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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The magic system is super interesting, but I feel like I only read half a book and the characters weren't explored enough. The magic system was super interesting though
Bit of a slog to get through the first 150+ but once you have the stakes and background the rest flies by
I really hated the male narrator, and the story was really not enticing at all like I just could not get into it.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the characters and the world they inhabit but there wasn’t a lot of story to hold my interest and I think the book could’ve benefited from fewer POVs. I don’t see myself completing the trilogy.
An interesting universe, with interesting magic systems, bogged down by characters and writing I didn't really care for.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
Wow this was so good. I had to really think about and process it for a few days after finishing.
It has a slow start, but I was captivated even from the beginning. The characters Lin and Jovis had compelling storylines and I was constantly having to stop myself from skimming ahead to see what happens. The story for Jovis got a bit dull and slower about halfway, but still charming, especially with his animal companion Mephi. We can all agree Mephi is the true star here
The writing style and prose were so well done. The atmosphere and descriptions immersed me in this world. The world building felt alive and detailed, while adding more layers throughout the story without ever having info dumping sessions. There’s much mystery and intrigue that unravels gradually with the story. I can really appreciate that approach, as it’s not overwhelming or boring with long exposition. This was refreshing, as a handful of books I’ve read lately heavily info dumped and left me yawning.
Speaking of mystery, I loved the way Stewart took the story. There’s lots of questions dangling in front of you, and tension, and it kept me up late seeking answers and wanting to make sure the characters ended up alright. There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and while there were a few I did predict, it still led to a satisfying resolution. The mysteries and tension together kept me thinking about the characters and story when I wasn’t reading. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and couldn’t wait to read more. Even with a slower pace for the first half, the slow unraveling or the world and bringing more questions to the forefront had me needing to know what happens next.
As for the characters, Lin and Jovis are the main focus. Their storylines don’t come together until the very end, but it’s still satisfying. We had 5 POV, with Sand having the least amount of time yet being one of the most compelling. I’m excited to see where she goes from here. The other two POV were on the couple Ranami and Phalue. I see what the author is trying to do with these characters navigating their relationship, political differences, and give insight to the rebellion. But. I just didn’t care at all? I found their chapters boring and was rushing to get to the other POV’s I was actually interested in.
I really enjoyed Lin’s storyline. To start with “Father told me I’m broken” as the beginning line absolutely smashed. Her journey of identity, proving herself, navigating her tumultuous relationships, and determination were such a joy to read. I loved gaining more insight to her sibling relationship and rivalry with Bayan. The mysteries of her father unraveled into a dark turn, keeping me on the edge of my seat reading until the early morning.
Stewart really blends sci-fi and fantasy here. I went in expecting fantasy but was pleasantly surprised to find elements and tropes from sci-fi brought here. While these tropes have been done before, I thought she did a great job giving them a new take and voice here, especially with identity and what can be human or sentient and aware of itself.
Now for spoilers:
I did feel like the Emperor was killed off rather quickly, I was asking “Is that really it? It was that easy?” After this guy got away with so much vile behavior and actions. I wanted more of a conclusion with him, one last conversation, or answers. What were his motives? What was the reasoning behind so many of these things? But at the same time, the book ends with much left unknown and I’m sure will be delved into further in the series.
I truly felt Jovis’s longing for his wife, Emahla. Especially in the first half, I felt his desperation and hoped along with him. The end revealing Lin baring Emahla’s eyes was such a twist. I initially theorized that she was Emahla but the story revealed she was grown and made by the Emperor, never one person before. But Emahla must have been used for parts of genetically to create Lin. It leaves much to be discovered
I would skip ahead to read the chapters of Sand. There’s so much intrigue into who she is, why she and the others have no memory. When it was revealed she’s the Emperor’s wife, I needed more answers! At first I thought he faked her death and she’s the real Nisong, then learned she’s also a construct. Why was he giving multiple constructs his wife’s memories? Multiple trials to create the right one?
There were a few plot holes. As Lin was rebelling against the Emperor, I kept wondering why he wouldn’t just grab her shards and stop her? That’s all it would take for him since she was also a construct. And Sand’s shard fell out of her arm, keeping her out of the fog. But the others didn’t lose their shard and were still able to keep out of the fog?
It has a slow start, but I was captivated even from the beginning. The characters Lin and Jovis had compelling storylines and I was constantly having to stop myself from skimming ahead to see what happens. The story for Jovis got a bit dull and slower about halfway, but still charming, especially with his animal companion Mephi. We can all agree Mephi is the true star here
The writing style and prose were so well done. The atmosphere and descriptions immersed me in this world. The world building felt alive and detailed, while adding more layers throughout the story without ever having info dumping sessions. There’s much mystery and intrigue that unravels gradually with the story. I can really appreciate that approach, as it’s not overwhelming or boring with long exposition. This was refreshing, as a handful of books I’ve read lately heavily info dumped and left me yawning.
Speaking of mystery, I loved the way Stewart took the story. There’s lots of questions dangling in front of you, and tension, and it kept me up late seeking answers and wanting to make sure the characters ended up alright. There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and while there were a few I did predict, it still led to a satisfying resolution. The mysteries and tension together kept me thinking about the characters and story when I wasn’t reading. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and couldn’t wait to read more. Even with a slower pace for the first half, the slow unraveling or the world and bringing more questions to the forefront had me needing to know what happens next.
As for the characters, Lin and Jovis are the main focus. Their storylines don’t come together until the very end, but it’s still satisfying. We had 5 POV, with Sand having the least amount of time yet being one of the most compelling. I’m excited to see where she goes from here. The other two POV were on the couple Ranami and Phalue. I see what the author is trying to do with these characters navigating their relationship, political differences, and give insight to the rebellion. But. I just didn’t care at all? I found their chapters boring and was rushing to get to the other POV’s I was actually interested in.
I really enjoyed Lin’s storyline. To start with “Father told me I’m broken” as the beginning line absolutely smashed. Her journey of identity, proving herself, navigating her tumultuous relationships, and determination were such a joy to read. I loved gaining more insight to her sibling relationship and rivalry with Bayan. The mysteries of her father unraveled into a dark turn, keeping me on the edge of my seat reading until the early morning.
Stewart really blends sci-fi and fantasy here. I went in expecting fantasy but was pleasantly surprised to find elements and tropes from sci-fi brought here. While these tropes have been done before, I thought she did a great job giving them a new take and voice here, especially with identity and what can be human or sentient and aware of itself.
Now for spoilers:
I did feel like the Emperor was killed off rather quickly, I was asking “Is that really it? It was that easy?” After this guy got away with so much vile behavior and actions. I wanted more of a conclusion with him, one last conversation, or answers. What were his motives? What was the reasoning behind so many of these things? But at the same time, the book ends with much left unknown and I’m sure will be delved into further in the series.
I truly felt Jovis’s longing for his wife, Emahla. Especially in the first half, I felt his desperation and hoped along with him. The end revealing Lin baring Emahla’s eyes was such a twist. I initially theorized that she was Emahla but the story revealed she was grown and made by the Emperor, never one person before. But Emahla must have been used for parts of genetically to create Lin. It leaves much to be discovered
I would skip ahead to read the chapters of Sand. There’s so much intrigue into who she is, why she and the others have no memory. When it was revealed she’s the Emperor’s wife, I needed more answers! At first I thought he faked her death and she’s the real Nisong, then learned she’s also a construct. Why was he giving multiple constructs his wife’s memories? Multiple trials to create the right one?
There were a few plot holes. As Lin was rebelling against the Emperor, I kept wondering why he wouldn’t just grab her shards and stop her? That’s all it would take for him since she was also a construct. And Sand’s shard fell out of her arm, keeping her out of the fog. But the others didn’t lose their shard and were still able to keep out of the fog?
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really inventive magic, and I always love including the mess in the fall of an empire!
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes