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ashthigs7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was pretty good. It wasn’t exactly the grand epic I was expecting. I do agree with other reviews here that compare it more to a history text. The events cross over a great time period, so we don’t really spend a lot of time on certain wars or side characters. There are actually so many characters that are introduced one paragraph and then die the next, so you don’t really create any sort of relationship with many of the characters. That definitely lends to the textbook air, because it’s way less emotional and more of just “oh he’s here, he’s gone now.” I really didn’t like Mata’s arrogance and conceit; I hope that was the goal, because he wasn’t a very sympathetic character, even with his “softer” moments. Even with the main characters, it was hard to feel any real connection to their various relationships because everything moved so quickly - such as when Kuni and Mata meet, then start calling each other brothers, then find their way to enemies. The gods were another idea that I felt wasn’t flushed out enough - they were so important, yet their impact/storylines felt very lackluster and few and far between to me. It was almost like Liu would forget that the gods played a big role in the storyline and then create something small for them, then they’d be forgotten again. I definitely wanted more from the book. Even the ending was a bit frustrating for me, especially when Kuni’s friends and trusted council started preparing for his betrayal even before his coronation, even though throughout the 18 years of war he never once betrayed them? Like what? I’ll probably continue the series, but it’s not high on my TBR.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
redd91's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars.
I think this was a good start to a series, and overall, I did enjoy it, although I definitely had some issues with it.
I found the pacing a bit all over the place for starters. We would have these long chapters with not much going on then some jaw dropping moments and exciting moments and then it would go back to almost feeling like a history book with the amount of info dumping in relation to a bunch of characters we don't really know and aren't all that significant to the story. There was a real lack of women throughout the entire book, which is a real shame considering just how many key characters & families there are to keep up with.
Having said all that, I feel like now a lot of groundwork has been done. The next book is going to be amazing! I love that Ken Lui isn't afraid to kill characters off, which always makes for an exciting read and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The amount of detail that had gone into the world building and character work really pays off towards the end and I can't wait to see where this story goes in book 2.
I think this was a good start to a series, and overall, I did enjoy it, although I definitely had some issues with it.
I found the pacing a bit all over the place for starters. We would have these long chapters with not much going on then some jaw dropping moments and exciting moments and then it would go back to almost feeling like a history book with the amount of info dumping in relation to a bunch of characters we don't really know and aren't all that significant to the story. There was a real lack of women throughout the entire book, which is a real shame considering just how many key characters & families there are to keep up with.
Having said all that, I feel like now a lot of groundwork has been done. The next book is going to be amazing! I love that Ken Lui isn't afraid to kill characters off, which always makes for an exciting read and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The amount of detail that had gone into the world building and character work really pays off towards the end and I can't wait to see where this story goes in book 2.
jokaa's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gibbo's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this one, very heavy on the politics, definitely needed above average concentration but really enjoyed it! Will get the next one!
kaitlinmei's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kwthor's review against another edition
I couldn't connect with the characters. We kept jumping ahead like all the information had to be given to setup later plot points. I didn't like the I'm smart but won't do anything with my life because I'm too smart. Ohh, but I met a girl I'm going to fundamentally change right now to have her.
madgin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5