Reviews

Queenslayer by Sebastien de Castell

drorraifnesher's review against another edition

adventurous challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

nicolleelizabeth's review against another edition

5.0

With Kellen's eighteenth birthday comes darkness. This one got dark FAST compared to the light heartedness of the previous books. Gone are the days where they just injure people (Reichis murderous intent aside).

Also, sex was brought in both for pleasure and not so much pleasure. It was dark.

Loved it though.

tandemjon's review against another edition

5.0

One of my favourite series

ellasbookishwonderland's review against another edition

5.0

As usual with this series, I love how rowdy and fun this is, while still managing to be philosophical and deep. It's like yeehaw in one chapter, discussion around what it means to be human in the next. It's a good time. I also really like Kellen as a protagonist, he's realistic, flawed, and honestly just doing his best. A very relatable character. He has definitely grown up and matured during the course of this series, though, and so has the series itself. I'm enjoying these later books more than the first, they're more complex and feel more adult.

Speaking of adult, things I didn't expect was that there suddenly is a lot of sexual innuendos and language? It's been a while since I read the other books, and I might be wrong, but I don't remember it being so much swearing (not that it's a lot, it's just more than I expected). And the gore? Have these books always been so gory? Maybe they have. I don't know. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book, I was just surprised.

Spoiler

Also, a sex scene? Kellen really is growing up, isn't he.

There were also some darker aspects of [b:Queenslayer|42525122|Queenslayer (Spellslinger #5)|Sebastien de Castell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540807411l/42525122._SY75_.jpg|59229588] compared to earlier books, for example the general themes of rape, the gore, and also the villains. I found the villains absolutely disgusting, their use of logic and lack of emotion was terrifying and I hated it. Additionally,

Spoiler

the business with the white binder was horrifying, and not at all something I expected from this series.

I do think that the darker themes add to the story, however, it makes sense with how the series has evolved from the beginning.

All in all, a really enjoyable read, a good combination of deep dark themes and funny banter. Would definitely recommend, and I'm super excited about the last book in the series!

blodeuedd's review against another edition

3.0

I can't recall if it was book 4 alone, or book 3 and 4 that felt like a bump in the road. A big enough bump that I didn't even mean to read more. But for some reason I did and I am glad I did. Book 5 was good again, good that it felt like being back with the beginning of the series. It was Kellen at his best.

Kellen and the best sidekick ever, Reichis, the foulmouthed best, are in trouble again. And then he gets embroiled in plot upon plots. He is the joker in the deck and he might help an empire, or bring it down.

Kellen is great and it does show that he has become older. Reichis on the other hand is still a monster.

The Daroman Empire, oh the plots upon plots. Everyone wants to kill someone, but who wants to kill X and why? And then there are neighboring states that are plotting too.

A fun ride! I wish I had the last book now

smitchy's review against another edition

5.0

Another great installment in this series! Can't wait for book 6

bookslucyking's review against another edition

4.0

This got way darker than the previous ones but still very enjoyable, I love the writing style so much and the humor, I love Kellen´s evolutions, he´s been put trough so much. I dont want this to end but I cannot wait to read the last one.

jannaruth's review against another edition

5.0

Another brilliant instalment. And no, it's not getting better for Kellen. There was one scene that was almost too much and that's saying something.
Although the main antagonist wasn't hard to figure out this time - or maybe I've just become too distrusting of just about anyone, it was still an exhilarating read. I can't stress enough how much I love the self-depreciating humour. I'd probably read any kind of plot or not-plot if Kellen is telling it. (Or Falcio for that matter).
Best thing, I'm really excited for the final instalment now, starting tomorrow. I have a faint idea what's going to happen, since threads will be coming together now, but I'm excited to see, where it all ends.

someonetookit's review against another edition

3.0

ACTUAL 3.5 stars

This got weird and didn't feel like part of the series. It felt more like a super long novella that didn't really connect but was part of the overall arc

daffz's review against another edition

4.0

I have really gotten into this series over time. I liked this one, a lot. I enjoyed the political intrigue and appreciate how much Kellen has grown over the past few books. The ending of this one was great too, I can't wait to see how the series ends.

I'm also very excited about the upcoming Ferius book, though I also hope she shows up in the next book in this series. I miss her!