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observantraven's review
4.0
Firstly a big thank you to Steven Kelliher for sending me a arc copy of this book for review.
In August of 2017 I reviewed the first book in The Landkist Saga, "Valley Of Embers" (review can be found here). Now here we are 10 months later and as of 1st June Steven Kelliher has released the second book in The Landkist Saga, "The Emerald Blade".
The Emerald Blade picks up straight after the climactic ending of Valley of Embers and we quickly get to see how everyone is dealing with their actions and the consequences. When I first picked up The Emerald Blade I found it slightly difficult to remember most of the characters actions within Valley Of Embers but thankfully Steven Kelliher has the characters discuss to a certain degree what occurred at the end of Valley Of Embers. Due to this I quickly found my footing in the world and like Valley Of Embers found myself getting lost in the world and its beauty.
The only issue I had with the start of The Emerald Blade is that I felt certain scenes were dragged out due to the over analysis of characters and how they were dealing with the current situation due it being done from multiple character perspectives. Unfortunately this continued on and off until approximately the 20% mark of the book. Even though I somewhat said the same thing about the start of Valley Of Embers I feel it had the stronger start due to the actions scenes. With that though I do understand why Steven has written it the way he did and I believe a lot of people will like this level of interaction but for me I just felt at times this just dragged out a little to long.
There were many times while reading this that I found some of Steven Kelliher's writing style seemed very Tolkien-esque due to the complexities and depth he gives to his characters as well as how deep to which he shows this of from other characters perspectives.
Once I got over the initial hump at the start I quickly found myself delving deeper into new areas of the world and being introduced to some new and interesting characters. For me I really enjoyed the introduction of the Emerald Blades wielder and the personality he brought to the groups dynamic as I feel they brought a well needed balance to the groups attitude towards what they are trying to accomplish, it allowed me to experience the consequences of what is happening from a completely new perspective, which I found a breath of fresh air.
The Emerald Blade is certainly the second book in a series as I found it had a lot of the same problems that many second books face, such as pacing, increased detail orientation and less action. I sometimes find this can hinder your enjoyment of a book, thankfully this wasn't the case with The Emerald Blade as I still found myself enjoying it and I think this is not only because of Steven Kelliher's writing style but also the extremely interesting characters and world he has developed.
All of the work Steven put into developing the story and characters throughout this book pays off big time because I found myself particularly engrossed by the final 20% of the book and the climactic ending (no spoilers, just going to have to read it yourself).
With all of the above in mind I can say that I certainly enjoyed The Emerald Blade, not as much as Valley of Ember but that's because I believe they both have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. If you enjoyed Valley of Embers then I would highly recommend that you pick up The Emerald Blade as you will certainly enjoy it and it will also get you extremely excited for the next book in the series.
In August of 2017 I reviewed the first book in The Landkist Saga, "Valley Of Embers" (review can be found here). Now here we are 10 months later and as of 1st June Steven Kelliher has released the second book in The Landkist Saga, "The Emerald Blade".
The Emerald Blade picks up straight after the climactic ending of Valley of Embers and we quickly get to see how everyone is dealing with their actions and the consequences. When I first picked up The Emerald Blade I found it slightly difficult to remember most of the characters actions within Valley Of Embers but thankfully Steven Kelliher has the characters discuss to a certain degree what occurred at the end of Valley Of Embers. Due to this I quickly found my footing in the world and like Valley Of Embers found myself getting lost in the world and its beauty.
The only issue I had with the start of The Emerald Blade is that I felt certain scenes were dragged out due to the over analysis of characters and how they were dealing with the current situation due it being done from multiple character perspectives. Unfortunately this continued on and off until approximately the 20% mark of the book. Even though I somewhat said the same thing about the start of Valley Of Embers I feel it had the stronger start due to the actions scenes. With that though I do understand why Steven has written it the way he did and I believe a lot of people will like this level of interaction but for me I just felt at times this just dragged out a little to long.
There were many times while reading this that I found some of Steven Kelliher's writing style seemed very Tolkien-esque due to the complexities and depth he gives to his characters as well as how deep to which he shows this of from other characters perspectives.
Once I got over the initial hump at the start I quickly found myself delving deeper into new areas of the world and being introduced to some new and interesting characters. For me I really enjoyed the introduction of the Emerald Blades wielder and the personality he brought to the groups dynamic as I feel they brought a well needed balance to the groups attitude towards what they are trying to accomplish, it allowed me to experience the consequences of what is happening from a completely new perspective, which I found a breath of fresh air.
The Emerald Blade is certainly the second book in a series as I found it had a lot of the same problems that many second books face, such as pacing, increased detail orientation and less action. I sometimes find this can hinder your enjoyment of a book, thankfully this wasn't the case with The Emerald Blade as I still found myself enjoying it and I think this is not only because of Steven Kelliher's writing style but also the extremely interesting characters and world he has developed.
All of the work Steven put into developing the story and characters throughout this book pays off big time because I found myself particularly engrossed by the final 20% of the book and the climactic ending (no spoilers, just going to have to read it yourself).
With all of the above in mind I can say that I certainly enjoyed The Emerald Blade, not as much as Valley of Ember but that's because I believe they both have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. If you enjoyed Valley of Embers then I would highly recommend that you pick up The Emerald Blade as you will certainly enjoy it and it will also get you extremely excited for the next book in the series.
adancewithbooks's review
5.0
Last year I read Valley of Embers, the first book in a promising fantasy series called The Landkist Saga. This book continues us on with the journey of Kole, Linn and Iyana. And I ended up being quite taken with this book. It certainly was a big step up from the first book I feel.
The world of the Landkist saga has created its own magical system and world surrounding it. Where in the first book it takes place in the valley, this book takes them out of the valley to a place called Centre with more forests and different kinds of people, different Landkist (those with magic) and creatures. I think that was great because we slowly get more taken into this world without it moving too fast. Where in the first book there was some info dumping at the start of the book I didn’t feel that was the case in this book. Of course we do already have the basic information from the first book so it just builds on that well. I do have to say it took me a bit to get back into this world. There is just so much to remember from the first book, with character names also, that it took me a bit. But this is more of a fault with me as the reader than I think this is the fault of the book. These are just best binged after one another when you remember all of it the best. But once I was back up to speed with everything I was sucked right in.
The book starts us of back at their hometown where they are preparing to travel. For the first part the large group travels together but nearing the half of the book they separate. One large group with Iyana go to the Northern deserts while Kole, Linn and three other Landkist go to the Centre. I expected to get alternating chapters between each travel but we followed Kole’s group to the end of the book with an added point of view of their supposed enemy. I was very pleased with that. It gave us the chance to really get into their journey and struggles. Not that I am not interested in the other group but when focusing on just one makes it easier to be sucked into the story, especially when there is new territory to learn about.
I would say that the first 150 pages are on the slow side. It took them a while to actually get travelling. But after that the pacing flows well for me. It alternates between talking and battle scenes. These battle scenes are well written, but maybe can go on a tad long for those that aren’t as drawn to detailed battle scenes. Even so it creates a realism of the battles and shows they are well thought out. Also this group is not stupid. They are intelligent.
As for the characters, in my review of the first book I said I did not prefer one over the other. That they were serious. That last still stands. But I have grown quite fond of some of these characters. Kole has something. His struggle with his powers, his revenge but also doing the right thing is subtle. In part it isn’t right in your face which is something that I can appreciate. His relationship with his dog is also so very endearing. I’ve grown to like Linn. She is also struggling with what she is becoming but doesn’t shy away from what she needs to do. Baas is a rock, quite literally at moments. Jenk and Misha are okay. I have to say I kind of missed Nathan from the first book.
But most of all I have fallen a bit for our Ember King. Yes. There is something about learning about his side of everything and the side of the battle that completely drew me into the story. He was a great addition and I’m still upset about that ending.
The world of the Landkist saga has created its own magical system and world surrounding it. Where in the first book it takes place in the valley, this book takes them out of the valley to a place called Centre with more forests and different kinds of people, different Landkist (those with magic) and creatures. I think that was great because we slowly get more taken into this world without it moving too fast. Where in the first book there was some info dumping at the start of the book I didn’t feel that was the case in this book. Of course we do already have the basic information from the first book so it just builds on that well. I do have to say it took me a bit to get back into this world. There is just so much to remember from the first book, with character names also, that it took me a bit. But this is more of a fault with me as the reader than I think this is the fault of the book. These are just best binged after one another when you remember all of it the best. But once I was back up to speed with everything I was sucked right in.
The book starts us of back at their hometown where they are preparing to travel. For the first part the large group travels together but nearing the half of the book they separate. One large group with Iyana go to the Northern deserts while Kole, Linn and three other Landkist go to the Centre. I expected to get alternating chapters between each travel but we followed Kole’s group to the end of the book with an added point of view of their supposed enemy. I was very pleased with that. It gave us the chance to really get into their journey and struggles. Not that I am not interested in the other group but when focusing on just one makes it easier to be sucked into the story, especially when there is new territory to learn about.
I would say that the first 150 pages are on the slow side. It took them a while to actually get travelling. But after that the pacing flows well for me. It alternates between talking and battle scenes. These battle scenes are well written, but maybe can go on a tad long for those that aren’t as drawn to detailed battle scenes. Even so it creates a realism of the battles and shows they are well thought out. Also this group is not stupid. They are intelligent.
As for the characters, in my review of the first book I said I did not prefer one over the other. That they were serious. That last still stands. But I have grown quite fond of some of these characters. Kole has something. His struggle with his powers, his revenge but also doing the right thing is subtle. In part it isn’t right in your face which is something that I can appreciate. His relationship with his dog is also so very endearing. I’ve grown to like Linn. She is also struggling with what she is becoming but doesn’t shy away from what she needs to do. Baas is a rock, quite literally at moments. Jenk and Misha are okay. I have to say I kind of missed Nathan from the first book.
But most of all I have fallen a bit for our Ember King. Yes. There is something about learning about his side of everything and the side of the battle that completely drew me into the story. He was a great addition and I’m still upset about that ending.
cathuluu's review
4.0
Kole Reyna and his battle-seasoned friends have left their sheltered Valley and made their way into the World. The Sages have amassed vast amounts of power in an attempt to defeat each other, yet the consequences fall upon people who only mean to preserve their way of life. The Landkist of the Valley mean to right the wrongs inflicted upon the World by the Sages, and to seek out their once-sovereign, the Ember King. His alliances have shifted over the long years of his life, and Kole believes he is integral in bringing the Sages down.
The scope of The Emerald Blade is much wider than its predecessor, [b:Valley of Embers|31296952|Valley of Embers (The Landkist Saga, #1)|Steven Kelliher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469891747s/31296952.jpg|51961898]. The writing allows the reader to easily envision the sweeping breadth of the World as the Valley Landkist step into it for the first time in a generation. I found an interesting parallel between the reader's experience and our group of protagonists; we're experiencing the World right alongside Kole, Linn, Baas, Misha & Jenk, which is both enthralling and at some times, confusing. Their lives were spent cloistered away in the Valley, the ways of the World unknown to them and to the reader as well. There were times in the story when I wasn't able to keep track of the new characters from Center, as some of them are referred to by a title, and some of those titles seemed interchangeable. All was made clear by the end of the book, but I struggled a little in the first half, having to go back and reread to get a better understanding of what was happening and to whom.
I really enjoyed Linn's progression, having come away from the battle with the White Crest with more than anyone expected. How she handles that change comes across as authentic, and it was a delight to see her come to embrace it in time. My favorite Landkist is Baas Taldis. He is Rockbled, having the means to manipulate the earth around him. He's a human with World-given gifts, but is essentially described as a personified boulder with a gentle & wise soul, careful not to waste his words on anything without purpose or thought. I love the contrast between his demeanor and his physical strength, giving his character depth.
This is a series worth reading if you are a great fan of epic fantasy. Things don't go as you'd expect them to, and you're treated to a detailed world filled with interesting and unique characters.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchanged for an honest review.
The scope of The Emerald Blade is much wider than its predecessor, [b:Valley of Embers|31296952|Valley of Embers (The Landkist Saga, #1)|Steven Kelliher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469891747s/31296952.jpg|51961898]. The writing allows the reader to easily envision the sweeping breadth of the World as the Valley Landkist step into it for the first time in a generation. I found an interesting parallel between the reader's experience and our group of protagonists; we're experiencing the World right alongside Kole, Linn, Baas, Misha & Jenk, which is both enthralling and at some times, confusing. Their lives were spent cloistered away in the Valley, the ways of the World unknown to them and to the reader as well. There were times in the story when I wasn't able to keep track of the new characters from Center, as some of them are referred to by a title, and some of those titles seemed interchangeable. All was made clear by the end of the book, but I struggled a little in the first half, having to go back and reread to get a better understanding of what was happening and to whom.
I really enjoyed Linn's progression, having come away from the battle with the White Crest with more than anyone expected. How she handles that change comes across as authentic, and it was a delight to see her come to embrace it in time. My favorite Landkist is Baas Taldis. He is Rockbled, having the means to manipulate the earth around him. He's a human with World-given gifts, but is essentially described as a personified boulder with a gentle & wise soul, careful not to waste his words on anything without purpose or thought. I love the contrast between his demeanor and his physical strength, giving his character depth.
This is a series worth reading if you are a great fan of epic fantasy. Things don't go as you'd expect them to, and you're treated to a detailed world filled with interesting and unique characters.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchanged for an honest review.
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