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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a really good book that I just didn’t enjoy. I liked parts of it, but I never really gave myself in to it. I especially liked the author’s very even hand talking about men and women. He was never making a point, he always talked about everyone equally. There’s no self consciousness about it, no agenda. They’re all just competent people. Women aren’t special when they’re warriors. Men aren’t special when they have emotions. I wish more authors had this skill.
That said, I HATED that the book doesn’t resolve at all, and given the nature of the quests, that is pretty challenging since I probably won’t listen to the next one.
That said, I HATED that the book doesn’t resolve at all, and given the nature of the quests, that is pretty challenging since I probably won’t listen to the next one.
I was in the departure lounge headed to Australia for a holiday; scrolling through my tablet's Kindle app thinking of what to read. Fortuitously, my brother had just finished this book and recommended it to me the day before. I found it, purchased and downloaded just as the call to board came through.
My 3 and a bit hour flight was over in moments as I followed Orka, Varg and Elvar's journeys. When I landed, I bought the sequel, I knew I'd need it. If I could buy the following book I would, but it'll arrive when it's good and ready.
A fantastic world, excellent characters you want to see more of and sprinkled with dark imagery and a little bit of humour. John knows his action sequences. Everything felt very real, very accurate, and very painful. In many POV centred books I develop a favourite, and others I am less invested in; in this I was excited to see any name at the beginning of the chapter. Each person had their own thrilling story, and as they intertwined I genuinely couldn't put the book down until I knew what happened next.
BRB, off to read everything John Gwynne has written.
My 3 and a bit hour flight was over in moments as I followed Orka, Varg and Elvar's journeys. When I landed, I bought the sequel, I knew I'd need it. If I could buy the following book I would, but it'll arrive when it's good and ready.
A fantastic world, excellent characters you want to see more of and sprinkled with dark imagery and a little bit of humour. John knows his action sequences. Everything felt very real, very accurate, and very painful. In many POV centred books I develop a favourite, and others I am less invested in; in this I was excited to see any name at the beginning of the chapter. Each person had their own thrilling story, and as they intertwined I genuinely couldn't put the book down until I knew what happened next.
BRB, off to read everything John Gwynne has written.
A very epic book. I enjoyed each of the viewpoints immensely. The world has such magic and intensity to it from the very start that it doesn't take long to get hooked.
While I am excited to continue the series, I'm going to take a break and read something a little softer first. (Prickle Mooooon).
While I am excited to continue the series, I'm going to take a break and read something a little softer first. (Prickle Mooooon).
It technically paid off
Look take this review with a grain of salt. I am “new” to reading novels but not fantasy in general.
This book is a SLOW burn I would argue way too slow ….. unnecessarily slow …. However as the subject stats it does all pay off … technically. The “technically” part is based on the fact I really think the book could have done everything it does in 100 less pages.
That being said …talk about a strong finish. I almost put the book down 2 or 3 time but at the end of the day am happy I finished and (can’t believe I’m saying this) I think I might eventually read the next one. This is a set up book and it does that very well.
This is clearly a very talented writer who shows instead of tells and builds worlds through characters really well. He connects it all in really interesting ways.
Good read if your in it for the long haul if your coming off of a few fast paced style books and want more this is not that in my opinion.
Look take this review with a grain of salt. I am “new” to reading novels but not fantasy in general.
This book is a SLOW burn I would argue way too slow ….. unnecessarily slow …. However as the subject stats it does all pay off … technically. The “technically” part is based on the fact I really think the book could have done everything it does in 100 less pages.
That being said …talk about a strong finish. I almost put the book down 2 or 3 time but at the end of the day am happy I finished and (can’t believe I’m saying this) I think I might eventually read the next one. This is a set up book and it does that very well.
This is clearly a very talented writer who shows instead of tells and builds worlds through characters really well. He connects it all in really interesting ways.
Good read if your in it for the long haul if your coming off of a few fast paced style books and want more this is not that in my opinion.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
That ending was magnificent! I thought the story started slowly but it made sense once we really got going. This is a very gritty book without a lot of light. The Norse inspiration was great. I really recommend the audiobook. I can’t wait to pick up the second book. I was pleasantly surprised when the children weren’t fully sacrificed. Though that makes me worry something worse might be coming. I whooped out loud when Vesli and Spert reentered the story. Torvik’s death gutted me. I did not expect Orka and Glornir to be family.
This was my first John Gwyne book and I’m kind of disappointed. None of the characters really stuck out to me and all 3 narrations felt pretty much the same. The plot didn’t feel very fleshed out and I found myself bored with a lot of the battle scenes. I enjoyed the book over all but definitely not a favorite. Not sure if I’ll read the next book or not.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes