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wolfshine's review
4.0
I'm always excited when picking up a new book by Matt Ward. I never know to expect. Neanderthal King was no exception!
We're introduced to a world where Neanderthals didn't die out. They live in their own kingdom and so do the homo-sapiens. When an attack is launched against the Neanderthals, their bloodline is believed to be deleted. Little do they know, there is one surviving heir. And he'll get his revenge.
So, like with every Matt Ward book, the worldbuilding is simply phenomenal. I don't read many alternate history books, but it's stories like this that make me interested in the genre. Ward even went so far as to create a specific language for the Thals. I also love the contrast in the entire way that each group of humans lived. For example, the Thals were typically led by their women while the Saps had male leaders.
I could definitely see how this book would appeal to Game of Throne fans. Also, if you're looking for something outside the box, this is the perfect read. Immersive with plenty of food for thought.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
We're introduced to a world where Neanderthals didn't die out. They live in their own kingdom and so do the homo-sapiens. When an attack is launched against the Neanderthals, their bloodline is believed to be deleted. Little do they know, there is one surviving heir. And he'll get his revenge.
So, like with every Matt Ward book, the worldbuilding is simply phenomenal. I don't read many alternate history books, but it's stories like this that make me interested in the genre. Ward even went so far as to create a specific language for the Thals. I also love the contrast in the entire way that each group of humans lived. For example, the Thals were typically led by their women while the Saps had male leaders.
I could definitely see how this book would appeal to Game of Throne fans. Also, if you're looking for something outside the box, this is the perfect read. Immersive with plenty of food for thought.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
stephbookshine's review
3.0
*I received a free DRC of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
I am not sure I would really call this historical fiction, as it imagines a world in which neanderthals and ‘sapiens’ co-exist in a similar power relationship to that of blacks and whites in the days of apartheid, racial segregation, slavery and colonialism. I read it as more of an alternate reality/’Trousers of Time‘ style fantasy.
It was a little difficult to get to grips with the story at times, as part of the world-building technique here involved the renaming of familiar things, like ‘whinnie’ for horse. None of the terms were particularly obscure, but they did occasionally interrupt the smooth flow of the narrative as I had to pause to let my brain translate some of the terms used for very everyday objects.
There were also times I found the main plotline became a little repetitive as Maralek is sold into slavery, escapes, hides and fights, only to be sold into slavery again, escape… There are some interesting and engaging side characters along his journey, but I would advise not to get too attached to anyone in the story, as the most historically realistic aspect of the story is that things are not going to end well for the Neanderthal race!
My favourite aspect of the novel was Maralek’s character, as the author has avoided all of the ‘long-lost heir’ fantasy tropes by making his main character contradictory and realistically inept. He veers between noble and empathetic, if a bit dim, and casually bloodthirsty; his plans rarely work; his skills remain erratic and underdeveloped, and he is dogged by persistent bad luck. I really loved this, as the fantasy main characters who suddenly become skilled at everything they turn their hand to, without training or experience, are incredibly unrealistic and quite annoying to read. I think it’s great that we got a main character whose abilities more authentically reflect his upbringing and (lack of) opportunities in life – I really found myself rooting for him to succeed against the odds.
This feels like a really great story concept, with some good action and character development, that just needed a little more work on some of the pacing and world-building.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2022/12/08/catch-up-quickies-32/
I am not sure I would really call this historical fiction, as it imagines a world in which neanderthals and ‘sapiens’ co-exist in a similar power relationship to that of blacks and whites in the days of apartheid, racial segregation, slavery and colonialism. I read it as more of an alternate reality/’Trousers of Time‘ style fantasy.
It was a little difficult to get to grips with the story at times, as part of the world-building technique here involved the renaming of familiar things, like ‘whinnie’ for horse. None of the terms were particularly obscure, but they did occasionally interrupt the smooth flow of the narrative as I had to pause to let my brain translate some of the terms used for very everyday objects.
There were also times I found the main plotline became a little repetitive as Maralek is sold into slavery, escapes, hides and fights, only to be sold into slavery again, escape… There are some interesting and engaging side characters along his journey, but I would advise not to get too attached to anyone in the story, as the most historically realistic aspect of the story is that things are not going to end well for the Neanderthal race!
My favourite aspect of the novel was Maralek’s character, as the author has avoided all of the ‘long-lost heir’ fantasy tropes by making his main character contradictory and realistically inept. He veers between noble and empathetic, if a bit dim, and casually bloodthirsty; his plans rarely work; his skills remain erratic and underdeveloped, and he is dogged by persistent bad luck. I really loved this, as the fantasy main characters who suddenly become skilled at everything they turn their hand to, without training or experience, are incredibly unrealistic and quite annoying to read. I think it’s great that we got a main character whose abilities more authentically reflect his upbringing and (lack of) opportunities in life – I really found myself rooting for him to succeed against the odds.
This feels like a really great story concept, with some good action and character development, that just needed a little more work on some of the pacing and world-building.
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2022/12/08/catch-up-quickies-32/
popthebutterfly's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Neanderthal King
Author: Matt Ward
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: ya fantasy, war
Publication Date: August 8, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, language, slavery, war)
Publisher: Myrmani Press
Pages: 318
Synopsis: It’s 1107, and the once-great Neanderthal empire is no more, laid waste by the dark Sapien king, Isaac, the same bastard who slaughtered the Thal queen’s young heirs. A brutal reversal of medieval power forged in blood and fueled by Sap ingenuity.
But one babe escaped the mad king’s wrath.
Raised the son of a simple Thal herder, Maralek’s a rough lad with the ferocious pride and temper of his ruined people, a scorn for rules and rulers, and less than a little creativity in his thick skull. In a word, your average Neanderthal.
And life’s livable, until King Isaac resumes his bloodthirsty crusade, and Maralek’s forced into slaving shackles. Then, a rowdy caravan, a mysterious gypsy, a whispered prophecy… A whirlwind of devastation and war as his master is murdered, his fate unwoven, and his world ripped asunder in an epic battle to end all.
Neanderthal King is a historic epic YA fantasy by renowned science fiction and fantasy author, Matt Ward, that features savage twists and darker secrets, raging kings and enslaved heirs, and an audaciously ambitious coming of age quest set in an alternative medieval Europe. If you love Brandon Sanderson, Ursula le Guin, or Robin Hobb, or explosive high and low fantasy classics like Lord of the Rings, the Kingkiller Chronicles, and the Earthsea Cycle, you’ll love this heroic historical tale.
Grab the 1st five chapters of Neanderthal King today for a bold new take on a daring teen hero’s fantastic adventure…
Review: For the most part I thought this book was really good. The book had a game of thrones feel and was very action-packed. The book was very fast-paced and I think the author did well with the storyline and the plot.
However I do think that the characters weren't as developed as I would have liked them to be. It just feels like I didn't really know the characters. I also thought the world building could have been more.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Neanderthal King
Author: Matt Ward
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: ya fantasy, war
Publication Date: August 8, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, language, slavery, war)
Publisher: Myrmani Press
Pages: 318
Synopsis: It’s 1107, and the once-great Neanderthal empire is no more, laid waste by the dark Sapien king, Isaac, the same bastard who slaughtered the Thal queen’s young heirs. A brutal reversal of medieval power forged in blood and fueled by Sap ingenuity.
But one babe escaped the mad king’s wrath.
Raised the son of a simple Thal herder, Maralek’s a rough lad with the ferocious pride and temper of his ruined people, a scorn for rules and rulers, and less than a little creativity in his thick skull. In a word, your average Neanderthal.
And life’s livable, until King Isaac resumes his bloodthirsty crusade, and Maralek’s forced into slaving shackles. Then, a rowdy caravan, a mysterious gypsy, a whispered prophecy… A whirlwind of devastation and war as his master is murdered, his fate unwoven, and his world ripped asunder in an epic battle to end all.
Neanderthal King is a historic epic YA fantasy by renowned science fiction and fantasy author, Matt Ward, that features savage twists and darker secrets, raging kings and enslaved heirs, and an audaciously ambitious coming of age quest set in an alternative medieval Europe. If you love Brandon Sanderson, Ursula le Guin, or Robin Hobb, or explosive high and low fantasy classics like Lord of the Rings, the Kingkiller Chronicles, and the Earthsea Cycle, you’ll love this heroic historical tale.
Grab the 1st five chapters of Neanderthal King today for a bold new take on a daring teen hero’s fantastic adventure…
Review: For the most part I thought this book was really good. The book had a game of thrones feel and was very action-packed. The book was very fast-paced and I think the author did well with the storyline and the plot.
However I do think that the characters weren't as developed as I would have liked them to be. It just feels like I didn't really know the characters. I also thought the world building could have been more.
Verdict: It was good!
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