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emilys_pageturners's review against another edition
1.0
DNF: after a while I just couldn't read on because I did not enjoy this book at all, I've given it a try but this book was not for me.
There were whole pages filled with many different character names and places and nothing else. The pace was too slow for me and I didn't feel like anything was really happening. Instead it felt like a continuous infodump to me.
Maybe just maybe I might try reading it again in the future but for now definitely not a book for me!
There were whole pages filled with many different character names and places and nothing else. The pace was too slow for me and I didn't feel like anything was really happening. Instead it felt like a continuous infodump to me.
Maybe just maybe I might try reading it again in the future but for now definitely not a book for me!
cavalary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not counting the prologue, which mainly consisted of a list of names that I couldn’t keep track of, the first few chapters were quite a joy to read, with good writing and humor. However, after a while it became a matter of pushing through, at least until chapter 25, which was when the author seemed to remember where he wanted the book to go and how to take it there, and also the importance of meaningful character interaction and development. Even that chapter’s crazy, jarring start is worth mentioning, probably being just what was needed to make the reader know that it’s actually worth paying closer attention again. And the level seemed to remain somewhat higher after that chapter, though I don’t know whether that’s objectively the case or it’s a result of the lasting impression it left.
But most of the book tends to drag on, getting bogged down in a small scope and mundane matters, the greater and supernatural events it hints at taking too long to arrive and not being sufficiently emphasized even when they finally do. And with a fool as the lead, an asshole as his main companion and all kinds of rottenness in most other characters, it’s hard to like or cheer for them. Also, if for a while I was thinking that the book was originally written for a Polish audience, in Polish, so the fact that I couldn’t keep track of the names, and even of some of the events that were being mentioned, was my problem, as I continued reading I got an ever stronger impression that, assuming he wasn’t just making things up, since I didn’t care to check, the author was showing off his knowledge of the period at the expense of the book’s actual story and characters. And he’s definitely showing off and making it hard for the reader by adding all those parts in Latin, and occasionally in other languages as well, and not translating them except on rare occasions, mainly towards the end. Admittedly, this is something that the publisher could have fixed.
But most of the book tends to drag on, getting bogged down in a small scope and mundane matters, the greater and supernatural events it hints at taking too long to arrive and not being sufficiently emphasized even when they finally do. And with a fool as the lead, an asshole as his main companion and all kinds of rottenness in most other characters, it’s hard to like or cheer for them. Also, if for a while I was thinking that the book was originally written for a Polish audience, in Polish, so the fact that I couldn’t keep track of the names, and even of some of the events that were being mentioned, was my problem, as I continued reading I got an ever stronger impression that, assuming he wasn’t just making things up, since I didn’t care to check, the author was showing off his knowledge of the period at the expense of the book’s actual story and characters. And he’s definitely showing off and making it hard for the reader by adding all those parts in Latin, and occasionally in other languages as well, and not translating them except on rare occasions, mainly towards the end. Admittedly, this is something that the publisher could have fixed.
bookish_wanderluster's review against another edition
1.0
DNF
Although I'm well aquainted with Andrzej Sapkwoski's work, I did not enjoy this book, which is a shame as I was quite excited to read something new from him. I'm not sure if it was the style of writing employed or something else, but I just did not connect with the book.
Although I'm well aquainted with Andrzej Sapkwoski's work, I did not enjoy this book, which is a shame as I was quite excited to read something new from him. I'm not sure if it was the style of writing employed or something else, but I just did not connect with the book.
ferrin_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
nalry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hazelsf's review against another edition
3.0
Positive:
Deep historical immersion, well researched.
Samson - I started to wish he was the main character
Scharley - but his character is introduced after over 100 pages.
Urban Horn - enjoyed the mystery of his character.
Most stories involving knights or travelling on the road were entertaining and kept me reading.
I like the style of chapters starting with a summary paragraph in bold.
Negative:
Prologue like a dull history lecture, skip it or you may throw the book out of the window.
Unlikeable main character Reinmar, doesn't learn from his mistakes, takes his friends for granted, privileged, constantly rescued by people.
Too many characters in some scenes, very difficult to follow theological debates, never to really see the characters again so it doesn't feel worth bothering to go back and re-read.
I found the fantastical creatures jarring with the amount of historical research, they felt out of place, I would have preferred the magic more subtle. When it got to the point of a magic bridge and a flying bench and then an orgy, I was eye rolling. Many fantasy creatures seemed to pop up to be killed and forgotten about.
Whole passages of songs in Latin and other languages not translated!!
I doubt I will retain much information about about the Hussite Wars, but it did help further my understanding of the type of fantasy I want to read/write. I am trying to get back into reading and this was a challenge to finish. Not rushing to read the sequel.
Deep historical immersion, well researched.
Samson - I started to wish he was the main character
Scharley - but his character is introduced after over 100 pages.
Urban Horn - enjoyed the mystery of his character.
Most stories involving knights or travelling on the road were entertaining and kept me reading.
I like the style of chapters starting with a summary paragraph in bold.
Negative:
Prologue like a dull history lecture, skip it or you may throw the book out of the window.
Unlikeable main character Reinmar, doesn't learn from his mistakes, takes his friends for granted, privileged, constantly rescued by people.
Too many characters in some scenes, very difficult to follow theological debates, never to really see the characters again so it doesn't feel worth bothering to go back and re-read.
I found the fantastical creatures jarring with the amount of historical research, they felt out of place, I would have preferred the magic more subtle. When it got to the point of a magic bridge and a flying bench and then an orgy, I was eye rolling. Many fantasy creatures seemed to pop up to be killed and forgotten about.
Whole passages of songs in Latin and other languages not translated!!
I doubt I will retain much information about about the Hussite Wars, but it did help further my understanding of the type of fantasy I want to read/write. I am trying to get back into reading and this was a challenge to finish. Not rushing to read the sequel.
taisie22's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reynavan is a doctor, an alchemist, an arcanist, and a lover who gets in and out of scrapes starting with offending the deadly in-laws of his current lover, a married woman. For the most part, he's accompanied by Sharley and Samson as he is embroiled in the current religious wars, witches' sabbats, robberies, and various incarcerations. This is all set against the background of Eastern Europe in the 15th century.
The writing is excellent and the story arc is much better than what I found in the first few Witcher books (I understand the later books are superior). While there's some fantasy in the form of sorcerers, demons, witches, wallcreepers, and other monsters, the real story is the religious wars between the followers of Jan Huss and the Catholic church laid out against the backdrop of the Reformation. As a lover of history, I appreciated the references to historical personages and places though I admit my knowledge of Eastern European history is lacking.
Reynavan is a Jaskier type of character in that while he gets into frequent trouble, he always seems to come out a little the worse for wear. He's surrounded by great characters, some humorous, some dangerous. I look forward to seeing where his adventures take him next.
The writing is excellent and the story arc is much better than what I found in the first few Witcher books (I understand the later books are superior). While there's some fantasy in the form of sorcerers, demons, witches, wallcreepers, and other monsters, the real story is the religious wars between the followers of Jan Huss and the Catholic church laid out against the backdrop of the Reformation. As a lover of history, I appreciated the references to historical personages and places though I admit my knowledge of Eastern European history is lacking.
Reynavan is a Jaskier type of character in that while he gets into frequent trouble, he always seems to come out a little the worse for wear. He's surrounded by great characters, some humorous, some dangerous. I look forward to seeing where his adventures take him next.
hirsch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
urbino's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0