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taylorwidmer's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
If your first thought when sitting down to read a new fantasy book is: I want to be immersed in the culture of this world, look no further than The Council of Athyzia. Hoskins' world building is unmatched. He develops a fully fleshed out universe with different cultures, geography, history, and magic systems in this gripping political intrigue fantasy novel. The first in an installation, The Council of Athyzia sets out to answer the ever present question of: "What happens once a war torn fantasy realm defeats the dark lord?"
The parallels between real world politics and religion are quite clear in this book. You'll be ripping your hair out screaming as your heroes' hands become tied by bureaucracy.
After a slow start, the story pulled me in, leaving me fully invested in the outcome of the several votes of the council. I cannot wait for the next installment.
kaliwen's review
3.5
I have to admit in reading and reviewing this as an ARC that I don't believe I've ever really read a political fantasy like this. Nevertheless, I ended up enjoying it more than I thought.
The first half of the book I found quite slow but I think the build up was good to show the diverse and excellent worldbuilding and lore of this story. The characters were also well crafted and had unique voices. About the halfway mark I found things started to pick up despite the fact that the majority of this book centered on conversation more than action. By the last twenty percent I was completely invested. The ending threw me off guard and left on a cliffhanger - it was a little abupt to me but I'm interested to see how this story will continue.
The first half of the book I found quite slow but I think the build up was good to show the diverse and excellent worldbuilding and lore of this story. The characters were also well crafted and had unique voices. About the halfway mark I found things started to pick up despite the fact that the majority of this book centered on conversation more than action. By the last twenty percent I was completely invested. The ending threw me off guard and left on a cliffhanger - it was a little abupt to me but I'm interested to see how this story will continue.
itshannahshardcovers's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bambichik106's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.5 stars
**spoiler free review**
This was an excellent debut indie political high fantasy.
TCoA is the story of what happens AFTER the Dark Lord has been defeated; after all the various races of the world (who normally do not intermingle) have joined forces to conquer evil and are left with, What now?
It took me awhile to read, but it's the kind of book that you savor in small bites rather than consume in a day.
World-building is incredible (the author designed all the maps himself!) and characters well-fleshed out, with unique voices and personalities (and knowing that the author was influenced by Redwall, I could only ever see Snorri as a mouse wearing heavy robes, and I won't be swayed otherwise).
I was so impressed at how well thought out the politics of this book were. The author was masterful at creating situations with multiple sides/arguments and their pros and cons - things I wouldn't have even thought of! - to create genuine conflict within the story. Our MC is incredibly likeable. She's clever and kind, with impeccable ideals that, as the various kingdoms and races of Jenor interact, become conflicted and ambiguous.
This is slow-build. The first half was rather slow, although interesting, but by the 50% mark I was completely invested in the story and characters. The writing has an 80s/90s nostalgia; more contemporary than Tolkien or Lewis, but not like today's fantasy writers. My only complaint was that the ending was a bit abrupt. I had a feeling it would end with a cliffhanger, but it could have used a little bit more...summing up? I'm not sure how to fix it. It felt like Peter Jackson's ending to Fellowship of the Ring (which could be the author's intention!) where it's December 2001 you're suddenly feeling abandoned by all your new Middle Earth friends in a dark theater with 365 miserable days until The Two Towers comes out. haha
All that to say, this is a fantastic start to a new series and I highly recommend it if you enjoy political high fantasy, machinations, intrigue, magic, libraries, and excellent dialogue.
Looking forward to book 2!
**spoiler free review**
This was an excellent debut indie political high fantasy.
TCoA is the story of what happens AFTER the Dark Lord has been defeated; after all the various races of the world (who normally do not intermingle) have joined forces to conquer evil and are left with, What now?
It took me awhile to read, but it's the kind of book that you savor in small bites rather than consume in a day.
World-building is incredible (the author designed all the maps himself!) and characters well-fleshed out, with unique voices and personalities (and knowing that the author was influenced by Redwall, I could only ever see Snorri as a mouse wearing heavy robes, and I won't be swayed otherwise).
I was so impressed at how well thought out the politics of this book were. The author was masterful at creating situations with multiple sides/arguments and their pros and cons - things I wouldn't have even thought of! - to create genuine conflict within the story. Our MC is incredibly likeable. She's clever and kind, with impeccable ideals that, as the various kingdoms and races of Jenor interact, become conflicted and ambiguous.
This is slow-build. The first half was rather slow, although interesting, but by the 50% mark I was completely invested in the story and characters. The writing has an 80s/90s nostalgia; more contemporary than Tolkien or Lewis, but not like today's fantasy writers. My only complaint was that the ending was a bit abrupt. I had a feeling it would end with a cliffhanger, but it could have used a little bit more...summing up? I'm not sure how to fix it. It felt like Peter Jackson's ending to Fellowship of the Ring (which could be the author's intention!) where it's December 2001 you're suddenly feeling abandoned by all your new Middle Earth friends in a dark theater with 365 miserable days until The Two Towers comes out. haha
All that to say, this is a fantastic start to a new series and I highly recommend it if you enjoy political high fantasy, machinations, intrigue, magic, libraries, and excellent dialogue.
Looking forward to book 2!
elizabethbunston's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
This was sent to me as an ARC and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this.
We follow Nauveena and Snorri as they try to create a post-war council out of the allies who faced and defeated the Osseomancer. Dwarves, elves, witches, druids, wizards, and non-magic users come together to try and create a fair and free world for everyone to live in.
As much as I love fantasy, I don't normally read political anything. However, I quite enjoyed this book. It took me a little while to get used to the different genre, and to get a grasp of the concept of the book, but once I did I was quite hooked. The world building was fantastic, if you read this book for nothing else the world building alone is worth it. The characters were written in such a way that you came to love certain characters and detest others.
Where most fantasy books build up to the big, epic battle, this one is set directly after the events of that big, epic battle. We get to experience the aftermath in all its ugly, imperfect glory. There was more than one point in the story where I had to put the book down either because I was frustrated with how the characters were dealing with an issue of contention, or because it just made me sad.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the plot changed dramatically more than once, so don't get settled into thinking you know where this is going because you don't.
This book is full of political intrigue, subterfuge, backstabbing, and more than a little discrimination.
Thank you again D. H. Hoskins for sending me an ARC of your book.
We follow Nauveena and Snorri as they try to create a post-war council out of the allies who faced and defeated the Osseomancer. Dwarves, elves, witches, druids, wizards, and non-magic users come together to try and create a fair and free world for everyone to live in.
As much as I love fantasy, I don't normally read political anything. However, I quite enjoyed this book. It took me a little while to get used to the different genre, and to get a grasp of the concept of the book, but once I did I was quite hooked. The world building was fantastic, if you read this book for nothing else the world building alone is worth it. The characters were written in such a way that you came to love certain characters and detest others.
Where most fantasy books build up to the big, epic battle, this one is set directly after the events of that big, epic battle. We get to experience the aftermath in all its ugly, imperfect glory. There was more than one point in the story where I had to put the book down either because I was frustrated with how the characters were dealing with an issue of contention, or because it just made me sad.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the plot changed dramatically more than once, so don't get settled into thinking you know where this is going because you don't.
This book is full of political intrigue, subterfuge, backstabbing, and more than a little discrimination.
Thank you again D. H. Hoskins for sending me an ARC of your book.
thebookgrassbum's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
This book left me with strong first impressions because it contains several maps and a table of contents with actual chapter names. I started to read and was instantly hooked. The world is rich with excellent world building. You’re really transported to Jenor. I haven’t read a ton of political intrigue lately, but this makes me want to read more. There are men, elves, dwarves, witches, a cult, and lots of unique magic systems. LOTR vibes, but if the Council of Elrond was the entire book. I am itching for the next book in this series.
emeraldragonlady's review
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This book has a slow start, but that is to be expected. It takes place post war with the Osseomancer (extremelove you powerful sorcerer). The alliance that banded together against the osseomancer is now coming together to rebuild their world. There hope, intrigue,, mystery, & secrets. I usually don’t read political type books because I hate politics, and all the arguing over everything, but I do understand that it can be for a common good when everybody’s able to work together. Just at the right moment is when the author turns everything on its head, and so many things happen one right after the other. It definitely kept me interested and now I want to know what happens in this new world that they were trying to rebuild. this is a great fantasy book for those who, like to read more about logistics, I would recommend this.
bookfrenzy's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read as an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and honest I shall be…
I adored this! The Council of Elrond (after the War of the Ring) meets The Goblin Emperor, this book is a conniving and political fantasy of manners. With clever, clean prose, layered and well-devised worldbuilding, a whirlwind of political machinations, and a slice-of-life energy, The Council of Athyzia is the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day and read with a cup of tea.
While I did find the main character lacking for efficacy at times, I can see her as an imperfect character with room to grow, and so it did not impact my enjoyment whatsoever. I look forward to following this series and watching her grow!
One of the more potent elements of the story was its approach to thematic material. You could be forgiven for importing real life injustices into the framework of societal issues presented in the novel — the author has worked hard to ensure the story has real-life connotations on the nature of power and those who wield it at the expense of others.
Lastly, I appreciate this novel so much for its references to high fantasy, and for the way that classic fantasy feeling has been permeated throughout the book. Moreover, I am very impressed for its being an indie debut. I will be monitoring the author’s work closely from now on!
I adored this! The Council of Elrond (after the War of the Ring) meets The Goblin Emperor, this book is a conniving and political fantasy of manners. With clever, clean prose, layered and well-devised worldbuilding, a whirlwind of political machinations, and a slice-of-life energy, The Council of Athyzia is the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day and read with a cup of tea.
While I did find the main character lacking for efficacy at times, I can see her as an imperfect character with room to grow, and so it did not impact my enjoyment whatsoever. I look forward to following this series and watching her grow!
One of the more potent elements of the story was its approach to thematic material. You could be forgiven for importing real life injustices into the framework of societal issues presented in the novel — the author has worked hard to ensure the story has real-life connotations on the nature of power and those who wield it at the expense of others.
Lastly, I appreciate this novel so much for its references to high fantasy, and for the way that classic fantasy feeling has been permeated throughout the book. Moreover, I am very impressed for its being an indie debut. I will be monitoring the author’s work closely from now on!