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celtic67's review against another edition
3.0
I requested this book from NetGalley as I'm a fan of Conn's historical fiction. I thought I would like to see what his foray into fantasy fiction had to offer. To say i was disappointed was to put it mildly. Not in the writing which was superior as usual but just something I cannot put my finger on. I found this book very disjointed and the story hard to follow.It may be fantasy but not the type of fantasy that appeals to me. I am fully aware that this may be a failing on my part. After looking forward to reading this, I sadly have to say not for me.
souljaleonn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
dromwald's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of those books, along with another I'm currently reading, that I picked up and put aside as something I would read at some stage in order to meet my Goodreads reading challenge. Imagine my surprise then to find that I absolutely loved this (And these pleasant little surprises in reading are always moments of gold for me). This gets 5 stars from me not because it is original, or because the characters made me fall in love with them, or because the world building is fantastic or because it contains some deep, meaningful message. It has faults, the motivation of a couple of the characters is questionable and the world created is serviceable rather than unique. Yet the fact remains that the story gripped me throughout and the threads of narrative holding the whole thing together just sort of 'worked' for me.
There are some nice little twists worked into the main storyline and I was left at the end of this first book anxious to read more of the characters stories.
Needless-to-say I will be keen to continue my journey and to discover more works by this author.
There are some nice little twists worked into the main storyline and I was left at the end of this first book anxious to read more of the characters stories.
Needless-to-say I will be keen to continue my journey and to discover more works by this author.
tobymacl's review against another edition
5.0
Great characters, not much development of the 'world' they were in, and a couple of nods to the Romans/bible in spite of it being a magical world. Bit odd, but great fun and well written
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free EArc from Netgalley.
In the preface to the novel, the author gives his thanks to those writers of fantasy that have influenced his own writing. I was not surprised to find the names of Mark Lawrence and Robin Hobb amongst those mentioned as they are such huge names in the fantasy genre, (there are many others as well, but I've not read them all). As such, I was keen to begin reading the author's first foray into fantasy, expecting great things from such a well-regarded author, if one I've often struggled to appreciate as much as everyone else, finding his style to be a little too cold in regard to his historical characters. This novel certainly feels much warmer towards the various main characters and this is one of its strengths. This warmth makes the storyline much easier to read (I've often been left wondering why he even bothered to write about some of the characters he's chosen in the past- when it seems he had neither passion or regard for them).
Yet for all that, this novel is not astounding or jaw dropping as a Mark Lawrence and Robin Hobb book would be, with their pitch perfect characterizations and world building. It is a reasonably well-crafted novel, although little but character development seems to happen for the first 50% of the novel, and from then on, some of it seems a little rushed. I was also a bit, well peeved, to find a whole new character being introduced at about 80%. I always think this smacks a little too much of desperation (a bit like a who done it when the author brings in a new character as the actual perpetrator even though we've never heard of them before). It is a fairly run of the mill fantasy - the story is enjoyable without being astounding; the magic abilities of some of the characters are interesting; the baddies are bad, the goodies are good and there are a few in-between who we don't ever learn enough about to say one way or another - they are filler for the rest of the story.
I also found some of the author's naming conventions to be annoying - Tellius, Nancy, Daw, Arthur, Lady Sallet - too much of a mix with no firm basis for why these names are relevant -poor Nancy should have had a much exotic name (although without any X's or Z's in it).
Yet, for all that, this is without doubt, the most enjoyable novel I've yet read by this author. I'm sure that his fans will very much enjoy it, and if it opens their eyes to the wonderful worlds of Robin Hobb and Mark Lawrence, then this should be seen as a plus. Sometimes it takes a popular author to jump genre to find that new genre new fans.
If there's a second book would I read it? At the moment, I don't know. The novel would need to be about something a little different - I like my fantasy to be bold and new - always a little different and not regurgitating the same old stories (I might be in the minority here) - and as such, this novel is a little too mundane for me. There is nothing new on offer in this fantasy series - but, as I said, this might be just what some people are looking for.
In the preface to the novel, the author gives his thanks to those writers of fantasy that have influenced his own writing. I was not surprised to find the names of Mark Lawrence and Robin Hobb amongst those mentioned as they are such huge names in the fantasy genre, (there are many others as well, but I've not read them all). As such, I was keen to begin reading the author's first foray into fantasy, expecting great things from such a well-regarded author, if one I've often struggled to appreciate as much as everyone else, finding his style to be a little too cold in regard to his historical characters. This novel certainly feels much warmer towards the various main characters and this is one of its strengths. This warmth makes the storyline much easier to read (I've often been left wondering why he even bothered to write about some of the characters he's chosen in the past- when it seems he had neither passion or regard for them).
Yet for all that, this novel is not astounding or jaw dropping as a Mark Lawrence and Robin Hobb book would be, with their pitch perfect characterizations and world building. It is a reasonably well-crafted novel, although little but character development seems to happen for the first 50% of the novel, and from then on, some of it seems a little rushed. I was also a bit, well peeved, to find a whole new character being introduced at about 80%. I always think this smacks a little too much of desperation (a bit like a who done it when the author brings in a new character as the actual perpetrator even though we've never heard of them before). It is a fairly run of the mill fantasy - the story is enjoyable without being astounding; the magic abilities of some of the characters are interesting; the baddies are bad, the goodies are good and there are a few in-between who we don't ever learn enough about to say one way or another - they are filler for the rest of the story.
I also found some of the author's naming conventions to be annoying - Tellius, Nancy, Daw, Arthur, Lady Sallet - too much of a mix with no firm basis for why these names are relevant -poor Nancy should have had a much exotic name (although without any X's or Z's in it).
Yet, for all that, this is without doubt, the most enjoyable novel I've yet read by this author. I'm sure that his fans will very much enjoy it, and if it opens their eyes to the wonderful worlds of Robin Hobb and Mark Lawrence, then this should be seen as a plus. Sometimes it takes a popular author to jump genre to find that new genre new fans.
If there's a second book would I read it? At the moment, I don't know. The novel would need to be about something a little different - I like my fantasy to be bold and new - always a little different and not regurgitating the same old stories (I might be in the minority here) - and as such, this novel is a little too mundane for me. There is nothing new on offer in this fantasy series - but, as I said, this might be just what some people are looking for.
hpfangirl2000's review
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
staceeyt's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
“TWELVE FAMILIES. ONE THRONE.
WELCOME TO THE EMPIRE OF SALT.
The city of Darien stands at the weary end of a golden age. Twelve families keep order with soldiers and artefacts, spies and memories, clinging to a peace that shifts and crumbles. The people of the city endure what they cannot change. Here, amongst old feuds, a plot is hatched to kill a king.
It will summon strangers to the city – Elias Post, a hunter, Tellius, an old swordsman banished from his home, Arthur, a boy who cannot speak, Daw Threefold, a chancer and gambler, Vic Deeds, who feels no guilt – and Nancy, a girl whose talent might be the undoing of them all. Their arrival inside the walls as the sun sets will set off a series of explosive events. Before the sun returns, five destinies will have been made – and lost – in Darien.”
I was quite excited to receive this as I am a lover of fantasy, especially in the warmer months so I thought it would be great summer read. Something wasn’t quite right though, and I don’t know whether it was because I’m in a weird reading slump or because of the book.
This follows six different characters who all have some kind of unique skill. I honestly was only interested in two: Nancy and Arthur, who held skills that I had never read about before. I would have liked to have seen more description around these two, and what they their powers entailed, as the background and charm surrounding these characters was great. The other four I did not care for.
The plot was a bit bland and I felt that not much was happening, but this may have been because it is the first in a series and I understand that these books are usually set up books. I felt that there could have been more world building because the action was a bit lacking.
Saying this, it was a well written book. Seeing as this genre is not the norm from this author I think there is a lot of potential once they find their feet with it. I won’t be picking the rest up in the series because it was lacking the detail that I want from a book.
3/5* good effort.
nickmasters's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t get to read many fantasy novels and this novel went a long way in making sure I make amends for that. I enjoyed the book from the get go, getting wrapped into the world and plot generation as we learn about 3 specific characters/character groups and how a little something special harboured by each of them will shift the fate of Darien.
Ah, magic! Always so good when you can get absorbed into something that isn’t real.
I loved the way magic was incorporated into the story and the greater history of Darien. The perfect amount of back story and world building was provided whilst still ensuring that there is still so much more to be offered and explained. Enough to make the story flow, and enough to make sure you will await the second in the series with great anticipation.
At times I felt that more could be portrayed when it came to the emotional/physical interactions between key characters, but then I also felt that the way it was portrayed was akin to the setting and the way Iggulden intended it to be.
All in all a great book.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ah, magic! Always so good when you can get absorbed into something that isn’t real.
I loved the way magic was incorporated into the story and the greater history of Darien. The perfect amount of back story and world building was provided whilst still ensuring that there is still so much more to be offered and explained. Enough to make the story flow, and enough to make sure you will await the second in the series with great anticipation.
At times I felt that more could be portrayed when it came to the emotional/physical interactions between key characters, but then I also felt that the way it was portrayed was akin to the setting and the way Iggulden intended it to be.
All in all a great book.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
oursinculte's review
4.0
Conn Iggulden est bien connu chez les anglo-ricains pour ses romans historiques mais leurs traductions chez nous ont un peu pédalé dans la semoule (L’épopée de Gengis Khan n’a eu que 3 tomes traduits sur les 5 malgré ses immenses qualités, Imperator 2 sur 5 non réédités, et le reste rien du tout). Avec Darien, le premier tome des Prodiges de l’empire qu’il signera d’ailleurs C.F. Iggulden, il s’essaye à la fantasy et vu le background du bonhomme j’étais très curieux de découvrir ce qu’il allait apporter. Remercions déjà Bragelonne de publier ça en France, et plongeons dans l’aventure.
Darien est une immense cité gérée par douze grandes familles et un roi qui sert un peu à rien. Et pourtant, il semblerait que quelqu’un essaye de tuer ce roi. Dans les rues de cette cité nous allons suivre les aventures de plusieurs protagonistes avec chacun leurs préoccupations mais dont les histoires vont toutes converger vers un évènement majeur pour la ville, presque malgré eux. Elias Post est un chasseur hors du commun grâce à un pouvoir très particulier, mais son village est durement touché par une épidémie. Le soldat Vic Deeds va le contraindre à agir contre ses principes pour sauver sa famille. Tellius est un vieux bretteur étranger qui règne maintenant sur une bande de gamins des rues, c’est sa rencontre avec le prodigieux petit Arthur qui va peut-être lui donner une occasion de régler ses comptes. Daw Threefold est un amateur d’objets magiques, mais une aventure avec la belle Nancy pourrait lui donner une solution pour enfin accéder à ce tombeau légendaire rendu impénétrable par des défenses magiques.
Tous ces héros ont des préoccupations éloignées des enjeux politiques de Darien mais, tels de petits rouages d’une énorme machine, leurs trajectoires vont les propulser au cœur des jeux de pouvoir de la grande cité. C.F. Iggulden utilise extrêmement bien le principe des petits pions qui vont précipiter la marche de l’Histoire, poussés par leurs seules motivations extrêmement humaines. La vengeance, la volonté de protéger ses enfants, l’appât du gain, la soif de pouvoir, ils sont les petits moteurs qui vont pousser nos héros vers cette nuit fatidique de la fête des moissons. Ainsi, on suit trois « petites » histoires pendant une bonne moitié du roman, en se demandant comment tout ça va bien pouvoir se goupiller… Et après la moitié du livre, tout s’accélère et converge vers un gros évènement central. Les prodiges de l’empire devient une succession de moments prenants, d’affrontements, une tension constante tient le lecteur en haleine sans aucun temps mort jusqu’à un final qui est, lui, un tout petit peu décevant, je dois l’avouer.
La construction générale de l’intrigue est solide et limpide, l’auteur met en place ses éléments avec talent tout en nous offrant des personnages soignés. Chacun a des motivations crédibles et un cheminement clair pour le lecteur, et ce grand tableau se met en place tout seul sous nos yeux, presque sans qu’on se rende compte. J’ai particulièrement aimé le personnages d’Elias qui est surpuissant tout en ayant du cœur, il s’accroche à ce qui lui reste pour garder la tête hors de l’eau mais faut pas trop l’embêter le monsieur. Il y a quelques ficelles un peu grosses, comme des personnages qui se croisent comme par hasard de manière fort pratique, mais franchement le talent de l’auteur pour dérouler tout ça fait vite oublier les quelques coïncidences faciles.
J’ai également beaucoup apprécié la magie de cet univers qui s’apparente à un art perdu que personne ne maitrise plus. Il ne reste que quelques artefacts enchantés qui circulent chez les apothicaires ou sont jalousement gardés par les douze grandes familles. Pourtant, certains évènements vont amener nos personnages à bousculer un peu leur compréhension de cette magie, et remettre en cause l’équilibre des forces. On en sait encore très peu sur tout ça, nous verrons si la suite de la saga va éclaircir un peu le lecteur.
Quand un grand nom du roman historique comme Conn Iggulden se lance dans la fantasy, il amène à la fois une rigueur de construction et un talent pour créer des personnages crédibles, humains et accrocheurs. Ça donne un roman excellent, d’une fluidité déconcertante, qu’on termine presque trop vite. Fort heureusement, la suite semble arriver rapidement puisque les libraires du mal annoncent une sortie en Novembre pour Shiang. Au passage, si Bragelonne a envie de publier Wars of the roses dans leur nouvelle collection historique, je leur en voudrais certainement pas…
https://ours-inculte.fr/darien/
Darien est une immense cité gérée par douze grandes familles et un roi qui sert un peu à rien. Et pourtant, il semblerait que quelqu’un essaye de tuer ce roi. Dans les rues de cette cité nous allons suivre les aventures de plusieurs protagonistes avec chacun leurs préoccupations mais dont les histoires vont toutes converger vers un évènement majeur pour la ville, presque malgré eux. Elias Post est un chasseur hors du commun grâce à un pouvoir très particulier, mais son village est durement touché par une épidémie. Le soldat Vic Deeds va le contraindre à agir contre ses principes pour sauver sa famille. Tellius est un vieux bretteur étranger qui règne maintenant sur une bande de gamins des rues, c’est sa rencontre avec le prodigieux petit Arthur qui va peut-être lui donner une occasion de régler ses comptes. Daw Threefold est un amateur d’objets magiques, mais une aventure avec la belle Nancy pourrait lui donner une solution pour enfin accéder à ce tombeau légendaire rendu impénétrable par des défenses magiques.
Tous ces héros ont des préoccupations éloignées des enjeux politiques de Darien mais, tels de petits rouages d’une énorme machine, leurs trajectoires vont les propulser au cœur des jeux de pouvoir de la grande cité. C.F. Iggulden utilise extrêmement bien le principe des petits pions qui vont précipiter la marche de l’Histoire, poussés par leurs seules motivations extrêmement humaines. La vengeance, la volonté de protéger ses enfants, l’appât du gain, la soif de pouvoir, ils sont les petits moteurs qui vont pousser nos héros vers cette nuit fatidique de la fête des moissons. Ainsi, on suit trois « petites » histoires pendant une bonne moitié du roman, en se demandant comment tout ça va bien pouvoir se goupiller… Et après la moitié du livre, tout s’accélère et converge vers un gros évènement central. Les prodiges de l’empire devient une succession de moments prenants, d’affrontements, une tension constante tient le lecteur en haleine sans aucun temps mort jusqu’à un final qui est, lui, un tout petit peu décevant, je dois l’avouer.
La construction générale de l’intrigue est solide et limpide, l’auteur met en place ses éléments avec talent tout en nous offrant des personnages soignés. Chacun a des motivations crédibles et un cheminement clair pour le lecteur, et ce grand tableau se met en place tout seul sous nos yeux, presque sans qu’on se rende compte. J’ai particulièrement aimé le personnages d’Elias qui est surpuissant tout en ayant du cœur, il s’accroche à ce qui lui reste pour garder la tête hors de l’eau mais faut pas trop l’embêter le monsieur. Il y a quelques ficelles un peu grosses, comme des personnages qui se croisent comme par hasard de manière fort pratique, mais franchement le talent de l’auteur pour dérouler tout ça fait vite oublier les quelques coïncidences faciles.
J’ai également beaucoup apprécié la magie de cet univers qui s’apparente à un art perdu que personne ne maitrise plus. Il ne reste que quelques artefacts enchantés qui circulent chez les apothicaires ou sont jalousement gardés par les douze grandes familles. Pourtant, certains évènements vont amener nos personnages à bousculer un peu leur compréhension de cette magie, et remettre en cause l’équilibre des forces. On en sait encore très peu sur tout ça, nous verrons si la suite de la saga va éclaircir un peu le lecteur.
Quand un grand nom du roman historique comme Conn Iggulden se lance dans la fantasy, il amène à la fois une rigueur de construction et un talent pour créer des personnages crédibles, humains et accrocheurs. Ça donne un roman excellent, d’une fluidité déconcertante, qu’on termine presque trop vite. Fort heureusement, la suite semble arriver rapidement puisque les libraires du mal annoncent une sortie en Novembre pour Shiang. Au passage, si Bragelonne a envie de publier Wars of the roses dans leur nouvelle collection historique, je leur en voudrais certainement pas…
https://ours-inculte.fr/darien/
meowzik's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Conn Iggulden's Emperor series, so I was excited to have a chance to read his first foray into fantasy. I really enjoyed this - the world building was well done, the characters were well fleshed out, and I liked the premise. Definitely worth the read.