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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Honestly pretty disappointed, I think I came in with bigger expectations expecting this to be a new fav…
On paper, this reads like a fantasy I’d enjoy, but the execution is not quite there. The plot is very all over the place, a little repetitive, worldbuilding is confusing in a way where it doesn’t actually pay off. The prose isn’t really good, the writing style definitely made this story weaker (ex. couldn’t visualize any of the creatures, dialogue is awkward) While I enjoyed Cahan and his relationships with characters like Venn, Furin, and Udinny, no one is really fleshed out.
The last act was interesting, but also the plot twist was obvious so 😭
I don’t know if I’ll continue the series right away. I definitely had a lot of problems with this, but I enjoyed it to a degree to finish, I just came in with higher expectations.
On paper, this reads like a fantasy I’d enjoy, but the execution is not quite there. The plot is very all over the place, a little repetitive, worldbuilding is confusing in a way where it doesn’t actually pay off. The prose isn’t really good, the writing style definitely made this story weaker (ex. couldn’t visualize any of the creatures, dialogue is awkward) While I enjoyed Cahan and his relationships with characters like Venn, Furin, and Udinny, no one is really fleshed out.
The last act was interesting, but also the plot twist was obvious so 😭
I don’t know if I’ll continue the series right away. I definitely had a lot of problems with this, but I enjoyed it to a degree to finish, I just came in with higher expectations.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
While this had all of the parts of a fantasy that I like! This was just okay… I wanted more personality and emotion from characters. The world was interesting and I wish we saw more of this dark forest and the creatures. Cahan and Udinny were the only stand out people and I still wish we saw more from them. Maybe it was the writing style that did not do these characters justice, not sure for certain.
I will read the next to see if their is more development
I will read the next to see if their is more development
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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When I heard “grimdark forest fantasy,” I didn’t even bother reading the synopsis before diving in. Yes..I went into a 640-page book blind, after just barely clawing my way out of a book slump…my smartest move? Maybe not.
Gods of the Wyrdwood is the first book in the Foresaken trilogy by R.J. Barker. Off the bat, I was very confused, but pushed on in the name of “trusting the process”. The main character, Cahan Du-Nahere, is an outcast who lives alone on his family's old farm just outside the town of Harn. We see glimpses of his childhood throughout the book, learning bits and pieces about what he was originally trained for by followers of the God Zorir.
Every generation, a new Cowl-Rai rises, following a different God. When the Cowl-Rai rises, they tilt the world, bringing warm weather to whichever side of the world they rise to power in. The Cowl-Rai of this generation has risen and is leading a war to destroy all followers and “false” Cowl-Rai and bring all the world under Tarl an-Gig, their own God.
As I read the book, I couldn’t help feeling lost. It felt like there was no central plot. I didn’t know what the goal was until the end of the book, when things began to come together for a pivotal moment in the book. As a result, the book felt like a bit of a slog to get through. The magic system was confusing to me, as was the hierarchy in the world (though the magic system did work itself out in the end).
While the book was a bit tough for me to get through, I did enjoy the forest setting and the role nature plays in the world. The cast of characters was interesting, Udinny the monk being my absolute favorite because she was the only one with a personality (in my opinion).
Though this was a bit of a letdown, the ending of the book and the epilogue have enticed me to pick up book 2 to see where this story goes. I just hope there is more to the plot in book 2 and that it moves at a faster pace.
Was this a sign for me not to jump into books completely blind? Probably. Will I stop doing it? Not at all LOL
adventurous
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:
No
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting premise but it felt like they were stuck in the same situation over and over again.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
RJ Barker is now a personal must-read author for me. As the fourth book (and second trilogy) I’ll be reading from him, I love his incredibly unique world-building that he just refuses to simply explain to his readers. Absolutely enjoyed just how much plot there was in this book, and how grand he makes the setting and scenery feel. Can’t wait to continue reading this series next year!