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ruethekiwi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
natebragg's review against another edition
5.0
Master Artificier fantastic read and a phenomenal dark fantasy novel that is a far stronger piece of the work than the first book. Master Artificer builds upon the early world-building of Master of Sorrows brilliantly to create a far more fleshed-out world.
After MOS spent its time entirety focused on Annev, I really enjoyed how Call added more POV characters in the sequel and charted the coming of age and dark descent of several characters. Each journey is unique, yet connected and it's clear that Call has put plenty of time and care into the plotting and pacing of this unfolding story.
It's not just dark for darkness's sake and Call does an amazing job showing the reader the reasoning behind each character's decisions and changes, all while playing with themes of fate, free will, and prophecy in a way that both leans into and subverts expected genre tropes.
The lore is interesting and engaging with a well-thought-out and understandable magic system. I can't wait to read the next book in The Silent Gods series.
After MOS spent its time entirety focused on Annev, I really enjoyed how Call added more POV characters in the sequel and charted the coming of age and dark descent of several characters. Each journey is unique, yet connected and it's clear that Call has put plenty of time and care into the plotting and pacing of this unfolding story.
It's not just dark for darkness's sake and Call does an amazing job showing the reader the reasoning behind each character's decisions and changes, all while playing with themes of fate, free will, and prophecy in a way that both leans into and subverts expected genre tropes.
The lore is interesting and engaging with a well-thought-out and understandable magic system. I can't wait to read the next book in The Silent Gods series.
the_bookworm_escapism's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Could close to never hold my attention. Finished it to finally put a check mark and it was not bad enough for a dnf. Will not continue
shefchuffle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trgrze20's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
I don’t know what to think of this book especially compared to the first. The multiple POV threw me off because I enjoyed having annev’s inner monologue, struggle, angst, and progression. This book, to me, didn’t have enough of him. I would have loved to see him practice using the hand of keo’s or his abilities in general to the mindset of performing torture and leaving his friends behind. It almost felt like the first book gave us that time and this one skipped too the point.
I will say, the author does a good job at reminding the ready about what just conspired, the goal, location, and magic. Which is very helpful when you’re starting to realize this could be a set up for a long series.
Overall, this series is starting to give me naruto vibes and this book felt more like a filler to build more of the magic, world, and characters.
I don’t know what to think of this book especially compared to the first. The multiple POV threw me off because I enjoyed having annev’s inner monologue, struggle, angst, and progression. This book, to me, didn’t have enough of him. I would have loved to see him practice using the hand of keo’s or his abilities in general to the mindset of performing torture and leaving his friends behind. It almost felt like the first book gave us that time and this one skipped too the point.
I will say, the author does a good job at reminding the ready about what just conspired, the goal, location, and magic. Which is very helpful when you’re starting to realize this could be a set up for a long series.
Overall, this series is starting to give me naruto vibes and this book felt more like a filler to build more of the magic, world, and characters.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
This was a big book that went so many different directions, yet all of them were inventive and creative. All of the characters began journeys that will inevitably lead to an explosive conclusion.
Annev remained sympathetic for the most part, though as the book progressed he became more frustrated and his character arc took a dark turn. I understood it though it did change my opinion of him. It will be interesting to see where his arc goes from here, because I can imagine it will be quite dark.
Kenton uses clever schemes and thievery to begin his journey in vengeance. He becomes a significant threat and almost seemed fanatical, which will make the next part of his story intense and terrifying.
Myjin's arc is a little more complex for me. While I did find it interesting and do think it's the making of an imposing villain, it was also over-the-top in its drama and the amount of pain she endured. In theory I understood it, but I also felt it went overboard. I didn't quite connect with her character the way I wanted to, which made her chapters difficult for me to get through.
Fyn's arc was my favorite. It's exciting and fun and leaves many unanswered questions about who and what he is. I hope to see more of it.
I felt Call did a good job of balancing all the storylines with action and drama. There are a lot of moving parts, but ultimately this felt like four small books wrapped in one. The prose is easy to follow and while there are a lot of terms that require focus, it all feels natural within the book itself.
I think this is a great series for anyone who wants a long, epic dark fantasy with magic, morally grey characters, and merciless action. Check it out!
Annev remained sympathetic for the most part, though as the book progressed he became more frustrated and his character arc took a dark turn. I understood it though it did change my opinion of him. It will be interesting to see where his arc goes from here, because I can imagine it will be quite dark.
Kenton uses clever schemes and thievery to begin his journey in vengeance. He becomes a significant threat and almost seemed fanatical, which will make the next part of his story intense and terrifying.
Myjin's arc is a little more complex for me. While I did find it interesting and do think it's the making of an imposing villain, it was also over-the-top in its drama and the amount of pain she endured. In theory I understood it, but I also felt it went overboard. I didn't quite connect with her character the way I wanted to, which made her chapters difficult for me to get through.
Fyn's arc was my favorite. It's exciting and fun and leaves many unanswered questions about who and what he is. I hope to see more of it.
I felt Call did a good job of balancing all the storylines with action and drama. There are a lot of moving parts, but ultimately this felt like four small books wrapped in one. The prose is easy to follow and while there are a lot of terms that require focus, it all feels natural within the book itself.
I think this is a great series for anyone who wants a long, epic dark fantasy with magic, morally grey characters, and merciless action. Check it out!
cassidychivers's review against another edition
2.0
I Will not be continuing this series.
I always finish them and go "why was this book so long" because nothing really happens.
They are also meant to be a villian origin story and I don't believe that you can make me believe our cinnamon roll protagonist will get there.
I spent 650 pages of this bored.
But i didn't really love the first one either. So if you did I'd probably recommend it's a lot more of the same.
I always finish them and go "why was this book so long" because nothing really happens.
They are also meant to be a villian origin story and I don't believe that you can make me believe our cinnamon roll protagonist will get there.
I spent 650 pages of this bored.
But i didn't really love the first one either. So if you did I'd probably recommend it's a lot more of the same.
mschliem1123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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