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bookmeanderings's review
4.0
“I have been wielded by heroes of legend and villains of infamy. By the worst scum and the most noble spirit. And in all that time you know what I learned, my liege? There was no meaning in any of it, no purpose that counted for more than shit in the end. Heroes win their wars only to become tyrants. The worst murderers may escape punishment but cannot escape their own souls and they will always die pitiful, friendless, and unmourned….Vile we may be, but at least a demon knows what it is. Mortals live their entire existence flailing in the effluent of their own delusions.”
Thank you to the author and Subterranean Press for the advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one. This novella series is really great when you want something that you don’t have to think too much and can just enjoy the characters, world, and action without worrying about getting through a ginormous tome and figuring out all the complexities of the world and plot.
This plot is pretty straightforward and that is not a bad thing in my opinion. Ryan does a good job of keeping the pace fast enough that things are happening frequently, but not so fast that you feel like there is no substance. That also doesn’t mean that everything that happens is obvious or easy to guess.
As we follow Pilgrim (or Guyime, but I like Pilgrim better) in his quest to find the Seven Swords we get to know him a little more through flashbacks and conversations. Pilgrim is a compelling character and as I continue to read this series I am more invested in his story. I want to know more of the history of his character as there are so many hints about his past as the story goes on. I also continue to really love the relationship between Pilgrim and Lakorath, the demon that has been trapped in Pilgrim’s Sword. Their relationship is complicated and their sometimes shared, often at odds goals drive the plot forward in a way that gives it meaning. Their conversations are often entertaining and informative. Who knew that a snarky demon companion could be so cool and often times hilarious?
Most of this story consists of a dungeon-crawl type narrative which was totally not what I expected, but worked really well. I almost felt like I was playing a game of Tomb Raider as Pilgrim and his group had to avoid traps, solve puzzles, and answer riddles to get to their destination.
This is a dark, dangerous world and throughout the story this is shown even more. Pilgrim and his group have to battle sorcerers, soldiers, and magical creations in order to achieve their goal. As we delve a little more into Pilgrim’s past we are also able to see more of the harsh realities of this world. If you like a grim and gritty world, this series may be for you.
As this is a novella at only 135 pages, it really left me with a feeling of wanting more in a good way. I think there are two types of novellas. Novellas that leave you wanting more because you want the next book in the series and novellas that disappoint you because there was just not enough in the small amount of pages to hold your interest or really get you invested. The Kraken’s Tooth was definitely the former. I was engaged throughout the narrative and I am already really looking forward to the next in this series!
Thank you to the author and Subterranean Press for the advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one. This novella series is really great when you want something that you don’t have to think too much and can just enjoy the characters, world, and action without worrying about getting through a ginormous tome and figuring out all the complexities of the world and plot.
This plot is pretty straightforward and that is not a bad thing in my opinion. Ryan does a good job of keeping the pace fast enough that things are happening frequently, but not so fast that you feel like there is no substance. That also doesn’t mean that everything that happens is obvious or easy to guess.
As we follow Pilgrim (or Guyime, but I like Pilgrim better) in his quest to find the Seven Swords we get to know him a little more through flashbacks and conversations. Pilgrim is a compelling character and as I continue to read this series I am more invested in his story. I want to know more of the history of his character as there are so many hints about his past as the story goes on. I also continue to really love the relationship between Pilgrim and Lakorath, the demon that has been trapped in Pilgrim’s Sword. Their relationship is complicated and their sometimes shared, often at odds goals drive the plot forward in a way that gives it meaning. Their conversations are often entertaining and informative. Who knew that a snarky demon companion could be so cool and often times hilarious?
Most of this story consists of a dungeon-crawl type narrative which was totally not what I expected, but worked really well. I almost felt like I was playing a game of Tomb Raider as Pilgrim and his group had to avoid traps, solve puzzles, and answer riddles to get to their destination.
This is a dark, dangerous world and throughout the story this is shown even more. Pilgrim and his group have to battle sorcerers, soldiers, and magical creations in order to achieve their goal. As we delve a little more into Pilgrim’s past we are also able to see more of the harsh realities of this world. If you like a grim and gritty world, this series may be for you.
As this is a novella at only 135 pages, it really left me with a feeling of wanting more in a good way. I think there are two types of novellas. Novellas that leave you wanting more because you want the next book in the series and novellas that disappoint you because there was just not enough in the small amount of pages to hold your interest or really get you invested. The Kraken’s Tooth was definitely the former. I was engaged throughout the narrative and I am already really looking forward to the next in this series!
unforgiven's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sarrie's review against another edition
4.0
Last year when Pilgrimage of Swords came out I gobbled it up from the library and loved it. I raved to my husband and friends to 'read this please!'. At the time I don't recall if I pushed out a review (I was probably several months into a high risk pregnancy) but I know I wanted to shout about it. So when I saw the chance to read The Kraken's Tooth I jumped.
Pilgrimage begins as a classic quest fantasy, but develops and twists in ways you won't see coming. The ending on this one was fantastic. By far my favorite characters were Pilgrim and Player, and the teases we got of Pilgrim were like catnip. I had to know more. He may feel, at first blush like your typically stoic hero with a soiled past but I genuinely felt a lot of the grief and anger he carried and because of that he felt well made and written.
The Kraken's Tooth picks up at the end of Pilgrimage with our primary heroes. This second book has changed the style of the writing a bit, and within the first couple of pages that becomes very clear. Pilgrim no longer goes by his moniker but by his actual name. The story feels more personal this time around, a bit more of the expected style for a today's Epic Fantasy. This doesn't hinder the story but going directly from one book to the next you can see the difference.
I can't speak too much to the plot, but I'll say (and this applies directly to Swords and Tooth) Anthony Ryan is clearly picking up very expected fantasy tropes and trying extremely hard to do them right. It works too, exceptionally well. I cringe when I see a lot of these same things used, but here, they work well.
Overall both stories keep an excellent world and atmosphere about them. Our characters feel solid and three dimensional even in the short amount of time we have them, and Anthony Ryan's use of fantasy tropes and clichés is fantastic. I highly recommend both of these.
Pilgrimage begins as a classic quest fantasy, but develops and twists in ways you won't see coming. The ending on this one was fantastic. By far my favorite characters were Pilgrim and Player, and the teases we got of Pilgrim were like catnip. I had to know more. He may feel, at first blush like your typically stoic hero with a soiled past but I genuinely felt a lot of the grief and anger he carried and because of that he felt well made and written.
The Kraken's Tooth picks up at the end of Pilgrimage with our primary heroes. This second book has changed the style of the writing a bit, and within the first couple of pages that becomes very clear. Pilgrim no longer goes by his moniker but by his actual name. The story feels more personal this time around, a bit more of the expected style for a today's Epic Fantasy. This doesn't hinder the story but going directly from one book to the next you can see the difference.
I can't speak too much to the plot, but I'll say (and this applies directly to Swords and Tooth) Anthony Ryan is clearly picking up very expected fantasy tropes and trying extremely hard to do them right. It works too, exceptionally well. I cringe when I see a lot of these same things used, but here, they work well.
Overall both stories keep an excellent world and atmosphere about them. Our characters feel solid and three dimensional even in the short amount of time we have them, and Anthony Ryan's use of fantasy tropes and clichés is fantastic. I highly recommend both of these.
dragontomes2000's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I did like this a little bit better then the first book but the issue I am having still remains. That issue is these books are just too short. I want them to be longer. I want to play in this sandbox. Just as I get invested and start enjoying myself the book has ended. But that is what you get with Novellas and there is nothing I can do about it.
Anthony Ryan does a wonderful job with this novella series but it is always going to be one where I am left wanting more. I think the story is paced very well. The characters have purpose and clear motivations. The history and mythology of the world is rich. The Kraken's Tooth is a slight step up and I can't wait for the next adventure.
Anthony Ryan does a wonderful job with this novella series but it is always going to be one where I am left wanting more. I think the story is paced very well. The characters have purpose and clear motivations. The history and mythology of the world is rich. The Kraken's Tooth is a slight step up and I can't wait for the next adventure.
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