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agathag's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
levitara's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
nclcaitlin's review against another edition
4.25
How much blood could Eidyn spill before it drowned?
The war overthrowing a corrupt and cruel King is over, but dealing with the after effects seems harder.
Not only do they have to deal with demons killing and burning land, a spreading deadly plague, they also have to contend with violent mercenaries taking advantage of Eidyn’s plights.
Was the war worth whatever semblance of peace they’ve managed to cobble together?
We follow the King’s council. A group consisting of the king’s envoy, his bodyguard (and lover); the navy general, the war general; a holy White Thorn Knight sworn to follow God, her monk companion; and finally, a young blacksmith adopted into their group.
They must learn to trust each other as they discover the dark truths of the state of their lands.
“All people are born innocent. Their lives shape them. Some are self-ish. Some make poor choices. Some are manipulated. It is not for me to judge them. God will do that, and they will have to answer for their lives. For me to hate them would be" - she shrugged - "pointless."
The characterisations were insanely good. I loved how Anderson incorporated them seamlessly within the story.
There was even asexuality representation which I loved to see!
”Compliment my skill, my strength, my sword even - -but not my face. It is an accident of birth, a gift from parents I never knew. I have no claim to it and I take
no pride in it."
What I love in fantasies is when authors manage to capture real problems in an otherworldly setting where magic and monsters are as scary, and normal, as human nature.
This is especially genius in this book with multiple povs from different ages, genders, occupations, and upbringings.
Draoidh was generally spat as an insult, rarely welcoming. He understood the fear. People weren't comfortable with someone who could do things they couldn't. He only wore the armour when he knew it might be necessary. He couldn't remember the last day he'd gone without it.
THAT END. Wow. Incredible.
I would recommend this if you liked the Traitors Blade by Sebastian DeCastell or the Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan.
Thank you to Orbit for providing a physical arc in exchange for a review!
The war overthrowing a corrupt and cruel King is over, but dealing with the after effects seems harder.
Not only do they have to deal with demons killing and burning land, a spreading deadly plague, they also have to contend with violent mercenaries taking advantage of Eidyn’s plights.
Was the war worth whatever semblance of peace they’ve managed to cobble together?
We follow the King’s council. A group consisting of the king’s envoy, his bodyguard (and lover); the navy general, the war general; a holy White Thorn Knight sworn to follow God, her monk companion; and finally, a young blacksmith adopted into their group.
They must learn to trust each other as they discover the dark truths of the state of their lands.
“All people are born innocent. Their lives shape them. Some are self-ish. Some make poor choices. Some are manipulated. It is not for me to judge them. God will do that, and they will have to answer for their lives. For me to hate them would be" - she shrugged - "pointless."
The characterisations were insanely good. I loved how Anderson incorporated them seamlessly within the story.
There was even asexuality representation which I loved to see!
”Compliment my skill, my strength, my sword even - -but not my face. It is an accident of birth, a gift from parents I never knew. I have no claim to it and I take
no pride in it."
What I love in fantasies is when authors manage to capture real problems in an otherworldly setting where magic and monsters are as scary, and normal, as human nature.
This is especially genius in this book with multiple povs from different ages, genders, occupations, and upbringings.
Draoidh was generally spat as an insult, rarely welcoming. He understood the fear. People weren't comfortable with someone who could do things they couldn't. He only wore the armour when he knew it might be necessary. He couldn't remember the last day he'd gone without it.
THAT END. Wow. Incredible.
I would recommend this if you liked the Traitors Blade by Sebastian DeCastell or the Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan.
Thank you to Orbit for providing a physical arc in exchange for a review!
kvsreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
A library book chosen for me by my husband on a whim. Surprisingly he got it right, although I was a bit dubious when the first word was unrepeatable in polite company!
Bad language aside, which is in context to be fair, this is a roller coaster of a fantasy novel with a real twist at the end. But it isn't the end, there's another book, not yet published.
It starts as a journey on an errand for the king of a war torn land. But lots of things happen to delay and divert the team. Horrible things that need sorting out, of course.
Looking forward to the conclusion when the next book is published.
Bad language aside, which is in context to be fair, this is a roller coaster of a fantasy novel with a real twist at the end. But it isn't the end, there's another book, not yet published.
It starts as a journey on an errand for the king of a war torn land. But lots of things happen to delay and divert the team. Horrible things that need sorting out, of course.
Looking forward to the conclusion when the next book is published.
tufts's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
faehistory's review
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Brilliantly written fantasy novel with a brilliant cast of characters who are flawed but still likeable and the ending is absolutely amazing and one I did not see coming, a twist that is brilliant and yet fits with what I had read. Absolutely cannot wait for the next one in the series.
amandadurham's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
It was slow for my taste. It had a great payoff in the last chapters.
vigneshs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
It always feels wonderful when i read a self published book especially one with a unique story such as The Lost War.
The Lost War takes place in a Dark Fantasy world where the war has just finished and now is the time for cleanup and prepare for a possible new war looming on the horizon. The Land is filled with disease and demons where the characters has to travel from the capital city to another city far off to protect a queen of another country to potentially secure their alliance in the future war.
The book has equal importance to the characters and the world building with a nice pacing to support them. Each character represents something in this story and each of them bring a unique perspective to the issue at hand. I am very glad that i could read a book like this and after that climax, i really need book 2 soon.
The Lost War takes place in a Dark Fantasy world where the war has just finished and now is the time for cleanup and prepare for a possible new war looming on the horizon. The Land is filled with disease and demons where the characters has to travel from the capital city to another city far off to protect a queen of another country to potentially secure their alliance in the future war.
The book has equal importance to the characters and the world building with a nice pacing to support them. Each character represents something in this story and each of them bring a unique perspective to the issue at hand. I am very glad that i could read a book like this and after that climax, i really need book 2 soon.