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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
WOW..this was incredible! everything I wanted & more. Easily the best book I've read so far this year!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5/5
Better than Malice, hit just a touch less than Valor did (for me). However, I'm beginning to believe John Gwynne is on par with Brandon Sanderson when it comes to the last 200 pages of their novels being "un-put-down-able".
How about Camlin and Maquin though? Truly a case of "the side character is actually my favorite character".
On to Wrath, and the end of F&F!
Better than Malice, hit just a touch less than Valor did (for me). However, I'm beginning to believe John Gwynne is on par with Brandon Sanderson when it comes to the last 200 pages of their novels being "un-put-down-able".
How about Camlin and Maquin though? Truly a case of "the side character is actually my favorite character".
On to Wrath, and the end of F&F!
After finisishing the second volume of The Faithful and the Fallen, I was so caught up in the story that I threw myself immediately into the third installment. Fatigue can be a factor with long series (especially when each book is over 700 pages), but I'm glad I went right into Ruin as it capitalizes on the momentum of Valor and continues to expertly develop, deepen, and expand the story and characters.
By now, I'm excited about each character's perspective chapters. Gwynne has dispelled all skepticism about whether a given chapter is going to be interesting or if the PoV will be anything more than a fly on the wall. For the former question, the answer is universally "yes". For the latter, it's less important: even when the perspective character is mostly inactive, their inner thoughts and biases are revealing and add texture to the huge web of characters.
The most pronounced strength of Ruin over Malice and Valor is the action writing. Gwynne ups his game in a way that's particularly pronounced during one-on-one fights. One move flows into the next, creating an enrapturing sense of momentum. The battlefield-level tactics have also evolved, while remaining accessible and and without bogging down the story. Seeing battles unfold with one character witnessing the others bringing their signature styles to the fray is a treat.
The story grows more engaging with each book. What it may lack in surprise twists (Gwynne seems to deliberately eschew these), it makes up for in cohesion. This is no mean feat for a story with about a dozen PoV characters per book. As the storylines coalesce, we're firmly in "final showdown" territory heading into Wrath.
I can't wait.
By now, I'm excited about each character's perspective chapters. Gwynne has dispelled all skepticism about whether a given chapter is going to be interesting or if the PoV will be anything more than a fly on the wall. For the former question, the answer is universally "yes". For the latter, it's less important: even when the perspective character is mostly inactive, their inner thoughts and biases are revealing and add texture to the huge web of characters.
The most pronounced strength of Ruin over Malice and Valor is the action writing. Gwynne ups his game in a way that's particularly pronounced during one-on-one fights. One move flows into the next, creating an enrapturing sense of momentum. The battlefield-level tactics have also evolved, while remaining accessible and and without bogging down the story. Seeing battles unfold with one character witnessing the others bringing their signature styles to the fray is a treat.
The story grows more engaging with each book. What it may lack in surprise twists (Gwynne seems to deliberately eschew these), it makes up for in cohesion. This is no mean feat for a story with about a dozen PoV characters per book. As the storylines coalesce, we're firmly in "final showdown" territory heading into Wrath.
I can't wait.