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thisistaylort's review against another edition
What's worse than a book hangover? Grief? Homesickness, maybe? I had a pit in my stomach when I read the last sentence. I can't believe the Inda series is finally over.
I'm just wrapping everything in spoiler text because the rest of this review is just my stream of consciousness as I read.
Treason's Shore picks up right where King's Shield left off. Fragility is what comes to mind over the first couple of chapters. Tdor is so happy to finally be married to Inda and that happiness is almost immediately dashed by the reminder that he also cares for Signi. But not before we learn Tau is leaving to find Jeje, and his mother. And he gives Tdor advice on how to care for Inda when his joints ache from the torture he received. Then Signi tells his mother her concerns for Inda’s mental well being. Those concerns are mirrored by Evred when he recounts Inda’s fixation on reliving every battle. And of course Evred is still fixated on Inda. Which Hadand finally realizes. Her resolve not to be hurt by Evred is fragile indeed. Not to mention Inda's unresolved grief over the death of his brother, Tanrid. Speaking of the Sierlaef's old Sier Danas, Buck is not in a good place either. Thank god for Fnor. And then of course we have Fox. Who doesn’t appear fragile at all, but is only putting up a good front. He’s the most morally gray main character, but I have a soft spot. A morally questionable semi pirate, with a quick temper, an excellent fighter, inner turmoil because he should rightfully be king? Yeah, that’s all the trappings of a killer MMC. Now we're getting side tracked. Basically, so often, main characters are made out to be untouchable, but that is hardly the case here. They survived the war, but were not unharmed. To steal a quote from Hamilton "Dying is easy, living is harder."
Initially, I was not much interested in the political machinations of the Venn. But it only took a couple of pages with Fulla and Brun Durasnir to completely captivate me. I would read an entire book just about their relationship.
The (very) slow reveal of Wisthia’s agency was a delightful surprise. In book one, she's sequestered in her rooms, trying to recreate her homeland. By book two, we get the inkling that maybe there's more than meets the eye when she arranges for Joret to return home with her.
Remember when I say that Fox was a morally gray character? Him thinking about stealing the Brotherhood of Blood treasure from Inda is the perfect example. I can’t say exactly that I blame him. Though I hate to think that his jadedness and bitterness will be his undoing. Plus, he beat up Barend. And stole his gold case. Jeje and Tau lost their cases as well. It feels like the friendships are unraveling. Also, how can Fox blame Inda for not writing when he was facing a literal war? I was really glad Ramos intervened with Fox, but it seemed a little too easy. Oh, just have this seemingly all knowing being come, beat him up, tell him Inda’s nightmares, and put him on the right path with promises it will benefit his descendants someday?
I was glad to see Jeje back on Vixen but sad she hasn’t had that reunion with Tau yet. And of course, we learn that Tau is of noble birth. What’s going to be his next move?
Great, Hadnad told Tdor she stopped taking gerda, but Tdor's been waiting on Hadand to get pregnant before she and Inda try.
Tau’s back! And is going to try to save Evred from himself. This may be the cure to the fixation. But will Tau be content to be with Evred forever? No more Jeje? Or maybe Evred will finally get it out of his system?
Evred is just now realizing what Fox knew about Inda a long time ago. The men are loyal to Inda, and he is loyal to Iasca Leror/Evred. And now Handand finally realizes that Evred is obsessed with her brother. And strangely Tau is sleeping with them both. And Tdor sees it all. She is the eye and voice of reason.
Gah poor Signi. That torture scene was rough.
Then suddenly, time passes and it's been five years since the war. Buck found peace. Hadand had a son. Tdor is pregnant. Inda is back at sea. Jeje and Tau are reunited. Signi’s probably about to leave. Fox is Fox. And Evred wants to conquer the world.
Well fuck. It’s over. The Venn were “defeated”. Inda’s story began with him refusing to accept punishment for Dogpiss’ death, resulting in his exile. It ended with him refusing an order to conqueror the strait, and resulted in him being sent home to rule as prince, though it ended his friendship with Evred. He and Tdor went home to live a happy, peaceful life. He got to talk with Fox some. Fox became a Jarl, though plans to return to the sea. Barend took over the fleet, where he is happiest. I loved that moment when Fox left the fleet and there was a sentiment that the good, old days of adventure were truly behind them now. Jeje returned to Freedom Harbor, with Tau. And then Evred stepped down as king and Tau is going to show him the rest of the world. I hate that Hadand had to die in the end. Though I guess that was the catalyst for Evred to leave.
Signi and child must be doing fine. Fulla, Brun, and Halvir made it out. Rajnir survived and seemed intent on making sweeping changes with the Venn.
The wrap up was a little too neat and tidy for me, but then again, how to do you sum up a 2000+ page series?
In conclusion, what an amazing series! It has unforgettable characters and such insight into the human mind. Really a shame it's not more widely read.
I'm just wrapping everything in spoiler text because the rest of this review is just my stream of consciousness as I read.
Treason's Shore picks up right where King's Shield left off. Fragility is what comes to mind over the first couple of chapters. Tdor is so happy to finally be married to Inda and that happiness is almost immediately dashed by the reminder that he also cares for Signi. But not before we learn Tau is leaving to find Jeje, and his mother. And he gives Tdor advice on how to care for Inda when his joints ache from the torture he received. Then Signi tells his mother her concerns for Inda’s mental well being. Those concerns are mirrored by Evred when he recounts Inda’s fixation on reliving every battle. And of course Evred is still fixated on Inda. Which Hadand finally realizes. Her resolve not to be hurt by Evred is fragile indeed. Not to mention Inda's unresolved grief over the death of his brother, Tanrid. Speaking of the Sierlaef's old Sier Danas, Buck is not in a good place either. Thank god for Fnor. And then of course we have Fox. Who doesn’t appear fragile at all, but is only putting up a good front. He’s the most morally gray main character, but I have a soft spot. A morally questionable semi pirate, with a quick temper, an excellent fighter, inner turmoil because he should rightfully be king? Yeah, that’s all the trappings of a killer MMC. Now we're getting side tracked. Basically, so often, main characters are made out to be untouchable, but that is hardly the case here. They survived the war, but were not unharmed. To steal a quote from Hamilton "Dying is easy, living is harder."
Initially, I was not much interested in the political machinations of the Venn. But it only took a couple of pages with Fulla and Brun Durasnir to completely captivate me. I would read an entire book just about their relationship.
The (very) slow reveal of Wisthia’s agency was a delightful surprise. In book one, she's sequestered in her rooms, trying to recreate her homeland. By book two, we get the inkling that maybe there's more than meets the eye when she arranges for Joret to return home with her.
Remember when I say that Fox was a morally gray character? Him thinking about stealing the Brotherhood of Blood treasure from Inda is the perfect example. I can’t say exactly that I blame him. Though I hate to think that his jadedness and bitterness will be his undoing. Plus, he beat up Barend. And stole his gold case. Jeje and Tau lost their cases as well. It feels like the friendships are unraveling. Also, how can Fox blame Inda for not writing when he was facing a literal war? I was really glad Ramos intervened with Fox, but it seemed a little too easy. Oh, just have this seemingly all knowing being come, beat him up, tell him Inda’s nightmares, and put him on the right path with promises it will benefit his descendants someday?
I was glad to see Jeje back on Vixen but sad she hasn’t had that reunion with Tau yet. And of course, we learn that Tau is of noble birth. What’s going to be his next move?
Great, Hadnad told Tdor she stopped taking gerda, but Tdor's been waiting on Hadand to get pregnant before she and Inda try.
Tau’s back! And is going to try to save Evred from himself. This may be the cure to the fixation. But will Tau be content to be with Evred forever? No more Jeje? Or maybe Evred will finally get it out of his system?
Evred is just now realizing what Fox knew about Inda a long time ago. The men are loyal to Inda, and he is loyal to Iasca Leror/Evred. And now Handand finally realizes that Evred is obsessed with her brother. And strangely Tau is sleeping with them both. And Tdor sees it all. She is the eye and voice of reason.
Gah poor Signi. That torture scene was rough.
Then suddenly, time passes and it's been five years since the war. Buck found peace. Hadand had a son. Tdor is pregnant. Inda is back at sea. Jeje and Tau are reunited. Signi’s probably about to leave. Fox is Fox. And Evred wants to conquer the world.
Well fuck. It’s over. The Venn were “defeated”. Inda’s story began with him refusing to accept punishment for Dogpiss’ death, resulting in his exile. It ended with him refusing an order to conqueror the strait, and resulted in him being sent home to rule as prince, though it ended his friendship with Evred. He and Tdor went home to live a happy, peaceful life. He got to talk with Fox some. Fox became a Jarl, though plans to return to the sea. Barend took over the fleet, where he is happiest. I loved that moment when Fox left the fleet and there was a sentiment that the good, old days of adventure were truly behind them now. Jeje returned to Freedom Harbor, with Tau. And then Evred stepped down as king and Tau is going to show him the rest of the world. I hate that Hadand had to die in the end. Though I guess that was the catalyst for Evred to leave.
Signi and child must be doing fine. Fulla, Brun, and Halvir made it out. Rajnir survived and seemed intent on making sweeping changes with the Venn.
The wrap up was a little too neat and tidy for me, but then again, how to do you sum up a 2000+ page series?
In conclusion, what an amazing series! It has unforgettable characters and such insight into the human mind. Really a shame it's not more widely read.
leopardseal's review against another edition
5.0
mhmmmm i think this book's strongest aspect was the presentation and resolution of the series' questions and themes, especially in how they were explored through the characters' arcs and actions. all the tie-backs to previous books to wrap up those themes were nice, from evred's promises to inda and jeje to tdor's "making, not tearing nets".
i very much appreciate the happy endings hhhhhhh. i would've liked tho.
i really want to reread at least the first two books so i can better grasp the set-up of evred's and inda's arcs, especially since i now know how the story ends. i want to see the mirroring of evred and his uncle, and how inda has and hasn't changed from the beginning.
very pleased by how smith developed minor characters, such as rajnir, and just paid attention to smaller details of worldbuilding and characters. maybe i'll have to reread for this, but i wish
pleasantly surprised by how fox's arc turned out. wasn't sure what i was expecting but i am satisfied. still very amused how
i was ready to smack evred so many times throughout the book but it turned out alright
i very much appreciate the happy endings hhhhhhh. i would've liked
Spoiler
a final tie-up for signi and durasnir. also im curious what tau did for the 15 years before he and evred got back togetheri really want to reread at least the first two books so i can better grasp the set-up of evred's and inda's arcs, especially since i now know how the story ends. i want to see the mirroring of evred and his uncle, and how inda has and hasn't changed from the beginning.
very pleased by how smith developed minor characters, such as rajnir, and just paid attention to smaller details of worldbuilding and characters. maybe i'll have to reread for this, but i wish
Spoiler
more development had been given to erkric? more to his motives, at least. maybe it was better explained in book one or two, but i don't really know why he would be so determined to conquer the world and ruin his kingdom so the mages can have more power. thinking about it, it has to do with norsunder, which i still don't super understand the attractiveness of it? so i should reread the fox to see if i can glean more about that. or maybe read other smith books.pleasantly surprised by how fox's arc turned out. wasn't sure what i was expecting but i am satisfied. still very amused how
Spoiler
fox lost a fight one (1) time to a dead guy and just immediately gained some humility and compassion to the point where he was nice to inda and more or less accepted evred's rulei was ready to smack evred so many times throughout the book but it turned out alright
aplpaca's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
tarabyt3's review against another edition
5.0
Actually a 4ish for me, but I rounded up because the series is just fantastic. Great world-building and better character-building. Series started out strong and ended beautifully. Highly recommend the series if you're into pretty much anything. :D Okay, I guess you'd probably at least like fantasy a little. XD And pirates.
kmj91's review against another edition
3.0
The character work in this final book is still great but the plot is fumbled and a bit disappointing. Without giving it away, the whole book builds up toa final confrontation with the Venn that ends in just a few short chapters with a rather anticlimactic solution.
brewergnome's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly a wrap up book. I still enjoyed it, and it was definitely necessary. I like that the most "moral" of the characters is haunted by his choices, and that not everything is fixed at the end. Basically, that there are consequences, and intention and goodness don't obviate those consequences.
cgirl98's review against another edition
4.0
Conclusion of the Inda Series When you put in an investment in a series, where each book is a tome that could kill someone if throw at their head, what you dread the most is that when you reach the end you will not be satisfied..or worse...you would want to throw the book out of a window. This series....gladly...did not have either affect on me. In fact, when it ended I felt like I just had a nice satisfying piece of chocolate.We start where King's Shield leaves off. Inda and crew have driven of the Venn, more like they drove themselves off, and now returned home to rebuild the country and prepare for them to come back, because everyone knows peace won't last. All of the relationships and characters that were introduced in the previous books are further explored and fleshed out. This is one thing I have no complaints about with this writer, she really lets you get to know the characters, and no character is too small to get a back story.Though Inda is the hero in this tale, and he is great, so without ambition, introspective and never lets go of his ideals...I found myself in all the books drawn more to Evred. He to me was such an interesting character. So serious and sober, and duty bound, everyone views him as a walking icicle. But he is the most passionate character in these books I found, and under the most pressure. His devotion to Inda never get real closure, but is is kind of true to life. His feelings about Inda, the reader never gets a good idea of it it is real or just something he clings to as an ideal. And his interactions with one of my other favorite Tau..oh..man did the last couple paragraphs make me happy. Those two fools were blinder than bats when it came to the other.All in all I loved this series. It had lots of action: war, battle, pirates, romance, death, and an epic scale. What's not to like. The only complaint I have with it was goes back to what I liked about it as well. Every character got some time to be fleshed out, but I found that in the end..some characters that we spent so much time on in the books...we never got to know what happened to them. It is like they were dropped. So perhaps...some more editing would have been beneficial. The final book was bigger than the first three...it was like carrying around a hardcover dictionary.
nightwyrm's review against another edition
3.0
An okay fantasy series, although a bit drawn out in some aspects. Definitely a series to borrow from the library (as opposed to buying it) -- that'll be my approach to any other works by this author.
aneton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25