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drsldn's review against another edition
4.0
I particularly enjoyed that this book gave a coherent and sympathetic voice to the people who are usually dismissed as "savages" (in fantasy as well as in history/reality). It was a little unbalanced in terms of pace: a long build-up and then a great deal of significance happens in the final 100 pages. I think it is a pity that Lilit was essentially one-dimensional and only a tool of the plot, when I had come to know the other characters in-depth, created with nuance and credibility, more so than usually found in story-driven genre fiction. I am looking forward to the remainder of the story, and hopefully meeting a few more interesting characters.
vizira's review against another edition
2.0
this was... weird. I loved the depth of the world building, I loved awful fierce Hekat, but god the pacing was horrendous, and that's pretty hard to forgive in a 700 page novel
moerenavillasenor's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
darkcrystal1839's review against another edition
3.0
Having finished the whole trilogy, I now appreciate this first book much more. You begin the trilogy seeped in this horrid Mijaki culture, and you need that in-depth knowledge to truly appreciate the threat against the much more likable Ethrea (in books 2 and 3). It’s not just some vague “bad thing” coming to destroy the “good thing.” You really know what’s in store for the Ethreans, and it makes it pretty horrifying as you read the pathetic attempts made by the people of Ethrea to stave off what you know to be inevitable. Sure you hope it will work out for the best, but when you compare the two nations, you know damn well who would kick whose ass in a fight.
Karen Miller definitely wrote an epic with this trilogy, and it’s a great read. As I said, if you can wade through the first book, it certainly pays off. And if you can make it through this entire trilogy, you have a new appreciation for Karen Miller’s raw talent. I’m currently reading another set by her, and I think if I didn’t know how good her writing can really be, I might have given up on the book I’m reading. She’s got a way of introducing you to her worlds and stories that makes you wonder a little when the real meat of the story is going to begin, if ever. She certainly expects her readers to hang in there for the long haul. I would definitely recommend giving these books a go, especially if you’re a fan of the fantasy genre. And hey, if you don’t like them, at least they’re look great on your shelves.
Karen Miller definitely wrote an epic with this trilogy, and it’s a great read. As I said, if you can wade through the first book, it certainly pays off. And if you can make it through this entire trilogy, you have a new appreciation for Karen Miller’s raw talent. I’m currently reading another set by her, and I think if I didn’t know how good her writing can really be, I might have given up on the book I’m reading. She’s got a way of introducing you to her worlds and stories that makes you wonder a little when the real meat of the story is going to begin, if ever. She certainly expects her readers to hang in there for the long haul. I would definitely recommend giving these books a go, especially if you’re a fan of the fantasy genre. And hey, if you don’t like them, at least they’re look great on your shelves.
tani's review against another edition
1.0
Argh. What should I say, other than that I really disliked this book? I chose it because the cover drew my eye. Let that be a lesson to me, I guess. I did not enjoy the way that Karen Miller wrote this book, with the constant run-on sentences and whatnot, and I hated most of the characters, with the exceptions of Vortka and Zandakar (and even those two I disliked sometimes, just for their sheer inability to see the truth about things). Hekat has hit my list of most despised characters ever. It's been a long time since I've developed such an unrelenting dislike for a character, especially for one that I started the book sincerely wanting to like.
I will say that Karen Miller has some really great world-building skills, and I did admire her ability to keep to a style, no matter how much it drove me crazy. And I'll admit that I'm curious about what happens in the other books in the series (if only because I'd love to see someone take Hekat down), but I'm unsure I'll ever be able to bring myself to read the next book.
At least I'm finally finished!
I will say that Karen Miller has some really great world-building skills, and I did admire her ability to keep to a style, no matter how much it drove me crazy. And I'll admit that I'm curious about what happens in the other books in the series (if only because I'd love to see someone take Hekat down), but I'm unsure I'll ever be able to bring myself to read the next book.
At least I'm finally finished!
blackskymetro's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a brilliant tragedy and I applaud Karen Miller for it. Hekat is a fascinating character to read, she has an amazing arc where she comes to be the most powerful person in her country. I personally cheered for her ascension, and then had a horrible pit develop in my stomach as I watched everything about her become corrupted.
Karen Miller showed that being a strong female character does not always mean that they are likeable at the end of their arc of development.
Karen Miller showed that being a strong female character does not always mean that they are likeable at the end of their arc of development.
mikimeiko's review against another edition
3.0
I... am not quite sure what I think about this book. The very first chapter draw me in with a strenght I haven't felt in a book for awhile, but after that it never felt that way again. It felt both long and rushed, and a little shallow character-wise (but very interesting worldbuilding). On the other end, it was the first book that motivated me enough to keep reading until the end in months, so that's a good thing.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this book has no heroine, instead it has a cold insane bloodthirsty bitch. She would cut you down for just looking at you. She puts the B in bitch. If I had read this book from another POV I would have hated her and hoped scorpions would feast on her heart, but as it was. She was strong, ruthless, and the end, I mean omg, what a fucking bitch! A true anti-heroine.
The world is harsh, women are less than dirt in some places and priest rule and cast down sinners. Warlords rule districts and the land is cold and bloody. The religion is God and Demons and I do wonder sometimes who is talking to Hekat, demons or God? Because someone sure is.
The book is also bloody and raw. She is sold as a slave and soon learns a lesson, which seems to make her even more insane. But then she did grow up without a name, often chained to the wall, never spoken too and only referred to as a she-brat. As girls in her part of the worlds were nothing. Also I never get that, the same is true about our crazy world. What are they thinking? You are just gonna end up with men and no women, yeah real clever thinking there.
At the end I want more. Because this world is going to hell. War is tearing the world apart, blood is flowing like rivers and no one is spared. Kids are killed, women are killed, everyone is killed. I must know how it all will end. And I do hope Hekat gets what is coming to her. Because even if she is interesting to read about the final straw did come and I hope God will smite her wicked soul.
A dark and interesting start to this series.
The world is harsh, women are less than dirt in some places and priest rule and cast down sinners. Warlords rule districts and the land is cold and bloody. The religion is God and Demons and I do wonder sometimes who is talking to Hekat, demons or God? Because someone sure is.
The book is also bloody and raw. She is sold as a slave and soon learns a lesson, which seems to make her even more insane. But then she did grow up without a name, often chained to the wall, never spoken too and only referred to as a she-brat. As girls in her part of the worlds were nothing. Also I never get that, the same is true about our crazy world. What are they thinking? You are just gonna end up with men and no women, yeah real clever thinking there.
At the end I want more. Because this world is going to hell. War is tearing the world apart, blood is flowing like rivers and no one is spared. Kids are killed, women are killed, everyone is killed. I must know how it all will end. And I do hope Hekat gets what is coming to her. Because even if she is interesting to read about the final straw did come and I hope God will smite her wicked soul.
A dark and interesting start to this series.