Scan barcode
humbles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
hellhound_slayer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
desolation73's review against another edition
4.0
I pretty much enjoyed this book all the way through and the reason i didnt was due to outside distractions.
The magic system would remind you of something Brandon Sanderson book, but its a gripping story basically about a man trying to protect his family.
Zack Argyle managed to create a relatively short story here but not a page is wasted. My opinion is that more people should give this series a go if your a fantasy fan and im definately interested in the next book.
The magic system would remind you of something Brandon Sanderson book, but its a gripping story basically about a man trying to protect his family.
Zack Argyle managed to create a relatively short story here but not a page is wasted. My opinion is that more people should give this series a go if your a fantasy fan and im definately interested in the next book.
d3vilxl3gacy's review against another edition
4.0
Iโm continually amazed as how good indie authors are and love it.
Not enough fantasy keeps family together and alive. This book had a wife and mother put in danger a couple times and every time she was kept alive and it was nice to read every time she walked away.
Magic based on eye color doesnโt seem too inventive in this modern era but it uses its few rules well and makes good use of the magic and its basis in the human body. Different cultures are a strong point here and the abundance of magic users in some cities vs others was an interesting view to the potential culture shifts and possible genealogy.
Not enough fantasy keeps family together and alive. This book had a wife and mother put in danger a couple times and every time she was kept alive and it was nice to read every time she walked away.
Magic based on eye color doesnโt seem too inventive in this modern era but it uses its few rules well and makes good use of the magic and its basis in the human body. Different cultures are a strong point here and the abundance of magic users in some cities vs others was an interesting view to the potential culture shifts and possible genealogy.
cadmanreads's review against another edition
5.0
This relatively short book that packs in a dense fantasy world.
I came to this realisation whilst skimming through the book after reading. I'd forgotton how much was covered over such over a short period. Threadlight, Chromawolves, obsidian blades, Zedalum, Wonderstones...the world-building is great. It's definitely a very promising start to a trilogy.
I'd say most fantasy readers will like this one if they give it a try. I had a few issues with it but overall it is a solid book.
Based on the ending I'm expecting Book 2 to be even better.
The artwork on the cover of both books is also excellent.
Spoiler filled Critical points...
The story weaves between 3 main people, Chrys, Laurel and Alverax. The first two storylines are enjoyable but Alverax's introduction was the best and I wanted more of his character in the book. I felt bad for him, it like he failed too easily on a few occasions, he seemed smarter than how his eventual plotline was written.
Naming. My major peeve with the book. The main character is called Chrys. This looks great on paper/ebook but when you switch to the audiobook and it becomes Chris. Apologies to Chris's in the world but this doesn't sound like a fantasy name, more like a bloke that goes to my local pub. The book eventually explains the name but by that time the damage is done.
I had a similar issue with 'Fairenwild'. Fair and Wild anyone?
The audiobook was well-read but extremely slow. It was as though a voice-over guy was narrating an epic movie trailer!
It was easily fixed by cranking up the speed and I'm hoping it is the same narrator for book 2. Book 2 is released on 4th April 2021 and the audiobook is planned to be released in July 2021.
The ending.
This is where it lost a star for me. All through the book, I had questions about the Wonderstone and the Coreseal. When something eventually happens at the Wonderstone I found the writing to be a little unclear, I wasn't sure how it was affecting certain characters and what that means for the future. I had to reread it all twice.
I especially disliked what happened to Zedalum. The earlier parts of the book describing the place and the culture resonated with me and so to read those last chapters was painful, like having your favourite character killed off without giving them a good death. It seemed gratuitous.
Despite the above, it is still a great book and I'm eager to pick up book 2.
I came to this realisation whilst skimming through the book after reading. I'd forgotton how much was covered over such over a short period. Threadlight, Chromawolves, obsidian blades, Zedalum, Wonderstones...the world-building is great. It's definitely a very promising start to a trilogy.
I'd say most fantasy readers will like this one if they give it a try. I had a few issues with it but overall it is a solid book.
Based on the ending I'm expecting Book 2 to be even better.
The artwork on the cover of both books is also excellent.
Spoiler filled Critical points...
Spoiler
The story weaves between 3 main people, Chrys, Laurel and Alverax. The first two storylines are enjoyable but Alverax's introduction was the best and I wanted more of his character in the book. I felt bad for him, it like he failed too easily on a few occasions, he seemed smarter than how his eventual plotline was written.
Naming. My major peeve with the book. The main character is called Chrys. This looks great on paper/ebook but when you switch to the audiobook and it becomes Chris. Apologies to Chris's in the world but this doesn't sound like a fantasy name, more like a bloke that goes to my local pub. The book eventually explains the name but by that time the damage is done.
I had a similar issue with 'Fairenwild'. Fair and Wild anyone?
The audiobook was well-read but extremely slow. It was as though a voice-over guy was narrating an epic movie trailer!
It was easily fixed by cranking up the speed and I'm hoping it is the same narrator for book 2. Book 2 is released on 4th April 2021 and the audiobook is planned to be released in July 2021.
The ending.
This is where it lost a star for me. All through the book, I had questions about the Wonderstone and the Coreseal. When something eventually happens at the Wonderstone I found the writing to be a little unclear, I wasn't sure how it was affecting certain characters and what that means for the future. I had to reread it all twice.
I especially disliked what happened to Zedalum. The earlier parts of the book describing the place and the culture resonated with me and so to read those last chapters was painful, like having your favourite character killed off without giving them a good death. It seemed gratuitous.
Despite the above, it is still a great book and I'm eager to pick up book 2.
poorlywordedbookreviews's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฆ... ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ด๐ฆ ๐ช๐ง ๐ธ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฅ๐ฏ'๐ต, ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ต ๐ช๐ต'๐ด ๐ข๐ญ๐ด๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐ต๐ญ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ค๐ข๐ถ๐ด๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ฐ.
After DNFing Sword of Kaigen I was a bit dubious about trying another self published fantasy, but this turned out to be a very different kettle of fish. Where SoK was pretty well written, with good characterisation, but snail paced and lacking interest hooks, Voice of War flips all that on its head. It started out really compelling, but ultimately the writing isnโt great - dialogue is often a bit naff, the concept of โshow donโt tellโ is nowhere to be seen, characters lack depth, and it goes at such breakneck speed the plot gets contrived. That said, I honestly really enjoyed reading it ๐
it obviously hit my sweet spot for appreciating ambition over execution.
Logically, aside from the fact the characters are varied (parents as the MCs, teenager making authentically stupid teenager choices etc), itโs not great. There is definitely an audience for this though, as not everything has to be high literature (hello basically everything I see tagged as TikTok sensations). So if you want fun world building, fast paced plot, comfy slipper style predictable fantasy plot tropes mixed with a sprinkling of genuine โwhereโs this going?โ interest, Iโd give it ago - but only if you are willing to forgive/donโt need stellar writing. Or you are a younger reader maybe?
Will I read the next book? I really want to know more about the Apogee, discover who came out that cave, and see if Laurel has a believable growth arc after her believably frustrating naivetyโฆ but I also want to read something meatier, where the poor writing choices wonโt continually interrupted my suspended disbelief flow and enjoyment! Hmmm ๐ค