Reviews

Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett

augureader's review against another edition

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4.5

Finally, the much-anticipated sequel to Shorefall which I read for the first time in 2021. I know it has some very mixed reviews, but I absolutely LOVED this book. I just finished (re) reading the trilogy back-to-back and I already want to reread this. I wish I could experience this entire world again for the first time. The magic system is so technology based in such a fantastical world… How did he come up with this…? 

Bennett’s writing is so easy to fall into and the distinct characters are incredibly well fleshed out. They all have different voices and come from different places… and they are all tortured in excruciating ways. I thought the ending was magnificent. All the arcs were tied off, and all the characters got their time in the sun (or the shade). You can tell that it’s something that may have been written during a pandemic, as some of the concepts came across as “what if” and they were… perfect. I don’t have anything else to say, really, other than for me… it was amazing. I can’t wait to go back into this world again. 

Needless to say, I will definitely be reading everything else RJB writes… And I think you should, too! 

animar19's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

It stuck the landing. I'm in awe of this book and this trilogy overall.

Also I got teary eyed reading the acknowledgements? Come on! Anything from Bennett is an instant read for me now.

jenibearx3's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? N/A

5.0

woozy8310's review against another edition

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

2.5

lavendera_'s review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious sad 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

3.0

i have SEVERAL bones to pick with that ending but i'll say no more

ceciohad11's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious tense 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

3.75

slowbollard's review against another edition

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3.0

I wanted to love this, but frankly I was just glad to finish it. It took me forever to read and through the whole thing it felt like nothing happened. Any big reveals or concluded plotlines were met with apathy and it was just disappointing. I'd give it a two, but that wouldn't be fair be Bennett is such a great writer and compared to the majority of stuff being published this was still amazing. It just wasn't the trilogy finale that I had hoped for.

harmonictempest's review against another edition

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4.0

Much better conclusion to the trilogy. After the low point of the middle book, the main characters have basically left the constraints of the magic system behind entirely. Now that they can do nearly anything, it forces the plot back to character-driven decisions and the series improves greatly as a result.

cellis127_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

ndakota's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad 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

4.5