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frexam's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first book, [b:In Conquest Born|36158|In Conquest Born (In Conquest Born, #1)|C.S. Friedman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389147010s/36158.jpg|1185104], about thirty years ago and really liked it. I have enjoyed reading many of the other works by [a:C.S. Friedman|1276004|C.S. Friedman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1257214912p2/1276004.jpg] over the years, but had never gotten back to reading this one. Picked it up in the same Half Priced Book warehouse sale as a bunch of others.
It's not quite as good as the first one, but still very well done, and an enjoyable read.
It's not quite as good as the first one, but still very well done, and an enjoyable read.
justfoxie's review against another edition
3.0
The Wilding is a pale echo of it's prdecessor, but if you put that put of your mind, then it is a fun and quick read with just enough intrigue to keep one's interest. I would almost suggest reading this first so you can savour In Conquest Born even more. Regardless, I enjoyed another foray into the Azea-Braxin story.
arkmanxx's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mpatel66's review
3.0
I read In Conquest Born four years ago; there's not much I remember about it, but I distinctly remember it being excellent. Even the blurb makes me want to read it again! Perhaps my tastes have changed over the course of four years, but as I was reading The Wilding, instinctively, I knew that this would not break through to the coveted 5* rating.
Friedman's prose is sublime (the words flow seamlessly from page to mind), and her world-building is meticulous. As usual, the main plot of the novel resolved itself, but the next stage in the development of that world's history is left ambiguous --a Friedman trademark Friedman that leaves the reader simultaneously satisfied but yearning for more.
Friedman usually offers complex and compelling characters, and these were present in the book, but as minor characters. The two major characters just didn't quite hit the spot for me...Tathas was not quite dark enough and lacked logical consistency in his behaviour, displaying empathetic qualities unsuited to a Braxin. The main female character was so spineless that I can't even be bothered to pick up the book to lookup her name.
Overall, a fun and quick read, but the characters were not to the standard that I expect from Friedman.
Friedman's prose is sublime (the words flow seamlessly from page to mind), and her world-building is meticulous. As usual, the main plot of the novel resolved itself, but the next stage in the development of that world's history is left ambiguous --a Friedman trademark Friedman that leaves the reader simultaneously satisfied but yearning for more.
Friedman usually offers complex and compelling characters, and these were present in the book, but as minor characters. The two major characters just didn't quite hit the spot for me...Tathas was not quite dark enough and lacked logical consistency in his behaviour, displaying empathetic qualities unsuited to a Braxin. The main female character was so spineless that I can't even be bothered to pick up the book to lookup her name.
Overall, a fun and quick read, but the characters were not to the standard that I expect from Friedman.
joyco68's review
3.0
3.5 of 5
Trigger-warning: rape is a common motif in The Wilding
This was a difficult book to love - all the lead characters were highly unlikeable. But it was superbly written and the story was layered and complex. Although the ending felt abrupt and some storylines were left hanging.
ETA: This was a rereading of The Wilding for me. I am a big fan of C.S. Friedman. What was notable for me was that this book holds up and I feel, earns 3.5 stars even though it is now 20 years old. Not all science fiction survives through the decades. That this wasn't my favorite C.S. Friedman novel doesn't tarnish my enjoyment of her writing in the least. Even at her *worst* (and this isn't the worst) she's head and shoulders among many others in a crowded field.
(In full disclosure my favorite of all her works is her fantasy/supernatural based "Coldfire Triology.")
Trigger-warning: rape is a common motif in The Wilding
This was a difficult book to love - all the lead characters were highly unlikeable. But it was superbly written and the story was layered and complex. Although the ending felt abrupt and some storylines were left hanging.
ETA: This was a rereading of The Wilding for me. I am a big fan of C.S. Friedman. What was notable for me was that this book holds up and I feel, earns 3.5 stars even though it is now 20 years old. Not all science fiction survives through the decades. That this wasn't my favorite C.S. Friedman novel doesn't tarnish my enjoyment of her writing in the least. Even at her *worst* (and this isn't the worst) she's head and shoulders among many others in a crowded field.
(In full disclosure my favorite of all her works is her fantasy/supernatural based "Coldfire Triology.")
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