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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
fast-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
I really enjoyed this book. It's so nice to get back together with the dynamic duo of Royce and Hadrian. So cool getting to see the way they, and others first meet. MJS continues to find ways to captivate my attention and immerse me in this world.
Było to moje pierwsze spotkanie z prozą Michaela J. Sullivana i muszę przyznać, że niejako udane. Mimo tego, że powieść mnie nie zachwyciła, to nadal było w niej wiele elementów, m.in. kreacja świata i dynamika pomiędzy bohaterami, które umiliły mi lekturę. Jednak znacznie na minus jest pozostawienie otwartego zakończenia, które nie wyjaśnia wielu kluczowych dla książki wątków.
adventurous
fast-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Murder
Minor: Racism, Death of parent, Alcohol
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
This book was off to a rocky start and I was scared it would not live up to the brilliancy of the Riyria Revelations. The beginning was very slow and initially the plot seemed to be taking a completely different direction to the synopsis. I think this book could be better described as an introduction to Hadrian and Royce as individuals, rather than the epic duo we know as ‘Riyria’. Now that I’ve started the second book in this series I think its safe to safe that the reason I enjoyed this book less than the rest of the Riyria series is because it was missing the fundamental aspect which made ‘Revelations’ so engaging, which is the dynamic of Royce and Hadrian.
The strongest part of this book is concrete and realistic characterisation. We not only learn the beginnings of ‘Riyria’ but also the backstories of some of the other characters which was a pleasant surprise. Hadrian’s good-hearted nature and moral consistency made him one of my favourite characters of all time. There is no active effort on his part to do what is right because it is not a choice but rather an unconscious habit. His moral integrity does not waver despite the injustice and death he had witnessed, he remains good-hearted and naïve, qualities which both are an advantage and disadvantage; the perfect example of how to write a ‘good’ character without falling into a cliché. I also absolutely adored Gwen’s story in this book. Sullivan proves that it is possible to write a strong female character without taking away their femininity. Her story is just inspiring and really made me love her character even more. You can clearly see the influence both of them have on Royce in later books.
The strongest part of this book is concrete and realistic characterisation. We not only learn the beginnings of ‘Riyria’ but also the backstories of some of the other characters which was a pleasant surprise. Hadrian’s good-hearted nature and moral consistency made him one of my favourite characters of all time. There is no active effort on his part to do what is right because it is not a choice but rather an unconscious habit. His moral integrity does not waver despite the injustice and death he had witnessed, he remains good-hearted and naïve, qualities which both are an advantage and disadvantage; the perfect example of how to write a ‘good’ character without falling into a cliché. I also absolutely adored Gwen’s story in this book. Sullivan proves that it is possible to write a strong female character without taking away their femininity. Her story is just inspiring and really made me love her character even more. You can clearly see the influence both of them have on Royce in later books.
Prequels make me wary, but this was well done and like the first Riyria Trilogy, it was just pure fun. It was nice to see the characters I've already become familiar with but slightly different, as they have yet to come into their own.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
