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mxkelsifer's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was technically a reread for me. I read it originally around 2004 when I was a teenager. And it's been an interesting journey to reread and seeing how my tastes have stayed the same as well as how they've evolved.
The overall story is a pretty standard beginning to a Chosen One trilogy. For the most part, the tropes of this book are still very much in accordance with my tastes. However, with 20 more years of experience, the first novel syndrome leaks from this book something awful.
The pacing is weird and some of the character choices are definitely not to my taste. All of the twists are properly foreshadowed, so a reader familiar with the tropes of the genre will spot what's going to happen long before it actually does. Which is part of the pacing problem. For example, I knew that R'shiel was the Chosen One within a couple of chapters into act 2 of 5. However, R'shiel herself doesn't learn about this until a few chapters into act 5 of 5. Even her atheistic co-lead figures out and accepts her status several chapters before she does.
The overall story is a pretty standard beginning to a Chosen One trilogy. For the most part, the tropes of this book are still very much in accordance with my tastes. However, with 20 more years of experience, the first novel syndrome leaks from this book something awful.
The pacing is weird and some of the character choices are definitely not to my taste. All of the twists are properly foreshadowed, so a reader familiar with the tropes of the genre will spot what's going to happen long before it actually does. Which is part of the pacing problem. For example, I knew that R'shiel was the Chosen One within a couple of chapters into act 2 of 5. However, R'shiel herself doesn't learn about this until a few chapters into act 5 of 5. Even her atheistic co-lead figures out and accepts her status several chapters before she does.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Incest, and Torture
Minor: Rape
A clarification on the incest: the main lead and the co-lead grew up thinking of each other as sister and brother. They are explicitly not genetically related, and the romance between them doesn't start until after they both know this fact. The book does call it incest, and they deny it as such. Neither coerces the other into the romance; however, it is coerced by the goddess of love without their knowledge. Towards the end of act 3, the co-lead gets tortured. It is somewhat described but not in a way that I would call graphic. Religious bigotry is something of a theme of this book, what with the inciting event being the Pope declaring a Purge of all Pagans. Much of the religious bigotry comes from an atheistic society, spurred by the religious zealotry coming from their monotheistic allies. However, the bigotry is more along the lines of "those silly polytheists think their way is the right way" and "we must kill the Chosen One for our One True God" In act 4, the main lead does get raped. However, it is mostly alluded to and not described at all.bekah_beks's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
beautiful_chaos1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
kimbapnboba's review
5.0
One of my favorite series. Strong female hero with supernatural powers that is unlike other series that I've read. A little romance, a lot of adventure and battle, and most of all some humour. I think this would make an awesome movie. There is one disturbing theme through out the series, but if you can get over that, then I think you will really enjoy it!
mamap's review
3.0
fantasy. lots of political intrigue and her mother is yucky. interesting that the 'one' god is a demon and the other 'gods' are part of nature - not good or bad.
everlaerian's review
2.0
I was looking forward to read Demon Child, the first trilogy of the Hythrun Chronicles after having read the prequels (first), Wolfblade Chronicles. I was disappointed.
Maybe I would have preferred this set if I had read them first, as I just don't feel that same towards it's cast and story. At this point, I just want to see how this all ends, and mostly I want to see the Hythrun characters I learned to love how they fared in the end. This being written before Wolfblade, I may find it difficult to give me the expectations I am looking forward to.
Still hoping to find out if Damin ends up marrying someone, hopefully not Adrina or R'shiel now, as it would feel to gimmicky, especially having seen Damin evolve since before his conception. I also want to see more of Wrayan and if he and Shananara lay eyes with each other once more. And how Marla is doing with her fifth husband (although from what I understand.. he may be dead already.... really?)
Maybe I would have preferred this set if I had read them first, as I just don't feel that same towards it's cast and story. At this point, I just want to see how this all ends, and mostly I want to see the Hythrun characters I learned to love how they fared in the end. This being written before Wolfblade, I may find it difficult to give me the expectations I am looking forward to.
Still hoping to find out if Damin ends up marrying someone, hopefully not Adrina or R'shiel now, as it would feel to gimmicky, especially having seen Damin evolve since before his conception. I also want to see more of Wrayan and if he and Shananara lay eyes with each other once more. And how Marla is doing with her fifth husband (although from what I understand.. he may be dead already.... really?)
lclowe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bb_83's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0