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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
WARNING: This review will contain spoilers for the first book in the series, [b:The Innocent Mage|1051620|The Innocent Mage (Kingmaker, Kingbreaker, #1)|Karen Miller|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51so7-eoACL._SL75_.jpg|1561779]. If you haven't read it yet, why are you even reading a review for the second book??
Let's talk about feelings first. It's hard to rate a book that leaves you satisfied, but strangely emotionally detached. Perhaps it was because of the way the story was structured. I read the last half of the book in one day, not an easy feat for a slow reader like me, but throughout that section of the book, my heart was pounding with suspense. I wanted to, no needed, to read what was going to happen next, when Asher was going to save the day.
Speaking of good and evil, the line between them is not as clear cut as it may sound in the novel. Sure, there is Morg, the absolute evil, and Barl, the supposed goddess. Sure, she saved a bunch of Doranen by migrating to and settling Lur, but she practically subjugated the already present Olken in the process. It stinks of the early English colonists and their quest for Native American lands... But I digress. Perhaps Miller wanted us to see that, perhaps not.
On to the storyline. If you enjoyed the way the first book centered around politics, then you will be happy to know that this book will have much of the same. Getting to see what Morg is scheming just makes the slow downfall that much more unbearable and dreadful. Morg just plays on human faults and expands upon them, it was somewhat frightening to watch it helplessly unfold.
All in all, it was an interesting series. I will be looking forward to putting my hands on the other books in the same universe, hoping against hope that they will contain more magic for my liking. It was an entertaining read, but it fell a little short for me. I don't regret reading it, but I'm glad to have satiated my curiosity and get it out of the way.
Hey, if I sound a little meh about this book, remember that I rated this 4 stars! That means it had something going for it that made this book good but not great.
Let's talk about feelings first. It's hard to rate a book that leaves you satisfied, but strangely emotionally detached. Perhaps it was because of the way the story was structured. I read the last half of the book in one day, not an easy feat for a slow reader like me, but throughout that section of the book, my heart was pounding with suspense. I wanted to, no needed, to read what was going to happen next, when Asher was going to save the day.
Speaking of good and evil, the line between them is not as clear cut as it may sound in the novel. Sure, there is Morg, the absolute evil, and Barl, the supposed goddess. Sure, she saved a bunch of Doranen by migrating to and settling Lur, but she practically subjugated the already present Olken in the process. It stinks of the early English colonists and their quest for Native American lands... But I digress. Perhaps Miller wanted us to see that, perhaps not.
On to the storyline. If you enjoyed the way the first book centered around politics, then you will be happy to know that this book will have much of the same. Getting to see what Morg is scheming just makes the slow downfall that much more unbearable and dreadful. Morg just plays on human faults and expands upon them, it was somewhat frightening to watch it helplessly unfold.
All in all, it was an interesting series. I will be looking forward to putting my hands on the other books in the same universe, hoping against hope that they will contain more magic for my liking. It was an entertaining read, but it fell a little short for me. I don't regret reading it, but I'm glad to have satiated my curiosity and get it out of the way.
Hey, if I sound a little meh about this book, remember that I rated this 4 stars! That means it had something going for it that made this book good but not great.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Barl's Wall has been protecting the magic Kingdom of Lur from the immortal sorceror Morg for six hundred years. All it's taken is the subjugation of an entire magicless race, and the weather magic of its rulers. Only, the newest prince was born without magic, his mortal enemy will stop at nothing to take the crown, and the power from behind the wall is stirring. All they have in defence is the prophesied Innocent Mage, the magicless fisherman friend of the prince, and the wits of the circle--a group hidden throughout the ages for just such a calamity.
It's that last part where it all goes wrong, really. This is an otherwise decent fantasy with perhaps a little too much "why me?" but the secret society feels hamfisted, and it takes far too long for them to be of any importance at all.
It's that last part where it all goes wrong, really. This is an otherwise decent fantasy with perhaps a little too much "why me?" but the secret society feels hamfisted, and it takes far too long for them to be of any importance at all.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Despite all the bad reviews, I really like this series and I find myself in need of a hug after finishing the second book. I love Asher, he is such a memorable character.
If you're having doubts whether to read this book or not, it's definitely worth a go. Then, if you don't like it; fair enough.
If you're having doubts whether to read this book or not, it's definitely worth a go. Then, if you don't like it; fair enough.
What I like best about this book is how messy it is.
As usual, Miller balances the fantastical with the authentic, and though The Awakened Mage is teeming with typical high fantasy cliches, Miller refrains from a clean and easy happily-ever-after ending. Instead the novel reminds us that death interrupts life, with some feuds between characters left unresolved, some relationships never quite repaired, and some sins never absolved: there's a beautiful verisimilitude to it all.
Though parts of the book feel too rushed, The Awakened Mage is nonetheless an entertaining adventure with some truly touching qualities.
As usual, Miller balances the fantastical with the authentic, and though The Awakened Mage is teeming with typical high fantasy cliches, Miller refrains from a clean and easy happily-ever-after ending. Instead the novel reminds us that death interrupts life, with some feuds between characters left unresolved, some relationships never quite repaired, and some sins never absolved: there's a beautiful verisimilitude to it all.
Though parts of the book feel too rushed, The Awakened Mage is nonetheless an entertaining adventure with some truly touching qualities.
Boring. Never really understood the wall's reliance on weather working. I'm sure Asher becoming the Innocent Mage would be interesting, but not enough to give it another 20 hours...
I finally finished this book. It felt like it would never end at some point. While I did like the story, I would probably DNFed it if it wasn’t an audiobook and I could work while listening.
I haven’t had a book that’s made me practically stop doing the necessary things in life in order to just keep reading for a long while. Besides Brandon Sanderson I cant remember the last time I was so thoroughly engrossed in a book series. I loved these books. I loved the friendship between Gar and Asher and I never wanted it to end. All I want is to keep reading stories of them adventuring together.