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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-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
In a stunning follow-up to The Emperor's Blades, Brian Staveley builds upon the character-driven adventure of the first book, expanding the history, mythology, and world-building to suitably epic proportions. More than that, The Providence of Fire reveals the treachery of the first book to be merely the opening gambit in a complex, wide-ranging game of conquest and rebellion.
Like the first book, this second volume follows our three protagonists - Adare, Valyn, and Kaden - through their own journeys to discover the truth about the situation in the Annurian capital, and to avenge the death of their father.
Those who felt Adare got shortchanged in the first book will find the narrative balance more to their liking here, although they may not necessarily like her role in the affairs of the Unhewn Throne. In fact, none of the siblings come off as entirely noble or heroic here, with each of them forced to make difficult choices, and ever more difficult alliances. Valyn starts out strongly, but slowly withdraws from the foreground as the book progresses, largely riding the wave of circumstance and waiting for his opportunity. As a result, the women of his wing get to step up and become narrative POV characters themselves. Kaden has a lot to say and even more to do, and there's no doubt he forcefully claims his role as a leader of empires, but his approach is not quite what we've come to expect. Having said that, he definitely grows and develops the most of anybody here, and you have to respect his ability to seize every opportunity and twist it to his own purposes.
None of that is a complaint, however, merely an observation of how much is going on in the novel. There are plots and counter-plots aplenty, with multiple armies on the march, and far more threats to the throne than were hinted at in the first book. Where I felt Staveley stumbled a bit in the plotting of The Emperor's Blades, I did say at the time that I suspected much of the story had yet to be revealed. Wow, was I ever right! As we discover, the empire is under siege from without and within, with spiritual, mythological, historical, and political foes each having a hand in the war that's brewing. By the end of this second volume, the entire conflict has been turned on its head, and we're left wondering what version of events we can trust. What originally seemed to merely be a play for power, a plot to seize the throne, may be a well-intentioned effort to save the empire from its own failings, or merely the opening gambit in a genocidal disaster.
The Providence of Fire is a massive tome - about 25% longer than the first book - that demands your full attention. It's a complex, complicated story, but that's precisely the kind of depth I was looking for here. It's just as well-written as the first, with the words flowing naturally upon the page, and the political strategies are just as fascinating as the battles. I'm not entire sure where he's heading with things, but I do hope the immortal/mythological element doesn't overwhelm the human struggle. It certainly adds an interesting facet to the tale, and really calls into question everything we assumed we knew about the events of the first book, but the siblings have to remain legitimate protagonists for the series to work. Fortunately, I think it's clear Staveley understands that balance, and I suspect there's still more complexities to be revealed as we move into book three.
Most definitely recommended.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Like the first book, this second volume follows our three protagonists - Adare, Valyn, and Kaden - through their own journeys to discover the truth about the situation in the Annurian capital, and to avenge the death of their father.
Those who felt Adare got shortchanged in the first book will find the narrative balance more to their liking here, although they may not necessarily like her role in the affairs of the Unhewn Throne. In fact, none of the siblings come off as entirely noble or heroic here, with each of them forced to make difficult choices, and ever more difficult alliances. Valyn starts out strongly, but slowly withdraws from the foreground as the book progresses, largely riding the wave of circumstance and waiting for his opportunity. As a result, the women of his wing get to step up and become narrative POV characters themselves. Kaden has a lot to say and even more to do, and there's no doubt he forcefully claims his role as a leader of empires, but his approach is not quite what we've come to expect. Having said that, he definitely grows and develops the most of anybody here, and you have to respect his ability to seize every opportunity and twist it to his own purposes.
None of that is a complaint, however, merely an observation of how much is going on in the novel. There are plots and counter-plots aplenty, with multiple armies on the march, and far more threats to the throne than were hinted at in the first book. Where I felt Staveley stumbled a bit in the plotting of The Emperor's Blades, I did say at the time that I suspected much of the story had yet to be revealed. Wow, was I ever right! As we discover, the empire is under siege from without and within, with spiritual, mythological, historical, and political foes each having a hand in the war that's brewing. By the end of this second volume, the entire conflict has been turned on its head, and we're left wondering what version of events we can trust. What originally seemed to merely be a play for power, a plot to seize the throne, may be a well-intentioned effort to save the empire from its own failings, or merely the opening gambit in a genocidal disaster.
The Providence of Fire is a massive tome - about 25% longer than the first book - that demands your full attention. It's a complex, complicated story, but that's precisely the kind of depth I was looking for here. It's just as well-written as the first, with the words flowing naturally upon the page, and the political strategies are just as fascinating as the battles. I'm not entire sure where he's heading with things, but I do hope the immortal/mythological element doesn't overwhelm the human struggle. It certainly adds an interesting facet to the tale, and really calls into question everything we assumed we knew about the events of the first book, but the siblings have to remain legitimate protagonists for the series to work. Fortunately, I think it's clear Staveley understands that balance, and I suspect there's still more complexities to be revealed as we move into book three.
Most definitely recommended.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
What I loved about The Emperor's Blades was that although it had a plot and plenty of action, the bulk of the book was spent on character building (which you only see in the very best fantasy). The second installment slips into quest mode right away and doesn't achieve the level of the first book. One brilliant exception being Adare, the female lead, who finally gets an actual role in the story and proper page-time. It's still good, and I'm going to finish the series.
Staveley stumbles repeatedly on the many hurdles that the middle book of a trilogy must clear.
Main characters: there isn't much good development here. Adare, who played very little role in the first book, is a participant in many interesting events, but takes almost no action herself. I think perhaps twice do her actions make any difference to the story. Staveley, in aiming for a strong female, has created a character with almost no agency. Kaden and Valyn regress obnoxiously. Kaden, it seems, must attain the vaniate all over again, while Valyn is gradually consumed by bloodlust. It's development, sure, but it's not interesting to read about, and gets awfully repetitive.
On top of that, Staveley has a bad habit of making the plot turn on stupid decisions made by characters who know better. In the previous book, while the characters trained and reached maturity, this was believable. Pulling the same tricks now was a poor decision.
Supporting characters: almost all of them inexplicably lose dimension. They blend together, especially those around Kaden and Valyn, who seem to exist only to react to their decisions and create pointless conflict. In contrast, the supporting cast around Adare occlude her thoroughly. This may yet be shown as intentional, part of her struggle, but I don't see anything in this book to support that conclusion.
Plot: many ancient secrets are unearthed here, and they could hardly feel less momentous. I doubt this is wholly accidental, but it sure does not impress. Revelations about the gods feel particularly toothless, since essentially nothing about their involvement had been foreshadowed. It feels unnecessary.
The ending did surprise me, and I can't imagine where the trilogy is going to end up. Despite this lackluster installment, I'll finish the series eventually, as soon as I catch a good sale.
Main characters: there isn't much good development here. Adare, who played very little role in the first book, is a participant in many interesting events, but takes almost no action herself. I think perhaps twice do her actions make any difference to the story. Staveley, in aiming for a strong female, has created a character with almost no agency. Kaden and Valyn regress obnoxiously. Kaden, it seems, must attain the vaniate all over again, while Valyn is gradually consumed by bloodlust. It's development, sure, but it's not interesting to read about, and gets awfully repetitive.
On top of that, Staveley has a bad habit of making the plot turn on stupid decisions made by characters who know better. In the previous book, while the characters trained and reached maturity, this was believable. Pulling the same tricks now was a poor decision.
Supporting characters: almost all of them inexplicably lose dimension. They blend together, especially those around Kaden and Valyn, who seem to exist only to react to their decisions and create pointless conflict. In contrast, the supporting cast around Adare occlude her thoroughly. This may yet be shown as intentional, part of her struggle, but I don't see anything in this book to support that conclusion.
Plot: many ancient secrets are unearthed here, and they could hardly feel less momentous. I doubt this is wholly accidental, but it sure does not impress. Revelations about the gods feel particularly toothless, since essentially nothing about their involvement had been foreshadowed. It feels unnecessary.
The ending did surprise me, and I can't imagine where the trilogy is going to end up. Despite this lackluster installment, I'll finish the series eventually, as soon as I catch a good sale.
Was skeptical at first, but the slow unraveling of the mysteries that started out from the first book was quite good. Also quite a turn the story takes towards the end. Can't wait to see how all this comes together in the final book.
That was much better than the first. Though at times I felt it dragging at a snail's pace and the stupidity of the main characters infuriated me to the fullest, but then I realized they are in the same situation as you and dont know anything. The latter half of the book is much better and keeps you at your toes. I was actually anxious to finish it and to know what happens for the last 200 pages or so telling you that this book can be rather enjoyable.
I still didn't like anhthing about the arc of Adare. But the Csestriim and the old gods have me intrigued. And I did enjoy the duo of Nira and Oshi a lot. Can't wait to start the sequel.
I still didn't like anhthing about the arc of Adare. But the Csestriim and the old gods have me intrigued. And I did enjoy the duo of Nira and Oshi a lot. Can't wait to start the sequel.
I enjoyed the action and political intrigue, but the sheer quantity of chaos and destruction made this feel like the final book in a series instead of the second out of three. For a few pages I thought the author had decimated most of the characters, but perhaps not.
How many characters are going to turn out to be god avatars in the last book? Meshkent and Ciena were revealed here, and I'm wondering if we also have Hull and Intarra.
How many characters are going to turn out to be god avatars in the last book? Meshkent and Ciena were revealed here, and I'm wondering if we also have Hull and Intarra.
HOLY SHITBALLS THIS BOOK
I think I jinxed myself when I said in my review of the first book that it didn't seem as though Staveley would be leading his young gods down the Malazan route. LOL WHOOPS By the end of this book, I was eating my words.
All three siblings are barely hanging on to their lives & sanity in this book, & wow did I want to kill Adare 90% of the time. Beyond the three siblings, the secondary characters got some good development & reveals!
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW JFC
3.5 Stars: ✰✰✰½
Suffered from many of the same things that the last book did. Not a bad series, and there are plenty of good things to talk about, but I don't see this being anywhere near a favorite for me. Full RTC to come (Maybe).
Suffered from many of the same things that the last book did. Not a bad series, and there are plenty of good things to talk about, but I don't see this being anywhere near a favorite for me. Full RTC to come (Maybe).