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xvicesx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Weird how this is a good story but also a deeply unsatisfactory one. I couldn't come to like Foolish Cur, having so much difficulty with the depth of his selfishness. Ultimately he started out as a child, and we see his progression from that childish desire to conquer. But he's not a likable person, even on the final pages of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Colonisation, and Torture
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty
neilsef's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Due to the title, I had assumed this book would be set in a culture based on the Inca civilization and mythology, so I was surprised to realise it is a more Asian-orientated culture.
I was immediately gripped by the story, which is narrated in the first person, by the main character, Alder (Foolish Cur), and is written in a style that is both engaging and easy to read.
The plot follows Alder from a young age, as he is being tutored to pass Imperial exams so that he may gain a high governmental position in his father's culture, while also secretly being tutored in the magic's and mysticism of his mother's culture, by her mother. It then follows him after the examinations as he pursues his desire to learn magic while also trying to reconcile his conflicting cultural identities.
The plot is a fascinating mixture of ambition, political intrigue, friendship and betrayal, with wonderfully crafted characters in a world that is beautifully brought to life.
I was immediately gripped by the story, which is narrated in the first person, by the main character, Alder (Foolish Cur), and is written in a style that is both engaging and easy to read.
The plot follows Alder from a young age, as he is being tutored to pass Imperial exams so that he may gain a high governmental position in his father's culture, while also secretly being tutored in the magic's and mysticism of his mother's culture, by her mother. It then follows him after the examinations as he pursues his desire to learn magic while also trying to reconcile his conflicting cultural identities.
The plot is a fascinating mixture of ambition, political intrigue, friendship and betrayal, with wonderfully crafted characters in a world that is beautifully brought to life.
desolation73's review against another edition
5.0
Personally I really enjoyed this debut and I do think this is worth a read for most fantasy readers. As a newbie too the genre what I'd say is that while its well written its also uncomplicated which is high praise in my opinion because some fantasy books do become a bit confusing at times. I think most readers will enjoy this book.
The way its executed it probably is a five star book but as its a debut and an introduction to JT Greathouse work heres to even greater things to come from this writer.
A little while after reading thos I read another Asian inspired fantasy debut called she who becomes the sun our the two I believed in this book more thsn the latter and for that reason I did up this too a five star.
The way its executed it probably is a five star book but as its a debut and an introduction to JT Greathouse work heres to even greater things to come from this writer.
A little while after reading thos I read another Asian inspired fantasy debut called she who becomes the sun our the two I believed in this book more thsn the latter and for that reason I did up this too a five star.
reathr's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-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
4.0
ventuxho's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
birte's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
evafantasy's review
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
Honestly lile the beginning, the prose is quite good and I was curious to see where this was going. The plot as a whole was quite good too.
However, as the story went on I just couldn't connect with the main character. This guy is so selfish, gets people killed because of his ambition and somehow we're supposed to root for him ? Like all he wants is magic. He's always like 'oh no, I didn't get enough magic' then messes up some people's lives, fails again and keeps going. And for someone who's supposed to be quite smart, he's so stupid it's incredible. The change from his smartness at the beginning to the way he just looses his wits as the story keeps going had me perplexed. Foolish decisions upon foolish decisions. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as it's his name after all.
The romance we got towards the middle end was soooo tasteless omg it made me roll my eyes a few times. The only use this female character had was to advance MC's powers and to defend him against other people rightfully not trusting him.
So it was quite well written, but as a character reader first, not for me.
Honestly lile the beginning, the prose is quite good and I was curious to see where this was going. The plot as a whole was quite good too.
However, as the story went on I just couldn't connect with the main character. This guy is so selfish, gets people killed because of his ambition and somehow we're supposed to root for him ? Like all he wants is magic. He's always like 'oh no, I didn't get enough magic' then messes up some people's lives, fails again and keeps going. And for someone who's supposed to be quite smart, he's so stupid it's incredible. The change from his smartness at the beginning to the way he just looses his wits as the story keeps going had me perplexed. Foolish decisions upon foolish decisions. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as it's his name after all.
The romance we got towards the middle end was soooo tasteless omg it made me roll my eyes a few times. The only use this female character had was to advance MC's powers and to defend him against other people rightfully not trusting him.
So it was quite well written, but as a character reader first, not for me.
mithrandir24601's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
3.5