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nicky_brierley's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this trip back to Deverry. Looking forward to the next books in this saga.
xenawl's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have loved the Deverry series since I first read Daggerspell as a teenager, and I have read the first fifteen books at least 20 times each. I have now read Sword of Fire three times and listened to it once and this one really falls short for me. I find the the main drive unconvincing and dull. in a world of magic the solution is a book that sets a legal precedent? <\spoiler>
The characters are supposed to be likeable but they’re pretty bland and a bit trope-y, and the development is entirely predictable and not particularly enjoyable.
I know Kerr deliberately wanted to get away from reincarnation as a theme, but it’s one of the things that makes the fantasy world so rich and makes having a large cast possible - the connections between characters from past lives. The little teaser that Cavan is Cullyn reborn isn’t enough <\spoiler>
There are some nice Easter eggs for aficionados, but all in all it feels like it needed a couple more developmental edits at least,
A minor gripe, but (spoiler for earlier series) Apparently it’s common knowledge among the nobility that Rhodry was no Maelwaedd and therefore neither was Rhodda, yet they think everyone would overlook that and accept Rhodda’s 5/8 elven son as the heir to Aberwyn? <\spoiler>
With dweomer pushed to the margins, the world is much duller, and don’t get me started on the abomination that is ‘dwimmer’. Yes, language changes, but change it to something that sounds and looks good! Dwehmer would have been better, or deomer or pretty much anything else. I assume the next book will feature Cavan learning dweomer and hopefully also learning to say it, and having some more interesting character development. <\spoiler>
Despite my rather obsessive love of Deverry I can’t in good conscience recommend this book. If you’re new to Kerr, start with Daggerspell!
The characters are supposed to be likeable but they’re pretty bland and a bit trope-y, and the development is entirely predictable and not particularly enjoyable.
I know Kerr deliberately wanted to get away from reincarnation as a theme, but it’s one of the things that makes the fantasy world so rich and makes having a large cast possible - the connections between characters from past lives.
There are some nice Easter eggs for aficionados, but all in all it feels like it needed a couple more developmental edits at least,
A minor gripe, but (spoiler for earlier series)
With dweomer
Despite my rather obsessive love of Deverry I can’t in good conscience recommend this book. If you’re new to Kerr, start with Daggerspell!
readingnymph's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the politics in this.
People fighting for the right to a fair and just legal system.
However, I did find the character development was some what lacking and the relationships felt a tad too rushed for my preference.
It is an interesting world with dragons and magic mentioned but not at the fore front of the plot.
I believe this is the start of a series within a series, I will be interested to see where it goes next as it wrapped up pretty well if a bit anticlimactic.
Disclaimer - I haven't read any of this authors other works where she has created a 15 book long series that is set in the same world.
People fighting for the right to a fair and just legal system.
However, I did find the character development was some what lacking and the relationships felt a tad too rushed for my preference.
It is an interesting world with dragons and magic mentioned but not at the fore front of the plot.
I believe this is the start of a series within a series, I will be interested to see where it goes next as it wrapped up pretty well if a bit anticlimactic.
Disclaimer - I haven't read any of this authors other works where she has created a 15 book long series that is set in the same world.
pamela22's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Katherine Kerr’s Deverry novels are my all time favourites of the fantasy genre, particularly the opening novels of the series.
Whilst it was good to return to Deverry, albeit 400 years later, this novel wasn’ta patch on the easier works. Far too much telling as opposed to showing as Kerr set the scene for the new trilogy.
Whilst it was good to return to Deverry, albeit 400 years later, this novel wasn’ta patch on the easier works. Far too much telling as opposed to showing as Kerr set the scene for the new trilogy.
wynwicket's review against another edition
4.0
In this world, bards are historians, collectors of antique secrets, and the voice of the people--when they decide to get involved in politics, the world has to listen.
A good epic fantasy on a smaller scale, with likeable characters and a satisfying (if a little predictable) ending. Good stuff, and I think I might end up following this series!
A good epic fantasy on a smaller scale, with likeable characters and a satisfying (if a little predictable) ending. Good stuff, and I think I might end up following this series!
dockie's review against another edition
5.0
Finally, Deverry is back!
Love the deverry series and this book is no exception. Well written and a page turner! I want more, truly!
Love the deverry series and this book is no exception. Well written and a page turner! I want more, truly!
and_abelard_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I would have enjoyed this even if it didn't feature Fantasy!Welsh proto-chartists and a culture that had Bards and Colleges and Canals and intricate Guild politics at the same time; But it did.
simone84's review against another edition
2.0
DNF
I had to return it to the library and just didn't care about finishing it first. The concept was kinda fresh, a legal battle in a fantasy setting, but it felt like it was trying too hard to cram in things to please fans of the original multi-series-series and didn't care much about making the characters seem like new and different people and fresh voices. The language used in the original Deverry books is quite iconic and this book was just far too similar for me for something that's supposed to be a few hundred years in the future (of the series). I really vaguely remember reading a Patreon post from the author that said she had to write a new book fast for some money for medical bills*, and while I empathise with that... the book really does feel rushed and half-baked.
*I'm probably remembering wrong, don't take this as fact
I had to return it to the library and just didn't care about finishing it first. The concept was kinda fresh, a legal battle in a fantasy setting, but it felt like it was trying too hard to cram in things to please fans of the original multi-series-series and didn't care much about making the characters seem like new and different people and fresh voices. The language used in the original Deverry books is quite iconic and this book was just far too similar for me for something that's supposed to be a few hundred years in the future (of the series). I really vaguely remember reading a Patreon post from the author that said she had to write a new book fast for some money for medical bills*, and while I empathise with that... the book really does feel rushed and half-baked.
*I'm probably remembering wrong, don't take this as fact
saffybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0