer from a few first novel issues but they were small and didn't bother me that much.

I liked that the book ended with the completion of a story line and the hint of the future mystery. I have always felt that series books should do that. I hate feeling like I go to the end of the book with no resolution what so ever.

I also thought Scholes did a very nice job of laying out his world. Giving us hints here are there but not revealing everything. There is a big mystery in the background of this book and he hints at it all the way through. I liked his mix of fantasy and tech. Will read the next one when it come out in October.

cornosaurus's review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

sonofthunder's review against another edition

3.0

This is a book that I discovered via an online article some time back...found the book itself in Half-Price Books not that long ago and now have completed it. It's...an interesting book with interesting ideas and I want to say I liked it. The idea of it intrigued me(mix of fantasy and ancient technology and whispers of Earth) and indeed the ideas and the plot is the best thing about the book. The writing itself is a bit rough, and as I started reading it, I was very much not impressed. Figured I'd finish it for the sake of it but not read any more of the series. Half-way through, I found it getting slightly better, but still doubted I'd want to read any further books. Then somehow today, as I finished the book...realized I actually do want to read more of this series now. Good job, Scholes - you've hooked me!! Why didn't I like it at first? Well, I suppose I can say that I'm not a fan of the way the author handled the characters. As some of you may know, my very favourite books feature characters so rich and deep that they seem almost real. This book...does not have characters like that. They all seemed a bit one-dimensional. A few chapters in, you instantly understand who the heroes are, who the villains are...and...that's not necessarily a bad thing, but the characters themselves just seemed flat. No layers, no growth. The prose was also a bit dull and predictable at times, but I suppose I can't complain too much, as my own writing is far worse! Nonetheless, not impressed. But...the world itself, and the evident detail that has gone into the world-building and plotting gave the story a richness that saved it from the lacklustre characters and mediocre writing. Very much have to give the author props for creating some seriously fascinating history and backstory! And at the end of the day, I am curious to see where he takes the story from here and I'm hoping(as this was his debut novel) that the second book improves and grips me even further.

ptaradactyl's review against another edition

4.0

A very interesting combination a machinations.

lucnoel's review against another edition

3.0

Good fantasy political intrigue, okay characters. Not sure I see a reason to read more of this series.

adamantium's review against another edition

3.0

Honestly, this book has some really glaring problems with characterization, especially in the beginning. The good guys are very good, the bad guys very bad, with very little evident complexity of characterization. I was especially frustrated with Rudolfo/Jin's incredibly perfect courtship/betrothal. But things really do pick up near the end in several ways. You basically have to swallow the idea that a vast conspiracy spanning at least centuries has been working absolutely perfectly to manipulate individual persons on a minute scale, but I definitely lost interest 2/3 of the way through, and then at the end wanted to start the second book immediately.

It's worth noting, by the way, that this book is a pretty massive Bechdel fail--I can think of two named female characters--Jin and Winters--and they never have a conversation that I'm aware of. Jin is also kind of eye-rollingly gorgeous perfect courtesan/spy/Action Girl who immediately fawns completely over Rudolfo. She starts to get some conflict near the end, but definitely not a new character type. Winters is a little more interesting, but doesn't have much to do yet.

Despite the above, mostly compelling, interesting worldbuilding, and I really do want to see where things go.

vaderbird's review against another edition

3.0

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

ruineleint's review against another edition

4.0

So, I can honestly say that I have not read political or epic fantasy written quite like this. I loved the prose and the style.

The worldbuilding is excellent and intriguing. A nomadic king, a swamp king, a papacy, automatons, - there are so many intriguing elements here. And this very rich world is expressed through some excellent PoVs which immediately draws the reader in and keeps them on the edge of their seats.

cepums's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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? No

4.5

bplache's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0