Scan barcode
jei_reads_sometimes's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Classism, Death, Dysphoria, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Body horror, War, and Grief
cheye13's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A really interesting and well-crafted standalone fantasy. I was surprised by the depth of the world and the broad cultures in just a single volume. The plot is rather straightforward, but I appreciated that because it left more room for the worldbuilding. For picking this up on a whim, this was a perfectly delightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Dysphoria, Murder, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Xenophobia, Grief, Medical content, and Transphobia
minor spoiler regarding treatment of a disabled character:jashanac's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book is one of the coolest worlds I've read in quite awhile! When I typically see "gods walking among us" in fantasy, it's mostly been gods in human form, or maybe in recognizable animal form. In this, the gods are gigantic beings of fire, wind, rain, mist, stone, foilage, etc. They walk around, they can speak, but they are enormous and very clearly NOT human. They are mostly benevolent and mind their business, occasionally bestowing blessings upon their worshippers.
The entire premise, of a sky empty of stars because the sun (the father of all the stars/gods) got mad at his children for trying to betray him so he banished them from the sky... and this prophecy foretelling the end of life as they all know it, but a group who will come together to potentially defeat the vengeful god who will bring forth the destruction... it was all just so fascinating and FUN!
We have disability rep, queer rep, genderfluid/genderqueer rep, and a very diverse world as far as races and ethnicities. The various cultures have varying levels of acceptance with sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, and with the treatment of women or the lower classes -- much like in our own world. But, now that I'm thinking about it, I don't believe there was any marginalization based on race/skin color mentioned.
The pacing here was definitely "fast" but I wouldn't say that it felt RUSHED to me ever. It's just... quite an epic story with a grand quest, that all happens in one book. Which is not what most fantasy readers are used to, I think -- but I personally enjoyed it! I think that this is a GREAT standalone fantasy story that a lot of people would really enjoy.
It has adventure, badass warriors, benevolent & lovely princesses, wise rulers, stupid rulers, royal family politics, inter-kingdom politics, tons of very distinct cultures and peoples, brave-yet-unlikely heroes, epic prophecy mysteries, soulmates, incredibly cool and unique lands and animals, adorable seawyrms that can communicate with fish-people, ships made of living wood with glowing moths and growing vines inside their hulls, fantastic moments of bravery and heroism... and an overall message of fate and the power of hope and love between comrades.
The only "qualm" for me that stops this from being an all-time favorite, is that due to the more quick-paced nature of the story, I wasn't personally able to get AS connected/attached to most of the characters as I would have liked. I did enjoy the characters and REALLY liked the ones I was supposed to like... but I wasn't attached, since I wasn't able to spend quite as much time with them.
But still, the author gave me enough where I still felt like they were well-written characters and I did get to know them fairly well. Just not quite as much as I personally need in order to feel that EXCITEMENT about them, if that makes sense.
I'm giving it a 4.5 right now but I keep going back and forth between that and a 4.75... I might change it later!
The entire premise, of a sky empty of stars because the sun (the father of all the stars/gods) got mad at his children for trying to betray him so he banished them from the sky... and this prophecy foretelling the end of life as they all know it, but a group who will come together to potentially defeat the vengeful god who will bring forth the destruction... it was all just so fascinating and FUN!
We have disability rep, queer rep, genderfluid/genderqueer rep, and a very diverse world as far as races and ethnicities. The various cultures have varying levels of acceptance with sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, and with the treatment of women or the lower classes -- much like in our own world. But, now that I'm thinking about it, I don't believe there was any marginalization based on race/skin color mentioned.
The pacing here was definitely "fast" but I wouldn't say that it felt RUSHED to me ever. It's just... quite an epic story with a grand quest, that all happens in one book. Which is not what most fantasy readers are used to, I think -- but I personally enjoyed it! I think that this is a GREAT standalone fantasy story that a lot of people would really enjoy.
It has adventure, badass warriors, benevolent & lovely princesses, wise rulers, stupid rulers, royal family politics, inter-kingdom politics, tons of very distinct cultures and peoples, brave-yet-unlikely heroes, epic prophecy mysteries, soulmates, incredibly cool and unique lands and animals, adorable seawyrms that can communicate with fish-people, ships made of living wood with glowing moths and growing vines inside their hulls, fantastic moments of bravery and heroism... and an overall message of fate and the power of hope and love between comrades.
The only "qualm" for me that stops this from being an all-time favorite, is that due to the more quick-paced nature of the story, I wasn't personally able to get AS connected/attached to most of the characters as I would have liked. I did enjoy the characters and REALLY liked the ones I was supposed to like... but I wasn't attached, since I wasn't able to spend quite as much time with them.
But still, the author gave me enough where I still felt like they were well-written characters and I did get to know them fairly well. Just not quite as much as I personally need in order to feel that EXCITEMENT about them, if that makes sense.
I'm giving it a 4.5 right now but I keep going back and forth between that and a 4.75... I might change it later!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Animal death, and Ableism
Minor: Dysphoria and Injury/Injury detail
planreadrepeat's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Ableism, Chronic illness, Dysphoria, Grief, Genocide, Violence, and War
More...