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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
The character development continues to deepen my love for this series. Shed many a tear on several occasions while devouring this one. Love Sullivan’s style and attention to detail. Such a great story that continues to develop, twist, turn, twist back around, and SURPRISE. Already in sweet anticipation of he next “chapter”.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ooooh man, talk about an epic, gutwrenching mid-series finale. Age of War really just takes all the best elements from the previous books and then takes it all up another notch. And as the title suggests, things get devastatingly bloody (or should I say bloody devastating?) in here.
Okay so I am usually really not the type of reader who enjoys military/war focused fantasy, but if anyone is going to make me love it, it's Michael J. Sullivan. See, this book IS about the war... but it also isn't? Yes there are epic battles and exhilarating showdowns, but the only reason that the stakes feel so high is because the characters are so real to me that I feel like I would die if harm came to them.
Now hear me out, for the first half of Age of War, when everyone is anxiously preparing for inevitable arrival of the elven armies, this book feels more like a period drama, and I say that in the most loving way possible. Yes, it's exciting to learn more about the Art and to see the world gradually evolve and expand, but the reason why I truly adore this slower start so much is because we really get to dive even deeper into all the beautifully complicated and profound interpersonal relationships that lie at the core of this narrative. And when tensions are high, the emotions rise right along with it.
Seriously, I think The Legends of the First Empire is criminally underrated for its soul-stirring slow-burn budding romances. Persephone and Raithe (and Nyphron's intermingling), Brin and Tesh (who absolutely STEALS the show here), Roan and Gifford (a.k.a. my most precious broken underdog heroes who need to be protected at all costs); I feel all their feels SO deeply.
And then, as if all that emotional turmoil wasn't enough, the real war hits and Sullivan doesn't pull any punches. Even on a re-read I found myself biting my nails and pumping my fists during all the wild twists and turns, and if that isn't a testament to Sullivan's immersive, evocative storytelling, then I don't know what is. Also, joke's on me because my brain had totally deleted one of the most tragic moments in this series from memory, and now I am traumatized all over again. Even now.
I have said it before and I will say it again: The Legends of the First Empire is simply a masterclass in writing character-driven epic fantasy. This re-read is going even better than I could have dreamed of, and I feel like I will be returning to this comfort fave many times over the years to come. What a tale.
Okay so I am usually really not the type of reader who enjoys military/war focused fantasy, but if anyone is going to make me love it, it's Michael J. Sullivan. See, this book IS about the war... but it also isn't? Yes there are epic battles and exhilarating showdowns, but the only reason that the stakes feel so high is because the characters are so real to me that I feel like I would die if harm came to them.
Now hear me out, for the first half of Age of War, when everyone is anxiously preparing for inevitable arrival of the elven armies, this book feels more like a period drama, and I say that in the most loving way possible. Yes, it's exciting to learn more about the Art and to see the world gradually evolve and expand, but the reason why I truly adore this slower start so much is because we really get to dive even deeper into all the beautifully complicated and profound interpersonal relationships that lie at the core of this narrative. And when tensions are high, the emotions rise right along with it.
Seriously, I think The Legends of the First Empire is criminally underrated for its soul-stirring slow-burn budding romances. Persephone and Raithe (and Nyphron's intermingling), Brin and Tesh (who absolutely STEALS the show here), Roan and Gifford (a.k.a. my most precious broken underdog heroes who need to be protected at all costs); I feel all their feels SO deeply.
And then, as if all that emotional turmoil wasn't enough, the real war hits and Sullivan doesn't pull any punches. Even on a re-read I found myself biting my nails and pumping my fists during all the wild twists and turns, and if that isn't a testament to Sullivan's immersive, evocative storytelling, then I don't know what is. Also, joke's on me because my brain had totally deleted one of the most tragic moments in this series from memory, and now I am traumatized all over again. Even now.
I have said it before and I will say it again: The Legends of the First Empire is simply a masterclass in writing character-driven epic fantasy. This re-read is going even better than I could have dreamed of, and I feel like I will be returning to this comfort fave many times over the years to come. What a tale.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
The tears are still in my eyes when I think of this book. Dang you Michael J. Sullivan, dang you. Age of War encompasses all the emotions one would feel during a war. Not everyone makes it through battles and some sacrifices are as beautiful as they are heartbreaking.
This is a wonderful continuation to the story. It shows how incredibly invested I am in the characters, that even though I finished this weeks ago, every time I think about it I’m taken back to the emotional moments, good and bad. and feel all the feels all over again.
First, I think the important thing to remember is it is not the end of the Legends of the First Empire series. There are some very big moments and it is an end to one of the major ARCs for the first battles of the war between the Fey and humans. But it is not the end of the line for many of the characters that made it to the end.
Suri is by far one of my favorite characters of the series and she has come a long way from the mystic child she was in Age of Myth. After the sacrifices made in Age of Swords, she is a little bit harder and she has lost some of the innocence she used to carry with her. But as a character in this series, she is still my favorite. Her journey is a harder one as she will be the one that needs to carry on after friends have been lost to her.
There are a few romantic couplings and none of them have a conventional or easy time of it. Roan and Gifford is my favorite pairing. They are both broken in some way. Roan is broken on the inside, after years of being a slave and Gifford is broken on the outside, but the most patient and kind man in the story. I love the friendship and more that is between them even if Roan isn’t sure how to express it at times. I really liked how Gifford played into the prophecy from when he was born. It was very well executed.
Persephone and Raithe. Well if like me, you have already read the Riyara series, you know who Persephone is supposed to end up with. I was really hoping for a twist to the story that showed how the legends got it wrong. These two put me through the ringer and while I won’t say how it worked out, I will say I’m still emotional weeks later while writing this.
Tesh…I love that kid and it seems he has found another to love as well. Tesh was the biggest surprise for me in this book. Again I know his legend from the Riyara series but to see how the legends got started was amazing. I also enjoyed the little crush happening between him and a certain scribe.
As for Malcolm, Nephron and the others, well their stories are all interesting and complex too. I will say I haven’t decided if any of them are good or bad but the twist surrounding Nyphron was huge to me and I’m still trying to get my mind around the implications of it. I also am still uncertain about that mischievous Malcom. It was interesting delve into his origins and get some of his story but even after that, I still have no idea if he is on team good or team bad or a team I don’t even know about.
There are at least three more books coming and I’m eager to learn what more the ravages of a war between the humans and the Fey will bring.
The tears are still in my eyes when I think of this book. Dang you Michael J. Sullivan, dang you. Age of War encompasses all the emotions one would feel during a war. Not everyone makes it through battles and some sacrifices are as beautiful as they are heartbreaking.
This is a wonderful continuation to the story. It shows how incredibly invested I am in the characters, that even though I finished this weeks ago, every time I think about it I’m taken back to the emotional moments, good and bad. and feel all the feels all over again.
First, I think the important thing to remember is it is not the end of the Legends of the First Empire series. There are some very big moments and it is an end to one of the major ARCs for the first battles of the war between the Fey and humans. But it is not the end of the line for many of the characters that made it to the end.
Suri is by far one of my favorite characters of the series and she has come a long way from the mystic child she was in Age of Myth. After the sacrifices made in Age of Swords, she is a little bit harder and she has lost some of the innocence she used to carry with her. But as a character in this series, she is still my favorite. Her journey is a harder one as she will be the one that needs to carry on after friends have been lost to her.
Suri was surrounded by people, yet not a part of them. She was the daisy among the daffodils, the fly in the goat’s milk, the butterfly in the army.
There are a few romantic couplings and none of them have a conventional or easy time of it. Roan and Gifford is my favorite pairing. They are both broken in some way. Roan is broken on the inside, after years of being a slave and Gifford is broken on the outside, but the most patient and kind man in the story. I love the friendship and more that is between them even if Roan isn’t sure how to express it at times. I really liked how Gifford played into the prophecy from when he was born. It was very well executed.
Persephone and Raithe. Well if like me, you have already read the Riyara series, you know who Persephone is supposed to end up with. I was really hoping for a twist to the story that showed how the legends got it wrong. These two put me through the ringer and while I won’t say how it worked out, I will say I’m still emotional weeks later while writing this.
Accept that you’re going to get hurt, that you’re going to die; embrace it, and you’ll find the freedom to live. This was one of the many ridiculous things his father had told him that sounded less stupid every day.
Tesh…I love that kid and it seems he has found another to love as well. Tesh was the biggest surprise for me in this book. Again I know his legend from the Riyara series but to see how the legends got started was amazing. I also enjoyed the little crush happening between him and a certain scribe.
“What’s it mean? What Sebek called Tesh?”
“Techylor?” Malcolm said. “It means swift of hand, or just swifthand, I suppose.”
“Great. The kid’s going to be impossible to live with now,” Raithe grumbled.
Malcolm nodded. “Probably, but you ought to consider yourself fortunate. Next to Nyphron, you’ve got the best Shield in Alon Rhist.”
Raithe frowned. “Apparently, I’m second best to Nyphron in a number of things.”
As for Malcolm, Nephron and the others, well their stories are all interesting and complex too. I will say I haven’t decided if any of them are good or bad but the twist surrounding Nyphron was huge to me and I’m still trying to get my mind around the implications of it. I also am still uncertain about that mischievous Malcom. It was interesting delve into his origins and get some of his story but even after that, I still have no idea if he is on team good or team bad or a team I don’t even know about.
There are at least three more books coming and I’m eager to learn what more the ravages of a war between the humans and the Fey will bring.
I think every book of this series has gotten better and better. The amount of character development and the history of the empire is amazing. As you read through "the past" you can see it's impacts and effects on the future (i.e. the Riyria books). This one broke my heart a few times but definitely worth the trip and I can't wait for the next book!
Enjoyment: 0.5 * 2 = 1
This is an easy and enjoyable listen. This also includes the rest of the series. With that being said I did not like the way this book ended. I think the last chapter should have been removed entirely and should've ended with the death of Raithe at the end. Just didn't love some of the directions that things ended up going. But, to his credit, this book was more believably unpredictable than the previous entries in the series.
World: 0.5
There wasn't much new here. He just continued to use the same setting that he had already created in the first two novels. The world doesn't really seem to be getting any bigger, which is fine, but it does seem to be getting a smidge stale (could be because of classic fantasy, etc.)
Characters: 0.5
I think there were some deaths in here that were supposed to be far more impactful than they were. I guess in the emotional attachment department, I thought I was more attached than I actually was. No new characters were really introduced here so not much on that front.
Plot: 1
Can't say anything bad here. The pacing in these books has been very good. There were twists and turns which I felt were lacking in the previous entries. Definitely a step up.
Final Rating: 3 out of 5
This is an easy and enjoyable listen. This also includes the rest of the series. With that being said I did not like the way this book ended. I think the last chapter should have been removed entirely and should've ended with the death of Raithe at the end. Just didn't love some of the directions that things ended up going. But, to his credit, this book was more believably unpredictable than the previous entries in the series.
World: 0.5
There wasn't much new here. He just continued to use the same setting that he had already created in the first two novels. The world doesn't really seem to be getting any bigger, which is fine, but it does seem to be getting a smidge stale (could be because of classic fantasy, etc.)
Characters: 0.5
I think there were some deaths in here that were supposed to be far more impactful than they were. I guess in the emotional attachment department, I thought I was more attached than I actually was. No new characters were really introduced here so not much on that front.
Plot: 1
Can't say anything bad here. The pacing in these books has been very good. There were twists and turns which I felt were lacking in the previous entries. Definitely a step up.
Final Rating: 3 out of 5
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Points for having dragons but they are going to rip your heart out. This book is gut wrenching! Very good all the characters shine especially those who have had it rough. And there are some crazy twists and turns.... My next read will need to be light hearted and I wretched now haha Still a fantastic read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gore, War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Slavery
This book will rip your heart out. There is some main character death.