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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Wow wow. I really enjoyed this - to the point that when it ended I actually said aloud, "What? NOOO!" Of course it doesn't help that it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger. The characters are intriguing, the narrator's voice(s) have a tinge of sarcasm and humor that appealed to me, and the world is... interesting - I wanted to know more about it.
I saw this compared to Rothfuss, though, and I have to say that the only similarity I saw was the telling of the tale. Rothfuss' main character is too lucky, too blessed, too....everything, to the point that I got sick of hearing about it and never finished the last book in his Name of The Wind series. But Khirin? Not exactly living a charmed life. I rooted for him. Now I'll have to wait for the next one to continue discovering more about all the gods, the magic, the blue eyes, the demons. But when it comes, I'll be there waiting to read on.
I saw this compared to Rothfuss, though, and I have to say that the only similarity I saw was the telling of the tale. Rothfuss' main character is too lucky, too blessed, too....everything, to the point that I got sick of hearing about it and never finished the last book in his Name of The Wind series. But Khirin? Not exactly living a charmed life. I rooted for him. Now I'll have to wait for the next one to continue discovering more about all the gods, the magic, the blue eyes, the demons. But when it comes, I'll be there waiting to read on.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
sigh, the first book of 2024 is straight garbage. i dropped this book once cause i had to return it to the library, but picked it up again when i found it in a pile i bought years ago. i should have let it dropped
positives: cool characters of different hierarchical standings from different races (on the surface, no one has character development, youre not rooting for anyone), and honestly that might be the only good thing about this book
the worst part is 95% of this book is a flashback, so any tense suspenseful moment doesnt matter when the main character is telling the story. Among with every turn and plot device being dues ex machina, which takes away from the impact of the story. "oh the street rat beginning is secretly actually a nobel born? but wait he's actually actually one of the eight gods but has amnesia?? and somehow picked up the sword missing to history that was laying in an open field that he needed to kill the villain???" GARBAGE.
i would say spoilers but no one should read this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Kinda good, mildly complicated and thus hard to follow
This was the longest reading experience of my life. This book never. ended.
My favorite and least favorite quote: ”So be it. Let’s end this.” Me, having hope that the end was near and me, internally crying, because I realized I was still only at 78%.
This probably should have warranted two stars but I came to resent it so much that only one star will fully express my loathing.
It started well. There’s a frame; there is witty dialogue. The story alternates each chapter with our hero Kirhrin’s perceived beginning and his demon prison guard Talon’s interpretation of his beginning. This sounded great in the beginning but quickly made it more difficult for me to invest. On top of its girth, I felt like I was chipping away without progress. We are following the same person’s story but divided in two and told in first and then third narration. I came to dread it. It’s so long and the alternating chapters broke up the plot too much — and not in a clever way, just a way to seem clever and add ever more complexity.
Worse though is the incessant info-dumping. It does not let up. Half way through we’re still being introduced to various historic players who may have an impact on future events? Maybe?
And finally, I didn’t like the golden-haired white savior aspect. Kihrin is built up as the Savior, the breaker of chains, and yet he’s a yellow haired white male. I’ve seen this before, and while this part of the book was obvious early on, I, fool that I am, persevered. And minor spoiler, he’s hero and villain but I see your many book arc, Author, and I’m not fooled.
The secondary characters are forgettable and the pacing atrocious. I really should have DNFed but I clearly don’t know what’s good for me.
My favorite and least favorite quote: ”So be it. Let’s end this.” Me, having hope that the end was near and me, internally crying, because I realized I was still only at 78%.
This probably should have warranted two stars but I came to resent it so much that only one star will fully express my loathing.
It started well. There’s a frame; there is witty dialogue. The story alternates each chapter with our hero Kirhrin’s perceived beginning and his demon prison guard Talon’s interpretation of his beginning. This sounded great in the beginning but quickly made it more difficult for me to invest. On top of its girth, I felt like I was chipping away without progress. We are following the same person’s story but divided in two and told in first and then third narration. I came to dread it. It’s so long and the alternating chapters broke up the plot too much — and not in a clever way, just a way to seem clever and add ever more complexity.
Worse though is the incessant info-dumping. It does not let up. Half way through we’re still being introduced to various historic players who may have an impact on future events? Maybe?
And finally, I didn’t like the golden-haired white savior aspect. Kihrin is built up as the Savior, the breaker of chains, and yet he’s a yellow haired white male. I’ve seen this before, and while this part of the book was obvious early on, I, fool that I am, persevered. And minor spoiler, he’s hero and villain but I see your many book arc, Author, and I’m not fooled.
The secondary characters are forgettable and the pacing atrocious. I really should have DNFed but I clearly don’t know what’s good for me.
(3.75 stars)
We follow Kihrin who is telling his story in the present time leading up to his capture which is about halfway through his journey. His jailor, Talon, interrupts Kihrin’s story to tell about his past. This means we are going back and forth between his present and his past and between the first person and third-person narratives. On top of that, there is a narrator that interrupts both storylines with footnotes and comments. The story itself is great, the struggle comes in the names and nicknames of all the characters, and there are a lot, and they are pretty darn similar (Teraeth, Terindel, Therin, Tyentso are some examples).
The writing style reminded me of episodes of Dukes of Hazard where the narrator would pop in occasionally to give insights or snarky comments. It also reminded me of the movie Starship Troopers where they would interrupt the story with a “commercial”. It was quite entertaining.
I listened to the audiobook and it was done really well. I did find it hard to follow, especially towards the last quarter of the book as the names are all so similar, people are swapping bodies, and like in Greek/Roman mythology, everyone is related in some way, it started to get really confusing. It would have helped to have had the physical book as well, it would have made it less confusing.
Despite all of the confusion, I still enjoyed it and am looking forward to picking up the next book. I think a re-read of this one would have me rating it higher as I will have already met all the characters once and that would make it easier to keep track of who was who.
We follow Kihrin who is telling his story in the present time leading up to his capture which is about halfway through his journey. His jailor, Talon, interrupts Kihrin’s story to tell about his past. This means we are going back and forth between his present and his past and between the first person and third-person narratives. On top of that, there is a narrator that interrupts both storylines with footnotes and comments. The story itself is great, the struggle comes in the names and nicknames of all the characters, and there are a lot, and they are pretty darn similar (Teraeth, Terindel, Therin, Tyentso are some examples).
The writing style reminded me of episodes of Dukes of Hazard where the narrator would pop in occasionally to give insights or snarky comments. It also reminded me of the movie Starship Troopers where they would interrupt the story with a “commercial”. It was quite entertaining.
I listened to the audiobook and it was done really well. I did find it hard to follow, especially towards the last quarter of the book as the names are all so similar, people are swapping bodies, and like in Greek/Roman mythology, everyone is related in some way, it started to get really confusing. It would have helped to have had the physical book as well, it would have made it less confusing.
Despite all of the confusion, I still enjoyed it and am looking forward to picking up the next book. I think a re-read of this one would have me rating it higher as I will have already met all the characters once and that would make it easier to keep track of who was who.
Entrancing
Beautifully crafted world building, my main criticism is that it's fairly inconvenient to constantly check the glossary for information on things as simple as clothing. Narration styles could take some getting used to for those who prefer a more linear narrative with more reliable narrating. Can't wait for the next book!
Beautifully crafted world building, my main criticism is that it's fairly inconvenient to constantly check the glossary for information on things as simple as clothing. Narration styles could take some getting used to for those who prefer a more linear narrative with more reliable narrating. Can't wait for the next book!
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
High 4 star. A very well put together story, with interesting world building, and an author who always wants to keep you guessing. I look forward to further books. I just wish the mass market copies were still available...