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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really refreshing to read, it's really nice to read speculative fiction that doesn't hold your hand, especially in the era where young adult (and not even very good young adult) fiction reigns supreme, and it seems that throughout media in general there tends to be so much reluctuance to let the audience discover and explore concepts for themselves.
No idea why this is constantly told to be super challenging though? Sure, it doesn't directly tell you exactly what a word means, or how the magic works exactly when it happens in the text but if you read the book generally within the next few pages, or at a push chapters, you will find the answer to the question you have. The world is interesting from what we see and I loved the ambiguity Erickson allows, though there really isn't as much of it as I had hoped.
This is probably the biggest dissapointment of the book to me, it's still a pretty generic fantasy novel in plot and world so far, it's clearly someones TTRPG campaign. The characters are fine to good (though all a bit single minded) and the writing style of the book can lead to perspectives feeling muddled in a way that isn't clever, just a bit irriating.
But, and this is a big but, there is a shape of something brilliant in the pages, prose, world and characters here. I've heard this is the weakest of the series and I hope it moves away from the TTRPG stuff and more into the big concept stuff it starts to touch on here: the "rules" of narrative conflict, the folly of empire, the boredom and dread of immortality among others. From what I've heard I'm in for a treat and excited to move onto the next one.
No idea why this is constantly told to be super challenging though? Sure, it doesn't directly tell you exactly what a word means, or how the magic works exactly when it happens in the text but if you read the book generally within the next few pages, or at a push chapters, you will find the answer to the question you have. The world is interesting from what we see and I loved the ambiguity Erickson allows, though there really isn't as much of it as I had hoped.
This is probably the biggest dissapointment of the book to me, it's still a pretty generic fantasy novel in plot and world so far, it's clearly someones TTRPG campaign. The characters are fine to good (though all a bit single minded) and the writing style of the book can lead to perspectives feeling muddled in a way that isn't clever, just a bit irriating.
But, and this is a big but, there is a shape of something brilliant in the pages, prose, world and characters here. I've heard this is the weakest of the series and I hope it moves away from the TTRPG stuff and more into the big concept stuff it starts to touch on here: the "rules" of narrative conflict, the folly of empire, the boredom and dread of immortality among others. From what I've heard I'm in for a treat and excited to move onto the next one.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
I've come to realize that I am bored. Also got mildly spoiled w there being no "main character". Might pick up again later.
This book was kicking my ass, I thought I was well read enough, but damn I can't read it yet 😂
I'll return one day when I have consumed enough books and become smart enough to fully appreciate it 😂
I'll return one day when I have consumed enough books and become smart enough to fully appreciate it 😂
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Got better towards the end, basically nothing is explained to you in this which can get a bit annoying when it drops some made up fantasy word but doesn't give any explanation to what it means. Well written and interesting
Not for me, hadn't a clue what was going on. Pity, as the reviews looked good.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated