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that_stormy_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bucketsjen's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Multiple magical systems, characters that grow slowly, and general lore that all start off with numerous lovely but individual strands... which then weave together more and more, tighter and tighter, until they're all so skillfully linked that it's startling to remember that the first few books were mistaken as so standalone, and you're looking at a completed tapestry which is a beautiful and heart touching fantasy epic.
Zifnab, Fizban, Zanfib, my buddy, my pal, our eternal savior and pain in the ass... you are the ultimate goat. May you always find your hat.
Zifnab, Fizban, Zanfib, my buddy, my pal, our eternal savior and pain in the ass... you are the ultimate goat. May you always find your hat.
billymac1962's review against another edition
3.0
This fourth book in the series is the first one to have a weaker hold
on my interest. Once again, though, a very unique world is created. Having said that, I had a real hard time visualizing the durnai with respect to where the living areas were in relation to the water and mountains. This even after the illustrations of cross sections and the descriptions in the Appendix.
The story with respct to the characters of Chelstra wasn't all that captivating, but there are revelations to be had in how the four worlds interrelate.
This is still a very interesting series, and I'm still enjoying Halpo and Alfred a lot. I'm still with it, but here's hoping the next book will be more gripping.
on my interest. Once again, though, a very unique world is created. Having said that, I had a real hard time visualizing the durnai with respect to where the living areas were in relation to the water and mountains. This even after the illustrations of cross sections and the descriptions in the Appendix.
The story with respct to the characters of Chelstra wasn't all that captivating, but there are revelations to be had in how the four worlds interrelate.
This is still a very interesting series, and I'm still enjoying Halpo and Alfred a lot. I'm still with it, but here's hoping the next book will be more gripping.
mnyberg's review against another edition
4.0
The 4th of the world's in the death gate visited. We learn more about the overall creation and characters continue to develop with the Sartan people introduced. Still trying to figure out, what's with the dog?
davidsandilands's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
disastrouspenguin's review against another edition
4.0
The series really starts to get good, build up here. I enjoyed this book much more thoroughly than the previous three. It was full of suspense and really interesting characters.
tracit's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
losgiraffee's review against another edition
5.0
Easily the best book in the series thus far in my opinion. However, at this point the series can take a nasty dip into the not-so-great realm. The beginning of the story lands you with Alfred instead of Haplo (unless you count the VERY beginning, in which case you're technically reading the journal of a completely new character) and dives you directly into the action. Best way to do it in my opinion.
BUUUUTTTT with that being said, the same basic story has been told in four ways now. We have visited all four of the worlds that Haplo was supposed to visit, and in each he finds the races are in turmoil with one another, he debates following orders on not interfering with what's going on, he interferes anyways, and he tells himself next time he will do better. Same shit, different world. I have seriously enjoyed each telling, but it's been used up. Done. Fizzled out. Where the series goes next will make or break the rest of the story arc.
Overall, the world building was as solid as the prior volumes, the characters were interesting, and it seems that MW and TH enjoy creating a love connection and then The water dragons were probably the least cool dragon so far...my favorite was the MOTHER EFFING LAVA DRAGON!! Not that it much matters. The dragons have had little to no part of the story all the way through, excluding this particular book, in which case they were the antagonist.
Solid, enjoyable read. Curious/nervous about the path the story will follow from here on out. Excited to start the next volume. Ready.... GO!
BUUUUTTTT with that being said, the same basic story has been told in four ways now. We have visited all four of the worlds that Haplo was supposed to visit, and in each he finds the races are in turmoil with one another, he debates following orders on not interfering with what's going on, he interferes anyways, and he tells himself next time he will do better. Same shit, different world. I have seriously enjoyed each telling, but it's been used up. Done. Fizzled out. Where the series goes next will make or break the rest of the story arc.
Overall, the world building was as solid as the prior volumes, the characters were interesting, and it seems that MW and TH enjoy creating a love connection and then
Spoiler
killing off the character(s). Literally every book so far....Solid, enjoyable read. Curious/nervous about the path the story will follow from here on out. Excited to start the next volume. Ready.... GO!