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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Another fantastic read, I struggled to put it down and to my own detriment read into the wee hours of the morning, similary to the first book, haha. You absolutely hit the ground running on this book after the first, it's very war-forward (obviously), it slows down a bit around 60%, but luckily not for long. Characters are great and we get to meet more kinden types. Villain from book 1 develops more and other evils are introduced as well as a lot more magic. On to book 3 👌
A strong continuation of the series. Much more action packed than the first novel, with some really juicy and unexpected character arcs.
The focus here is less on discovery and world building and more on playing with the pieces established in the first novel. There are some fantastic moments of depth-plumbing, particularly into the magic "system" and a few surprise new kindens, but all in all, this book drills down on the political and martial reality of an invasion. The stakes are very high.
While this isn't warfare quite on the scale of "Deadhouse Gates" (which is my favorite epic war fantasy) it comes mighty close at times. The battles (and there are many) are zoomed out enough to remain engaging and specific and dangerous to beloved characters enough to be thrilling. Really well done.
Ben Allen is the best audiobook reader I've had the pleasure of coming across and I strongly recommend his version for audiobook lovers. The accent work and individual characterizations are really something special.
I'd edge this closer to 4.5/5... It's not perfect and there are still some soap opera-ish moments (it's like a really fun D&D game). But it's a thrilling read, and absolutely worth your time if you enjoyed the world of the first book more than the pace.
The focus here is less on discovery and world building and more on playing with the pieces established in the first novel. There are some fantastic moments of depth-plumbing, particularly into the magic "system" and a few surprise new kindens, but all in all, this book drills down on the political and martial reality of an invasion. The stakes are very high.
While this isn't warfare quite on the scale of "Deadhouse Gates" (which is my favorite epic war fantasy) it comes mighty close at times. The battles (and there are many) are zoomed out enough to remain engaging and specific and dangerous to beloved characters enough to be thrilling. Really well done.
Ben Allen is the best audiobook reader I've had the pleasure of coming across and I strongly recommend his version for audiobook lovers. The accent work and individual characterizations are really something special.
I'd edge this closer to 4.5/5... It's not perfect and there are still some soap opera-ish moments (it's like a really fun D&D game). But it's a thrilling read, and absolutely worth your time if you enjoyed the world of the first book more than the pace.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
More fast paced than the first one, but definitely interesting as far as the war and fighting dynamics.
Dragonfly Falling continues to thrill with even more epic siege battles and even less boring politics or dialogs that would unnecessarily distract from the action. When it comes to heart-pounding prose, Tchaikovsky really is my favorite at the moment.
There are various threads to follow (see the great summary on reddit if you need to refresh your memory). Stenwold is back at Collegium, even more eager to convince its leader of the imminent threat of the Wasp Empire. Salma and Totho are on their way to the Ant city state of Tark, right before the town will be under Wasp attack. The one is in search for love, the slave girl he met in captivity in the previous novel; and the other running from love, still hurt deeply by the fact that Cheerwell fell for Achaeos rather than him. Meanwhile, the latter two were sent by Stenwold to the Ant city of Sarn to seek their help (apparently, there was some sort of allegiance in the past). Tisamon and Tynisa are on their way to the Mantis blademaster sect where he hopes his daughter may receive their special training.
We also meet the empire himself for the first time, Alvdan II. It turns out, he has a Mosquito-kinden prisoner, a member of the legendary race thought extinct. Capable of tapping into a source of power, he promises him eternal life (while secretly following his own agenda with Alvdan's sister). His vampirism (like the insect) added to the dark atmosphere around him. Finally, there is a somehow crazy Dragonfly woman whose only purpose is to kill Thalric (for reasons initially unknown).
From these starting points, the story goes to some interesting places. Salma becomes the leader of his own army of outcast, while Totho becomes chief artificer of the enemy. Before that, the two ran into an artist, a Fly named Nero, who for the first time in his life finds the courage to join the good cause. Armies suddenly show up in battle to save the day at the very last minute, the reveal of new technologies changes their course, and much ingenuity can be decisive, too. At times things are looking quite dire indeed. We see a weaker side of Stenwold when he takes sexual advantage of a young student of his. When forces in the Wasp leadership turn against him, Thalric tries to form a pact with Stenwold.
I very much enjoyed how the enmities between the races play out here. There are prejudices and resentments that make them very wary towards each other. The Moths despise the Beetles, which makes Cheerwell and Achaeos a rather strange couple. Spiders are the enemy of the Mantis, which makes Tynisa a freakish halfbreed. Moreover, the Spider realm is terra incognita to outsiders, yet it's them that take chances and rush to Collegium's rescue. The honorably tone of conversation in the aftermath well conveyed the singularity of the events.
Of the newly introduced abilities, I especially loved the Ant's hive mind. While their cities are superficially completely silent, information passes from on from neighbor to neighbor in an instant. It gives them the power to strike the most coordinated attacks. The Wasps are special because they not only have slaves (many races do), but because they use them in their armies. There are even some giants in their ranks, the mole crickets. Of the Inapt we learn that they wouldn't even be able to open the mechanisms of Beetle doors. The Ancestor Art can arm the Mantis as well as the Spiders with claws out of their knuckles (was this fact in the first novel already?). As in the real world, Flies are everywhere, but they very much keep to themselves. They are no real fighters, but they have a strong interest in treasures (not necessarily their own) and other illegal activities. In their clothing, they are as plain as their paragon.
To some extent, politics is involved, though it often takes place in the off. The Ants are known for fighting among each other as they are fragmented in various city states. In the past, Vek wasn't able to conquer Collegium (mainly because of its allegiance with Sarn), which still nags at them. The Empire helps them to strike another attack, expecting that they would defeat each other. The scheming is never the focus, but it does have cool effects on the overall unraveling of events.
There are some truly captivating moments. For instance, Tynisa reenters the novel by her appearance as fighter in the Prowess Forum of Collegium. Her opponent she knew from the time before she left, though he stands no chance. More impressive still is the awesome entry of Felise Mienn. What a fighter! She pinned the ear of the guy against the wall by throwing her knife and is also capable of casting magical weapons from her hands. Initially it seems as if for her killing is like ecstasy, though her mind is even more in turmoil. When she steps out of her blood frenzy, she doesn't even know what is going on. Her character never takes center stage, but I was still interested in the reasons of why she was like that (and what's with the guy who travels with her?). Her relationship with Tisamon, who finds in her the first truly equal opponent in a very long time, has potential, too.
There were other great action sequences. For instance, there is the nightly raid on the Empire's aircrafts. it turns into the fiercest of battles, and it doesn't take long before the Intruders are head deep in water (it then that Topho becomes prisoner of the Auxiliary). I was also shocked by the moment when the ting of Tark orders that Parops would take the 800 men to his command and flee the city. "Leave our city. Find somewhere else for yourself and your men. And when the time is right, Parops, whether it be you and your men, or your children or their children, reclaim our city from the invader." Not long thereafter, and somewhat in passing to the events depicted, Helleron falls to the Wasps, too. And the railway escape of Sarn after the Wasps suddenly pull out their new airbows (designed by Topho), that was quite the Dunkirk moment. Things don't look too good, do they?
The narrative often encompasses the side of the attackers, so the reader learns about their strategy. It adds an element of suspense, as we often know about coming threats when our heroes still celebrate their minor victories. Collegium has some tricks in its sleeves, though. The brave jetpack attackers and the bomb-placing submarine were kind of cool. Eventually, every civilian of Collegium is fighting, including the youngest and oldest. It's the kind of development that never gets old.
I wasn't completely sold on some of the character developments. I mean, Topho traveling around for no apparent reason, then turning sides? It was a bit too convenient for the plot. And it really was too cringeworthy when he remarks, "I have become the destroyer" (I mean, really?). Sure, I can understand the bargain to join the Wasp ranks in exchange for Selma's life, I can emphasize with his pain and I can see his desire for recognition. Still, it didn't feel believe overall.
All's well that ends well. The Vekken army stands defeated. Cheerwell, who had the bad luck of being taken prisoner over and over again, is freed by Topho as one last favor, even given to her the blueprint for their new secret weapon (with the twist that secretly this was exactly what Drephos intended, to boost the rate of innovation). There is the heartwarming reunion of her and Salma, who I think hadn't seen each other for the entire novel. I have to say, I was very keen to see where their journeys would lead next!
Rating: 4/5
There are various threads to follow (see the great summary on reddit if you need to refresh your memory). Stenwold is back at Collegium, even more eager to convince its leader of the imminent threat of the Wasp Empire. Salma and Totho are on their way to the Ant city state of Tark, right before the town will be under Wasp attack. The one is in search for love, the slave girl he met in captivity in the previous novel; and the other running from love, still hurt deeply by the fact that Cheerwell fell for Achaeos rather than him. Meanwhile, the latter two were sent by Stenwold to the Ant city of Sarn to seek their help (apparently, there was some sort of allegiance in the past). Tisamon and Tynisa are on their way to the Mantis blademaster sect where he hopes his daughter may receive their special training.
We also meet the empire himself for the first time, Alvdan II. It turns out, he has a Mosquito-kinden prisoner, a member of the legendary race thought extinct. Capable of tapping into a source of power, he promises him eternal life (while secretly following his own agenda with Alvdan's sister). His vampirism (like the insect) added to the dark atmosphere around him. Finally, there is a somehow crazy Dragonfly woman whose only purpose is to kill Thalric (for reasons initially unknown).
From these starting points, the story goes to some interesting places. Salma becomes the leader of his own army of outcast, while Totho becomes chief artificer of the enemy. Before that, the two ran into an artist, a Fly named Nero, who for the first time in his life finds the courage to join the good cause. Armies suddenly show up in battle to save the day at the very last minute, the reveal of new technologies changes their course, and much ingenuity can be decisive, too. At times things are looking quite dire indeed. We see a weaker side of Stenwold when he takes sexual advantage of a young student of his. When forces in the Wasp leadership turn against him, Thalric tries to form a pact with Stenwold.
I very much enjoyed how the enmities between the races play out here. There are prejudices and resentments that make them very wary towards each other. The Moths despise the Beetles, which makes Cheerwell and Achaeos a rather strange couple. Spiders are the enemy of the Mantis, which makes Tynisa a freakish halfbreed. Moreover, the Spider realm is terra incognita to outsiders, yet it's them that take chances and rush to Collegium's rescue. The honorably tone of conversation in the aftermath well conveyed the singularity of the events.
Of the newly introduced abilities, I especially loved the Ant's hive mind. While their cities are superficially completely silent, information passes from on from neighbor to neighbor in an instant. It gives them the power to strike the most coordinated attacks. The Wasps are special because they not only have slaves (many races do), but because they use them in their armies. There are even some giants in their ranks, the mole crickets. Of the Inapt we learn that they wouldn't even be able to open the mechanisms of Beetle doors. The Ancestor Art can arm the Mantis as well as the Spiders with claws out of their knuckles (was this fact in the first novel already?). As in the real world, Flies are everywhere, but they very much keep to themselves. They are no real fighters, but they have a strong interest in treasures (not necessarily their own) and other illegal activities. In their clothing, they are as plain as their paragon.
To some extent, politics is involved, though it often takes place in the off. The Ants are known for fighting among each other as they are fragmented in various city states. In the past, Vek wasn't able to conquer Collegium (mainly because of its allegiance with Sarn), which still nags at them. The Empire helps them to strike another attack, expecting that they would defeat each other. The scheming is never the focus, but it does have cool effects on the overall unraveling of events.
There are some truly captivating moments. For instance, Tynisa reenters the novel by her appearance as fighter in the Prowess Forum of Collegium. Her opponent she knew from the time before she left, though he stands no chance. More impressive still is the awesome entry of Felise Mienn. What a fighter! She pinned the ear of the guy against the wall by throwing her knife and is also capable of casting magical weapons from her hands. Initially it seems as if for her killing is like ecstasy, though her mind is even more in turmoil. When she steps out of her blood frenzy, she doesn't even know what is going on. Her character never takes center stage, but I was still interested in the reasons of why she was like that (and what's with the guy who travels with her?). Her relationship with Tisamon, who finds in her the first truly equal opponent in a very long time, has potential, too.
There were other great action sequences. For instance, there is the nightly raid on the Empire's aircrafts. it turns into the fiercest of battles, and it doesn't take long before the Intruders are head deep in water (it then that Topho becomes prisoner of the Auxiliary). I was also shocked by the moment when the ting of Tark orders that Parops would take the 800 men to his command and flee the city. "Leave our city. Find somewhere else for yourself and your men. And when the time is right, Parops, whether it be you and your men, or your children or their children, reclaim our city from the invader." Not long thereafter, and somewhat in passing to the events depicted, Helleron falls to the Wasps, too. And the railway escape of Sarn after the Wasps suddenly pull out their new airbows (designed by Topho), that was quite the Dunkirk moment. Things don't look too good, do they?
The narrative often encompasses the side of the attackers, so the reader learns about their strategy. It adds an element of suspense, as we often know about coming threats when our heroes still celebrate their minor victories. Collegium has some tricks in its sleeves, though. The brave jetpack attackers and the bomb-placing submarine were kind of cool. Eventually, every civilian of Collegium is fighting, including the youngest and oldest. It's the kind of development that never gets old.
I wasn't completely sold on some of the character developments. I mean, Topho traveling around for no apparent reason, then turning sides? It was a bit too convenient for the plot. And it really was too cringeworthy when he remarks, "I have become the destroyer" (I mean, really?). Sure, I can understand the bargain to join the Wasp ranks in exchange for Selma's life, I can emphasize with his pain and I can see his desire for recognition. Still, it didn't feel believe overall.
All's well that ends well. The Vekken army stands defeated. Cheerwell, who had the bad luck of being taken prisoner over and over again, is freed by Topho as one last favor, even given to her the blueprint for their new secret weapon (with the twist that secretly this was exactly what Drephos intended, to boost the rate of innovation). There is the heartwarming reunion of her and Salma, who I think hadn't seen each other for the entire novel. I have to say, I was very keen to see where their journeys would lead next!
Rating: 4/5
Better written than the first book in the series was. The world is better established and dialog is much smoother.
This author is just so good at making things so endlessly readable. Always love it when a new type of kinden appears (mole crickets! mosquitos! roaches!). Although this did have a lot of battles in, which can feel repetitive after a while.
adventurous
slow-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:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book with the exception of some things which I will elaborate on below. First, though, the good things: I loved how people rose together to defend their homes, even if they weren't trained for it. It was great seeing the ingenuity and determination with which a lot of them fought. I also wholeheartedly enjoyed seeing people who were normally enemies (different fantasy races in the book) come together for a common cause to fight against an evil enemy. There were multiple uplifting last-minute rescues. I also loved the way a certain main character stuck to their morals and in doing so, inspired and united disparate parties to follow them. This is referring to Salma. I loved how even when injured and at death's door, he was determined to rise up and do what was right, to defend those who needed it. I was glad to see him reunite with the Butterfly-kinden, though I hope we get to see her as a more fully fleshed character in the future rather than this beautiful dream woman with vague motives. There were touching bonds of friendship where comrades pulled through for each other and protected each other, even to the death.
Now, the bad: sexism permeates this book, and I blame the author, not the characters. There's a disgusting and toxic relationship between a man who is far older than the woman he's interested inStenwold and Arianna , which initially he feels proper guilt over especially given his position of power over her, but then he keeps at it and the author even tries to justify it by having a character be like it's war, do what you like. I fully acknowledge the woman was also manipulating him from the start and aiming for the relationship, but the relationship should have ended completely when her true motives were revealed. Instead, she became a pathetic hanger-on to the man who does basically nothing except support and save and sleep with him. This is terrible character writing. This poor treatment of women as prizes to support men is only hammered in again when a secondary older male character (Balkus) randomly also has a young female hanger-on-- literally hanging onto his arm-- mentioned in passing at the end of a certain event. Oh, and another main male character (younger) Totho also literally gets a woman assigned to bang him. Yes, this book does have plenty of better-written female characters, and I like them, but it also feels like they don't have arcs independent from the men accompanying them and often saving them. Where would Che have gotten in the negotiations with the moths and co without Achaeos? Where would Tynisa have gotten without Tisamon, who was basically leading her everywhere in this book? Where would Felise have gotten without the Spider-kinden man guiding her who it turns out was deceiving her all along as well as the thought of hunting down a certain man driving her (and I can't emphasize how utterly lame it was that the author wrote her unable to kill Thalric in the end and that Tisamon had to save this fierce badass woman from suicide-- Thalric deserves to die for having killed her children and for using rape as a threat and for making slaves sexually serve him, which I will never forget from the first book) ? Also it was disappointing that the vast majority (if not all?) of the named Collegium artificers with cool inventions that helped fight were men.
It's also hilarious that people say hell hath no fury like a woman spurned because not only are men way likelier to kill or violate women in real life for rejection, but watch out for the "nice" guy who thinks he deserves love and then absolutely loses it if a crush doesn't return his feelings-- this is Totho in this book, sadly. Totho had so much potential to have a character arc about changing the minds of people who discriminate against half-breeds, but instead he's all sad and hung-up about Che anddefects to the Wasp Empire. Yes, he has a half-breed mentor of sorts, but again instead of delving into that issue in an interesting way, it's used as a reason to be evil . I just sincerely hope his arc turns around in future books in this series.
Although I wrote more words on things I dislike, I will say again that overall I liked this book. Reading a lot of fantasy books just unfortunately comes with the price of having to endure the sexism that is so rampant in this genre, just like having to endure its like in otherwise good TV shows. I just hope that fantasy writers can change once they realize this, and that with the next generation of fantasy writers, this will be less and less common.
Now, the bad: sexism permeates this book, and I blame the author, not the characters. There's a disgusting and toxic relationship between a man who is far older than the woman he's interested in
It's also hilarious that people say hell hath no fury like a woman spurned because not only are men way likelier to kill or violate women in real life for rejection, but watch out for the "nice" guy who thinks he deserves love and then absolutely loses it if a crush doesn't return his feelings-- this is Totho in this book, sadly. Totho had so much potential to have a character arc about changing the minds of people who discriminate against half-breeds, but instead he's all sad and hung-up about Che and
Although I wrote more words on things I dislike, I will say again that overall I liked this book. Reading a lot of fantasy books just unfortunately comes with the price of having to endure the sexism that is so rampant in this genre, just like having to endure its like in otherwise good TV shows. I just hope that fantasy writers can change once they realize this, and that with the next generation of fantasy writers, this will be less and less common.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Classism
There's a toxic relationship between a mentor/student with a significant age gap. The student is in what I think is the equivalent of college. Again, I wasn't sure how to categorize the warnings so I put everything under moderate, but this is a book where everyone is in a huge war, so that probably gives the best idea of what it's like.