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ciska's review
3.0
I received the second book in this series as a gift and I do not start a series in the middle.
First, I am not much of a fantasy reader. I can appreciate a good crime novel though. Second, I get scared when books open with a long list of characters that need explanation. In this book, it is a long list of Gods. Still, I did turn that page to start reading and got pulled into an election period in a country I did not understand with a very curious election process. This process is based on stories. But I never really grasped what the idea was. Next, there is a murder and an investigation is started but that was the weirdest police investigation ever.
What does work though are the stories told for the election. This book has two of those stories and they are very powerful. And another good thing, they are a big part of the book. It was a bit of a cold shower coming back to the investigation.
Cora is a very difficult standoffish character. The way she is dealing with people around her makes you wonder how she is still in the position she is in. With 95% of her actions, I was questioning her.
But now I do need to know who is going to win those elections so I do have to read that second book.
First, I am not much of a fantasy reader. I can appreciate a good crime novel though. Second, I get scared when books open with a long list of characters that need explanation. In this book, it is a long list of Gods. Still, I did turn that page to start reading and got pulled into an election period in a country I did not understand with a very curious election process. This process is based on stories. But I never really grasped what the idea was. Next, there is a murder and an investigation is started but that was the weirdest police investigation ever.
What does work though are the stories told for the election. This book has two of those stories and they are very powerful. And another good thing, they are a big part of the book. It was a bit of a cold shower coming back to the investigation.
Cora is a very difficult standoffish character. The way she is dealing with people around her makes you wonder how she is still in the position she is in. With 95% of her actions, I was questioning her.
But now I do need to know who is going to win those elections so I do have to read that second book.
pimimi's review
4.0
I loved it so much, but the unreasonable length of the two storytellers’ tales was a mood breaker. Without the filling, it’s a great light detective adventure. The universe is magical, definitely looking after the next books.
freagh's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
karen_bayly's review
I enjoyed the book. The world was interesting, but the characters in the main plot were a bit dull. Oddly, I liked the two stories within the story far better than the story itself, and the plot and the characters in those stories were also far more interesting than the main plot and protagonist. So it's 3 stars for the main story and 4 stars for the stories within the story. I doubt I will read any more in the series however.
litet_hjortron's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
annarella's review
4.0
A good story, engrossing and entertaining.
I appreciated the character development, the world building and the pace.
The plot is well crafted even if a bit confusing at times.
I hope this is part of a series because I'd like to be back to this universe.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I appreciated the character development, the world building and the pace.
The plot is well crafted even if a bit confusing at times.
I hope this is part of a series because I'd like to be back to this universe.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
listener42's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
scottish_kat's review
5.0
Heads up, there is only so many different words I can use in place of brilliant so I will almost certainly repeat it. Several times.
I loved this book, It is without doubt, brilliant. Political intrigue at it's very best.
The world building is top class. A little confusing / overwhelming in the early chapters but I told myself that it would all make sense eventually and I relaxed into it. Sure enough, within a few chapters, it all made sense.
The characters are fantastic. The ones we meet (even if only for a few minutes) are all three dimensional with clear voices. The ones we only hear about loom just as large in the story as the ones present, more so in some respects and I love that my opinion and visualisation of these characters is coloured by the present characters views.
The plot is superb. I love how deep and complex it is and that the complexity grows in scale the further into the book you get. The faction stories told within the main story fit wonderfully. I loved how the main character grows into the plot alongside the reader, it really makes you invested in both the character and the plot.
The ending. I'm always nervous about endings, and I got super nervous about 80% of the way through with no clue as to how it would all be wrapped up but the ending is bang on. It wraps this up as a complete story while leaving plenty hooks to make sure I come back for book 2.
Overall. It's a brilliant book. A bit slow to start but it doesn't take long to hit its stride and it doesn't let up. The rambling above talks about all the stuff I love that's in the book but I also love that it doesn't rely on huge battles and mass killings to provide shock and awe. It's clever, complex and beautifully written.
I loved this book, It is without doubt, brilliant. Political intrigue at it's very best.
The world building is top class. A little confusing / overwhelming in the early chapters but I told myself that it would all make sense eventually and I relaxed into it. Sure enough, within a few chapters, it all made sense.
The characters are fantastic. The ones we meet (even if only for a few minutes) are all three dimensional with clear voices. The ones we only hear about loom just as large in the story as the ones present, more so in some respects and I love that my opinion and visualisation of these characters is coloured by the present characters views.
The plot is superb. I love how deep and complex it is and that the complexity grows in scale the further into the book you get. The faction stories told within the main story fit wonderfully. I loved how the main character grows into the plot alongside the reader, it really makes you invested in both the character and the plot.
The ending. I'm always nervous about endings, and I got super nervous about 80% of the way through with no clue as to how it would all be wrapped up but the ending is bang on. It wraps this up as a complete story while leaving plenty hooks to make sure I come back for book 2.
Overall. It's a brilliant book. A bit slow to start but it doesn't take long to hit its stride and it doesn't let up. The rambling above talks about all the stuff I love that's in the book but I also love that it doesn't rely on huge battles and mass killings to provide shock and awe. It's clever, complex and beautifully written.
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