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ltc's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Murder, War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Vomit, Alcohol, and Animal death
nobiz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Gore
Moderate: Rape, Animal death, and Blood
Minor: Vomit and Sexual content
samhackett's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Absolutely loved this! Not a 5 star because it could've been about 100 pages shorter, but I loved the story and I truly felt as if I were a part of the world. My first Anthony Ryan read and I'm definitely reading more!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: War and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual content
lolaslalaland's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
5.0
Here is an abbreviated version of my experience while rereading this book.
START
I remember this.
*inhaling through clenched teeth* Yup, I remember that too.
😶 I don't remember it being this brutal. Oh my gods!
🤬 *a full five minutes of bleeped out words*
😱
ðŸ˜
*more profanity*
😈 Chop of his dick!
😩 Dang, can't catch a break.
😦
😧
😨
😱
Not the books!!!!
😖 I can't watch!
😶 She cray cray, it's time to go.
Brewer no! Not again!
😱 Revelations!!!!!! I know things now...but I am also in pain.
*proceeds to pick book 2 up* 🥲
THE END
So basically, Alwyn, the main character, narrates his own story. From being a random kid born in a brothel, then taken in by a big shot outlaw king, then thrown into jail for a murder he didn't really commit. I mean he could've tried to prevent it, but it's really hard to predict the moves of a psychopath. then he becomes a soldier and is in constant conflict between "these religious folk are fucking nuts" and "maybe there is something bigger happening."
It's a fascinating adventure. It's brutal. The general impression of the world I got was medieval-style where filth is ever-present and religion basically sets all expectations and regulations with no flexibility in terms of equitability, morality, and humanity. I love Alwyn. Feel neutral about other side characters (except the Sack Witch, barely know anything about her but I love her). And the prose is *chef's kiss*. Also the foreshadowing in the writing. Gorgeous.
START
I remember this.
*inhaling through clenched teeth* Yup, I remember that too.
😶 I don't remember it being this brutal. Oh my gods!
🤬 *a full five minutes of bleeped out words*
😱
ðŸ˜
*more profanity*
😈 Chop of his dick!
😩 Dang, can't catch a break.
😦
😧
😨
😱
Not the books!!!!
😖 I can't watch!
😶 She cray cray, it's time to go.
Brewer no! Not again!
😱 Revelations!!!!!! I know things now...but I am also in pain.
*proceeds to pick book 2 up* 🥲
THE END
So basically, Alwyn, the main character, narrates his own story. From being a random kid born in a brothel, then taken in by a big shot outlaw king, then thrown into jail for a murder he didn't really commit. I mean he could've tried to prevent it, but it's really hard to predict the moves of a psychopath. then he becomes a soldier and is in constant conflict between "these religious folk are fucking nuts" and "maybe there is something bigger happening."
It's a fascinating adventure. It's brutal. The general impression of the world I got was medieval-style where filth is ever-present and religion basically sets all expectations and regulations with no flexibility in terms of equitability, morality, and humanity. I love Alwyn. Feel neutral about other side characters (except the Sack Witch, barely know anything about her but I love her). And the prose is *chef's kiss*. Also the foreshadowing in the writing. Gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Body horror, Gore, and Blood
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