Scan barcode
raven_the_clover_moth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
blafferty's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderfully paced story, characters with depth who are capable of change over time, and the world translates well to imagination without bogging down in high fantasy different-ness. I loved it and immediately ordered the sample of the next one on my kindle.
gorgonine's review against another edition
5.0
14 Feb 2021
Plot: Slave from conquered civilization who's trying very hard to forget his old life (and mostly succeeding) is bought by a cruel prince. Slave finds it harder and harder to stay away from his past.
1. I love the first third of this book so much? The growing relationship between Seyonne and Aleksander. Aleksander being a complete asshole who is also SOMEHOW an interesting, compelling character. The slow change in Aleksander because of Seyonne. All of this is really great stuff.
2. The other two thirds of the book were not quite as compelling but to be fair the first third was VERY compelling so that still leaves a lot of room a good story filled with tragic pasts and backstories and recoveries and battles for people's sanity. It becomes way more focused on Seyonne and less so on Aleksander, though which is kind of a disappointment because that asshole is my favorite.
3. One thing I didn't like was It was pretty underwhelming.
4. The plot was fine. The prose is sometimes almost agonizingly beautiful, especially in the first third when Seyonne is still denying his past and has to live with the knowledge of how broken he is.
Plot: Slave from conquered civilization who's trying very hard to forget his old life (and mostly succeeding) is bought by a cruel prince. Slave finds it harder and harder to stay away from his past.
1. I love the first third of this book so much? The growing relationship between Seyonne and Aleksander. Aleksander being a complete asshole who is also SOMEHOW an interesting, compelling character. The slow change in Aleksander because of Seyonne. All of this is really great stuff.
2. The other two thirds of the book were not quite as compelling but to be fair the first third was VERY compelling so that still leaves a lot of room a good story filled with tragic pasts and backstories and recoveries and battles for people's sanity. It becomes way more focused on Seyonne and less so on Aleksander, though which is kind of a disappointment because that asshole is my favorite.
3. One thing I didn't like was
Spoiler
whatever the fuck Ysanne was doing in the plot. Lydia didn't have much of a role but she was wonderful in the few scenes she actually had. You could tell this was a strong willed, intelligent woman. But Ysanne? Seyonne goes on and on about her beauty and that's about it. She doesn't show herself to be competent or ruthless, or anything but a convenient love interest.4. The plot was fine. The prose is sometimes almost agonizingly beautiful, especially in the first third when Seyonne is still denying his past and has to live with the knowledge of how broken he is.
camilleons's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars! I’m always on the lookout for great character driven fantasy, and this was no exception. I’d always heard about it’s infamously questionable covers and not to be swayed by them, and the people were right.
lyricat's review against another edition
4.0
I've had this book on my radar for a while now & I'm glad I picked it up. It was first published in 2000 and definitely has that old school mass market paperback fantasy vibe, which I love.
We follow Seyonne, whose people were captured & enslaved 15 years prior by the conquering Derzhi. The years of slavery have taken it's toll on Seyonne, and he clings to his only method of survival which is to forget his past and his future, just to survive in the present.
Much to his horror, he is sold to the Derzhi prince. Arrogant & cruel, Aleksander is everything Seyonne despises. However, a danger lurks in the shadows that only someone like Seyonne can recognize, and he must return to his roots to become what he once was - an Ezzarian Warden, a warrior that battles demons within the depths of human souls. There has been a secret war that has been raging for thousands of years and if the demons claim Aleksander, the world is lost.
The book has flaws, for sure. The magic system, while intriguing, isn't quite fleshed out in a way that I found satisfying. Some suspension of disbelief was required. That being said, the concept of battles being fought within souls was super cool. Fighting as pairs with one who shapes the landscape within the soul (and acts as your portal in & out) and one who does the fighting was something I hadn't seen before, and I hope to see it utilized in the rest of the series in cool & interesting ways.
Overall a solid start to the series, though I found that this book could act as a standalone. I'm interested in seeing how the author plans to develop the plot further.
3.5/5
We follow Seyonne, whose people were captured & enslaved 15 years prior by the conquering Derzhi. The years of slavery have taken it's toll on Seyonne, and he clings to his only method of survival which is to forget his past and his future, just to survive in the present.
Much to his horror, he is sold to the Derzhi prince. Arrogant & cruel, Aleksander is everything Seyonne despises. However, a danger lurks in the shadows that only someone like Seyonne can recognize, and he must return to his roots to become what he once was - an Ezzarian Warden, a warrior that battles demons within the depths of human souls. There has been a secret war that has been raging for thousands of years and if the demons claim Aleksander, the world is lost.
The book has flaws, for sure. The magic system, while intriguing, isn't quite fleshed out in a way that I found satisfying. Some suspension of disbelief was required. That being said, the concept of battles being fought within souls was super cool. Fighting as pairs with one who shapes the landscape within the soul (and acts as your portal in & out) and one who does the fighting was something I hadn't seen before, and I hope to see it utilized in the rest of the series in cool & interesting ways.
Overall a solid start to the series, though I found that this book could act as a standalone. I'm interested in seeing how the author plans to develop the plot further.
3.5/5
siavahda's review against another edition
5.0
I have no memory of reading this the first time (back in 2012???) but reading it in 2023, it blew me away. The complexity of the character dynamics, especially the relationship that develops between the MC and the prince he serves! And as much as I can see why other readers wanted that relationship to turn into a romance - I wouldn't have been upset if it had, myself - it's really, REALLY great to see two men get to have this intense, life-changing friendship with each other. It's so rare to see stories featuring really deep platonic love between men!
A few (tiny) details here and there in the worldbuilding and so on were a little rough, but honestly, for the character and relationship work Berg's pulled off here, I'd forgive FAR worse flaws.
I would never have expected a book this dark - the depiction of slavery is unflinching and brutal - to hook me so hard, but it was almost impossible to put down. There's just something about Seyonne's voice (the book is written in first-person) that makes you lose track of time and keep turning pages LONG after you should have gone to bed.
I can't wait to get to the rest of the trilogy!
A few (tiny) details here and there in the worldbuilding and so on were a little rough, but honestly, for the character and relationship work Berg's pulled off here, I'd forgive FAR worse flaws.
I would never have expected a book this dark - the depiction of slavery is unflinching and brutal - to hook me so hard, but it was almost impossible to put down. There's just something about Seyonne's voice (the book is written in first-person) that makes you lose track of time and keep turning pages LONG after you should have gone to bed.
I can't wait to get to the rest of the trilogy!
elsjefiederelsje's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
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
4.25
curtis49's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting concept to develop a story and characters through the eyes of the lowest form of life in a mystical world. The life of a slave. Belligerence, betrayal, kindness and demons. What one sees may not be what is truly there. A mix of cultures all who think their way is the only way. Needless to say such a mix leads to conflict and attitudes. Eventually, the evil can only be defeated by working together.
Entertaining.
Entertaining.
foolish_shane's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this, the writing was good, the characters were likable, the plot was original, the world was interesting. I wouldn't have been ashamed to have written this and I don't regret reading it. But...
It really didn't blow me away, so I don't think I'm going to read the next two books. It did wrap up nicely and like I said, I did like it, I just read to slow to read "good" books. I would rather take a chance on something else and hope that it does blow me away. So I guess it's kind of double or nothing, because obviously I might end up reading something that is NOT a "good" book. I'm willing to take that chance.
It really didn't blow me away, so I don't think I'm going to read the next two books. It did wrap up nicely and like I said, I did like it, I just read to slow to read "good" books. I would rather take a chance on something else and hope that it does blow me away. So I guess it's kind of double or nothing, because obviously I might end up reading something that is NOT a "good" book. I'm willing to take that chance.
ithlilian's review against another edition
4.0
Carol Berg has been hit or miss for me. I remember loving the Bridge of D'Arnath series but it's been a long time since I read those and the more I read of Carol Berg the less sure I am that I would still like it. I loved Transformation from the beginning because I was instantly drawn to the characters and the world. I wanted to know more about the land, the races, the people, the magic-everything. There was plenty of character development, but it was kept to a reasonable level. Aleksander matured but didn't turn into a super friendly do gooder. He started to believe some of the legends but still had a healthy does of skepticism. I personally didn't find Seyonne to be too complex, but that didn't decrease my enjoyment. This book is unique and interesting, but it was a little slow at times. I found myself skipping over some details. Overall, and very enjoyable book, but be prepared for a slow moving plot and an abundance of details.