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so_many_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
So many people recommended this book and series to me that I needed to find out for myself what's so great about it. And I did. Because it IS amazing and I thoroughly enjoy myself reading it.
The Last Sun is an urban fantasy with a storyline rivalling epic fantasies. Some aspect I loved about the book:
- Rune is strong but not perfect main character. He also pretends to not care, but he does. A lot.
- Rune and Brand friendship is one of the focus of the book and it's epic and wonderful
- There's a found family. We all love a found family and this one is especially lovable.
- The magic system is confusing, but I didn't mind because it's unique and well-though-out.
- The story is fast paced and there is not one boring moment.
- The subtle romance is so good.
- All supporting characters are lovable.
Rune and Brand are hired to look for a missing scion and they soon learn that there is much more behind the scenes than a simple disappearance and darker force are in play. They get into tricky situations time and time again and there is always something extra happening. While this action-packed nature of the book ensures that there is not a single boring moment, it also makes it hard to keep up. Especially that the world and the magic system is so new. I never thought I would say this but I missed some info-dumping about the world. But that's maybe just me constantly wanting to know every detail.
I enjoyed this book a lot and will definitely read the other published books. I think the story will build up to be one of the best I've read. Can't wait to continue.
The Last Sun is an urban fantasy with a storyline rivalling epic fantasies. Some aspect I loved about the book:
- Rune is strong but not perfect main character. He also pretends to not care, but he does. A lot.
- Rune and Brand friendship is one of the focus of the book and it's epic and wonderful
- There's a found family. We all love a found family and this one is especially lovable.
- The magic system is confusing, but I didn't mind because it's unique and well-though-out.
- The story is fast paced and there is not one boring moment.
- The subtle romance is so good.
- All supporting characters are lovable.
Rune and Brand are hired to look for a missing scion and they soon learn that there is much more behind the scenes than a simple disappearance and darker force are in play. They get into tricky situations time and time again and there is always something extra happening. While this action-packed nature of the book ensures that there is not a single boring moment, it also makes it hard to keep up. Especially that the world and the magic system is so new. I never thought I would say this but I missed some info-dumping about the world. But that's maybe just me constantly wanting to know every detail.
I enjoyed this book a lot and will definitely read the other published books. I think the story will build up to be one of the best I've read. Can't wait to continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Child abuse
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Really interesting worldbuilding and many plots weaved throughout. The characters were all really unique and intriguing and I liked the range of relationships that were at the forefront of this book. Excited to read the rest of the series. Some of the twists were a bit predictable and the language a bit clunky at times, which is why it's not 5 stars for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Adult/minor relationship
wardenred's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I hear all the cool bodyguards love to shut their clients in a strange room with a strange man. Extra points when zombies are involved.
This series has been recommended to me more times than I can count, but I've shied away from it because of the trigger warnings. I cracked open the Amazon sample once, and the way Rune's past trauma was mentioned/handled at the very beginning didn't sit well with me. But the recs kept coming, so I eventually caved, and wow, I don't regret it one bit! There were some aspects of the trauma narrative I remained slightly put out by until the end, I admit, but there were also scenes where I liked the handling of it, and anyway, there is just SO MUCH MORE to this book.
I really loved the worldbuilding and how it was delivered. The author uses my absolute favorite approach: just plunge the reader in the middle of things, throw in a bunch of stuff that is completely natural to the POV character so he doesn't dwell on every detail and just experiences things instead of actively explaining them, and wait until it all makes sense. A tad overwhelming at first, but by the end of first act I felt like I had a strong grasp on the basics of the setting, and then more exciting stuff kept getting added throughout the book, making for a super exciting kitchen-sink-type urban fantasy setting with complex political relations between the Tarot-inspred courts and an interesting take on the Vancian magic system. And it's not just the worldbuilding info that's delivered this way: Rune definitely keeps secrets from the reader that he alludes to periodically—or rather, it's not that he actively keeps secrets, it's that he only narrates what is immediately relevant. So I'm very excited to keep reading and learning more about all the things that's been hinted at.
The character dynamics are a huge strength of the story. There's a big web of relationships growing around Rune, each of them unique and compelling. I particularly adored the relationship he has with Brand, and how most of their interactions consist of sniping at each other in fluent sarcasm, but when it matters, they're always able to brush it aside and have an honest, vulnerable conversation. I also liked the budding relationship between Rune and Addam, and Rune's interactions with Lord Tower, and so many more connections. Also, the banter is absolutely to die for. I may have burst out into loud laughter at least four times. I also found myself a huge fan of action scenes here. A lot of them are long, but they never feel drown out and are always exciting in more ways than one, slipping in plenty of character development and worldbuilding info between all the tension.
The plotting overall is solid, both in terms of delivering a self-contained adventure and setting up the foundations for an overarching plot. I was, however, a bit annoyed by the number of times the characters were backed into a corner and then saved by a happy accident. Though this kind of thing was easier to stomach when I remembered that
Finally, a shoutout to Josh Hurley who's 100% one of the best audiobook narrators I've come across. Such an amazing job making every character feel distinct and maintaining the mood throughout!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Moderate: Confinement and Rape
kenzie_f's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
abelh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Medical content, Sexual violence, Torture, Cursing, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Slavery
remimicha's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Child abuse, Death of parent, Body horror, Sexual content, Grief, Death, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Rape
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, Alcohol, and Vomit
nillech's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
immediately beguiling. full of personality and impeccable world building. not a single stalled moment. complex and genuine interpersonal relationships coupled with witty banter and the type of tense action that keeps you literally on the edge of your seat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia and Alcohol
maevebillings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
littlebopeep's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Blood and Eating disorder
styleofdress's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
it's a fun interesting story but oh my god there are only 5 female characters with names and they are: grandmother who kinda curses MC , landlord/house organizer, secretary, mother, and sister. None have more than one personality trait.
For a book praised so much I had expected a more inclusive cast, like at least a *single* two dimensional female character (not even three, I won't even ask for that, just two dimensions)
For a book praised so much I had expected a more inclusive cast, like at least a *single* two dimensional female character (not even three, I won't even ask for that, just two dimensions)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content