Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
The Providence of Fire is everything I wanted from a sequel and more. This definitely took pretty much all the slight problems I had with the first book and rectified it. Although this book did suffer from a roughly slow start, once we got about a 1/3 of the way through it took off at a break neck speed.
I have to say the best thing about this series, hands down, is the world building. Brian Staveley has created such a complex, yet intriguing world all at the same time. This book especially dived so deep into the mythology of the world, it was amazing. From learning more about the Csestriim, to the leaches, to the gods, everything was engrossing. He didn't just throw all of this information at you either. It was sprinkled throughout the entire story and you were informed when you needed to be.
The characters are the next best thing. First I just wanted to say that Adare had her time to shine in this novel. She went from having only like 5 chapters in the last book to actually being a true part to the three main characters of the story next to her brothers. Each story arc that involved one of the siblings was impeccable. The development was top notch and since this book isn't very action driven, the character development really helped this story be amazing. These three siblings went on such a journey and they all ended up very different people by the end of this novel.
Lastly the story itself starts off fairly slow, it is pretty much a beginning that tries to get each character to their starting destination. Once all that happens the plot really kicks in. I found it hard to put this book down when I was reading it. Brian Staveley also knows how to write some intense final moments. Those last a hundred pages or so were stressful.
I am really excited to see how this is all wrapped up. I believe Staveley has already laid a solid foundation and it should be quite interesting to see where are characters end up in the end!
I have to say the best thing about this series, hands down, is the world building. Brian Staveley has created such a complex, yet intriguing world all at the same time. This book especially dived so deep into the mythology of the world, it was amazing. From learning more about the Csestriim, to the leaches, to the gods, everything was engrossing. He didn't just throw all of this information at you either. It was sprinkled throughout the entire story and you were informed when you needed to be.
The characters are the next best thing. First I just wanted to say that Adare had her time to shine in this novel. She went from having only like 5 chapters in the last book to actually being a true part to the three main characters of the story next to her brothers. Each story arc that involved one of the siblings was impeccable. The development was top notch and since this book isn't very action driven, the character development really helped this story be amazing. These three siblings went on such a journey and they all ended up very different people by the end of this novel.
Lastly the story itself starts off fairly slow, it is pretty much a beginning that tries to get each character to their starting destination. Once all that happens the plot really kicks in. I found it hard to put this book down when I was reading it. Brian Staveley also knows how to write some intense final moments. Those last a hundred pages or so were stressful.
I am really excited to see how this is all wrapped up. I believe Staveley has already laid a solid foundation and it should be quite interesting to see where are characters end up in the end!
It took six weeks to read because of life circumstances, a little longer than I expected, which is always a risk with a book this long. I stick with it and read the last 150-pages in one sitting. Great story and world building. Unexpected turns. Painful experiences for the characters. Dark and violent. Surprising friendships and breaks in relationships. The end of the book definitely sets the stage for the continued story.
Excellent science fiction book. The writing is exciting but not great.
The saga continues and damn is it good. On to the next one, oh and I hate Adare, she's an idiot...just an observation.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4,5 stars
Steveley definitely had one of the most successful debuts in genre last year, but-and that's not bad per se- [b:The Emperor's Blades|17910124|The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, #1)|Brian Staveley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369246817s/17910124.jpg|25095579] was a very 'safe' read with great world-building. It had the look and the vibe of classic fantasy, inside firmly established rules of genre, where all boxes were checked and everything was done how it's supposed to be done.
[b:The Providence of Fire|22055280|The Providence of Fire (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, #2)|Brian Staveley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405301050s/22055280.jpg|39923827] is simply more gutsy.
It's like we got back to continue chess game with same players; with black and white figures on their positions, but Staveley just swept the board, made us question what we know, brought new players in and said: "Oh, yeah, we are actually playing checkers."
Alliances are made and broken, allegiances are changed and layer upon layer is added to whole story; there are many twists; there are huge action scenes, including culmination in form of a big battle; stakes are incredibly high, but TPoF is all about character development:
Kaden
Kaden was my favorite pov character from first book. TEB was, in a way, coming-of-age story for Malkeenian kids. Their individual trainings and studies were wrapping up as story progressed and with it,their transition from boys into men. I read both books back to back and it struck me that, as much as all those chapters and Tan's lessons say it was a process, it seemed to me that Kaden simply grew up over night. Of course, it wasn't just any night- it was the night of Adelonian attack on Shin monastery and carnage they left behind, but Kaden at the beginning of TPoF is not the same guy we read before. If I spent first book wondering was the point of all those exercises Kaden went through, since not all of those were crucial for vaniate, in this book it becomes clear why all heirs of Unhewn throne spend their childhood in Shin monastery learning the way of monks. Kaden's ability to look on things with detachment when it's crucial to be detached and to listen to his guts when logic isn't enough is what separates him from his siblings and makes him the Emperor. His burning gaze makes him eligible, but it's his power of observation that makes him the right choice.
Valyn
Oh, Valyn...
Where Kaden makes mistakes and learn from them, same can't be said for Valyn. He made me go through entire palette of feelings: liking, hating, frustration, compassion- name it. Valyn is such a tragic figure- he is a good guy who can't catch a break and faced with hard choices he doesn't always pick the right option.
In TPoF, Valyn has his hamartia moment.
It's like everything was happening around him. There is this rapid plot progression, but Valyn himself hadn't make any progress. The worst thing is,he is actually the product of his training; he is applying everything Kettrel taught him and it's not working. I am curious
Futility of Valyn was what made this a much harder read for me that TEB was, since I had to leave it a few times to gather my thoughts.
Adare
Author said that Adare will have bigger role in this book and that's true. One of pivotal scenes, (I believe, the one depicted on US cover) belongs to Adare. Despite the fact that big twist of TEB was one of her chapters, I would say that her story started with this book. And you know what? She is the character who made the boldest moves and took the biggest risks. Unlike her brothers who spent years hardening their bodies and minds with pain and hardship, Adare spent her life as a pampered princess in palace, and yet she plunged herself, alone into danger relaying on crazy, risky plan and she came out of it as relevant figure with formidable force behind her and influence. I wondered how will her subplot unravel and it was in the best way possible, although ending made me frown a few times. Her story was also the reason I chucked half a star off since I found parts of it too convenient:
We also found out more about Sanlitun and the more we know the less he's making sense. So, I am really intrigued.
Ending left me with many questions and some of events are opened to interpretation. I can't even predict what will happen, but I like the direction author decided to take this trilogy in. :)
Steveley definitely had one of the most successful debuts in genre last year, but-and that's not bad per se- [b:The Emperor's Blades|17910124|The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, #1)|Brian Staveley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369246817s/17910124.jpg|25095579] was a very 'safe' read with great world-building. It had the look and the vibe of classic fantasy, inside firmly established rules of genre, where all boxes were checked and everything was done how it's supposed to be done.
[b:The Providence of Fire|22055280|The Providence of Fire (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, #2)|Brian Staveley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405301050s/22055280.jpg|39923827] is simply more gutsy.
It's like we got back to continue chess game with same players; with black and white figures on their positions, but Staveley just swept the board, made us question what we know, brought new players in and said: "Oh, yeah, we are actually playing checkers."
Alliances are made and broken, allegiances are changed and layer upon layer is added to whole story; there are many twists; there are huge action scenes, including culmination in form of a big battle; stakes are incredibly high, but TPoF is all about character development:
Kaden
"Valyn shook his head weakly, a smile stretching his lips. “Kaden is nothing like me,” he said. “He isn’t angry. He isn’t rash. He is level as the sea before a storm.”
Kaden was my favorite pov character from first book. TEB was, in a way, coming-of-age story for Malkeenian kids. Their individual trainings and studies were wrapping up as story progressed and with it,their transition from boys into men. I read both books back to back and it struck me that, as much as all those chapters and Tan's lessons say it was a process, it seemed to me that Kaden simply grew up over night. Of course, it wasn't just any night- it was the night of Adelonian attack on Shin monastery and carnage they left behind, but Kaden at the beginning of TPoF is not the same guy we read before. If I spent first book wondering was the point of all those exercises Kaden went through, since not all of those were crucial for vaniate, in this book it becomes clear why all heirs of Unhewn throne spend their childhood in Shin monastery learning the way of monks. Kaden's ability to look on things with detachment when it's crucial to be detached and to listen to his guts when logic isn't enough is what separates him from his siblings and makes him the Emperor. His burning gaze makes him eligible, but it's his power of observation that makes him the right choice.
Valyn
"It had been a long time since he’d felt as though he had a true choice...each decision looked like the wrong one now, but at the time they hadn’t seemed like decisions at all. Instead of contemplating a series of forking paths, Valyn felt as though he’d been racing down a single treacherous track, just a half step ahead of his foes, no time to look either back or forward."
Oh, Valyn...
Where Kaden makes mistakes and learn from them, same can't be said for Valyn. He made me go through entire palette of feelings: liking, hating, frustration, compassion- name it. Valyn is such a tragic figure- he is a good guy who can't catch a break and faced with hard choices he doesn't always pick the right option.
In TPoF, Valyn has his hamartia moment.
It's like everything was happening around him. There is this rapid plot progression, but Valyn himself hadn't make any progress. The worst thing is,he is actually the product of his training; he is applying everything Kettrel taught him and it's not working. I am curious
Spoiler
just how much of this error in judgement can be attributed to black slarn egg, since it was mentioned several times it changed him- not just his eyes and senses, but something inside of him as well. I can't really put my finger on it, since I can't distinguish the effect of egg from effect of Ha Lin's death which was a huge blow for him and both happened at the same time.Futility of Valyn was what made this a much harder read for me that TEB was, since I had to leave it a few times to gather my thoughts.
Adare
"She envied the Aedolian his ability to stay true to his convictions, and more, she envied him the convictions themselves. She had had convictions once, beliefs about justice and honor, right and wrong, but the slow turning of the world, like a mill wheel over grain, had ground them down to flour so fine that it slipped softly and silently between her fingers."
Author said that Adare will have bigger role in this book and that's true. One of pivotal scenes, (I believe, the one depicted on US cover) belongs to Adare. Despite the fact that big twist of TEB was one of her chapters, I would say that her story started with this book. And you know what? She is the character who made the boldest moves and took the biggest risks. Unlike her brothers who spent years hardening their bodies and minds with pain and hardship, Adare spent her life as a pampered princess in palace, and yet she plunged herself, alone into danger relaying on crazy, risky plan and she came out of it as relevant figure with formidable force behind her and influence. I wondered how will her subplot unravel and it was in the best way possible, although ending made me frown a few times. Her story was also the reason I chucked half a star off since I found parts of it too convenient:
Spoiler
She runs away and first person she stumbles upon is a leader of Sons of Flame whom she needs and first person to take her under her wing happens to be Atmani? Convenient.We also found out more about Sanlitun and the more we know the less he's making sense. So, I am really intrigued.
Ending left me with many questions and some of events are opened to interpretation. I can't even predict what will happen, but I like the direction author decided to take this trilogy in. :)
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good story and entertaining, but the fact that I couldn't really get attached to any of the characters.
You know, up until the last 100 pages, this book was going to be a 4 star. But, Holy Hull, what an ending