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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
See more reviews on my blog, rhiareads.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is obviously a bit reminiscent of similar fantasy novels, so I liked that it was that little bit different. I was expecting the multiple points of view to be from the twelve "ruling families", so it was nice to find out there are actually not twelve different points of view - and they're all from different classes of character as well.
There's some really interesting touches in this book - like the magic system and the little golem boy. Really I just think it could have been longer.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is obviously a bit reminiscent of similar fantasy novels, so I liked that it was that little bit different. I was expecting the multiple points of view to be from the twelve "ruling families", so it was nice to find out there are actually not twelve different points of view - and they're all from different classes of character as well.
There's some really interesting touches in this book - like the magic system and the little golem boy. Really I just think it could have been longer.
My partner really liked this book and read it first but for me this book took me longer to read than my usual speed.
I really liked the characters and that to me was the best feature of this book. Detailing a character well is so important and this book really does that. I was invested in their stories and growth but I felt the book moved a little slow for my liking.
I will most likely read the next book in the series as I would like to see where it goes.
I haven't actually read any other Conn Iggulden books but I am a big historical fiction fan which is his usual genre. These are on my list to read.
A great dark fantasy book though with interesting characters.
I really liked the characters and that to me was the best feature of this book. Detailing a character well is so important and this book really does that. I was invested in their stories and growth but I felt the book moved a little slow for my liking.
I will most likely read the next book in the series as I would like to see where it goes.
I haven't actually read any other Conn Iggulden books but I am a big historical fiction fan which is his usual genre. These are on my list to read.
A great dark fantasy book though with interesting characters.
As a lover of fantasy with a bit of a historical fiction feeling, I got so much pleasure from reading this. There were plenty of interesting characters you don't see that much in fantasy and for the most part I was happily caught up in their storys.
My thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
Author Conn Iggulden has crafted an epic fantasy tale that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. This is sword and sorcery at its finest, with plenty of background information to keep the reader interested until the final page.
The book information touts this as a series, but you would never know it. Although there are untold stories that could branch off of “Darien,” this particular tale starts and finishes in one book. This is a story of intrigue and hidden desires, and of people caught in a web of someone else’s making.
Many books have individual characters, each moving through a personal adventure that may eventually cross the path or paths of the others. Mr. Iggulden has grouped his cast into pairs, with each having their own story and interaction. Hunter Elias Post travels with gunslinger Vic Deeds (guns being new to this world). An uneasy respect and tension rides along, as Post and Deeds must rely on each other to survive. Tellius ( a teacher, of sorts) and Arthur (an incredibly apt student) find themselves unwillingly pulled into a dangerous situation, and each solution only seems to makes things worse. Daw and Nancy find out more about themselves and each other than they may have originally wished. Each pair follows their chosen paths and eventually end up in Darien, only to find other strings have been pulled and everything is not as it first seemed.
The author provides plenty of glimpses inside many of the characters, providing backstories and motivations. While I might have wished for more of the sights and sounds of the city, Mr. Iggulden more than made up for it with the battle scenes and the interaction between characters.
As stated above, this book can be read and enjoyed by all ages. Although there are large and small battles, it is not described with excessive gore, and Mr. Iggulden has written a book without a hint of adult language or intimate sexual scenes. This is an adventure tale first and foremost. Five stars.
Author Conn Iggulden has crafted an epic fantasy tale that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. This is sword and sorcery at its finest, with plenty of background information to keep the reader interested until the final page.
The book information touts this as a series, but you would never know it. Although there are untold stories that could branch off of “Darien,” this particular tale starts and finishes in one book. This is a story of intrigue and hidden desires, and of people caught in a web of someone else’s making.
Many books have individual characters, each moving through a personal adventure that may eventually cross the path or paths of the others. Mr. Iggulden has grouped his cast into pairs, with each having their own story and interaction. Hunter Elias Post travels with gunslinger Vic Deeds (guns being new to this world). An uneasy respect and tension rides along, as Post and Deeds must rely on each other to survive. Tellius ( a teacher, of sorts) and Arthur (an incredibly apt student) find themselves unwillingly pulled into a dangerous situation, and each solution only seems to makes things worse. Daw and Nancy find out more about themselves and each other than they may have originally wished. Each pair follows their chosen paths and eventually end up in Darien, only to find other strings have been pulled and everything is not as it first seemed.
The author provides plenty of glimpses inside many of the characters, providing backstories and motivations. While I might have wished for more of the sights and sounds of the city, Mr. Iggulden more than made up for it with the battle scenes and the interaction between characters.
As stated above, this book can be read and enjoyed by all ages. Although there are large and small battles, it is not described with excessive gore, and Mr. Iggulden has written a book without a hint of adult language or intimate sexual scenes. This is an adventure tale first and foremost. Five stars.
Conn Iggulden's first book under a distinct fantasy genre and it's the first for his planned 'Empire of Salt' trilogy. This first book has all the components for an intriguing fantasy adventure, the characters are flawed and interesting (even the "gifted" ones!), his world building feels real and dangerous, and combined with his fine writing skills he's set up for a beaut series! If you're looking for a new fantasy series to sink your teeth into then give this a go!
Darien is the first book in a new fantasy series called the Empire of Salt.
Darien is a city that has one throne and twelve ‘royal’ families, this families are the You people who keep control of the armies, magic, money and peace. Peace as at risk but these families do not know it. The story follows 6 people stories, Elias a hunter focus to kill with Vic Deeds there to make sure he does, Tellius an old swordsman in hiding from his homeland who finds a boy Arthur who does not speak. Daw Threefold a gambler and ‘adventurer’ who take Nancy on adventure that awaken a talent that might be the downfall of them all.
It took me a little bit to get into the story as you are introduced to a new world and several character. I think it was me trying to figure out people connections and how all these stories would come together than enjoying the flow of the story.
When all the characters are in Darien is when I was really gripped with the story, the action is all happening in Darien but we get to see it from the prospective of these six characters. You finally get to see who everyone is connected and the impact these people will have on the history of Darien.
I didn't really connected to any of the characters, as the book is split between so many. I hope that in the next book I can learn more about them.
The book ending was well written and made me want to read the next book.
I give this book
3.5 out of 5
Darien is a city that has one throne and twelve ‘royal’ families, this families are the You people who keep control of the armies, magic, money and peace. Peace as at risk but these families do not know it. The story follows 6 people stories, Elias a hunter focus to kill with Vic Deeds there to make sure he does, Tellius an old swordsman in hiding from his homeland who finds a boy Arthur who does not speak. Daw Threefold a gambler and ‘adventurer’ who take Nancy on adventure that awaken a talent that might be the downfall of them all.
It took me a little bit to get into the story as you are introduced to a new world and several character. I think it was me trying to figure out people connections and how all these stories would come together than enjoying the flow of the story.
When all the characters are in Darien is when I was really gripped with the story, the action is all happening in Darien but we get to see it from the prospective of these six characters. You finally get to see who everyone is connected and the impact these people will have on the history of Darien.
I didn't really connected to any of the characters, as the book is split between so many. I hope that in the next book I can learn more about them.
The book ending was well written and made me want to read the next book.
I give this book
3.5 out of 5
This was unfortunately a DNF, I liked the writing style but I just don't feel like it brought anything new to the fantasy genre. Also it just seemed a little sexist to me, there were no female characters until like page 50! Maybe that changes but I just don't have the time or effort to read any more.