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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I didn't realize that this story would follow three widely different storylines – from the summary, you think you're only going to get Evie's (a Savage fighter looking for an old love) perspective. Instead, the chapters were split up in a wide variety of POVs, ultimately following Evie, Lexi (the aforementioned old love's wife and a look into the political scene), and Dyeawan (a disabled girl with a penchant for invention).
In my opinion, however, the storylines don't mesh well together. There are a few connections made between Evie's and Lexi's, but Dyeawan is just kinda off in her own world and not really connecting to the other two. I also found myself really enjoying Evie's POVs, liking Dyeawan's POVs, and skipping Lexi's entirely. I didn't feel an emotional attachment to her and didn't really find her POV interesting enough to read. It was full of political worldbuilding that I felt like I was slogging through.
Right at the beginning of the novel, you are blasted with worldbuilding and tons of information that is super overwhelming to the reader. I struggled to make sense of the first 30% before it eased up a bit. I think it could have been spread out a bit better throughout all of the POVs, instead of just being jampacked in Lexi's POV.
And the ending was just not satisfying to me. It just kinda....ended. I felt like there was barely any resolution. It wasn't really a cliffhanger, the narrative just stopped without any final battle or confrontation or anything like that.
Overall, I didn't dislike this book but I'm not sure if I'd pick up the second novel.
I didn't realize that this story would follow three widely different storylines – from the summary, you think you're only going to get Evie's (a Savage fighter looking for an old love) perspective. Instead, the chapters were split up in a wide variety of POVs, ultimately following Evie, Lexi (the aforementioned old love's wife and a look into the political scene), and Dyeawan (a disabled girl with a penchant for invention).
In my opinion, however, the storylines don't mesh well together. There are a few connections made between Evie's and Lexi's, but Dyeawan is just kinda off in her own world and not really connecting to the other two. I also found myself really enjoying Evie's POVs, liking Dyeawan's POVs, and skipping Lexi's entirely. I didn't feel an emotional attachment to her and didn't really find her POV interesting enough to read. It was full of political worldbuilding that I felt like I was slogging through.
Right at the beginning of the novel, you are blasted with worldbuilding and tons of information that is super overwhelming to the reader. I struggled to make sense of the first 30% before it eased up a bit. I think it could have been spread out a bit better throughout all of the POVs, instead of just being jampacked in Lexi's POV.
And the ending was just not satisfying to me. It just kinda....ended. I felt like there was barely any resolution. It wasn't really a cliffhanger, the narrative just stopped without any final battle or confrontation or anything like that.
Overall, I didn't dislike this book but I'm not sure if I'd pick up the second novel.
An excellent epic fantasy that kept hooked till the last page. Great world building and plot, interesting characters.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Ableism, Genocide, Police brutality
Minor: Transphobia
I am not sure what this about but from the title I thought it was some type of military fantasy. It is that I think but it is certainly more than that. The political aspects of this are enough to have you debating the wrongs and rights of the system and trying to figure out how this system really works. I kept thinking of it as bureaucratic dictatorship. Some people also will enjoy figuring out what cultures this book is based on maybe. I can see the comparisons of this world's government with governments of the world present and past in real life. I didn't really feel invested in any of the characters but they were not badly written or anything just didn't connect with them. They need time to grow on you and more depth given to them. On a second read that could happen and certainly want to see how they progress in future books. The combat was written rather simple and straight forward I think and I liked that. It could have done with a little a more detail in certain combat scenes but not every one of them. I am of course trying not to go to in depth as I want to describe more things about this book but I don't want to spoil anything for someone who will read this book.. I think people will enjoy the pacing, action and the characters in this book but it may not be for everyone's taste. I almost want to start reading again but I just finished so will just wait a few months and read it again or wait until the next in the series comes out before reading it again.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked a lot of what this books was doing, the general plot, the mox of characters and representation therein, the gritty conflict and battles, but also it felt like it held its characters at arms length emotionally and i had a hard time connecting to them
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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:
Yes
First off a HUGE thank you to @grimdark_dad for putting this book on my radar. I would have missed out on one hell of a story otherwise. From the synopsis I expected an action packed, military type story, but that's only one aspect of it. There is also complex political intrigue, mystery and unique world building which add up to a really compelling story.
If you're looking for a story with a strong female character, well here you have three. The first is Evie, a warrior searching for her old lover. In order to find him, she allows herself to be conscripted into the Savage Legion. I loved her determination and bravery.
Next is Lexi whom I adored for her spirit. She is a politician's wife, who is trying her best to investigate what has happened to her missing husband, and also to fill his role and help the people she represents. Through her we navigate the political and social stricture of Crache, which really had me fascinated.
Finally we have Dyeawan. A girl who has lived by her wits on the streets of Crache. Through circumstances, she finds herself at the very heart of Crache where her genius is recognised and she must decide what to do with the knowledge she gains.
I love when a book blows all my expectations away as this story has. Not only was I entertained and intrigued by each character's journey, the author also had me questioning governing systems as a whole, and I love books that delve into a society like that. I can't wait to read the next two books in the trilogy.
If you're looking for a story with a strong female character, well here you have three. The first is Evie, a warrior searching for her old lover. In order to find him, she allows herself to be conscripted into the Savage Legion. I loved her determination and bravery.
Next is Lexi whom I adored for her spirit. She is a politician's wife, who is trying her best to investigate what has happened to her missing husband, and also to fill his role and help the people she represents. Through her we navigate the political and social stricture of Crache, which really had me fascinated.
Finally we have Dyeawan. A girl who has lived by her wits on the streets of Crache. Through circumstances, she finds herself at the very heart of Crache where her genius is recognised and she must decide what to do with the knowledge she gains.
I love when a book blows all my expectations away as this story has. Not only was I entertained and intrigued by each character's journey, the author also had me questioning governing systems as a whole, and I love books that delve into a society like that. I can't wait to read the next two books in the trilogy.
I really enjoyed this book. So many of the books that promise "savage" actions fall short. This book definitely met its promised savagery. Because of that, some people may find it overly gory, but I really liked the dimension it added to the characters, it made the story feel so much more desperate. (in a good way) I also love the cover on this book. It's really pretty, and looks amazing on my bookshelf.
This book had a ton of characters. Sometimes that can be a problem, but I found every character in this compelling. At the beginning of this book, Dyeawan was interesting, but not overly. At the end, I'm desperate to learn more about her and her plans. (I have absolutely no idea how to say her name though...) I also really liked Evie. Her chapters were always my favorite, partly because I loved her ruthlessness. She got things done, and really kept the plot moving. Lexie was ok, but I can definitely see how she'll play a big part in the next book.
This book had amazing diversity. One of our main characters (Dyeawan) was disabled, but she was so much more than that. The author did a great job of giving her a personality outside of her disability, and didn't make her disability a reason to pity her. We also have a character known as an Undeclared, which are neither gender, and go by they/them. Although this definitely confused me at times as it would say "they're over there" and I had to figure out who the they was, it was interesting. Finally, I'm pretty sure that our main character is a lesbian. (maybe)
The ending of this definitely surprised me. So many of our characters took actions that I wasn't expecting, and it really sets up well for the next book. I would definitely recommend this!
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
This book had a ton of characters. Sometimes that can be a problem, but I found every character in this compelling. At the beginning of this book, Dyeawan was interesting, but not overly. At the end, I'm desperate to learn more about her and her plans. (I have absolutely no idea how to say her name though...) I also really liked Evie. Her chapters were always my favorite, partly because I loved her ruthlessness. She got things done, and really kept the plot moving. Lexie was ok, but I can definitely see how she'll play a big part in the next book.
This book had amazing diversity. One of our main characters (Dyeawan) was disabled, but she was so much more than that. The author did a great job of giving her a personality outside of her disability, and didn't make her disability a reason to pity her. We also have a character known as an Undeclared, which are neither gender, and go by they/them. Although this definitely confused me at times as it would say "they're over there" and I had to figure out who the they was, it was interesting. Finally, I'm pretty sure that our main character is a lesbian. (maybe)
The ending of this definitely surprised me. So many of our characters took actions that I wasn't expecting, and it really sets up well for the next book. I would definitely recommend this!
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.