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dboyd22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25
skycrane's review against another edition
5.0
Though I ended up really liking Legacy of the Brightwash, it took me a while to read. I got to chapter 5, which starts with the line, "The Directed Breeding Program of Yaelsmuir housed their breeders..." and just had to put the book down for a couple of months. Within the first few chapters it is explained to us that those with magical abilities (generally called "tainted") are tracked by a vast bureaucracy, forced to work in state-assigned jobs, frequently sentenced to life imprisonment for very petty regulatory infractions, and also systematically raped. And our protagonist is part of the authority that enforces those rules. So yeah, this gets pretty dark.
The core of the story is a mystery, but there's also a pretty emotionally satisfying romance, and a couple of compelling character studies. Highly recommend.
The core of the story is a mystery, but there's also a pretty emotionally satisfying romance, and a couple of compelling character studies. Highly recommend.
laurarhds's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.75
theshaggyshepherd's review
5.0
I failed at writing a review and it’s been too long now but I’ll be rereading this soon and making up for it then. I wanted to add though at least that this was my favorite book of 2022 and I can’t wait to continue with the series soon.
briggamooz's review against another edition
4.0
Actual: 4.5/5
I read this in 2021 and neglected to leave a review. As I've received an ARC of Tainted Dominion #2, I did a re-read to remedy the situation and make amends.
If you are a fan of grimdark, gaslamp, political machinations, governmental conspiracy and upheaval, gritty worlds, and complicated, multi-faceted relationships, I highly recommend this novel. It's a chunk of a book that utterly absorbs the reader in a whirlwind of backroom dealings, murders, spies, and the sort of wealthy-who-run-the-nation leadership that has one waiting when some of these characters are going to start asking who, exactly, is John Galt.
At the center of it all, working through a crisis of self and career, is Tashué; a modern-era take on a Jean Valjean-type who wants earnestly to believe in the law and those who uphold it.
Disillusionment is the theme of the novel, a topical, sometimes painful examination of a society so numb to the status quo and blind to obvious prejudices and atrocities, that it takes the murders of children to push one of the Dominion's own Tainted into action.
Yet, for the darkness and grittiness of the world, it is populated with deeply developed characters, each pursuing their own aims with a sometimes gleeful madness as they dance circles around, and weave themselves tighter, to one another, all while walking along a common thread of hope - that a better politician can clear the air, that the laws can be amended, that the Dominion can evolve.
4.5/5, and I wavered on this one. In the end, Legacy of the Brightwash isn't for everyone (which would be a 5-star), but for those of us down for a chonker of a book that will punch us in the heart and make us want to wave giant flags and build barricades against a corrupt government, then buckle up because this is a hell of a ride.
Legacy of the Brightwash was the 2nd place finisher in the 7th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, a well earned and deserved placement.
Tainted Dominion #2: Legacy of Brick & Bone releases on APRIL 25
I read this in 2021 and neglected to leave a review. As I've received an ARC of Tainted Dominion #2, I did a re-read to remedy the situation and make amends.
If you are a fan of grimdark, gaslamp, political machinations, governmental conspiracy and upheaval, gritty worlds, and complicated, multi-faceted relationships, I highly recommend this novel. It's a chunk of a book that utterly absorbs the reader in a whirlwind of backroom dealings, murders, spies, and the sort of wealthy-who-run-the-nation leadership that has one waiting when some of these characters are going to start asking who, exactly, is John Galt.
At the center of it all, working through a crisis of self and career, is Tashué; a modern-era take on a Jean Valjean-type who wants earnestly to believe in the law and those who uphold it.
Disillusionment is the theme of the novel, a topical, sometimes painful examination of a society so numb to the status quo and blind to obvious prejudices and atrocities, that it takes the murders of children to push one of the Dominion's own Tainted into action.
Yet, for the darkness and grittiness of the world, it is populated with deeply developed characters, each pursuing their own aims with a sometimes gleeful madness as they dance circles around, and weave themselves tighter, to one another, all while walking along a common thread of hope - that a better politician can clear the air, that the laws can be amended, that the Dominion can evolve.
4.5/5, and I wavered on this one. In the end, Legacy of the Brightwash isn't for everyone (which would be a 5-star), but for those of us down for a chonker of a book that will punch us in the heart and make us want to wave giant flags and build barricades against a corrupt government, then buckle up because this is a hell of a ride.
Legacy of the Brightwash was the 2nd place finisher in the 7th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, a well earned and deserved placement.
Tainted Dominion #2: Legacy of Brick & Bone releases on APRIL 25
_tomeraider's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Now THAT'S how you write a grimdark fantasy! This book was so good. The worldbuilding was top notch and just felt immensely bleak and nitty gritty.
The Authority is tru villainy and I can't wait for them to get their just desserts. I loved the cast of characters we got and how their POVs flowed so naturally for me. I wasn't bored with a single character.
Tashué's battle with realizing he had been on the wrong side for years and his internal agonization and guilt when people he loved got hurt... oof my heart HURTS.
I loved how even though this story is grim, we had characters that were beacons of light trying to fight and hold on to hope despite the darkness surrounding them.
The writing in this was very accessible and flowed smoothly. Krystle Matar did a phenomenal job in immersing the reader into this world. Although this book was chunky, it read at an even pace and I found myself anticipating what was gonna happen next.
I was a bit confused in the beginning, but as I read further things started to connect for me. I'm so scared to read Brick & Bone next; I feel like I'm in for some serious emotional damage.
The Authority is tru villainy and I can't wait for them to get their just desserts. I loved the cast of characters we got and how their POVs flowed so naturally for me. I wasn't bored with a single character.
Tashué's battle with realizing he had been on the wrong side for years and his internal agonization and guilt when people he loved got hurt... oof my heart HURTS.
I loved how even though this story is grim, we had characters that were beacons of light trying to fight and hold on to hope despite the darkness surrounding them.
The writing in this was very accessible and flowed smoothly. Krystle Matar did a phenomenal job in immersing the reader into this world. Although this book was chunky, it read at an even pace and I found myself anticipating what was gonna happen next.
I was a bit confused in the beginning, but as I read further things started to connect for me. I'm so scared to read Brick & Bone next; I feel like I'm in for some serious emotional damage.
cbro's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
hindessm's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent, brutal story with great characters. Looking forward to the next book.
tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Grief
mel_c_bell's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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
5.0
Where do I start? I'm obsessed. How about there?
This book gives off a steampunk, Bladerunner, Snowpiercer, Downtown Abby, and Peaky Blinders mashup vibe.
Fluffy Grimdarks is my personality. Something about the weak spark of love trying to ignite in a world of hopelessness makes me kick my kick and squeal like a pre-teen girl at a boyband concert. The author, I believe, finds evil enjoyment in making us cringe, wince, rage, and swoon as we sit back helplessly and watch these characters do everything in their power to do the right thing while getting kicked every time they're down.
A war veteran working as an agent responsible for monitoring individuals who have power, aka talent, discovers the mutilated body of a young girl washed up on the river. With just a sketch and a tattoo on the girl's neck, Tashué decides to take on investigating her death even though it's not his jurisdiction, nor will anyone help him. Due to his war hero status, he finds himself the figurehead in a corrupt government campaign, a messy affair, and in the sights of a ruthless crime boss.
Tashué might be the greatest male character ever imagined, not because he's perfect, but rather because he is real. He is real in the sense that a man of his upbringing and struggles and mistakes reacts the way you'd expect. He doesn't have some miraculous character arc where he makes everything right, no matter how desperately he wants to. Instead, he does the best that he can and still makes mistakes. But he wants to do right by his family and the woman he loves.
I am off to start the second book, which I'm not sure if I'm emotionally ready for.
This book gives off a steampunk, Bladerunner, Snowpiercer, Downtown Abby, and Peaky Blinders mashup vibe.
Fluffy Grimdarks is my personality. Something about the weak spark of love trying to ignite in a world of hopelessness makes me kick my kick and squeal like a pre-teen girl at a boyband concert. The author, I believe, finds evil enjoyment in making us cringe, wince, rage, and swoon as we sit back helplessly and watch these characters do everything in their power to do the right thing while getting kicked every time they're down.
A war veteran working as an agent responsible for monitoring individuals who have power, aka talent, discovers the mutilated body of a young girl washed up on the river. With just a sketch and a tattoo on the girl's neck, Tashué decides to take on investigating her death even though it's not his jurisdiction, nor will anyone help him. Due to his war hero status, he finds himself the figurehead in a corrupt government campaign, a messy affair, and in the sights of a ruthless crime boss.
Tashué might be the greatest male character ever imagined, not because he's perfect, but rather because he is real. He is real in the sense that a man of his upbringing and struggles and mistakes reacts the way you'd expect. He doesn't have some miraculous character arc where he makes everything right, no matter how desperately he wants to. Instead, he does the best that he can and still makes mistakes. But he wants to do right by his family and the woman he loves.
I am off to start the second book, which I'm not sure if I'm emotionally ready for.