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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I wish I liked this book more, I really do, but even though the plot was easily four stars the execution was worth one at best. First, the positives. I loved the political intrigue in this story, it was easily my favorite part of the plot. Other than that, there were strong magical elements and a few interesting characters that made the story interesting. But with that being said, the negatives really outweighed the positives for me.
I’m going to attempt to explain the format of this story, and it’s a doozy so bear with me. The story is essentially told in three parts. The first (and also last) is the one that takes place in the present, where the main character, Kihrin, is imprisoned and his captor, Talon, is guarding him. This story is told mostly in short interludes and footnotes until the last part of the book when the timeline returns to the present. But for most of the book (like the first 450 pages), it’s Kihrin and Talon telling Kihrin’s story of how he wound up there and the events that contributed to his imprisonment. Now here’s where it gets tricky. Kihrin and Talon are telling the same story in different parts, basically Kihrin’s life but two different parts of it that will eventually meet up. Since they are both telling this story, the format is that each part of the story is told in alternating chapters. And since it’s Kihrin’s life, his chapters are in the first person while Talon’s chapters are in the third person. Got it? Probably not because it’s so unnecessarily convoluted that it’s nearly impossible to find a rhythm and immerse yourself in the story. It really threw off the pacing and made the story more complicated than it needed to be.
Another thing that I didn’t like was that a lot of the characters had similar names or went by pseudonyms or had nicknames or a combination of the three. At certain points it was hard to keep track of who was actually in the scene, and the format didn’t help with that at all.
Had this story been written in a linear way, I probably would’ve liked it a lot more because I did like the plot. But I just can’t overlook the fact that it felt like a chore to read this at times because of the way that it was presented.
I’m going to attempt to explain the format of this story, and it’s a doozy so bear with me. The story is essentially told in three parts. The first (and also last) is the one that takes place in the present, where the main character, Kihrin, is imprisoned and his captor, Talon, is guarding him. This story is told mostly in short interludes and footnotes until the last part of the book when the timeline returns to the present. But for most of the book (like the first 450 pages), it’s Kihrin and Talon telling Kihrin’s story of how he wound up there and the events that contributed to his imprisonment. Now here’s where it gets tricky. Kihrin and Talon are telling the same story in different parts, basically Kihrin’s life but two different parts of it that will eventually meet up. Since they are both telling this story, the format is that each part of the story is told in alternating chapters. And since it’s Kihrin’s life, his chapters are in the first person while Talon’s chapters are in the third person. Got it? Probably not because it’s so unnecessarily convoluted that it’s nearly impossible to find a rhythm and immerse yourself in the story. It really threw off the pacing and made the story more complicated than it needed to be.
Another thing that I didn’t like was that a lot of the characters had similar names or went by pseudonyms or had nicknames or a combination of the three. At certain points it was hard to keep track of who was actually in the scene, and the format didn’t help with that at all.
Had this story been written in a linear way, I probably would’ve liked it a lot more because I did like the plot. But I just can’t overlook the fact that it felt like a chore to read this at times because of the way that it was presented.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
this book was simultaneously exactly what i was looking for and not at all what i was expecting. i haven’t picked up a high fantasy series that’s longer than a trilogy in ages and this one is already shaping up to be truly unhinged. i felt like every other page there was a dramatic reveal or plot twist and even though i barely had an idea of what was going on, it was just enough to keep me invested. which is to say that now, after 500 pages, i am invested. i don’t know where this series will fall on my all-time lists, but right now i’m content with saying that i had a blast reading this first installment and i love how intricate and overwhelming this world is. it’s very game of thrones-esque while feeling slightly younger and a lot less pretentious. i love the characters, i loved the storytelling (multiple POVs with footnotes and flashbacks) and i think this series might actually break me (emotionally) down the line. scared to see what comes next but delighted by all the drama i’ve already witnessed.
also why lie this series is so confusing because everybody is swapping bodies right and left and even though it’s soooo annoying it’s also kind of a hoot!
also why lie this series is so confusing because everybody is swapping bodies right and left and even though it’s soooo annoying it’s also kind of a hoot!
adventurous
dark
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
I finished this book almost a month ago, and read it mostly on audio, so very little of it stuck.
I am forever annoyed by epistolary stories that don't read like letters/recountings/etc. You know the ones that are like "This is a letter or a journal entry" and then just proceed to tell the story like a usual narrative, with a little flavour text at the beginning or ends of chapters? This is why this book lost a full star.
Other than that one thing though, I very much enjoyed this story. I loved the characters, I loved their relationships, I'm enjoying the world building even if I'm sure I'm missing a lot in audio form.
Overall, I'm very excited to continue this story.
I am forever annoyed by epistolary stories that don't read like letters/recountings/etc. You know the ones that are like "This is a letter or a journal entry" and then just proceed to tell the story like a usual narrative, with a little flavour text at the beginning or ends of chapters? This is why this book lost a full star.
Other than that one thing though, I very much enjoyed this story. I loved the characters, I loved their relationships, I'm enjoying the world building even if I'm sure I'm missing a lot in audio form.
Overall, I'm very excited to continue this story.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was recommended to me as "Game of Thrones but without the gratuitous gore and violence against women/children). That person and I must have different definitions of "gratuitous."
It was also just so freaking hard to follow what was happening. I thought it was me but reviews show I'm not alone. I'm curious what happens in the next book, but I don't think I'm curious enough to delve back into this world.
It was also just so freaking hard to follow what was happening. I thought it was me but reviews show I'm not alone. I'm curious what happens in the next book, but I don't think I'm curious enough to delve back into this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Incest
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was so pumped to dive into The Ruin of Kings. Especially after getting accepted for this but, unfortunately, I ended up disappointed. Honestly, it could've been the format (since I read this on my phone) but it's just like.. ugh, nope.
At first, the characters were interesting and I wanted to know more about them. BUT, ugh, I couldn't stand the backstories anymore. One and done people! I didn't need to know what people had for breakfast 500 years ago or whatever. It's not something that actually happened.. just an example!
Other than the interesting characters, the demons, magicians, and long lost princes were what kept my engaged. Oh lord, the demon was freaky, weird, and honestly made me laugh. Probably not supposed to laugh when a demon is yelling at a character in all caps... but I did. It was hilarious.
I wish I liked it more than I actually did. Might try to reread it.. but no promises right now.
I was so pumped to dive into The Ruin of Kings. Especially after getting accepted for this but, unfortunately, I ended up disappointed. Honestly, it could've been the format (since I read this on my phone) but it's just like.. ugh, nope.
At first, the characters were interesting and I wanted to know more about them. BUT, ugh, I couldn't stand the backstories anymore. One and done people! I didn't need to know what people had for breakfast 500 years ago or whatever. It's not something that actually happened.. just an example!
Other than the interesting characters, the demons, magicians, and long lost princes were what kept my engaged. Oh lord, the demon was freaky, weird, and honestly made me laugh. Probably not supposed to laugh when a demon is yelling at a character in all caps... but I did. It was hilarious.
I wish I liked it more than I actually did. Might try to reread it.. but no promises right now.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery