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nyom7's review against another edition
2.0
I know the second book of a trilogy often suffers from sequelitis/bridge syndrome. Never as good as the first book and just setting everything up to bridge what was teased in book 1 and will come to its climactic conclusions in book 3. That being said this was dull, uninspired, and a trudging read. I’d quite enjoyed book 1 when I read it years ago and I was finally getting round to reading book 2 as I’m working through my TBR pile. Based on this book I’m going to Wikipedia what happens in book 3 and not put myself through slogging through it. As whilst I would hope it would be better than this sullen trudge through barely concealed dislike of the catholic church (and I say this as an atheist with an Irish protestant mother) that is just awfully written and frankly managed to make the church, even with all their various negatives, come out in a paradoxically better light. As the plot limps forward through the book it’s as though the imagination and creativity that Hoffman had for book 1 was rapidly draining away and with it any attempts at ingenuity or allegory is lost and replaced by a plot and point that is even clunkier than a knight in medieval armour trying to dance the jive. The only reason this is getting two stars and not one is because it isn’t as bad as Moby Dick or the Parson’s Tale.
blackangel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
drsldn's review against another edition
3.0
not quite as absorbing as the first volume, although if you are a student of military history and strategy I imagine it would be fascinating. ends well - can't wait for the next volumes, but that's because the story returns to the psychological and emotional trauma. love that the author has happily (use the word in both senses) stitched together bits of real history and other bits of totally upside-down history - intellectually fun to try and recognise them (sure I missed loads) and that the boer war was included.
mellhay's review against another edition
Cale is with Redeemer Bosco again at the Sanctuary, the place he escaped from not even a year ago. Bosco acts different with Cale now, as Bosco believes Cale to be the flesh of Gods anger with humanity. Bosco has much planned for Cale and Cale is working with him as he doesn't seem to have any other choice.
After reading The Left Hand of God I wanted to read this book. There was great setup and creation in the first book with the Redeemers and Thomas Cale and his friends. There is an audience for this book, but I'm sorry to say I don't think I'm in that group. I struggled with this book. I felt as the first 100 pages where very confusing, well, not confusing as much as straying. We are on the main path of the story then off the story went with the side characters telling us about them and their history. I wanted to stay on track with Cale and the main story line. In this writing style I found myself forgetting what was happening. When Bosco talked with Cale I was lost. They seemed to talk in circles around each other, which is what I expect them to do knowing their history. The lines fell flat for me, which again the characters are raised this way so it is true to character. But for me I struggled with it.
I worked my way to a little over half way and still felt I wasn't getting much from the story. I don't like to not finish books, but this one I stopped. I may someday come back to try and finish, but felt best to let go now.
I found myself falling asleep while trying to read it, like I do with historical reads. So maybe if you are a fantasy fan who enjoy historical reads, you might enjoy this trilogy as well.
I hate giving bad reviews, and I do hope others enjoy this series. If you have tried it and enjoyed it I would love to hear from you.
After reading The Left Hand of God I wanted to read this book. There was great setup and creation in the first book with the Redeemers and Thomas Cale and his friends. There is an audience for this book, but I'm sorry to say I don't think I'm in that group. I struggled with this book. I felt as the first 100 pages where very confusing, well, not confusing as much as straying. We are on the main path of the story then off the story went with the side characters telling us about them and their history. I wanted to stay on track with Cale and the main story line. In this writing style I found myself forgetting what was happening. When Bosco talked with Cale I was lost. They seemed to talk in circles around each other, which is what I expect them to do knowing their history. The lines fell flat for me, which again the characters are raised this way so it is true to character. But for me I struggled with it.
I worked my way to a little over half way and still felt I wasn't getting much from the story. I don't like to not finish books, but this one I stopped. I may someday come back to try and finish, but felt best to let go now.
I found myself falling asleep while trying to read it, like I do with historical reads. So maybe if you are a fantasy fan who enjoy historical reads, you might enjoy this trilogy as well.
I hate giving bad reviews, and I do hope others enjoy this series. If you have tried it and enjoyed it I would love to hear from you.
salmaneser's review against another edition
2.0
Where the first book had an interesting premise and characters, this book proved a struggle to get through. Although I want to know how the trilogy ends, I'm in dubio of finishing it. The writer tries to mingle some (historical) cultures and religious groups, but the story and characterization, which had a lot of potential, were too much neglected in the mix. Worldbuilding was totaly absent. It doesn't work for me.
erazonasarah's review against another edition
2.0
This book was so dull compared to the first one that I skimmed over about half of it and didn't feel like I was missing anything. I hope the third book, which I'm about to start reading, is much better.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
2.0
Sure I read it fast, but would I have read on if this had been book 1...? No. I have to read it ok then.
The thing is that nothing happened, and if something happened it was rather fast and dull. What is Cole now? 15? Srsly he should be older, I cannot take him for serious. He goes from lamenting over Arbell (how old was she anyway? euww.) to butchering people. All while I am all, just put a arrow through his neck. That kid needs a talking to. I liked him in book 1, there he was growing, here I cannot forget what a kid he is.
Also, is this our world or not!? If not, then why use our places names? Lame! If so, then how can they move so fast from one part to another? It is starting to annoy me, just make it fantasy and without a map I would not know.
The crazy religious people, well you know what, crazy is always interesting and I hope they all die.
It does sound like there are only bad things, oh! I forgot about the changing of tense, so annoying! But yeah, it does hold promise, but this book had a serious case of second book syndrome.
The thing is that nothing happened, and if something happened it was rather fast and dull. What is Cole now? 15? Srsly he should be older, I cannot take him for serious. He goes from lamenting over Arbell (how old was she anyway? euww.) to butchering people. All while I am all, just put a arrow through his neck. That kid needs a talking to. I liked him in book 1, there he was growing, here I cannot forget what a kid he is.
Also, is this our world or not!? If not, then why use our places names? Lame! If so, then how can they move so fast from one part to another? It is starting to annoy me, just make it fantasy and without a map I would not know.
The crazy religious people, well you know what, crazy is always interesting and I hope they all die.
It does sound like there are only bad things, oh! I forgot about the changing of tense, so annoying! But yeah, it does hold promise, but this book had a serious case of second book syndrome.