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adularia25's review
3.0
I'm going to be honest, I didn't like this book as much as the first one. Mainly, I didn't like Rifkind's new love interest. The parts with surviving the swamp were exciting, and learning more about the gods and magic of her world were very intriguing; this book does a lot of myth and world building compared to the last book. But none of the new characters Rifkind encounters were really interesting. The one really great thing about this book is that even Rifkind can make mistakes - making her human despite all her amazing skills. Again - if you can, get the book with illustrations! So worth it!
spiringempress's review
3.0
Another sword and sorcery tale with Rifkind, who has grown tired of her life at Castle Chatelgard and advances into the cursed swamps of the Felmargue. Here, we encounter familiar enemies from the first book including Lord Humphrey and a sorceress, who are determined to reach the Well of Knowledge found at the center of swamps. The Well is the source of the Black Flame and the source of the lost gods' powers. Rifkind lead by her goddess, ventures into the swamps with Jenny, the half-sister of Ejord, and finds more than she bargained for including a man trapped by the Well. The tale unfolds as she defends the well, defeats the various evils and eventually sets off for her homeland at the end of the story.
These types of books are a fun female-esque Conan the Barbarian but frankly, are not that memorable. While I wanted to like this series, it often falls into some serious problematic cliches at least from my perspective. My major problem with this book was Rifkind's new love interest and their instant connection, which fails to capture my interests. Why would our fearless and ferocious female lead fall in love with a man enamored with a Well and who she constantly describes as his eyes not matching his age, which implies that he is immature? It also failed to capture me because I actually really liked Ejord and thought he was a better character/better suited for Rifkind.
These types of books are a fun female-esque Conan the Barbarian but frankly, are not that memorable. While I wanted to like this series, it often falls into some serious problematic cliches at least from my perspective. My major problem with this book was Rifkind's new love interest and their instant connection, which fails to capture my interests. Why would our fearless and ferocious female lead fall in love with a man enamored with a Well and who she constantly describes as his eyes not matching his age, which implies that he is immature? It also failed to capture me because I actually really liked Ejord and thought he was a better character/better suited for Rifkind.
Spoiler
I also hate that she got pregnant during her first time and that it was described as finally making her a woman.... I just hate plotlines where our female protagonist 'comes full circle' or develops growth because she's pregnant. It just reverts her back to a traditional role instead of riding off into the sunet to find another adventure.
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