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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Warlock by Wilbur Smith
One-Line Summary:
Epic historical fantasy adventure.
Mood in Three Words:
Exciting
Adventure
Swashbuckler
What Stood Out: The interesting magic paradigm.
Aesthetic or voice: This book is definitely the product of a 20th century male, no doubt about that. Exotic, fantastical gaze of ancient Egypt. Think heptatonic scales.
Structure: Blockbuster, cinematic.
What I felt most while reading: Charged, stimulated.
Themes or Ideas:
Power, corruption, loyalty, betrayal, fate and destiny.
Not For Everyone If:
Some gratuitous sex scenes, male gaze.
My Verdict (1–2 lines):
A very easy-to-digest and exciting historical fantasy novel. The plot is certainly epic, yet it culminates rather abruptly. The characters are enticing and somewhat believable but lack depth. The power of a character like Taita unintentionally drains conviction from the overall, at times seeming almost too capable. Some gratuitous sex scenes within, the first time the "male gaze" made me feel so uneasy. Otherwise, an easy blockbuster.
Content Warnings (optional):
SA
One-Line Summary:
Epic historical fantasy adventure.
Mood in Three Words:
Exciting
Adventure
Swashbuckler
What Stood Out: The interesting magic paradigm.
Aesthetic or voice: This book is definitely the product of a 20th century male, no doubt about that. Exotic, fantastical gaze of ancient Egypt. Think heptatonic scales.
Structure: Blockbuster, cinematic.
What I felt most while reading: Charged, stimulated.
Themes or Ideas:
Power, corruption, loyalty, betrayal, fate and destiny.
Not For Everyone If:
Some gratuitous sex scenes, male gaze.
My Verdict (1–2 lines):
A very easy-to-digest and exciting historical fantasy novel. The plot is certainly epic, yet it culminates rather abruptly. The characters are enticing and somewhat believable but lack depth. The power of a character like Taita unintentionally drains conviction from the overall, at times seeming almost too capable. Some gratuitous sex scenes within, the first time the "male gaze" made me feel so uneasy. Otherwise, an easy blockbuster.
Content Warnings (optional):
SA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
No
this was a re-read but I love this book so much it's like talking to an old friend when I do re-read it. It's another amazing novel by Wilbur Smith!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Drug use
I will keep the original rating, which is based on the first time I read it.
Today I would rate it with one star.
Today I would rate it with one star.
Magistrale come "Il dio del fiume", ma leggermente inferiore: descrizioni spettacolari, sviluppate in molte pagine ma senza risultare noiose. Crudele come Smith faccia soffrire in quel modo i personaggi migliori di tutto il romanzo - Meren e Merykara. Stupenda la via Rossa, che mi ha tenuta sveglia fino alle 2.30 di notte. Magico, commovente, forte ma non eccessivamente volgare. Promosso.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes