Reviews

Reading this while watching/studying Brandon Sanderson's lectures on writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy, I can't help but compare this book to his tactics. And the tactic I keep thinking about in regards to this book is promises. Every book makes promises to a reader, a heist, a romance, a battle to defeat the big bad. The promises keeps them reading and whether that promise is made good on, determines how satisfying a reading experiences. As far as I can tell, this book really only had one major promises, Caeden regaining his memories, and some minor promises. I think that might be why it took me so long to read this when I've read 700 pages books in only two days before. I was never dying to pick this up. I enjoyed it when I did but I wanted to do things more than read the book. I never knew exactly where we were heading or what the book was building towards until the last bit of the book. Things were just happening.

This book and series strongest element is the lore and worldbuilding. It is incredibly vast and it seems so clear this is were the author spent his time. As I said for book 1, this is not a series for people new to the fantasy genre. There is a lot to keep straight and the book relies on your ability to comprehend, pay attention, and make connections. I like this element but not everyone does. I also enjoyed that we don't have a clear "big bad" so to speak. Even the characters don't know who the true evil is. Its actually a huge debate in the plot.

The character are still lacking connection for me. They feel like vehicles for the plot and worldbuilding and less like unique characters. The only character I'm a bit attached to is Wirr. The political issues he deals with are fascinating and actually my favorite plot element. This series is a good example of prioritizing plot/lore over character.

I am enjoying taking my time going through this trilogy considering how dense it is. And I'm interested to see how it finishes because I have no idea what could happen.

braydin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

eileenmarie's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I just am so shocked by the epilogue that I don’t know what to write

trv3xkvlt's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

More...