Scan barcode
nikki_saulnier's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gore, Murder, War, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Grief, Violence, Death, Infidelity, Cannibalism, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy, Slavery, and Terminal illness
banjo_hammer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A few critiques: first, it drags on at times. There are side adventures and party members keep getting added. There's also a fair bit of overwriting, repeating details from earlier chapters before verbatim (helpful, but done more than necessary) or using a paragraph for something that only needs 3-5 words. If you're someone comfortable skimming such sections, then it's not so bad.
Second, the idea of mercenary bands being an allegory for real world rock bands was at times amusing, and at others groan worthy. The conceit seemed to come and go throughout the story. A few chapters in I found it annoying, wishing the author would go full-on satire or just lay off with the cute nods and references. I mostly got over it by the middle of the book.
And third, there's a fair bit of Dad the Protector fantasy that's very Taken-esque, in the sense that the dads indeed have "a very particular set of skills." This will appeal to some readers but, I'm sure, not others. That said, I'm a middle aged dad so it hit home with me. Others' mileage may vary.
That said, overall the story was dang fun. The characters are all likeable, if not loveable, in their own ways. Lots of classic D&D style adventure elements, for folks who dig that. I liked that most of the heroes were old and past their glory days. The world felt lived in and its mythology was interesting. I spent the whole book rooting for Clay, Gabe, Moog, and all the rest, curious to see how they would make it all the way across the map. Despite some eye rolls along the way, it was a good time cover to cover
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, War, and Cannibalism
Minor: Addiction, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Confinement
missmali's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Violence, War, and Gore
billyjepma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, War, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Addiction, Cannibalism, and Fatphobia
betanine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
That said, there are thought provoking moments, speaking a bit of insight about life and how we handle it. No big expositions, just some very poignant thoughts of just the right amount at the right time.
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol
avacadosocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Fatphobia and Domestic abuse
Minor: Gore
valjeanval's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Sexism, Body shaming, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Animal death, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
kliberty21's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Clay Cooper is a fantastic lead, who is so human and relatable, and the entire group is just incredibly unique and I loved their interactions together along the journey.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Physical abuse, Terminal illness, and Cannibalism
bugaboobear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: War, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Cannibalism
Minor: Vomit, Rape, Slavery, and Torture
vivavia's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Gore, Kidnapping, War, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Blood, Death, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Body horror, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury