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bennylee's review against another edition
3.0
3/5*
I found myself constantly switching between two poles — finding the story so compelling that I couldn’t put it down or so uninteresting that I had to constantly go back and force myself to pay attention.
I found myself constantly switching between two poles — finding the story so compelling that I couldn’t put it down or so uninteresting that I had to constantly go back and force myself to pay attention.
thomas_edmund's review against another edition
3.0
Like many other reviewers, it seems, I liked The Painted/Warded Man, enjoyed The Desert Spear less, but was interested to see where the series was heading and ultimately was disappointed by this third installment.
The unusual thing is Daylight War isn't necessarily that bad, it simply possesses positive and negative points in equal abundance. Leaving the reader a feeling of spending time with a treasured friend who has been unusually obnoxious that day.
So where to begin?
I'll start with the good - unlike The Desert Spear, the demons feature more dangerously in this installment, and Brett shows his flair for battle and bloodshed. Most of the story is 'interesting' (said in scare quotes because interesting doesn't always cut it, more on this later) We find out more about the demons and this is exciting, also the consequences of Arlen's ingestion and continuing demonisation become both bad-ass and concerning.
What went wrong?
Unfortunately quite a few things. I don't want to pan the backstory issues too much as many, many other reviewers have done this. What I will say is treating us to Inerva's backstory is 'interesting' but not vital to the plot at all. We already know she succeeds in achieving the position she covets, and her backstory does not bring any tension to the plot that wasn't already there. Her backstory did highlight a general flaw in Brett's writing in that almost all his main characters seem to such inherit a knack for their special skills, and while there is some story in the development of said powers (in book one mostly) often it is more a case of being born able to do cool stuff.
Another problem, which may just be my opinion: Brett seems poor at creating authentic relationships. Without going into spoilerish detail, characters just fall apart and explicitly together again without real character consistency. In terms of details Brett comes across as torn between an x-rated George RR Martin take on love(sex), and a more innocent funny style that jars with the former.
Anyone with a paper copy of this book will likely realise this is a bloated tome. Brett has a talent for violent, dangerous scenes and apocalyptic bad guys. The ultimate problem with the Daylight War is everything else that happens in this story.
The unusual thing is Daylight War isn't necessarily that bad, it simply possesses positive and negative points in equal abundance. Leaving the reader a feeling of spending time with a treasured friend who has been unusually obnoxious that day.
So where to begin?
I'll start with the good - unlike The Desert Spear, the demons feature more dangerously in this installment, and Brett shows his flair for battle and bloodshed. Most of the story is 'interesting' (said in scare quotes because interesting doesn't always cut it, more on this later) We find out more about the demons and this is exciting, also the consequences of Arlen's ingestion and continuing demonisation become both bad-ass and concerning.
What went wrong?
Unfortunately quite a few things. I don't want to pan the backstory issues too much as many, many other reviewers have done this. What I will say is treating us to Inerva's backstory is 'interesting' but not vital to the plot at all. We already know she succeeds in achieving the position she covets, and her backstory does not bring any tension to the plot that wasn't already there. Her backstory did highlight a general flaw in Brett's writing in that almost all his main characters seem to such inherit a knack for their special skills, and while there is some story in the development of said powers (in book one mostly) often it is more a case of being born able to do cool stuff.
Another problem, which may just be my opinion: Brett seems poor at creating authentic relationships. Without going into spoilerish detail, characters just fall apart and explicitly together again without real character consistency. In terms of details Brett comes across as torn between an x-rated George RR Martin take on love(sex), and a more innocent funny style that jars with the former.
Anyone with a paper copy of this book will likely realise this is a bloated tome. Brett has a talent for violent, dangerous scenes and apocalyptic bad guys. The ultimate problem with the Daylight War is everything else that happens in this story.
prairiephlox's review against another edition
4.0
This was a 3.5 that I rounded up because even though there were times that I thought it was drawing out too long, or Leesha was acting like a pompous 75 year old instead of middle aged, there were plenty of other times that I couldn't put the book down.
I loved Inevera and reading about her training with the other dama'ting, and I enjoyed reading about the evolution of her relationship with Jardir. I find the Krasians much more interesting than the Hollowers, maybe because I just find it interesting to not read about your "standard demon infested medieval town." Brett has created a very vivid, very real world, and its different from my own and sucks me in. I love the women and the khaffit using the catastrophe to elevate their class, their struggle for power and freedom, that the Hollowers seem to think that they have, but in truth do not.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
I loved Inevera and reading about her training with the other dama'ting, and I enjoyed reading about the evolution of her relationship with Jardir. I find the Krasians much more interesting than the Hollowers, maybe because I just find it interesting to not read about your "standard demon infested medieval town." Brett has created a very vivid, very real world, and its different from my own and sucks me in. I love the women and the khaffit using the catastrophe to elevate their class, their struggle for power and freedom, that the Hollowers seem to think that they have, but in truth do not.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
solseit's review against another edition
4.0
I blew through the book.
Stakes are higher than ever. Conflict is dramatically escalating.
The book does a great job also at providing background for one of the main characters and I loved seeing her story.
Also, that ending. Soooooo good!
Stakes are higher than ever. Conflict is dramatically escalating.
The book does a great job also at providing background for one of the main characters and I loved seeing her story.
Also, that ending. Soooooo good!
minaisabelle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
stacias99's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really thrilled with the progression of The Demon Cycle series. Each installation fits together, but also feels fresh and exciting. I really love the way the main characters are complex and well-rounded people. They are grey (as people are in real life) - no one is without flaws or redeeming characteristics. I really enjoy being able to see each character's POV in the main conflict (as the saying goes, no one thinks they are the villain in their own story). It brings a richness to the storytelling that keeps me wanting to learn more.
I can't wait to read more from [a:Peter V. Brett|1405152|Peter V. Brett|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1265682778p2/1405152.jpg] (and I haven't, I started [b:The Skull Throne|13630171|The Skull Throne (Demon Cycle, #4)|Peter V. Brett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408637760s/13630171.jpg|19237752] as soon as I finished this book :)).
I can't wait to read more from [a:Peter V. Brett|1405152|Peter V. Brett|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1265682778p2/1405152.jpg] (and I haven't, I started [b:The Skull Throne|13630171|The Skull Throne (Demon Cycle, #4)|Peter V. Brett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408637760s/13630171.jpg|19237752] as soon as I finished this book :)).
akos_2005's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
archiegitdog's review against another edition
4.0
Of the three books, this was the weakest for me. Some excellent parts but also a bit slow and repetitive in places. Nevertheless, I did enjoy it and will be out to buy book 4. However, maybe i will give it a month or two.......
aaronmon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5