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3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
The book had an interesting premise but ruined all its potential by talking about sex and rape for most of it. The writing is also very amateur-ish and could've used another two or three rounds of revision.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’d really give this negative stars if I could. I’m just here in an attempt to reduce the inflated score. Making your protagonist a genocidal pedophillic rapist who gets away with it, becomes young and handsome, and then everyone forgives?? That doesn’t belong in published books. It belongs in long-deleted wattpad stories.
A strong debut novel by the author, also known as the youtube personality Shad from Shadiversity.
In Shadow of the Conqueror you will follow a protagonist that is an evil man. Someone that have done heinous acts and come to regret them. It's almost a deconstruction of the anti-hero trope. Ultimately the book asks questions on right and wrong, crime and punishment, all without telling the reader what they should think. The crimes of Daylen Namaran are unquestionably true and evil. And we as readers are not following some wronged hero out on a quest for justice against Daylen's crimes. No we're stuck with Daylen and a lifetime's worth of regret. For all the books flaws, whom I can consider mostly minor, the strenght of the premise alone makes up for most of its weaker points. I truly hope that we will see more from the author in the future.
In Shadow of the Conqueror you will follow a protagonist that is an evil man. Someone that have done heinous acts and come to regret them. It's almost a deconstruction of the anti-hero trope. Ultimately the book asks questions on right and wrong, crime and punishment, all without telling the reader what they should think. The crimes of Daylen Namaran are unquestionably true and evil. And we as readers are not following some wronged hero out on a quest for justice against Daylen's crimes. No we're stuck with Daylen and a lifetime's worth of regret. For all the books flaws, whom I can consider mostly minor, the strenght of the premise alone makes up for most of its weaker points. I truly hope that we will see more from the author in the future.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great story, but what about the dragons?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Trafficking, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Amateurly written. The protagonist is a completely unbelievable character. No character can massacre so many people but also be a hero and have a soft heart. The references to rape are very immature, like a teenage boy telling a D&D storyline. This is how I see this book - an immature D&D geek writing a storyline for a campaign that doesn’t make a lot of sense but has an over-abundance of technical details about power levels, skills, weapons, and clothing with a total lack of believable character development, plot, or grammar.
The overuse and lack of understanding around rape and murder is also quite disturbing and juvenile.
I’m glad I’m done this book. But… the world that begins to be created here has so much potential. Maybe a co-writer or editor could make an amazing series in this world?
The overuse and lack of understanding around rape and murder is also quite disturbing and juvenile.
I’m glad I’m done this book. But… the world that begins to be created here has so much potential. Maybe a co-writer or editor could make an amazing series in this world?
I will start off that I had the audible version so I can not commit on the spelling or grammar error that the other reviews talk about.
Pros:
Story: The story is is really good. This is the first book I read where the main protagonist was the bad guy and is struggling to do good. It was refreshing.
World building: The world is really interesting. There is no night, the land is broken and floating in the sky and if one falls to the bottom they will come out above the land in the sky potentially falling forever.
Magic: It has a hard Magic system which I love and even though you learn a lot there is still a bunch that is still unknown.
Cons:
Characters: Sadly there is not a lot of character development in the first book (hoping that gets fixed in the second book.) Its more of the main character feeling depressed for the majority of the book I did not mind it but it may put some people off.
Information dump: The first 5 to 10 chapters you get a lot of information that it could be overwhelming I had to stop or go back several time to make sure I did not miss anything.
Character is Op: Sometimes the main character can feel overpowered which I understand why he is, but I am hoping in the next book there is some big threat that pushes the character to his limit.
Others
Rape, gender, ect: I seen some people saying they did not like the rape scenes (which is fine) I think he portrayed really well how someone can suffer through that trauma and how it effects a person. Concerning the gender roles in different cultures I enjoyed it. It was refreshing to see different roles and what people found exceptionable.
conclusion
I would give this book 3.1/2 stars, but good reads does not allow half stars. The book was really well done for the authors first book and listening to Michael Kremer and Kate Reading narrate is was music to my ears! I am looking foreword to his next book and the improvements I know will happen!
Pros:
Story: The story is is really good. This is the first book I read where the main protagonist was the bad guy and is struggling to do good. It was refreshing.
World building: The world is really interesting. There is no night, the land is broken and floating in the sky and if one falls to the bottom they will come out above the land in the sky potentially falling forever.
Magic: It has a hard Magic system which I love and even though you learn a lot there is still a bunch that is still unknown.
Cons:
Characters: Sadly there is not a lot of character development in the first book (hoping that gets fixed in the second book.) Its more of the main character feeling depressed for the majority of the book I did not mind it but it may put some people off.
Information dump: The first 5 to 10 chapters you get a lot of information that it could be overwhelming I had to stop or go back several time to make sure I did not miss anything.
Character is Op: Sometimes the main character can feel overpowered which I understand why he is, but I am hoping in the next book there is some big threat that pushes the character to his limit.
Others
Rape, gender, ect: I seen some people saying they did not like the rape scenes (which is fine) I think he portrayed really well how someone can suffer through that trauma and how it effects a person. Concerning the gender roles in different cultures I enjoyed it. It was refreshing to see different roles and what people found exceptionable.
conclusion
I would give this book 3.1/2 stars, but good reads does not allow half stars. The book was really well done for the authors first book and listening to Michael Kremer and Kate Reading narrate is was music to my ears! I am looking foreword to his next book and the improvements I know will happen!
DNF 30%
This book, I can’t. The protagonist is insufferable, the magic system is over explained.
This book, I can’t. The protagonist is insufferable, the magic system is over explained.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, War
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment