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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Ugh. Had really high hopes.
Overall, I kept reading because I liked the assassin training bits but even those chapters are liberally sprinkled with brutal mishandling of female characters that exist only to further the bland male protagonist.
Overall, I kept reading because I liked the assassin training bits but even those chapters are liberally sprinkled with brutal mishandling of female characters that exist only to further the bland male protagonist.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
Great debut.
There is this saying: "In chess, game ends when king goes down. In politics, when king goes down, game is just starting."*
I believe same thing can be said for epic fantasy, since every great story starts with the death of a ruler.
So does [b:The Emperor's Blades|17910124|The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, #1)|Brian Staveley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369246817s/17910124.jpg|25095579] take off with death of Sanlitun hui’Malkeenian, the Emperor of Annur.
Excellent world-building is one of this novel's strongest points: Arunnian Empire has the look of medieval Europe/Asia and because of its vastness, we dwell on sea as much as we dwell on steep mountains. The reason I mention this (I mean, now every book comes with a map), is because I really liked the diversity of setting since it actually comes into play with various plot threads. Bone Mountains, Iron Sea, Hull's Hole... I remembered each location simply because it added another layer; accentuated the atmosphere and general feel of every scene.
But Annurian empire isn't rich only in look. We get to read about its history, governing body, military force, judiciary system,religion and mythology, and every new information pulls reader in; you just want to know more. I was especially impressed by religion aspect- I am not knowledgeable enough on subject, but I recognized some influences of Buddhism (vaniate sounded similar to sunyata) and Taoism.
Magical system is not very complicated: magical users are called leaches ; they seep energy from various sources-wells; it can be a sun or a metal...and they are limited only by their well. They are hated and prosecuted in Annurian empire, except for those who find their places in military. It's not magic that Annurians specifically hate- hate is tied to historic events and I liked this more than usual,"because they are different" reason.
The emperor's death finds three of his children separated from one another: they are on different sides of empire and entire story is told from their pov,in alternating chapters.
Kaden is heir to the throne and he is studying for monk in Shin monastery; Valyn is finishing rigorous training to become Kettral, elite soldier and Adare, the only daughter, is in capital trying to find who's responsible for her father's death and punish them.
I believe this was general critique mentioned in all reviews, but Adare's story wasn't given the same attention as her brothers. Of fifty chapters, Valyn and Kaden have over twenty chapters each, while Adare has only five.
I personally, enjoyed Valyn's story the most, even though he was not my favorite character. Kettral are elite warriors who are flying on giant birds- that beats monks every time, no matter how badass Rampuri Tan is with his spear. :P
There are two incredibly important chapters I got back to several times to reread:
-Kaden's chapter where Scial Nin and Tan are teaching him about history and importance of vaniate. This is pure infodump chapter, but I was interesting and incredibly important to understand why every emperor spent so many years studying for monk.
-Other one is Valyn's chapter when his Wing is practicing drops with bird. Wing consists of five soldiers: wingleader, sniper, flier, demolition and leach. Every person in Valyn's Wing are fantastic side-characters who play significant role in last third and this chapter is very telling on what kind of person every one of them is.
My problem with this novel and reason I chucked a star off is that it reads very much like a build-up piece. It takes patience and endurance (ha!) before we are rewarded for each pov, especially in ending chapters that are some of the most high-octane, on-the edge-of-seat writing. It's not that this was boring in any way- I was aware that Valyn and Kaden had to go through their trials before they deal with vacant Unhewn throne and enemies, but story opens with Sanlitun's death- I kept waiting for this situation to blow up on them and come into focus! I also think this "building up for something bigger" didn't bother me as much since I started this book one week before second one was released with first seven chapters already available on Tor.com.
TL,DR- This is a traditional, by-the-book fantasy saga to sunk your teeth in.:)
p.s. Love love love Rich Anderson art... Especially this detail:
That would be Valyn. ;)
*Paraphrased. I'll ETA once I remember who said it.
adventurous
dark
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
Overall story was intriguing, but it had long stretches of boring. And the characters weren't that smart. Could've used some tightening up of the story. And fewer sexist tropes.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
To understand the concept of the Five-Two Review, please visit this description on our website :
https://thefivetworeview.wordpress.com/about/
An entire empire on the brink of ruin, a powerful bloodline hunted to the very ends of the world, an ancient force come again… The premise of The Emperor’s Blades, although familiar in the wide circle of fantasy, is packaged with relatable characters, a deep web of political intrigue, arduous philosophical and military apprenticeships, constant action, interesting world-building, appreciable suspense and best of all, an engaging plot!
Following a prologue set thousands of years in the past where we encounter the mysterious Csestriim, we dive into the brutal continent that is dominated by the vast Annurian Empire. Ruler of this empire, sitting atop the Unhewn Throne, is Sanlitun hui’Malkeenian. As any good ruler would, Emperor Sanlitun has been preparing his three children to take over him after his demise. A demise which arrives sooner than expected; Sanlitun hui’Malkeenian has been assassinated by the powerful leader of a religious faction. What does this mean for the empire? And what does it mean for his children?
Kaden, the rightful heir chosen by Intarra the goddess of Light, lives amongst the secretive Shin monks in their secluded bastion at Ashk’lan. Thousands of leagues away from the empire, Kaden is unknowingly being taught the mysteries of the Blank God and powers which will serve him once he accedes to the throne. The training the young man faces is punitive, grueling and mind-numbingly frustrating… His teachers refuse to show emotions, share relevant knowledge or enlighten him on the outside world’s current state. That is, until a pair of suspicious merchants and a troop of Aedolian soldiers coming traipsing up the mountains bearing news from Annur. Instantly, Kaden’s life is turned around and he finds himself caught in a swirling conspiracy to end his life…
Valyn, on the other hand, has trained since his eighth birthday to become one of the feared and respected Kettral; an elite military force riding giant birds to defend the empire. His training has forged him into an iron-hard soldier, a talented swordsman and a leader. The Kettral live and train and die on the Qirin Islands, isolated from the rest of the world. Here they breed their enormous birds of prey as well as men and women taught a thousand ways to kill. Weeks away from the Kettral’s ultimate trial, which will grant him access to the ranks of the elite, Valyn stumbles upon a dying soldier who warns him of a plot against his family… Is it coincidence that the following weeks are wrought with botched attempts on his life and a series of gruesome murders?
Finally, in the heart of the empire, Adare mourns her father’s death and tries to gain her rightful place in the high circles. Though she is the Minister of Finance and the late emperor’s daughter, she is a woman and it is as lonely as it is dangerous for a woman of her status in the capital. Plots are brought to light, justice is given and vengeance sought. Yet every time Adare believes she has made progress in unveiling the conspiracy of traitors, she finds herself clutching shadows. Who is behind it all? Why do they seek to end the Malkeenian bloodline? And are they after her as well?
Lurking in the darkness, it appears that the long-forgotten and almost mythological Csestriim are watching it all with cold, calculating eyes…
THE FIVE.
1. The world-building in The Emperor’s Blades is top-notch in relation to fantasy standards. Straddling two continents, the Annurian Empire stretches out across deserts, jungles and forsaken mountains. The borders are rife with tension and violent uprisings, as with all empires. The reader is given glimpses into a world with unlimited potential; Staveley has cleverly prepared this trilogy, setting up future large-scale conflicts, and certainly further series set in the same universe. The mythos is complex and intriguing with the Blank God, the old gods and the young, the whole mixed in with the mysterious Csestriim and Nevariim who walked the earth thousands of years ago. The world is so well crafted that Staveley can virtually develop any plotline to send his characters and the reader across a vast and richly detailed world.
2. Staveley’s writing is also particularly pleasant to read; it reaches the much sought-after balance between efficiency, description and effusive prose. A rare feat in modern fantasy where sprawling door-stoppers often offer no veritable content to speak of. Here, the reader embarks on a journey from the very first page to the very last, rarely pausing to wonder at the use of a word or other. Though there are repetitions (especially concerning invented swear words and the fact that every human looks at the world through ‘hooded eyes’) it is never off-putting. The reader’s ‘hooded’ eyes slip over these with ease. An exceptionally enjoyable read.
3. The learning curve. This is a big one in the realm of fantasy… How much does a writer need to guide a reader through his world? The accepted convention is to assume that readers are not stupid, though this occasionally leads authors to plunge into impossibly complex worlds with no help given at all. In The Emperor’s Blades, once again the balance is found. The first few chapters are puzzling enough to make them challenging without being overly frustrated. On a scale between Harry Potter and The Prince of Nothing, Staveley’s trilogy is nearer to R.S. Bakker’s incredibly detailed world of Ëa and sits right beneath George R.R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire – minus the medieval heraldry and complicated human relationships (wink, wink Lannisters).
4. For a debut author in fantasy and in comparison with the hundreds of other new releases, Staveley’s first novel comes with a tightly woven and intriguing plot. The plot holes are few and unimportant, while the main arcs are engaging and full of suspense. Most importantly, he leaves enough room after the conclusion to keep the readers interested in the sequel, A Providence of Fire. If Staveley keeps his rhythm and stamina in the long run, and given his talents in world-building and writing, we could be facing an extremely satisfying series. Maybe several trilogies spanning several time periods and putting into play a vast array of characters; the potential is boundless.
5. Though this may be considered part of world-building, we believed it deserved a mention of its own; the magic system. In Staveley’s universe, a select few human beings called leaches are gifted with strange powers that allow them to warp reality however they will it. The leach’s power waxes and wanes depending on the proximity and strength of their well, the source of their magic. The catch is that a well can be anything; ranging from iron to light to wind to cotton, all the way to human emotions. Emotion leaches are considered to be amongst the most dangerous beings alive, given that their wells are nigh on inexhaustible. A well is a leach’s deepest secret, one that can only be revealed to the most trustworthy companions. With this magic system the possibilities are endless. The down side is that leaches are despised by the entirety of the human race and all its cultures… Oops. Children showing early signs of magic and even extremely powerful adults are hunted relentlessly and put to death in the most horrible ways imaginable.
THE TWO.
1. This is understood early on, but must be fully integrated by the reader nevertheless; the main characters are young. Get used to it. End of story. Or beginning of story… Never mind. Valyn and Kaden are, despite their many years of ruthless training with violent soldiers and surprisingly violent monks, both around eighteen years old. This is hard to grasp given the plot, the fact that Kaden is the heir to a massive empire and Valyn is growing up to be a savage, bird-riding murderer. Adare is the oldest of the three siblings and holds a high rank as Minister of Finance. No matter their backgrounds, the three main characters are barely more than teenagers, especially psychologically. And their actions sometimes reek of teenager stupidity and indecision (come on, we’ve all been there). It is frustrating to see two young men that have weathered such arduous training make such strange decisions. The siblings often succumb to their burning emotions and make utter fools of themselves. It can be understandable given their age and the sudden death of their father, but the gap between the lives they have led as heirs to the throne and their immaturity is sometimes too great. Shouldn’t an elite soldier have better decision-making skills and a firmer grasp on his emotions? Or the Minister of Finance, who knows that as a woman she is already looked down upon… Shouldn’t she control her rage instead of showing how vulnerable she is? And Kaden, a boy raised amongst the stoic-as-statues Shin monks since the age of eight… Why is he so frustrated? Why is he so stubborn and rash? In the end, all these emotions are understandable and the character development is more than satisfactory. But the three siblings are extremely similar, if not in training, then at least in character. And some of their reactions may leave the reader stupefied…
2. It is difficult to discuss how derivative a work is in fantasy… The nay-sayers and ‘experts’ will vomit on what they call ‘Tolkien-clones’ without ever realizing that Tolkien himself was preceded by other fantasy authors (Lord Dunsany, Poul Anderson or Mervyn Peake) and also copied shamelessly from the Prose Edda and various mythologies. No, if one goes down that particular, dark road, one is as doomed as the Fellowship in Moria… Every work is derivative of some other work. Humans are evolving creatures, unfortunately not blessed with virginal originality. That being said, it is true that some references in The Emperor’s Blades would make veteran fantasy readers cringe… The similarities in geography, names and some of the mythos with other modern works are scattered and frankly, quite flagrant (soldiers defending the empire wearing blacks, really?). The pleasure of reading Staveley’s work is not hindered in the least by these small infidelities and his plot, world and characters remain refreshing in their own.
https://thefivetworeview.wordpress.com/about/
An entire empire on the brink of ruin, a powerful bloodline hunted to the very ends of the world, an ancient force come again… The premise of The Emperor’s Blades, although familiar in the wide circle of fantasy, is packaged with relatable characters, a deep web of political intrigue, arduous philosophical and military apprenticeships, constant action, interesting world-building, appreciable suspense and best of all, an engaging plot!
Following a prologue set thousands of years in the past where we encounter the mysterious Csestriim, we dive into the brutal continent that is dominated by the vast Annurian Empire. Ruler of this empire, sitting atop the Unhewn Throne, is Sanlitun hui’Malkeenian. As any good ruler would, Emperor Sanlitun has been preparing his three children to take over him after his demise. A demise which arrives sooner than expected; Sanlitun hui’Malkeenian has been assassinated by the powerful leader of a religious faction. What does this mean for the empire? And what does it mean for his children?
Kaden, the rightful heir chosen by Intarra the goddess of Light, lives amongst the secretive Shin monks in their secluded bastion at Ashk’lan. Thousands of leagues away from the empire, Kaden is unknowingly being taught the mysteries of the Blank God and powers which will serve him once he accedes to the throne. The training the young man faces is punitive, grueling and mind-numbingly frustrating… His teachers refuse to show emotions, share relevant knowledge or enlighten him on the outside world’s current state. That is, until a pair of suspicious merchants and a troop of Aedolian soldiers coming traipsing up the mountains bearing news from Annur. Instantly, Kaden’s life is turned around and he finds himself caught in a swirling conspiracy to end his life…
Valyn, on the other hand, has trained since his eighth birthday to become one of the feared and respected Kettral; an elite military force riding giant birds to defend the empire. His training has forged him into an iron-hard soldier, a talented swordsman and a leader. The Kettral live and train and die on the Qirin Islands, isolated from the rest of the world. Here they breed their enormous birds of prey as well as men and women taught a thousand ways to kill. Weeks away from the Kettral’s ultimate trial, which will grant him access to the ranks of the elite, Valyn stumbles upon a dying soldier who warns him of a plot against his family… Is it coincidence that the following weeks are wrought with botched attempts on his life and a series of gruesome murders?
Finally, in the heart of the empire, Adare mourns her father’s death and tries to gain her rightful place in the high circles. Though she is the Minister of Finance and the late emperor’s daughter, she is a woman and it is as lonely as it is dangerous for a woman of her status in the capital. Plots are brought to light, justice is given and vengeance sought. Yet every time Adare believes she has made progress in unveiling the conspiracy of traitors, she finds herself clutching shadows. Who is behind it all? Why do they seek to end the Malkeenian bloodline? And are they after her as well?
Lurking in the darkness, it appears that the long-forgotten and almost mythological Csestriim are watching it all with cold, calculating eyes…
THE FIVE.
1. The world-building in The Emperor’s Blades is top-notch in relation to fantasy standards. Straddling two continents, the Annurian Empire stretches out across deserts, jungles and forsaken mountains. The borders are rife with tension and violent uprisings, as with all empires. The reader is given glimpses into a world with unlimited potential; Staveley has cleverly prepared this trilogy, setting up future large-scale conflicts, and certainly further series set in the same universe. The mythos is complex and intriguing with the Blank God, the old gods and the young, the whole mixed in with the mysterious Csestriim and Nevariim who walked the earth thousands of years ago. The world is so well crafted that Staveley can virtually develop any plotline to send his characters and the reader across a vast and richly detailed world.
2. Staveley’s writing is also particularly pleasant to read; it reaches the much sought-after balance between efficiency, description and effusive prose. A rare feat in modern fantasy where sprawling door-stoppers often offer no veritable content to speak of. Here, the reader embarks on a journey from the very first page to the very last, rarely pausing to wonder at the use of a word or other. Though there are repetitions (especially concerning invented swear words and the fact that every human looks at the world through ‘hooded eyes’) it is never off-putting. The reader’s ‘hooded’ eyes slip over these with ease. An exceptionally enjoyable read.
3. The learning curve. This is a big one in the realm of fantasy… How much does a writer need to guide a reader through his world? The accepted convention is to assume that readers are not stupid, though this occasionally leads authors to plunge into impossibly complex worlds with no help given at all. In The Emperor’s Blades, once again the balance is found. The first few chapters are puzzling enough to make them challenging without being overly frustrated. On a scale between Harry Potter and The Prince of Nothing, Staveley’s trilogy is nearer to R.S. Bakker’s incredibly detailed world of Ëa and sits right beneath George R.R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire – minus the medieval heraldry and complicated human relationships (wink, wink Lannisters).
4. For a debut author in fantasy and in comparison with the hundreds of other new releases, Staveley’s first novel comes with a tightly woven and intriguing plot. The plot holes are few and unimportant, while the main arcs are engaging and full of suspense. Most importantly, he leaves enough room after the conclusion to keep the readers interested in the sequel, A Providence of Fire. If Staveley keeps his rhythm and stamina in the long run, and given his talents in world-building and writing, we could be facing an extremely satisfying series. Maybe several trilogies spanning several time periods and putting into play a vast array of characters; the potential is boundless.
5. Though this may be considered part of world-building, we believed it deserved a mention of its own; the magic system. In Staveley’s universe, a select few human beings called leaches are gifted with strange powers that allow them to warp reality however they will it. The leach’s power waxes and wanes depending on the proximity and strength of their well, the source of their magic. The catch is that a well can be anything; ranging from iron to light to wind to cotton, all the way to human emotions. Emotion leaches are considered to be amongst the most dangerous beings alive, given that their wells are nigh on inexhaustible. A well is a leach’s deepest secret, one that can only be revealed to the most trustworthy companions. With this magic system the possibilities are endless. The down side is that leaches are despised by the entirety of the human race and all its cultures… Oops. Children showing early signs of magic and even extremely powerful adults are hunted relentlessly and put to death in the most horrible ways imaginable.
THE TWO.
1. This is understood early on, but must be fully integrated by the reader nevertheless; the main characters are young. Get used to it. End of story. Or beginning of story… Never mind. Valyn and Kaden are, despite their many years of ruthless training with violent soldiers and surprisingly violent monks, both around eighteen years old. This is hard to grasp given the plot, the fact that Kaden is the heir to a massive empire and Valyn is growing up to be a savage, bird-riding murderer. Adare is the oldest of the three siblings and holds a high rank as Minister of Finance. No matter their backgrounds, the three main characters are barely more than teenagers, especially psychologically. And their actions sometimes reek of teenager stupidity and indecision (come on, we’ve all been there). It is frustrating to see two young men that have weathered such arduous training make such strange decisions. The siblings often succumb to their burning emotions and make utter fools of themselves. It can be understandable given their age and the sudden death of their father, but the gap between the lives they have led as heirs to the throne and their immaturity is sometimes too great. Shouldn’t an elite soldier have better decision-making skills and a firmer grasp on his emotions? Or the Minister of Finance, who knows that as a woman she is already looked down upon… Shouldn’t she control her rage instead of showing how vulnerable she is? And Kaden, a boy raised amongst the stoic-as-statues Shin monks since the age of eight… Why is he so frustrated? Why is he so stubborn and rash? In the end, all these emotions are understandable and the character development is more than satisfactory. But the three siblings are extremely similar, if not in training, then at least in character. And some of their reactions may leave the reader stupefied…
2. It is difficult to discuss how derivative a work is in fantasy… The nay-sayers and ‘experts’ will vomit on what they call ‘Tolkien-clones’ without ever realizing that Tolkien himself was preceded by other fantasy authors (Lord Dunsany, Poul Anderson or Mervyn Peake) and also copied shamelessly from the Prose Edda and various mythologies. No, if one goes down that particular, dark road, one is as doomed as the Fellowship in Moria… Every work is derivative of some other work. Humans are evolving creatures, unfortunately not blessed with virginal originality. That being said, it is true that some references in The Emperor’s Blades would make veteran fantasy readers cringe… The similarities in geography, names and some of the mythos with other modern works are scattered and frankly, quite flagrant (soldiers defending the empire wearing blacks, really?). The pleasure of reading Staveley’s work is not hindered in the least by these small infidelities and his plot, world and characters remain refreshing in their own.
"I will bring my sword to these meetings, but you are my last blade. You, and Kaden, and Valyn. If you feel, any of you, that you have been hammered hard, it has been that you might better hold an edge."
GOOSE. FUCKING. BUMPS.
The first time I read this series, I was 15 - an impressionable teenager who had never come across something so intricate, emotional, and heart-pounding all in one frigging book. Granted, I did not really tangle much with epic fantasies in this scale back then, smitten as I was with the lighter young-adult sisters of the genre. So naturally, after The Emperor's Blades, my world was truly rocked to the core. Every high fantasy I've read since just paled in comparison. They weren't bad of course, but they were dull compared to the sheer magnificence of this series. Fast forward eight years later - now I'm not as young, not as impressionable. But everything I've thought about this book back then were solidified even further.
I don't even know what to say, it just ticks EVERY. SINGLE. BOX. From characterization to world-building, to the plot itself - there was not one thing that The Emperor's Blades did not pass with flying colors. Hell, it obliterated the standards and became the standard itself.
I will never ever forget how this book made me feel.
Update: 8 years later and I'm buddy-reading my all time favorite epic fantasy series EVER with my boyfriend. Life is good.
HOLY SHAEL ON STICKS.
There is nothing I could say. Everything I felt and all my opinions about this book had been said by reviewers far more articulate and expressive than me.
That's it. I'm done. I have completely fallen in love with this book. Brian Staveley had created a world as carefully constructed as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter (although they are absolutely nothing alike).
Falling Kingdoms can't compare to this brilliance. Maybe no High Fantasy series could.
The Emperor's Blades is something else. I hope it gets the attention and love it deserves. Everyone stop what you're doing right now and READ IT.