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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I don’t know how I feel about this. It kept me interested though I’m not sure why because it’s so very heavy on the war campaign and that doesn’t normally keep my attention. It was extremely detailed though so even I could understand what was happening despite having zero interest/knowledge about military movement. It’s a testimony to the writing that every battle I read did have me rapt and engaged me.
I think Winter and Marcus were so well written that I began rooting for their survival quite early on and that was where I was most devoted. Good thing too because the colonialism is strong in this one, and half of the army are referred to as such. There is overt racism, abuse, and xenophobic privilege throughout as the natives are run out of their own homes, displaced or killed. And perhaps the reader is just meant to assume that the backstory goes as all colonisation goes and therefore doesn’t need actual specifics…it’s never made clear why the invaders are there, what brought them there in the first place, or why they want to stay so badly?
Oh and the token Khandarai girl who ends up thankful to her invaders…don’t even get me started. The only interesting thing about her is her priestess background and even that and her magic is never really explained until the end. I finished the book confused about the magic system. It was the least interesting aspect of the book for me, which is veryyyy unusual.
I have absolutely no idea what happened during most of the book, tbh! Things were just happening all over the place and I went along for the ride. Still, I really enjoy Django’s writing style and was compelled to finish it. Sorcery !
I think Winter and Marcus were so well written that I began rooting for their survival quite early on and that was where I was most devoted. Good thing too because the colonialism is strong in this one, and half of the army are referred to as such. There is overt racism, abuse, and xenophobic privilege throughout as the natives are run out of their own homes, displaced or killed. And perhaps the reader is just meant to assume that the backstory goes as all colonisation goes and therefore doesn’t need actual specifics…it’s never made clear why the invaders are there, what brought them there in the first place, or why they want to stay so badly?
Oh and the token Khandarai girl who ends up thankful to her invaders…don’t even get me started. The only interesting thing about her is her priestess background and even that and her magic is never really explained until the end. I finished the book confused about the magic system. It was the least interesting aspect of the book for me, which is veryyyy unusual.
I have absolutely no idea what happened during most of the book, tbh! Things were just happening all over the place and I went along for the ride. Still, I really enjoy Django’s writing style and was compelled to finish it. Sorcery !
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantastic read. The battle sequences kept me enraptured. When my husband asked me what my new book was about he could tell I liked it from how excited I got telling him about what I had read so far. I just finished it, and right away got the second book on my Kindle.
Where is the Gunpowder and Fantasy?
this reads more like an Alternate History than a Flintlock Fantasy
I am at the 25% mark and the verdict is in - this book is bo-o-o-oring - nothing happens - I mean, marching happens in a boring way - and drill and ceremony happens, which being ex-military is straight forward - and characters talk to each other - but nothing HAPPENS - and the whole 'magic' part - not in the first 25% - gunpowder - not really in the first quarter of the book -
So many reviews like this book, but, if you can't grab my attention by page 100, then who cares how awesome the book is at the 75% mark? Get me from the beginning or not at all - this book is not at all
this reads more like an Alternate History than a Flintlock Fantasy
I am at the 25% mark and the verdict is in - this book is bo-o-o-oring - nothing happens - I mean, marching happens in a boring way - and drill and ceremony happens, which being ex-military is straight forward - and characters talk to each other - but nothing HAPPENS - and the whole 'magic' part - not in the first 25% - gunpowder - not really in the first quarter of the book -
So many reviews like this book, but, if you can't grab my attention by page 100, then who cares how awesome the book is at the 75% mark? Get me from the beginning or not at all - this book is not at all
very good writing and world building I jusy don't care lol it's not catching me
adventurous
medium-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
I struggled a bit at the beginning of this book, but in the end - I did understand the purpose of everything done. It can be hard to lay the groundwork for a fantasy series this serious without any previous works (or being part of a franchise, etc.) but the payoff was so excellent I can't even be mad about it. At about Chapter 12, I was fully invested in the story. The twists, turns, and red harrings were so well placed, I really didn't see certain things coming. Winter has quickly become one of my all-time favorite FMCs - she is so strong-willed and competent - but compassionate enough to guide her unit through so much, I just really loved her development in this book. I was actually shocked with how much I even enjoyed certain "background" characters - everyone was just so well written. I liked that hard topics were addressed and certain characters "got their due" - it was very satisfying. The final chapters of the book were so incredible, that I just could not put the book down. Overall I would definitely recommend this book for fantasy enjoyers - it was so good! I can't wait to continue on with the series.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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
slow-paced