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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the concluding book in Abraham's "Long Price Quartet." This is a good book: more imaginative, more thoughtful, more thought-provoking, and better written than the great majority of fantasy I've read. And yet not quite as good as I had anticipated, based on the first three books. I found it slightly less convincing than I had hoped, and also slightly less entrancing. Nonetheless I cried, reading it, and I will miss Otah Machi and his world.
sonice's review against another edition
5.0
5.0 stars. I realize that I’ve mostly repeated myself in reviewing the previous 3 books, so I’ll try to be a little more thorough here – since this is the last book and all.
I fail to remember either an individual book OR any series of books where the characters were all so understandable. Like, there really are (almost) no actual bad guys here. Everyone is doing the best they can, making decisions that they believe are for the greater good, and a lot of the conflict is simply based on differences of opinion. This last instalment is again a wonderful example of this. Two people taking two very different approaches to solve the same problem. Who’s to say one is better than the other? Even the characters themselves admit to making mistakes along the way, to not always having taken the right path. Because of this, the plot feels so real. No moustache twirling villains or “Lawful Good” heroes, just people doing the best they can, in the best way they know how. Fucking BRAVO to the author. This was an absolute masterpiece in this regard; some of the best plotting and character work I’ve ever seen.
The magic system at work here was also a breath of fresh air. I love both hard and soft systems, fireballs and Warrens and Allomancy and all that stuff, but what was fairly unique about this was the way that the magic bites back. It’s incredibly dangerous to even attempt to use it, and once you do it correctly it requires a lifetime of struggle and focus to not fuck it up. Again, this opens up all kinds of room to explore what it means to be a magic user (in this series, a Poet). Another layer stacked on to the already wonderful character work that adds even more dimension to our main cast. Loved it.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned this yet, but the structure of these books – covering the entire lives of the main cast, at 4 different stages of life, from young to old – was also super cool. Most books will have character growth, but here we literally get a lifetime of it.
I could go on and on, but I really think you just have to read it to see what I’m getting at. If you enjoy slow burn, thoughtful, emotionally evocative, well paced books that are light on action and heavy on intrigue and drama, this series is an absolute MUST.
I fail to remember either an individual book OR any series of books where the characters were all so understandable. Like, there really are (almost) no actual bad guys here. Everyone is doing the best they can, making decisions that they believe are for the greater good, and a lot of the conflict is simply based on differences of opinion. This last instalment is again a wonderful example of this. Two people taking two very different approaches to solve the same problem. Who’s to say one is better than the other? Even the characters themselves admit to making mistakes along the way, to not always having taken the right path. Because of this, the plot feels so real. No moustache twirling villains or “Lawful Good” heroes, just people doing the best they can, in the best way they know how. Fucking BRAVO to the author. This was an absolute masterpiece in this regard; some of the best plotting and character work I’ve ever seen.
The magic system at work here was also a breath of fresh air. I love both hard and soft systems, fireballs and Warrens and Allomancy and all that stuff, but what was fairly unique about this was the way that the magic bites back. It’s incredibly dangerous to even attempt to use it, and once you do it correctly it requires a lifetime of struggle and focus to not fuck it up. Again, this opens up all kinds of room to explore what it means to be a magic user (in this series, a Poet). Another layer stacked on to the already wonderful character work that adds even more dimension to our main cast. Loved it.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned this yet, but the structure of these books – covering the entire lives of the main cast, at 4 different stages of life, from young to old – was also super cool. Most books will have character growth, but here we literally get a lifetime of it.
I could go on and on, but I really think you just have to read it to see what I’m getting at. If you enjoy slow burn, thoughtful, emotionally evocative, well paced books that are light on action and heavy on intrigue and drama, this series is an absolute MUST.
ajmarra67's review against another edition
5.0
Accidentally read the 4th book first. It was great, but not sure if I want to read the first 3 now.
archergal's review
4.0
A worthy end to an excellent series. I have no idea why it took me so long to read them all. Once I got well and truly started, I couldn't stop.
Lots of plot lines were resolved in this volume. The end seemed a tiny bit abrupt, but really, there was not much else the author could have done.
The whole series is really one long story, showing how things change over time, how events affect people and vice versa. Abraham really does write good, interesting, and complex characters. I've always enjoyed his books.
Highly recommended.
Lots of plot lines were resolved in this volume. The end seemed a tiny bit abrupt, but really, there was not much else the author could have done.
The whole series is really one long story, showing how things change over time, how events affect people and vice versa. Abraham really does write good, interesting, and complex characters. I've always enjoyed his books.
Highly recommended.
wjsanger's review
4.0
It is true that the world is renewed. It is also true that renewal comes at a price
A wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series. A life’s journey from childhood to old age. This series is one of a kind. The choices we make and the burden we bear for those decisions. Everything is both intimate and epic at the same time. Highly recommend anyone give this a go.
A wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series. A life’s journey from childhood to old age. This series is one of a kind. The choices we make and the burden we bear for those decisions. Everything is both intimate and epic at the same time. Highly recommend anyone give this a go.
saraubs's review against another edition
5.0
This is a finale executed perfectly, elevating every book that came before. The characters, who I had come to understand so well over the past four years, were given satisfying conclusions, and the plot supported the themes while maintaining perfect tension. This was my favourite of the series and will ensure that I think of these books for years to come.
hanienr's review against another edition
3.0
And so the story ends. I'll admit that this book wasn't as strong as An Autumn War but I enjoy the premise a lot because it's something that often isn't addressed in fantasy books, namely what happens after a war? How do we mend, if we mend at all, when the world has changed?
I thought the book wrapped the series up nicely, but it didn't have the same impact as book 1 and 3. It felt a little more laid back and a lot more straightforward.
I thought the book wrapped the series up nicely, but it didn't have the same impact as book 1 and 3. It felt a little more laid back and a lot more straightforward.
coffee_and_wool's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
4.25
esb234346's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5