Reviews

The Spider's War by Daniel Abraham

itabar's review against another edition

4.0

Excellent conclusion. I'll have to bump up the ratings on the previous books.

The reader, Peter Bradbury, was simply outstanding!

novelideea's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.5

mjdale95's review

4.0

Overall I would give this series a 3.5/5

It's very easy to read, with a simple but elegant prose style that goes down very easily. It has some great twists on classic fantasy characters and tropes. However I felt like it was lacking a certain... intensity? Passion? Almost as if it was written by an algorithm or something.

I found Cithrin to be the most interesting character, even if her "banking prodigy" reputation never really influenced the story in a major way. Geder was certainly a unique villain, albeit not a particularly threatening one. Clara was highly reminiscent of Catelyn Stark, and the series as a whole definitely felt like ASOIAF-lite, with a relatively mature tone.

gbdub's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad slow-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? Yes

3.75

leathor's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

darylnash's review against another edition

5.0

I have a few quibbles with the very end,

Spoiler

like the fact the Geder gets a redemptive death -- it would have been more interesting to see how the characters dealt with him after the priests were gone -- and the fact that Aster slips into being a good, noble ruler as if by divine right. In such a complex work, it seemed like too much of a nod to the justness of monarchy, which is a staple of fantasy but surprising to go unexamined here at the end. That said, Aster's nobility and statement taking responsibility really got me in the feels, which makes me wonder if humans are somehow hardwired for aristocracy the same way the races of the book are engineered to fear and respect dragons.

But those are pretty minor issues. It's a great series, and it's well concluded. The first book got off to a slow start, mostly by appearing to be too much like a standard fantasy, but I should have known that Abraham had more in store. The spider priests are a great vehicle for exploring the nature of truth and doubt. Geder is a perfect example of the kind of man-baby that can become a tyrant with a little twist of fate. And I believe this is the first fantasy I know of to turn banking into a thrilling plotline.

patriciomas's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mandas_life_in_books's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

davidscrimshaw's review

5.0

A fine conclusion to an excellent series.

If Mr. Abraham chooses to tell us what happens next with any of the characters, I would gladly follow. But he doesn't have to. I suspect my own brain will make up stories involving them while I sleep.

snowbenton's review against another edition

5.0

Every book in this series got better and better.

I want Yardem Hane to be my friend.