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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
2nd read: 5 stars!
This is how you deliver a sequel!!
Of Darkness and Light does a fantastic job of taking everything that made book 1 work so well and amping it up a 100-fold. The world feels more grounded, the scope more epic, and the characters even more real.
Right from the beginning, we get thrown back into the midst of everything. The book is filled with high-stakes, heart-pounding action sequences that make you feel like you are right there with everybody. Having read it before, I (thought I) knew what to expect going in, but it actually did not ease my anxiety or diminish my pain during certain scenes in the slightest. On the contrary, my deeper connection to the characters only added to my worry & distress.
The characters here are some of my favorites in all of fantasy. I couldn't be more invested in their journeys, and friendships, and overall arcs. Not to mention the animal companions that have my heart. Even the side characters feel like real people with their own lived experiences that color the way they react and interact in this world. The introduction of new POVs in this book was very cleverly done and it was so interesting to see how everyone was struggling in their own way, no matter which side they're on.
I loved that we got more viewpoints from the different fractions, which allowed for more insight into the conflict. It not only provided context to both sides, but also helped expand the world and explore new places & cultures in an organic way. The lore and history woven into the story also added more background and dimension to the world.
So much happens in this book, and while the plot, at times, moves along at a break-neck speed, some quieter moments and slower chapters throughout create just the right balance, so it never feels overwhelming.
There's a reveal at the end of the last chapter that shocked me the first time around. Knowing what I know now, it was really fun to see all the little hints along the way, and in general to pick up on clues throughout the book for things to come. I love how there's always more to discover and I already can't wait to reread this book again. But first, there are still 2 more novellas and a book waiting to be read again. God, I love this series!!
1st read: 5 stars!
Oh, my goodness! What a sequel, what a jump in epicness!! RTC :)
This is how you deliver a sequel!!
Of Darkness and Light does a fantastic job of taking everything that made book 1 work so well and amping it up a 100-fold. The world feels more grounded, the scope more epic, and the characters even more real.
Right from the beginning, we get thrown back into the midst of everything. The book is filled with high-stakes, heart-pounding action sequences that make you feel like you are right there with everybody. Having read it before, I (thought I) knew what to expect going in, but it actually did not ease my anxiety or diminish my pain during certain scenes in the slightest. On the contrary, my deeper connection to the characters only added to my worry & distress.
The characters here are some of my favorites in all of fantasy. I couldn't be more invested in their journeys, and friendships, and overall arcs. Not to mention the animal companions that have my heart. Even the side characters feel like real people with their own lived experiences that color the way they react and interact in this world. The introduction of new POVs in this book was very cleverly done and it was so interesting to see how everyone was struggling in their own way, no matter which side they're on.
I loved that we got more viewpoints from the different fractions, which allowed for more insight into the conflict. It not only provided context to both sides, but also helped expand the world and explore new places & cultures in an organic way. The lore and history woven into the story also added more background and dimension to the world.
So much happens in this book, and while the plot, at times, moves along at a break-neck speed, some quieter moments and slower chapters throughout create just the right balance, so it never feels overwhelming.
There's a reveal at the end of the last chapter that shocked me the first time around. Knowing what I know now, it was really fun to see all the little hints along the way, and in general to pick up on clues throughout the book for things to come. I love how there's always more to discover and I already can't wait to reread this book again. But first, there are still 2 more novellas and a book waiting to be read again. God, I love this series!!
1st read: 5 stars!
Oh, my goodness! What a sequel, what a jump in epicness!! RTC :)
adventurous
dark
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
I gave Of blood and fire 5 stars so this one deserves 6 out of 5.
It is a really big book but it does not feel long or tedious at any stage. I speed through this book as though it was 3-400 pages rather than a 900 pager as it is action packed the whole way through.
Initially I thought it can not continue at this pace but it stays pretty action packed the whole time.
The chapters for Rist and Ella do give you a bit of down time initially but there chapters start to ramp up also.
There are many new characters in this book as our Hero Calen makes his way around the world and meets new people and discovers new locations and every new character is exciting and engaging.
particular favorites being Dayne Ateres and the Valtaran's.
Brilliant book and I can not wait until book 3 is out, there are still so many story lines and mysteries to unravel.
It is a really big book but it does not feel long or tedious at any stage. I speed through this book as though it was 3-400 pages rather than a 900 pager as it is action packed the whole way through.
Initially I thought it can not continue at this pace but it stays pretty action packed the whole time.
The chapters for Rist and Ella do give you a bit of down time initially but there chapters start to ramp up also.
There are many new characters in this book as our Hero Calen makes his way around the world and meets new people and discovers new locations and every new character is exciting and engaging.
particular favorites being Dayne Ateres and the Valtaran's.
Brilliant book and I can not wait until book 3 is out, there are still so many story lines and mysteries to unravel.
adventurous
tense
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:
No
adventurous
tense
medium-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 goes quite a bit beyond the simple Wheel of Time tropes used in Book 1, and takes on a life of its own. We see quite a bit of character development in this ever-expanding world.
My critique remains from the first book, though, that the writing here is just a bit clunky, and the prose could be shorter and smoother. Some of the descriptions also feel over-flowery at times. That said, I did enjoy it and loo forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
My critique remains from the first book, though, that the writing here is just a bit clunky, and the prose could be shorter and smoother. Some of the descriptions also feel over-flowery at times. That said, I did enjoy it and loo forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
Ryan Cahill’s world building is nothing short of impressive. He works his ass off to illustrate this world, you really sit back and enjoy the ride. I never found myself confused or needing to figure out how something worked.
And the character development in this one is truly something. I found myself sort of bored with Ella in the first book so if you would have told me her and Fardas storyline would be some of my favorites I would have laughed.
Seeing the depths of Calen and Valerys bond was also a favorite of mine, really enjoyed the mind/soul bonding.
This story is BEYOND light and dark. Our good guys are grey. And the guys opposing maybe have some reasons, too. And Ryan Cahill makes sure you know it. SPECTACULAR
I was flipping through wanting more.
Highly recommend to anyone that enjoys classic or high fantasy.
And the character development in this one is truly something. I found myself sort of bored with Ella in the first book so if you would have told me her and Fardas storyline would be some of my favorites I would have laughed.
Seeing the depths of Calen and Valerys bond was also a favorite of mine, really enjoyed the mind/soul bonding.
This story is BEYOND light and dark. Our good guys are grey. And the guys opposing maybe have some reasons, too. And Ryan Cahill makes sure you know it. SPECTACULAR
I was flipping through wanting more.
Highly recommend to anyone that enjoys classic or high fantasy.
Great book. It hit less than book one, but I genuinely think its because of how busy I am with school and how excited I am for wind and truth to come out! Also, I am proud to say that I guessed a plot twist correctly!