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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
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
This book is really heavy on the 19th century war stuff - tactics, rankings, etc. I did enjoy it but as far as fantasy goes, there’s just a sprinkling of magic in what is otherwise a bit of a colonial British army novel. On that note, I expected a bit of complexity to become apparent in the relationship between the conquering Vordanai, putting down a rebellion in their conquered state of Khandar, but it never materialized. What a missed opportunity for the character of Feor, or maybe Jaffa, to provide context for Winter or Marcus to consider that their army’s role in Khandar was potentially morally questionable. I hope this is addressed in the next book.
adventurous
challenging
tense
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
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
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed how different of a setting this took place in, Napoleonic era technology mixed with some magic makes for a refreshing change to the normal time period for fantasy series.
I do think, like many fantasy series building their world, the beginning of this book is a bit confusing, different areas, cultures, and even items all have unique names, which can make it a bit tough to follow early on, but as the story progresses you get familiar pretty fast.
The biggest strength of this book is the impressive detail that Wexler puts into his battles, we get a lot of perspective of tactics and strategy, as well as some great soldier's eye view.
Our main characters are a Captain and Ranker, which gives some nice variety in the styles of events and perspectives the characters have. Wexler manages to work in some great variety in representation of their characters as well.
My biggest complaint was that I felt like the ending wasn't as compelling as the military campaigns that took place earlier in the book. The end is where most of the fantasy elements pop up, and I think while it works, it also created a slightly different tone. There are also a few "twists" which I thought were incredibly predictable based on the foreshadowing of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading further in the series.
I do think, like many fantasy series building their world, the beginning of this book is a bit confusing, different areas, cultures, and even items all have unique names, which can make it a bit tough to follow early on, but as the story progresses you get familiar pretty fast.
The biggest strength of this book is the impressive detail that Wexler puts into his battles, we get a lot of perspective of tactics and strategy, as well as some great soldier's eye view.
Our main characters are a Captain and Ranker, which gives some nice variety in the styles of events and perspectives the characters have. Wexler manages to work in some great variety in representation of their characters as well.
My biggest complaint was that I felt like the ending wasn't as compelling as the military campaigns that took place earlier in the book. The end is where most of the fantasy elements pop up, and I think while it works, it also created a slightly different tone. There are also a few "twists" which I thought were incredibly predictable based on the foreshadowing of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading further in the series.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Randomly picked this up from an Audible recommendation and wow, it was good. Nothing super deep here, just a well put-together story and great characters with lots of character growth. It struck all the right chords for what I wanted out of a gunpowder fantasy.
There is the inevitable comparison to Promise of Blood, which for a gunpowder fantasy didn't have nearly enough gunpowder action. Too much meandering, weird plot threads that didn't go anywhere, almost non-existent character growth, and overall kind of flat. The Thousand Names was action-packed from beginning to end, a lot more of the "in the trenches" kind of feel, where PoB was more like sipping tea in a gentleman's parlor. It struggled with too many POVs, while TTN just focused on two, and that was perfect.
I only have minor complaints for TTN. The marching and day-to-day banalities of drilling started to get pretty old and repetitive, but I think Wexler recognized that and sped it up more towards the end. Also,Winter gaining magic powers at the end was a cool twist I did not see coming, but I was disappointed by the result. She gains the power to kill people by touch, but only specific people, and these specific people happen to be so powerful that getting that close is nearly impossible. A little uncool and disappointing, but I'm hoping there's more to it in the next book.
There is the inevitable comparison to Promise of Blood, which for a gunpowder fantasy didn't have nearly enough gunpowder action. Too much meandering, weird plot threads that didn't go anywhere, almost non-existent character growth, and overall kind of flat. The Thousand Names was action-packed from beginning to end, a lot more of the "in the trenches" kind of feel, where PoB was more like sipping tea in a gentleman's parlor. It struggled with too many POVs, while TTN just focused on two, and that was perfect.
I only have minor complaints for TTN. The marching and day-to-day banalities of drilling started to get pretty old and repetitive, but I think Wexler recognized that and sped it up more towards the end. Also,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No