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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
relaxing
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:
No
One of the most unique fantasy books I've read in a while. As far from a power fantasy as you can get in a low-fantasy universe. It's incredibly character driven and the series seem to have an interesting gimmick of each book following (mostly, a few chapters are exceptions) the POV of one specific character that changes with each book - while the timeline is still advancing overall. The first book follows Gerald, a soldier - I really enjoyed his story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book disappointed me on two levels. My dad bought it for me as a gift as well as a copy for himself. The idea was we could read it together and talk about it. However, I wasn't able to finish it. I barely got 10% of the way through before I gave up.
For me, and apparently I'm in the vast minority, the writing style itself was in serious need of an editor. It was chock-full of cliches and odd pacing, with sentences that, to me, were an effort to read through. I hate saying this, but it was just written badly.
Quite early in the book (it would have to be quite early, as I didn't get far) Gerald's family are introduced. I remember thinking to myself, "This family is going to get brutally murdered at some point in the book." Chekov's Loving Family. But here's the thing.
I couldn't get any further because it was such an effort to try and get into. It was stuffed full of cliches and backed up with choppy writing, and so I gave up pretty early in. I was disappointed both because I was looking forward to a new fantasy series to get stuck in to, and because, after telling my dad that I'd DNF'd it, we would no longer be able to have fun and interesting chats about the books, their themes, our favourite passages etc.
For me, and apparently I'm in the vast minority, the writing style itself was in serious need of an editor. It was chock-full of cliches and odd pacing, with sentences that, to me, were an effort to read through. I hate saying this, but it was just written badly.
Quite early in the book (it would have to be quite early, as I didn't get far) Gerald's family are introduced. I remember thinking to myself, "This family is going to get brutally murdered at some point in the book." Chekov's Loving Family.
Spoiler
As it turned out, it happened within about three pages of them being introduced.Spoiler
They get killed for some reason while Gerald is off in the woods trying to chase a lost pig. There is greater depth of storytelling, both in narrative description and in page count, of this adventure trying to find a lost pig in the woods then there is of Gerald's family being murdered and his subsequent 'Nooooo' to the heavens, then his hunting the killers down and taking revenge on them. All of this happens within a couple of pages.I couldn't get any further because it was such an effort to try and get into. It was stuffed full of cliches and backed up with choppy writing, and so I gave up pretty early in. I was disappointed both because I was looking forward to a new fantasy series to get stuck in to, and because, after telling my dad that I'd DNF'd it, we would no longer be able to have fun and interesting chats about the books, their themes, our favourite passages etc.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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:
No
This book to me was like a medieval fantasy. I enjoyed the story and the characters. Being that this is book 1, I can't wait to see what else is in store for this series. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*
This is a great medieval style fantasy! Gerald is a soldier. He had good times and bad times in his life, and bad luck falls on him again and he ends up virtually banished to an old estate that the king doesn’t use anymore. It’s there he meets Anna, a young lonely girl, and he becomes like a father to her. As Anna grows older and learns more about the kingdom, she becomes determined to right the wrongs being committed.
I absolutely love this book! It’s a coming of age tale, as Anna grows from a little girl who needs a friend, to a young woman with a strong sense of right and wrong. Gerald is amazing, he’s a strong warrior and refuses to give up even when times are tough. He takes Anna under his wing and gives her a proper upbringing. I don’t think Anna would have been the same person without Gerald in her life. I love Anna! She has so much life, and I love how strong a character she is! She won’t stand for injustice, and she uses her status in life to help others. There’s a cast of strong supporting characters throughout the book. Servant of the Crown is very well written, and I really like the world it is set in. There’s just a touch of magic, but I have a feeling it will grow as the story unfolds. This is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile and I’m so happy to have found this series! I highly recommend it to any lover of epic fantasy!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and I’m voluntarily writing an honest review.
I have to say it one more time, I really love this book!
I absolutely love this book! It’s a coming of age tale, as Anna grows from a little girl who needs a friend, to a young woman with a strong sense of right and wrong. Gerald is amazing, he’s a strong warrior and refuses to give up even when times are tough. He takes Anna under his wing and gives her a proper upbringing. I don’t think Anna would have been the same person without Gerald in her life. I love Anna! She has so much life, and I love how strong a character she is! She won’t stand for injustice, and she uses her status in life to help others. There’s a cast of strong supporting characters throughout the book. Servant of the Crown is very well written, and I really like the world it is set in. There’s just a touch of magic, but I have a feeling it will grow as the story unfolds. This is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile and I’m so happy to have found this series! I highly recommend it to any lover of epic fantasy!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and I’m voluntarily writing an honest review.
I have to say it one more time, I really love this book!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*3.5
This read like a prologue. I can tell the series will only get better and better.
This read like a prologue. I can tell the series will only get better and better.
If you are a player of old-school dice and paper role-playing games, this series will feel very familiar to you. At least it did to me. I could almost hear the dice being thrown for a random encounter... but I digress.
Servant of the Crown is just the beginning of a series of stories where you become intimately involved with the characters, who they are, and why they do what they do. I will admit that some of the action is a tad predictable, but it doesn't detract from the overall feel of the story. Besides, for the amount of work that Mr. Bennett has put into creating his world and populating it with a cast of characters who all feel real, and a culture with a rich history, I can be quite forgiving for the small bits that are less than perfect. And trust me, they are few and far between.
At the time of this review, I am well into the second book and I am intrigued with how Mr. Bennett has written each book so that it is from the perspective of a different character. Characters come in and out of the plot-line almost like a choreographed routine. Take nobody for granted. They all have an important role to play.
I am happy to recommend this book and all that follow in the series to anyone who enjoyed getting to know a character and learning what makes them tick.
Servant of the Crown is just the beginning of a series of stories where you become intimately involved with the characters, who they are, and why they do what they do. I will admit that some of the action is a tad predictable, but it doesn't detract from the overall feel of the story. Besides, for the amount of work that Mr. Bennett has put into creating his world and populating it with a cast of characters who all feel real, and a culture with a rich history, I can be quite forgiving for the small bits that are less than perfect. And trust me, they are few and far between.
At the time of this review, I am well into the second book and I am intrigued with how Mr. Bennett has written each book so that it is from the perspective of a different character. Characters come in and out of the plot-line almost like a choreographed routine. Take nobody for granted. They all have an important role to play.
I am happy to recommend this book and all that follow in the series to anyone who enjoyed getting to know a character and learning what makes them tick.
This book is set in a fantasy setting reminescent of medieval Europe. This book follows one man's life and through his life introduces you to several other interesting characters, who it seems will be the protaganists of the following books. The characters were a little flat at some points but overall the story was fascinating.
The main thing I'd recommend is paying special attention to the dates at the beginning of the chapters as it does jump around a little bit. Overall a quick, great read.
I received a complimentary copy through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
The main thing I'd recommend is paying special attention to the dates at the beginning of the chapters as it does jump around a little bit. Overall a quick, great read.
I received a complimentary copy through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.