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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
This book just didn't fully work for me. There are a lot of war and fight scenes which is just not my thing, since I tend to find them boring (which I did). For me to enjoy and be engaged by military influenced books, I need the character work to balance it out, and for me, the characters were kind of flat. I didn't really like or relate to any of them, and they all just seem to be mainly driven by revenge, which again is not my thing. If these are not points that usually dampen your reading experience, you may enjoy this book. I found the world and overall plot very interesting and if the character work had been more to my liking I would continue reading this series. As is, my journey in this world ends here.
I liked this one more. The vast differences in the 3 siblings situations while all contributing to the same events. It was incredibly frustrating but also more realistic just how large this world is, the fact that basically everything would be fine if it didn't take so long to get anywhere. I really liked Odare's plot line, I feel like it made more sense to how she was described in the first book (as opposed to half her actions in the first book). I love the Kettral- the training, the final test, the wing, and it's power dynamic struggles. Kaden had a way more involved storyline as well, things actually happened to him. Love Tristal, very excited to see more of her in the next book. It honestly feels like most of the issues could be solved with a phone call.
Really was hoping this one would feel like a huge step up from bk 1, but in the end I'll give it the same rating of 3.5 stars rounded down. Once again I was engaged the whole way through but found myself really not caring too much about most of the characters or what was going to happen.
I liked the turn Adare's plot took in the first half with her leaving for Olon, since it intercepted with some interesting lore...but her character was a real drag in the second half, and her personality hasn't really ever emerged--plus she got saved by a literal deus ex machina, which seemed like it was gonna have much more payoff in this book. Adare felt something like an audience cypher for much of this one, which admittedly did work to deliver cool stuff with the Atmani and Il Tornja--the latter remains quite the intriguing puzzle and one of the best things about the series, since it's been fun to swap my thinking on if he's good or bad so many times.
Kaden continues to be the main highlight, though, since he's fundamentally good as well as smart and competent. I liked following his crazy journey in this book, and even though he lost one engaging companion along the way, he picked up another in the Csestriim historian. I never knew where things were going with him, and deciding to give up the throne to start a democratic revolution was a cool move to undercut everyone else.
Unfortunately the Kettral POVs continued to be a major drag on the proceedings. Now we get not just one personality-less emotion-filled warrior POV with Valyn, we get Gwenna, too! Something is just off about these warrior POVs, and I was low-key rooting for them to die off the whole time. I thought I had gotten my wish in both cases, but it seems like Valyn's wing has some pretty hefty and unfortunate plot armor. Valyn is acknowledged many times in the narrative through his own thoughts and others' comments as being stupid and hypocritical, and I'm at a loss how we're supposed to feel about him. The way the book ends with him picking himself up treats him like the hero, but there I was just wishing he had died. I don't think I'm a big fan of flawed protagonists when they have no redeeming qualities (see Joe Abercrombie for flawed protagonists done to perfection).
The climactic battle in this one started off well on the ground but turned into an abstract thing being observed from an observation tower, and all the drama got sucked out of it. I read a lot of tremendous battle writing from Tchaikovsky, Gwynne, Erikson, Sanderson, Jordan, Butcher, and Abercrombie--and this really suffers in comparison. Add to this that Adiv's demise came with little drama, which seemed inexcusable after how much he'd been set up as an antagonist.
Unfortunately I head into the final book of the trilogy not really caring if the world gets torn to shreds, who seizes power, etc etc, and that's not ideal. I do want to see Kaden and his crew come out of it though, so that's something.
I liked the turn Adare's plot took in the first half with her leaving for Olon, since it intercepted with some interesting lore...but her character was a real drag in the second half, and her personality hasn't really ever emerged--plus she got saved by a literal deus ex machina, which seemed like it was gonna have much more payoff in this book. Adare felt something like an audience cypher for much of this one, which admittedly did work to deliver cool stuff with the Atmani and Il Tornja--the latter remains quite the intriguing puzzle and one of the best things about the series, since it's been fun to swap my thinking on if he's good or bad so many times.
Kaden continues to be the main highlight, though, since he's fundamentally good as well as smart and competent. I liked following his crazy journey in this book, and even though he lost one engaging companion along the way, he picked up another in the Csestriim historian. I never knew where things were going with him, and deciding to give up the throne to start a democratic revolution was a cool move to undercut everyone else.
Unfortunately the Kettral POVs continued to be a major drag on the proceedings. Now we get not just one personality-less emotion-filled warrior POV with Valyn, we get Gwenna, too! Something is just off about these warrior POVs, and I was low-key rooting for them to die off the whole time. I thought I had gotten my wish in both cases, but it seems like Valyn's wing has some pretty hefty and unfortunate plot armor. Valyn is acknowledged many times in the narrative through his own thoughts and others' comments as being stupid and hypocritical, and I'm at a loss how we're supposed to feel about him. The way the book ends with him picking himself up treats him like the hero, but there I was just wishing he had died. I don't think I'm a big fan of flawed protagonists when they have no redeeming qualities (see Joe Abercrombie for flawed protagonists done to perfection).
The climactic battle in this one started off well on the ground but turned into an abstract thing being observed from an observation tower, and all the drama got sucked out of it. I read a lot of tremendous battle writing from Tchaikovsky, Gwynne, Erikson, Sanderson, Jordan, Butcher, and Abercrombie--and this really suffers in comparison. Add to this that Adiv's demise came with little drama, which seemed inexcusable after how much he'd been set up as an antagonist.
Unfortunately I head into the final book of the trilogy not really caring if the world gets torn to shreds, who seizes power, etc etc, and that's not ideal. I do want to see Kaden and his crew come out of it though, so that's something.
good, especially for a middle book. good logistics. characters got a bit more distinct though still a bit samey. plot got a bit deus ex machina (literally) that I'm not sure I like, I thought the existing characters and plot were ok without, but we'll see how this will play out in the next book.
Holy Hull this series got good in the second book.
It's trilogies like this that make me sad I rarely have the energy to read a series past its initial offering. There's usually so much setup and introduction in the first book of a series that it rarely puts enough hooks in to get me to read the next. The first book did such a great job of setting up the three narratives of the three siblings that I immediately bought the second, and it paid off SO WELL in The Providence of Fire. I can't talk about too much, but the way this narrative weaves together all three viewpoints while also making each story riveting and interesting, while ALSO setting up the overarching story in a way that snowballs so satisfyingly towards the third book is masterful. I'm definitely picking up the final novel immediately, can't wait to see if Staveley sticks the landing.
5/5, can recommend this wholeheartedly, I'll update once I've read the final book to see if I can do the same for the entire series (if I remember)
It's trilogies like this that make me sad I rarely have the energy to read a series past its initial offering. There's usually so much setup and introduction in the first book of a series that it rarely puts enough hooks in to get me to read the next. The first book did such a great job of setting up the three narratives of the three siblings that I immediately bought the second, and it paid off SO WELL in The Providence of Fire. I can't talk about too much, but the way this narrative weaves together all three viewpoints while also making each story riveting and interesting, while ALSO setting up the overarching story in a way that snowballs so satisfyingly towards the third book is masterful. I'm definitely picking up the final novel immediately, can't wait to see if Staveley sticks the landing.
5/5, can recommend this wholeheartedly, I'll update once I've read the final book to see if I can do the same for the entire series (if I remember)
I had the same issues as with the first volume, but again found the story gripping. This book is even darker than the first one. I had to stop for a while when the story was at its bleakest.
I liked that Adere got more screen time and also more influence on the developments.
While I do not always enjoy the writing as much as I wish to, I must say that there are many surprising new developments to adapt to. As the politics get more and more complicated, the reader gets to explore some tricky ethical questions.
I do wonder if the author will be able to wrap this up neatly.
I forgot to mention in my review of the first volume, but: why are the heroes so young??? It makes no sense to me, they could easily be in their twenties. Would be much more realistic and attractive to me. Boys the age of my son just so don 't work for me in an adult setting like this.
I liked that Adere got more screen time and also more influence on the developments.
While I do not always enjoy the writing as much as I wish to, I must say that there are many surprising new developments to adapt to. As the politics get more and more complicated, the reader gets to explore some tricky ethical questions.
I do wonder if the author will be able to wrap this up neatly.
I forgot to mention in my review of the first volume, but: why are the heroes so young??? It makes no sense to me, they could easily be in their twenties. Would be much more realistic and attractive to me. Boys the age of my son just so don 't work for me in an adult setting like this.
How many bad decisions can a character make?
Adare hui’Malkeenian: Hold my beer!!
I really hoped that her character will flourish in a good light, but as Kaden said "Hope is a straight road to suffering." , and oohh my, oohh my Orilon!
In the end when she encounters Valyn (I don't want to spoil anything) and things happen, then, later on, she worries about how many people have died, I'm confused, should I take pity on her?! She was more worried about Fulton than her brother Valyn!!! I understand her connection with Fulton, but Valyn is her fucking brother. Forgiveness? You have to be kidding me. Just take a break, don't do anything....
Kaden's character has the best development out of everyone. I really enjoyed reading from his POV. He really is a character that you rarely encounter in fantasy. Also, it was nice knowing more about his companions.
Valyn, ohh poor Valyn, what can I say...With the things that happen in the end, I'm really curious about the direction of his character.
About Laith (without giving spoilers) was that really necessary?!
Adare hui’Malkeenian: Hold my beer!!
I really hoped that her character will flourish in a good light, but as Kaden said "Hope is a straight road to suffering." , and oohh my, oohh my Orilon!
In the end when she encounters Valyn (I don't want to spoil anything) and things happen, then, later on, she worries about how many people have died, I'm confused, should I take pity on her?! She was more worried about Fulton than her brother Valyn!!! I understand her connection with Fulton, but Valyn is her fucking brother. Forgiveness? You have to be kidding me. Just take a break, don't do anything....
Kaden's character has the best development out of everyone. I really enjoyed reading from his POV. He really is a character that you rarely encounter in fantasy. Also, it was nice knowing more about his companions.
Valyn, ohh poor Valyn, what can I say...With the things that happen in the end, I'm really curious about the direction of his character.
About Laith (without giving spoilers) was that really necessary?!
For the second time in 2015, I have been crushed by the ending of a book. Thank you, Brian Staveley for that utterly mind-blowing conclusion. Your book has joined Golden Son on my list of books that have horribly gruesome, tragic, heart-rending conclusions where I physically cringe for the characters. That’s a good thing though (sort of). It means you’ve written your story so well that I’ve emotionally connected to your character and feel badly for them when you do horrible things.
The Providence of Fire was a STUNNING sequel, with a plot that got so much deeper than I anticipated. People are captured, tortured, forced to fight in bloody combat, and are betrayed again and again. Have you ever felt that if the characters would all just sit down and let everyone else know what’s going on that 90% of their problems would be solved? Yeah, that would have really helped out Valyn, Adare, and Kaden. There was just SO much happening in this book that once I got to the end it all just seemed blurred together in awesomeness. Brian Staveley has done such a fantastic job of weaving together a masterpiece and I’m really looking forward to the rest of his series!
SPOILER TIME!!!!
Seriously, if you don’t want the ending spoiled, don’t read any further.
Okay. I simultaneously loved and loathed the ending. I loathed what happened to Valyn and Triste and Laith and maybe the rest of the Wing. VALYN IS BLIND FOR GODS SAKE. I mean, I know he’s going to end up being 10x more potent than he already is, but I can see him going through a period of bitter self loathing that is just painful to read about. He’ll blame himself for Laith’s death, which is kind of his fault, but not completely. Personal choice, and free will factored into it as well, not to mention a hundred thousand screaming savages. And he’s probably going to have this grudge against Hull for making him live and carry on when he just wanted to lie in the murky lake waters and rot. The effects of that big black Slarn egg are really going to be a game changer in The Last Mortal Bond.
Triste also suffered major mental and physical damage this time around. She was tortured for what may have been months by the pain maddened Ishien and she’s found out the hard way that she’s a leach. Oh yeah, she’s also possessed by Ciena, who happens to be holding a grudge against dear old Meshkent. Triste is a broken soul and I’m curious to see what role she’ll play in the future, especially since the gods are coming out to play. This is about to reach Malazan levels of immortal interference and complexity. I’m loving every single page of it!!
That’s it for the spoilers for now. I could go on and on, but there’s just so much to say!!!
The Providence of Fire was a STUNNING sequel, with a plot that got so much deeper than I anticipated. People are captured, tortured, forced to fight in bloody combat, and are betrayed again and again. Have you ever felt that if the characters would all just sit down and let everyone else know what’s going on that 90% of their problems would be solved? Yeah, that would have really helped out Valyn, Adare, and Kaden. There was just SO much happening in this book that once I got to the end it all just seemed blurred together in awesomeness. Brian Staveley has done such a fantastic job of weaving together a masterpiece and I’m really looking forward to the rest of his series!
SPOILER TIME!!!!
Seriously, if you don’t want the ending spoiled, don’t read any further.
Okay. I simultaneously loved and loathed the ending. I loathed what happened to Valyn and Triste and Laith and maybe the rest of the Wing. VALYN IS BLIND FOR GODS SAKE. I mean, I know he’s going to end up being 10x more potent than he already is, but I can see him going through a period of bitter self loathing that is just painful to read about. He’ll blame himself for Laith’s death, which is kind of his fault, but not completely. Personal choice, and free will factored into it as well, not to mention a hundred thousand screaming savages. And he’s probably going to have this grudge against Hull for making him live and carry on when he just wanted to lie in the murky lake waters and rot. The effects of that big black Slarn egg are really going to be a game changer in The Last Mortal Bond.
Triste also suffered major mental and physical damage this time around. She was tortured for what may have been months by the pain maddened Ishien and she’s found out the hard way that she’s a leach. Oh yeah, she’s also possessed by Ciena, who happens to be holding a grudge against dear old Meshkent. Triste is a broken soul and I’m curious to see what role she’ll play in the future, especially since the gods are coming out to play. This is about to reach Malazan levels of immortal interference and complexity. I’m loving every single page of it!!
That’s it for the spoilers for now. I could go on and on, but there’s just so much to say!!!
Flat and scattered all over the place, yet it carries it's tropes with dignity and manages to remain entrataining