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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
I heard the hype. I heard it a while ago and intended to read the book, but it sat on my to-read list for a really long dang time before I finally got around to it.
I finally read the book. I loved it. It lived up to the hype. Book two is currently sitting on my reader waiting for me to get to it, and you know? I'm not in a big dang rush to read it. I think the first book stood alone pretty well without the crazy cliffhangers (The next morning, when she woke, she was blind EFF YOU kind of cliffhanger, ugh), and while I'm looking forward to reading it, I'm okay with letting it sit for a little longer to let the first book stew.
I finally read the book. I loved it. It lived up to the hype. Book two is currently sitting on my reader waiting for me to get to it, and you know? I'm not in a big dang rush to read it. I think the first book stood alone pretty well without the crazy cliffhangers (The next morning, when she woke, she was blind EFF YOU kind of cliffhanger, ugh), and while I'm looking forward to reading it, I'm okay with letting it sit for a little longer to let the first book stew.
I wish there were more than 5 stars to give. A bit like name of the wind, but an awesome book in its own right. Could not put it down.
This is an amazing book! It has a narration within narration, thus providing an interesting perspective. I was captivated after a couple of dozens of pages and my interest only grew with time. The characters are various and believable, the story is quite good and the language is reach. I'll definitely read all the books in the series!
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely phenomenal book. If game of thrones, lord of the rings, or x men are things you like, this book will knock your socks off.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think I'm in between 3 and 4 stars here. I liked the story, and I liked its complexity...but as far as the actual story telling goes, parts were hard to follow. Not only is it a framed narrative (the two parts do happen to be obviously distinctive), but there was way too much jumping back and forth in time just in the main narrative--without any change to past perfect tense. It got confusing! Also...what was with the copy editor here? I mean, the author obviously doesn't know comma splices (or at least is not concerned with restraint where breaking that rule is concerned), but come on Editor!! There were way too many easy punctuation and spelling issues here!
But...the story. I liked it. I will read the sequel. Just please, Mr. Ryan, please get a new editor.
But...the story. I liked it. I will read the sequel. Just please, Mr. Ryan, please get a new editor.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Not my type of book, but a spectacular one nonetheless. This is a story within a story, so the flow of Blood song is not fast-paced. The story starts slow and that there's often a lot of information - not useless, just a lot - at the beginning of some chapters and often a lot of narration.
The world building is elegantly complex, but the author does not fill the book with useless exposition. This also increases the already - also - complex web of mysteries and puzzles.
The characters - there are separate characters and they sound like normal people.
The plot is a mix of fantasy, mystery and adventure, keeping safely away from the romanticized war stories or the Gandhi-with-a-sword, crowd (looking at you, Chosen Ones). The story has a prevalent dark undertone but often manages to surprise with notes of unexpected mild humor. For example
As a reader, you recognize this from the first chapter as the iconic killing of the Hope, the heir of the enemy and a reportedly great warrior. You know the pain and hate his people now feel for the narrator because of his death.
Nonetheless, at that moment, the whole enemy army just freezes in shock. Their great warrior was killed, business as usual, in less than ten seconds and the dude who did it didn't even realize it.
The world building is elegantly complex, but the author does not fill the book with useless exposition. This also increases the already - also - complex web of mysteries and puzzles.
The characters - there are separate characters and they sound like normal people.
The plot is a mix of fantasy, mystery and adventure, keeping safely away from the romanticized war stories or the Gandhi-with-a-sword, crowd (looking at you, Chosen Ones). The story has a prevalent dark undertone but often manages to surprise with notes of unexpected mild humor. For example
Spoiler
, there's this scene during a battle, where the narrator, who's on foot, is attacked by a riding knight in white. The narrator swiftly fells the horse, traps its rider under it and kills him.As a reader, you recognize this from the first chapter as the iconic killing of the Hope, the heir of the enemy and a reportedly great warrior. You know the pain and hate his people now feel for the narrator because of his death.
Nonetheless, at that moment, the whole enemy army just freezes in shock. Their great warrior was killed, business as usual, in less than ten seconds and the dude who did it didn't even realize it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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