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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
The story was incredibly interesting, but I think at least 1/3 of the book could have been edited out. There was excruciating detail given to battles and maneuvers that really did very little other than take up pages.
Superb. I went in with high expectations and even those were surpassed.
http://abitterdraft.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-thousand-names-by-django-wexler.html
http://abitterdraft.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-thousand-names-by-django-wexler.html
Lauded as "flintlock fantasy", this is my first official book in that genre, and although I knew there would be a military element, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Wexler is an excellent writer of battle scenes, even very complicated ones, but to my disappointment the first 3/4 of the book was nothing but infantry skirmishes with the magic only kicking in for the last 1/4. But when it did come, it was mysterious zombie necromancy that provides a very intriguing set up for the next book!
The narrative largely rests on the alternating (and, at times, overlapping) perspectives of two main characters.
Captain Marcus d'Ivoire followed his ne'er do well best friend from military college to a remote outpost in the Khandar desert following the loss of his family in a fire. It's a post for the utter dregs of the army - those that were not quite dishonorable enough to discharge, those too arrogant to heed command, the old and maimed, and the psychopaths and sadists - and the Colonials see little action.
All of that suddenly changes when Colonel Janus bet Vhalnich comes through with a company of new recruits. Ostensibly, he is there to help the fallen ruler of ally Ashe-Katarion regain his throne. But he has a hidden agenda: retrieving the long forgotten and mythical Thousand Names to keep them out of enemy hands. Unfortunately, the Names are ancient magic and he can't tell anyone - not even Marcus, who quickly becomes his right-hand man - the truth lest they think him insane.
The other main character is Winter Ihernglass, a girl disguised as a boy (this is not a spoiler, it says so right on the back cover), who is desperate to keep her secret from being exposed lest she be sent back to the abusive institution she escaped. Winter is used to being on the lookout for danger and sees things others don't, and her quick thinking raises her fast in the ranks.
My main quibbles:
1. Winter's second, new recruit Bobby, Far too convenient!
2. I would imagine it would take more than a military haircut and breast-binding undershirts to disguise a female in a large all-male army. Especially given that she served under a sadistic bully who laid hands on her often, and since those who recognize her for her true self can tell just by being observant.
2. Also,
But by far my major issue is with the predictable ending, which turned a 4⭐ book into a 3⭐ one, and the identity of the villain.
Still, looking forward to the next book!
The narrative largely rests on the alternating (and, at times, overlapping) perspectives of two main characters.
Captain Marcus d'Ivoire followed his ne'er do well best friend from military college to a remote outpost in the Khandar desert following the loss of his family in a fire. It's a post for the utter dregs of the army - those that were not quite dishonorable enough to discharge, those too arrogant to heed command, the old and maimed, and the psychopaths and sadists - and the Colonials see little action.
All of that suddenly changes when Colonel Janus bet Vhalnich comes through with a company of new recruits. Ostensibly, he is there to help the fallen ruler of ally Ashe-Katarion regain his throne. But he has a hidden agenda: retrieving the long forgotten and mythical Thousand Names to keep them out of enemy hands. Unfortunately, the Names are ancient magic and he can't tell anyone - not even Marcus, who quickly becomes his right-hand man - the truth lest they think him insane.
The other main character is Winter Ihernglass, a girl disguised as a boy (this is not a spoiler, it says so right on the back cover), who is desperate to keep her secret from being exposed lest she be sent back to the abusive institution she escaped. Winter is used to being on the lookout for danger and sees things others don't, and her quick thinking raises her fast in the ranks.
My main quibbles:
1. Winter's second, new recruit Bobby,
Spoiler
also turning out to be a girl in disguise, from the very same institution! Who has heard of Winter and identifies her immediately.2. I would imagine it would take more than a military haircut and breast-binding undershirts to disguise a female in a large all-male army. Especially given that she served under a sadistic bully who laid hands on her often, and since those who recognize her for her true self can tell just by being observant.
2. Also,
Spoiler
Winter keeping the enemy girl Feor that she rescued in her tent without discovery seems highly unlikely. Winter not taking Feor's talk of magic seriously was also a mistake.But by far my major issue is with the predictable ending, which turned a 4⭐ book into a 3⭐ one, and the identity of the villain.
Spoiler
Marcus falls for Jen Alhundt, who is obviously odd and doesn't fit in with the troops. Her cover story is flimsy, so she even tells him from the start that she's part of the Concordat (a magical Secret Police/Inquisition sort of thing led by Janus' nemesis Duke Orlanko). Marcus unfortunately underestimated her from the start, and because of her deliberate helpless damsel routine she played him like a fiddle. You can see it all coming, in broad strokes if not the particulars, from their very first meeting, and it rendered the climax incredibly lackluster.Still, looking forward to the next book!
Compelling flintlock fantasy with solid character work. The fantasy elements were subtle through the majority of the story but the action was refreshingly different and interesting to follow. The Napoleonic influences were interesting and has me curious to see where it is going.
A highly entertaining mix of strong character development and nail-biting battle scenes. Can't wait to read the next books in the series
adventurous
fast-paced
This is a book i am very much on fence about what is my rating and how much i enjoyed the story.
The story started with the appointment of a new colonel and his company trying to liberate a city from the rebellion. I really liked the pov of Marcus and Winter and how good their characters are written. Janus is an odd ball for me in this story but i think he was written in a mysterious way for the sequel books.
The reason for 3 stars is mainly because of the poor character work done. During nearly the first 60% of the book, there were a lot of wars and deaths in the book but because of poor character growth done upto this point, i didn't really cared about them at all.
From 70-75% on this book, there were some solid character developments made and this made me give 3 stars to this book. With all said and done, i think i will read the second book too to decide weather i continue this series or not.
The story started with the appointment of a new colonel and his company trying to liberate a city from the rebellion. I really liked the pov of Marcus and Winter and how good their characters are written. Janus is an odd ball for me in this story but i think he was written in a mysterious way for the sequel books.
The reason for 3 stars is mainly because of the poor character work done. During nearly the first 60% of the book, there were a lot of wars and deaths in the book but because of poor character growth done upto this point, i didn't really cared about them at all.
From 70-75% on this book, there were some solid character developments made and this made me give 3 stars to this book. With all said and done, i think i will read the second book too to decide weather i continue this series or not.
3.5-3.75 stars
I really enjoyed this book, but I couldn't help but wonder where Alexa was from Book 0.5. I was waiting and waiting for her to appear - don't bother waiting, I'll save you guys the hassle - she doesn't turn up at all.
More than anything else, Book 0.5 laid the groundwork for the world and political war this book is set in. Which is fine, I guess. Sigh.
At least we have an interesting protagonist to follow: Winter Ihrenglass. I'm a total sucker for the whole Mulan thing.
I liked how we see things from a soldier and general's perspective too - rounds out the battles nicely.
I really enjoyed this book, but I couldn't help but wonder where Alexa was from Book 0.5. I was waiting and waiting for her to appear - don't bother waiting, I'll save you guys the hassle - she doesn't turn up at all.
More than anything else, Book 0.5 laid the groundwork for the world and political war this book is set in. Which is fine, I guess. Sigh.
At least we have an interesting protagonist to follow: Winter Ihrenglass. I'm a total sucker for the whole Mulan thing.
I liked how we see things from a soldier and general's perspective too - rounds out the battles nicely.
