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emiodo's review against another edition
2.0
This book had potential but was bogged down by numerous flaws. Characters acting stupid purely to drive plot, poor character development and a thinly sketched mythology that was never fulfilling. I was drawn in by the false comparisons to the far superior NK Jeminsin and Brandon Sanderson. These dudes should take Sanderson’s worldbuilding class before they attempt to write any more epic fantasy.
joysreads's review against another edition
1.0
literally took me so long to finish and while the idea was neat, it was almost painful to finish because how everything got drawn out. i finally had to force myself to sit down and finish it just so i could be done with it.
crasscasualty's review against another edition
3.0
Goes a little too hard on the grim dark but it doesn't really land.
ilokoipi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
allaska's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
kylielovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book.
The first few chapters are full of detailed sexual scenes, the horrible way slaves are treated and murder/execution scenes. I felt very uncomfortable reading these scenes.
We are given a lot of characters all at once and it was hard for me to remember who was who and which character went with which plot line (there were at least 4). At first, I liked Phela the best. She didn’t like how her mother (the queen) was ruling and wanted to change things for the better and I was totally on her side. As things progressed, I got a little nervous that her version of the right thing was as messed up as her mothers. As the story went on, I found myself more drawn to Daria, an admiral and Myrinne, Phela’s younger sister. They were both strong ladies who I felt had the best storylines.
At first, I felt like there was more description of how slaves were treated and things like that than character development and I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. I’m glad that as the story went on, the characters became more likeable.
At times there were very long gaps between some of the characters storylines, like it would go back and forth between 2 for several chapters and the others were on the back burner. Once we went to the back burner characters, it was sometimes hard to remember what was going on. Then it would go back and forth between these characters and I would forget about the first ones. I also wondered throughout the whole story how all of the characters were going to connect because their storylines were so different. They came together in a wonderful and well thought out way.
I think this book may have been a solid 4 star rating if it didn’t have all of the gruesome details at the beginning. After the first few chapters, treatment of slaves etc weren’t as detailed, or really all that detailed at all, and each characters storylines because much more interesting. There were parts where I had a hard time keeping myself engaged, but I really enjoyed the ending.
The first few chapters are full of detailed sexual scenes, the horrible way slaves are treated and murder/execution scenes. I felt very uncomfortable reading these scenes.
We are given a lot of characters all at once and it was hard for me to remember who was who and which character went with which plot line (there were at least 4). At first, I liked Phela the best. She didn’t like how her mother (the queen) was ruling and wanted to change things for the better and I was totally on her side. As things progressed, I got a little nervous that her version of the right thing was as messed up as her mothers. As the story went on, I found myself more drawn to Daria, an admiral and Myrinne, Phela’s younger sister. They were both strong ladies who I felt had the best storylines.
At first, I felt like there was more description of how slaves were treated and things like that than character development and I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. I’m glad that as the story went on, the characters became more likeable.
At times there were very long gaps between some of the characters storylines, like it would go back and forth between 2 for several chapters and the others were on the back burner. Once we went to the back burner characters, it was sometimes hard to remember what was going on. Then it would go back and forth between these characters and I would forget about the first ones. I also wondered throughout the whole story how all of the characters were going to connect because their storylines were so different. They came together in a wonderful and well thought out way.
I think this book may have been a solid 4 star rating if it didn’t have all of the gruesome details at the beginning. After the first few chapters, treatment of slaves etc weren’t as detailed, or really all that detailed at all, and each characters storylines because much more interesting. There were parts where I had a hard time keeping myself engaged, but I really enjoyed the ending.
tashareads412's review against another edition
3.0
This book is very detailed in a lot of places but also missing details in others. I felt the authors wanted this to be a stand alone epic fantasy so bad that they tried to fit in so much in just 461 pages. The story also is confusing you really have to pay attention so you know who is speaking and whose perspective you are actually reading from. The perspective order does not have order so it can be challenging. Although this book is not for everyone, especially with the graphic fighting and some sex scenes, I did enjoy this book in some parts but would I recommend it to everyone I know not in the slightest. I feel that this book has a certain audience that would really enjoy it.
admiralskylark's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book in a Pagehabit subscription box with annotations from the author, and at first I was a bit skeptical. Someone else choosing a book for me? Weird, right?
WELL LET ME TELL YOU HOW AMAZING THIS BOOK WAS. First off, I am a sucker for any fantasy novel with super awesome women. I will take anything with at least one woman who isn't a typical "save me, I'm a princess." This book had so many great characters. I'm literally trying to count them off in my head right now and I can't. Daria, Myrinne, Shome, Mouse, all of the Silent, COUNTLESS City Guards. They were all severely awesome. Not one dimensional either.
The general plot was very exciting too. I am a slow reader, and often I get bored or lost in a book so I end up just giving up. However, I finished this rather quickly. It was never boring, never slowed down, and I did lose my breath a couple of times. I would highly recommend this book.
WELL LET ME TELL YOU HOW AMAZING THIS BOOK WAS. First off, I am a sucker for any fantasy novel with super awesome women. I will take anything with at least one woman who isn't a typical "save me, I'm a princess." This book had so many great characters. I'm literally trying to count them off in my head right now and I can't. Daria, Myrinne, Shome, Mouse, all of the Silent, COUNTLESS City Guards. They were all severely awesome. Not one dimensional either.
The general plot was very exciting too. I am a slow reader, and often I get bored or lost in a book so I end up just giving up. However, I finished this rather quickly. It was never boring, never slowed down, and I did lose my breath a couple of times. I would highly recommend this book.