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bogormen1983's review
3.0
This was a read based purely on the look of the danish cover. I love it, the cover that is. However this is somewhat of a miracle that i scored this book 3 stars as it was so mindnumbingly tedious to begin with. If i hadnt been so determind to finish this book i would have given up long ago. The majority of the problems i have with this books is that i felt it near impossible to connect to the characters. Towards the end the story it self got a little better and it was easier to connect with the characters as well. I hated the ending as it peaked my interest and now i have to read the second book as well.
kagetsukai's review
4.0
This book was really good, though I suspect a lot of other readers may not have liked the way it ended. It was more focused on the character growth and interactions than anything else, but I think that's what made it likeable.
I'm not sure how I feel about Ward, mostly because he flip-flops so much. I mean, I understand why did what he did to stay alive all those years, but sometimes I wasn't sure if his character was being portrayed consistently. A lot of the times I forgot I was reading a book about a 19-year-old, but I guess that was to be expected from a guy raised in a fantasy world where his father abused him a lot. His insecurities were really odd at times...
One way or another, I know I will be picking up the second book... once it becomes available at the library *grumble*
I'm not sure how I feel about Ward, mostly because he flip-flops so much. I mean, I understand why did what he did to stay alive all those years, but sometimes I wasn't sure if his character was being portrayed consistently. A lot of the times I forgot I was reading a book about a 19-year-old, but I guess that was to be expected from a guy raised in a fantasy world where his father abused him a lot. His insecurities were really odd at times...
One way or another, I know I will be picking up the second book... once it becomes available at the library *grumble*
wanderinglynn's review
3.0
As a fan of Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series and a lover of all things fantasy, I eagerly picked up this book. While I overall enjoyed it, the one thought that stayed with me throughout the entire read was "this would be a lot better book if it were fleshed out into an epic fantasy." And that pretty much sums it up. This is an entertaining story. But it lacked that extra oomph and I think it was because she was trying to cram an epic heroic story into a 300-page novel. This is apparently obvious in the world-building (or really lack thereof). It's clear that the author had spent time building out the world, but in order to condense it to 300-pages, a lot of explanation about the kingdoms, cultures, gods, history, etc. was left out. And that's too bad.
Overall, a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book. I just wish there were more of it to devour.
Overall, a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book. I just wish there were more of it to devour.
katiev's review
4.0
This is one of Briggs' earlier works. It is a sword and sorcery type of fantasy. As some readers have stated, it does seem to pack an awful lot of world building into a relatively small space. It was also a bit jarring when she went from a 1st person chapter to a 3rd person chapter so she could include some info about other characters in another place. Despite the fact that some of the polish of her later works is missing, I was drawn into the story and didn't get bored at all.
I listened to the audio version and it was adequately done if sometimes a bit monotone.
I listened to the audio version and it was adequately done if sometimes a bit monotone.
queendbw's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
julieputty's review
4.0
A nice traditional fantasy that functions perfectly well as a standalone, though there is a sequel.
brownbetty's review
3.0
Honestly so fond of Brigg's earlier stuff before she hopped on the girl-werewolf train. It feels to me like it's got more imagination.
I mean, not without flaws! But I really like her earlier stuff.
I mean, not without flaws! But I really like her earlier stuff.
simsbrarian's review
2.0
The writing was a bit dry and at times I struggled to keep reading even though the concepts presented were intriguing and fun to read about. At the end though it felt like this was either a first book trying to set up a new series where thought was really only paid towards getting you to understand the world OR it was a really long attempt to create a groan-worthy one-liner punchline of "OH! Yeah, that line was at the beginning. AND it is how the book ends. Ahh...I get it..."
Still I did get through it. Wished there was more actual dragon action than was present. Perhaps that is coming in the next book?
Just tried to get through this on audiobook and only made it about halfway. This story is rather slow and I couldn't get settled into the audiobook reader's voices for the characters so I dropped it.
Still I did get through it. Wished there was more actual dragon action than was present. Perhaps that is coming in the next book?
Just tried to get through this on audiobook and only made it about halfway. This story is rather slow and I couldn't get settled into the audiobook reader's voices for the characters so I dropped it.