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liviiemarie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very interesting story. This book was very well written. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it at first. There were a lot of people and places that were name dropped and not explain. I got frustrated that o was having more questions than answers. I almost decided to stop, but I’m glad I didn’t. The lore and magic of the world created here is amazing. I’m actually looking forward to reading the next book now.
secre's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
C.E. Page isn't an author I had come across before, but is certainly an author I will be following with interest in the future. Deathborn is an absolutely riveting epic fantasy that teases with darker edges, but never quite throws itself into the dark end. The characters are wonderfully portrayed, leaping off the page at you and the world is expansive and complex, yet with a magic system that will feel reasonably familiar to anyone with a decent number of fantasy notches on their belt.
It's a fascinating narrative as well; it starts off with small, almost individualist stakes as Garret follows his King's commands to find a specific necromancer who very much doesn't want to be found. Only along the way, he is forced to face some hard truths and re-assess his priorities and his allegiances. But after things are taken out of his hands, there is a distinct sense of urgency. His King is mad, dangerous and a complete psychopath. Everything he holds dear is at stake and yet an even larger danger looms; the rising cases of corruption first amongst mages but spreading further afield is enough to destroy everything he knows.
Done through split perspectives, this novel flits between Garret, Nea and Margot's perspective. This was done well, with all of the characters having equally interesting narratives and characterisations. You get a wide range of magics on display, with Nea's necromancy definitely being the star of the show. All of the characters felt distinct and unique, with there being no issues in following which character's perspective you are in at any given time. The interactions and relationships that build between them are also excellently done, with dialogue that sparkles. There's some nice LGBTQ representation in the Margot perspective as well.
My only minor niggle is that the bad characters are so very, very bad it's almost caricatured at times. There's no morally grey bad guys who you can kind of see where they're coming from even if you don't necessarily agree. Some of the bit players have tragic back stories that have led them to a place of hate and cruelty, but for most of them, they are just plain nasty and it's as simple as that. It seemed a bit odd, particularly given how well the author depicts the humanity of the other characters.
But despite that, this was an excellent read and I am absolutely already on Amazon to order the sequel. The world building is multi-layered and interesting, there's a certain amount of intrigue and politics, a lot of action and characters who I couldn't help but fall in love with. Another five star read.
It's a fascinating narrative as well; it starts off with small, almost individualist stakes as Garret follows his King's commands to find a specific necromancer who very much doesn't want to be found. Only along the way, he is forced to face some hard truths and re-assess his priorities and his allegiances. But after things are taken out of his hands, there is a distinct sense of urgency. His King is mad, dangerous and a complete psychopath. Everything he holds dear is at stake and yet an even larger danger looms; the rising cases of corruption first amongst mages but spreading further afield is enough to destroy everything he knows.
Done through split perspectives, this novel flits between Garret, Nea and Margot's perspective. This was done well, with all of the characters having equally interesting narratives and characterisations. You get a wide range of magics on display, with Nea's necromancy definitely being the star of the show. All of the characters felt distinct and unique, with there being no issues in following which character's perspective you are in at any given time. The interactions and relationships that build between them are also excellently done, with dialogue that sparkles. There's some nice LGBTQ representation in the Margot perspective as well.
My only minor niggle is that the bad characters are so very, very bad it's almost caricatured at times. There's no morally grey bad guys who you can kind of see where they're coming from even if you don't necessarily agree. Some of the bit players have tragic back stories that have led them to a place of hate and cruelty, but for most of them, they are just plain nasty and it's as simple as that. It seemed a bit odd, particularly given how well the author depicts the humanity of the other characters.
But despite that, this was an excellent read and I am absolutely already on Amazon to order the sequel. The world building is multi-layered and interesting, there's a certain amount of intrigue and politics, a lot of action and characters who I couldn't help but fall in love with. Another five star read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault
davidgreenwriter's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely check out the rest of the series.
You're thrown into a well-developed world full of intrigue and well-established orders all with their own goals that are seemingly at odds with the other. Central to this is the magic system. Page guides the reader through the rules, but it isn't just there for magical fights and battles. A corruption is affecting it, and it's central to the plot.
This is dark, but not grimdark. There are many characters to root for, and there's just as many to dislike. Page paints them all marvelously.
More people need to read Deathborn! Yesterday!
You're thrown into a well-developed world full of intrigue and well-established orders all with their own goals that are seemingly at odds with the other. Central to this is the magic system. Page guides the reader through the rules, but it isn't just there for magical fights and battles. A corruption is affecting it, and it's central to the plot.
This is dark, but not grimdark. There are many characters to root for, and there's just as many to dislike. Page paints them all marvelously.
More people need to read Deathborn! Yesterday!
katmullen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Talking about this book with my coworker while reading it made my work week so much better! They’re a non-reader. So I shared the story as I learnt it and they got heavily invested too. Legit after one certain reveal I walked in and was like ‘I HAVE TEA FROM DEATHBORN.’ We had a lot of fun trying to figure out the mystery as we went.
You dive head first into the world of Deathborn. The world is expansive and there’s so much to learn. It would’ve been great to spend a little more time building up that world, but I did roll with it. Very much appreciated the glossary at the back, but also would’ve loved a character guide - there’s so many names! I had to make notes on how people knew each other and who was related as I went.
The mystery of Corruption and what the King is trying to do is the main focus of this story. I kept reading cause I needed to know what was happening. C.E. Page was great at making me hate the villains. I was terrified for Nea every time Leon showed up. I despised him!
Margot
I like her as a character, but I’m not sure if her POV was absolutely necessary. We didn’t get as much of her view as the other two characters. It felt a little that her view was only there for a few reveals to happen. If they could’ve been written in elsewhere I don’t think we needed her POV.
But her character was likable, and yay for the queer rep!
Garret
He’s your stoic commander who realises the King he’s working for is terrible and leads a resistance. He was a likable enough character. I wish we had gone more in depth with him. There were some reveals I would’ve loved to delve further into and explore the background/consequences of.
Nea
Was obviously gonna be my fave. Knew that even before I started reading. Nea has the weight of the world on her shoulders, but still fights through and does the right thing for the world. Again, I wish we had been able to dive further into her history and reveals. It felt like we brushed over some major things that I would’ve loved to know more about. I got the base level of what she felt, but focusing more on it would’ve been amazing.
The history between Nea and Leith is something I was so interested in. I really like all the connections between the characters. But I wish the relationships, especially between Nea and Leith, had been built up earlier. Characters mentioned that they knew the two of them had history, but in their first scene together we barely felt the history and it wasn’t until far in until we learnt just how heavy their history was. I was so interested in them!
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the world, I just wish we learnt more about everyone!
Random thoughts I had while reading:
- ‘They start coming and they don't stop coming’ - about the names
- I like Janey
- Why I would die in a fantasy world: there’s so much walking and I already hate walking 15 mins to work
- “Merston has been in lockdown for almost a year” - mood
- ‘Just talk to each other already!’
Thank you C.E. Page for the review copy!
blakeybuttons's review against another edition
5.0
Deathborn is the first instalment of the Sovereigns of Bright and Shadow, the new fantasy series by C E Page, an Australian author, passionate writer and dear friend of mine. This debut is a tale of magic, power and corruption in a world where the dead don’t always rest.
Necromancer Nea reappears after disappearing in a cloud of suspicion years before, and her presence throws Margot, a healer, and Garrett, a warden, into danger and darkness. What first seems like a personal vendetta between Nea and the twisted King Evard soon becomes a conflict that embroils not just the kingdom but life and death itself.
The characters of Deathborn must race to find a cure to a terrible disease afflicting mages, looking to history, myth and plant magic in desperate attempt to save the corrupted. As they seek out clues and answers, more questions arise. Who is Nea? How is she linked to corruption? And why does the mad king so desperately wish to control her?
Fast paced and full of magic and battles, this adventure will leave readers needing to know just what will happen next.
Necromancer Nea reappears after disappearing in a cloud of suspicion years before, and her presence throws Margot, a healer, and Garrett, a warden, into danger and darkness. What first seems like a personal vendetta between Nea and the twisted King Evard soon becomes a conflict that embroils not just the kingdom but life and death itself.
The characters of Deathborn must race to find a cure to a terrible disease afflicting mages, looking to history, myth and plant magic in desperate attempt to save the corrupted. As they seek out clues and answers, more questions arise. Who is Nea? How is she linked to corruption? And why does the mad king so desperately wish to control her?
Fast paced and full of magic and battles, this adventure will leave readers needing to know just what will happen next.
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