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xeyra1's review
4.0
3.5 out of 5 stars.
The omniscient narrator POV continued to make reading this book a lot harder than it needed to be. I don't really appreciate it much because sometimes you have the same scene jumping from POV to POV constantly and it's annoying, especially in more action-oriented scenes. The characters are what draws me to this story, and what made me want to continue reading, even if it was a very slow read for me. More than the plotting itself, which meanders a bit too much at times, especially on the more seafaring side of the story, the characters are so well fleshed and their thoughts and hopes and dreams so well portrayed that you end up really loving them by the end and wanting to know their fate. I may try out book 3, just to finally see Inda and Evred and Hadand reunited.
The omniscient narrator POV continued to make reading this book a lot harder than it needed to be. I don't really appreciate it much because sometimes you have the same scene jumping from POV to POV constantly and it's annoying, especially in more action-oriented scenes. The characters are what draws me to this story, and what made me want to continue reading, even if it was a very slow read for me. More than the plotting itself, which meanders a bit too much at times, especially on the more seafaring side of the story, the characters are so well fleshed and their thoughts and hopes and dreams so well portrayed that you end up really loving them by the end and wanting to know their fate. I may try out book 3, just to finally see Inda and Evred and Hadand reunited.
alisonvh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It drove me crazy how Inda kept getting so close to learning what went down at home. I’m so glad he’s FINALLY returning to Iasca Leror and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Alcohol, War, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Murder
notsoswayze's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
4.0
This book is soooooo good! (Yes, it warrants the use of misspelling "so")
The first book was good but hard to get into. This book snapped me up and didn't want to let me go. The third should be in the mail tomorrow and I can't wait to start it!
The first book was good but hard to get into. This book snapped me up and didn't want to let me go. The third should be in the mail tomorrow and I can't wait to start it!
annmaries's review against another edition
3.0
Everything I said about the first book is true of this one, as well. My only problem with it is the morality of the culture the author has created is fairly loose when it comes to intimate relationships, and as the protagonist ages, his exposure increases -- as does the reader's. It's not explicit, but it does inform the characters' motivations and actions.
lundos's review against another edition
4.0
Well then. What a book. Very close to 5 stars. Very close. Just one little thing annoyed me and since it's a fairly important part of the world, it reduced a really, really good book to 4.
So why is it so much improved. First of all you know most of the names and while there are too many to remember all, the reminders are better done, i.e. the language and hence the reading flow is hugely improved.
Secondly, most of the trouble areas for me in the first book are being explained more carefully.
Thirdly, more of the 3D characters are even more fleshed out, but in a way that makes sense. Both plotwise and 'realistic' (as it can be in a fantasy setting).
The world building continues in a very satisfying way. We learn a bit more of Norsunder and the Venn and
The best is, though, the uncertainty during the book. Where is the plot going and in which order is it reached?
Spoiler
The ability most of the leaders have to read other peoples small signs correctly. Every time. I mean, we can all read the most normal facial expressions from people, but these are trained in showing nothing and even still they see everyones small, one second tick or change and understand completely the meaning of this. Even from people they've never met. Unfortunately, it plays quite an important role in mutiple plot lines and is true for almost all characters with important/leadership roles.So why is it so much improved. First of all you know most of the names and while there are too many to remember all, the reminders are better done, i.e. the language and hence the reading flow is hugely improved.
Secondly, most of the trouble areas for me in the first book are being explained more carefully.
Spoiler
And then dealt with quite suddenly and pretty spectacularly. Well done!Thirdly, more of the 3D characters are even more fleshed out, but in a way that makes sense. Both plotwise and 'realistic' (as it can be in a fantasy setting).
Spoiler
I also like that Inda didn't learn magic!The world building continues in a very satisfying way. We learn a bit more of Norsunder and the Venn and
Spoiler
given how dangerous the world is, it's satisfying to see so many of the charaters die.The best is, though, the uncertainty during the book. Where is the plot going and in which order is it reached?
altc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
thebookbin's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
eososray's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely love seafaring stories so the fact that the second book in this series is almost all set on a ship is fantastic. It has been a really long time since I read the first book in this series, thankfully it was a memorable book and I didn’t have a big problem remembering what had happened.
One of the features of this tale that I enjoy the most is all the different cultures in this world. I think the author has done a great job of creating all these different people and nations and the way they interact. I do love stories of a medieval fantasy type and all the military aspects that come with the books in this genre.
One of the features of this tale that I enjoy the most is all the different cultures in this world. I think the author has done a great job of creating all these different people and nations and the way they interact. I do love stories of a medieval fantasy type and all the military aspects that come with the books in this genre.
akemichan's review against another edition
3.0
Fino a metà il libro mi aveva presa moltissimo perché si stava andando verso il climax di tutta la preparazione che c'era stata nel primo libro; poi però questa risoluzione avviene in pochi capitoli in maniera così repentina e definitiva che sostanzialmente la seconda parte del libro apre nuove storylines non del tutto collegate alla precedente e infatti il finale è di nuovo una cosa abbastanza improvvisa.
Aver messo il climax a metà storia ha completamente ucciso il ritmo. Ho avuto l'impressione che sarebbe stato decisamente meglio se la prima metà di questo libro fosse stata la conclusione del precedente: tagliando un po' di cose, poteva venire un libro un po' lunghetto ma almeno completo invece che due libri con il ritmo stravolto.
Poi ci sono state parecchie cose che mi sono piaciute, determinati personaggi ora che abbiamo imparato a conoscerli brillano nella loro trama (per me Tau su tutti) però il ritmo veramente rende la lettura di una storia che altrimenti ha tanti punti che mi piacciono terribilmente lenta.
Aver messo il climax a metà storia ha completamente ucciso il ritmo. Ho avuto l'impressione che sarebbe stato decisamente meglio se la prima metà di questo libro fosse stata la conclusione del precedente: tagliando un po' di cose, poteva venire un libro un po' lunghetto ma almeno completo invece che due libri con il ritmo stravolto.
Poi ci sono state parecchie cose che mi sono piaciute, determinati personaggi ora che abbiamo imparato a conoscerli brillano nella loro trama (per me Tau su tutti) però il ritmo veramente rende la lettura di una storia che altrimenti ha tanti punti che mi piacciono terribilmente lenta.