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thatbookisonfiyah's review
5.0
The best book I’ve read this year. Barker is an outstanding writer and this story is fantastic.
mifterkim's review
5.0
This was my first book by R. J. Barker, despite hearing great things about their books, and I was not disappointed!
In many ways this was a very classical fantasy epic, full of magic and heroism, which I am a huge fan of, but I also really enjoyed the elements that make Gods of the Wyrd Wood unique.
The story centres around a man who was once the Chosen One of a god, destined to take over the world, until another god's chosen got there first. He has lived his life as a solitary forester since then, never using his powers or acknowledging his past, but of course that past must catch up with him in the course of the story.
I liked the structure of the book a lot - rather than one long journey, Cahan returns over and over to his farm and adoptive village home, attempting to reclaim his new life and eventually defending his neighbours from the wider world. It was very slow to start, but when the story threads and clues start coming together I was very keen to see what happened next. I loved the forest-based world, the wooden armour and mushroom-based magical powers. I also liked Cahan's reclusive and reluctant heroism, and the extremely flawed but endearing supporting characters. I ended the book wanting to know what happened next (the book is due to be the first of a trilogy) but the ending was still very satisfying. I also found the complete lack of a romance subplot very refreshing!
I would recommend this book to fantasy fans everywhere and look forward to the sequel.
In many ways this was a very classical fantasy epic, full of magic and heroism, which I am a huge fan of, but I also really enjoyed the elements that make Gods of the Wyrd Wood unique.
The story centres around a man who was once the Chosen One of a god, destined to take over the world, until another god's chosen got there first. He has lived his life as a solitary forester since then, never using his powers or acknowledging his past, but of course that past must catch up with him in the course of the story.
I liked the structure of the book a lot - rather than one long journey, Cahan returns over and over to his farm and adoptive village home, attempting to reclaim his new life and eventually defending his neighbours from the wider world. It was very slow to start, but when the story threads and clues start coming together I was very keen to see what happened next. I loved the forest-based world, the wooden armour and mushroom-based magical powers. I also liked Cahan's reclusive and reluctant heroism, and the extremely flawed but endearing supporting characters. I ended the book wanting to know what happened next (the book is due to be the first of a trilogy) but the ending was still very satisfying. I also found the complete lack of a romance subplot very refreshing!
I would recommend this book to fantasy fans everywhere and look forward to the sequel.
p_j_sanderson's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.75
Gods of the Wyrdwood has a fantastic sense of scale. Things which are incomprehensibly big in the world feel that way. It captures the sense of existentialism one might feel when pondering the scale of the universe. Even so the world building felt fresh and detailed even on the small scales. It felt very fantasy while being something completely new.
This book really pulled me forward especially in the second half. I feel in love with the characters. The internal conflict of some of the characters was incredibly engaging. Not only did I not know how it [the internal conflict] was going to play out, but I also did not know how I wanted it too end.
The prose was decent and carried a strong voice, though this was more prominent in the "deep in the woods" chapters.
This book really pulled me forward especially in the second half. I feel in love with the characters. The internal conflict of some of the characters was incredibly engaging. Not only did I not know how it [the internal conflict] was going to play out, but I also did not know how I wanted it too end.
The prose was decent and carried a strong voice, though this was more prominent in the "deep in the woods" chapters.
naaytaashreads's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a while since I last read like a high fantasy.
I would consider Gods of the WyrdWood a high fantasy read.
It was a heavy magic theme that got confusing and slow-burning initially, but it gets so good and worth it.
The magic system and the world bring so many beautiful points that I get so obsessed.
However, what took me aback was how we were thrown into the world too fast.
In the beginning, most of the time, I got so confused about what was going on, or the terms they were using and what I was expecting.
I do wish we had brought it. I don't mind the slow-burning, but I wish there was a beginning to the world we were brought into then just getting us thrown into it.
The author did a phenomenal job of telling Cahan's story and journey.
It makes you grow into the curiosity of the world, and let me tell you, the action was IT.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy!
I would consider Gods of the WyrdWood a high fantasy read.
It was a heavy magic theme that got confusing and slow-burning initially, but it gets so good and worth it.
The magic system and the world bring so many beautiful points that I get so obsessed.
However, what took me aback was how we were thrown into the world too fast.
In the beginning, most of the time, I got so confused about what was going on, or the terms they were using and what I was expecting.
I do wish we had brought it. I don't mind the slow-burning, but I wish there was a beginning to the world we were brought into then just getting us thrown into it.
The author did a phenomenal job of telling Cahan's story and journey.
It makes you grow into the curiosity of the world, and let me tell you, the action was IT.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy!
ots3go's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dboyd22's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
adam_weasel's review
challenging
inspiring
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
5.0
thewulverslibrary's review
2.0
RJ Barker's Gods of the Wyrdwood caught my eye and became an anticipated read of 2023. I've never read any of their previous books, but the general praise has been positive, so I went into this with high expectations.
The northlands of Crua are locked in eternal winter, but prophecy tells of the chosen child – who will rule in the name of their God and take warmth back from the South. Cahal du Nahere was raised to be this person: the Cowl-Rai, the saviour. Taken from his parents and prepared for his destiny.
But his time never came.
When he was fifteen, he ceased to matter. Another Cowl-Rai had risen, another chosen one, raised in the name of a different God. The years of vicious physical and mental training he had endured, the sacrifice, all for nothing. He became nothing.
Twenty years later, and Cahal lives a life of secrecy on the edges of Crua’s giant forests – hiding what he is, running from what he can do. But when he is forced to reveal his true nature, he sets off a sequence of events that will reveal secrets that will shake the bedrock of his entire world, and expose lies that have persisted for generations.
I have to say that the world-building was a perfect start and RJ Barker succeeded in developing a deeply rich world that throws you right in with no handholding. The description of the landscapes, creatures and the worlds inhabitants ranged from mystical to magical and this was my favourite part of the novel.
For the plot itself, this was a slow build up and the story was confusing at the start. There were sections that felt like a side-quest in the overall story and other parts that should have been expanded upon. There are certain things that are supposed to be understood just because they are mentioned and others that have yet to come into light. I'm hoping the rest of the series delves deeper into this, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be mysterious when really all I wanted was an explanation.
The characters themselves felt flat at times. The main character wasn't particularly interesting, nor did they bring anything different to the "troubled past, keeping to themselves" trope. The investment wasn't there and whilst other characters were written better, I felt no connection to these and it felt like the characters had no chemistry. The dialogue felt more information-filled, and the pacing was dragging. More story, less description seemed to be a common thought throughout this and whilst I appreciate fantasy stories have to build a foundation, I felt no engagement to this.
The best parts of the novel where when Barker described the Wyrdwood and it's a shame that nothing else clicked with me because I was looking forward to this. This novel was supposed to take us on a wild ride throughout the Wyrdwood and it's unfortunate that the story was in the back seat throughout it all.
The northlands of Crua are locked in eternal winter, but prophecy tells of the chosen child – who will rule in the name of their God and take warmth back from the South. Cahal du Nahere was raised to be this person: the Cowl-Rai, the saviour. Taken from his parents and prepared for his destiny.
But his time never came.
When he was fifteen, he ceased to matter. Another Cowl-Rai had risen, another chosen one, raised in the name of a different God. The years of vicious physical and mental training he had endured, the sacrifice, all for nothing. He became nothing.
Twenty years later, and Cahal lives a life of secrecy on the edges of Crua’s giant forests – hiding what he is, running from what he can do. But when he is forced to reveal his true nature, he sets off a sequence of events that will reveal secrets that will shake the bedrock of his entire world, and expose lies that have persisted for generations.
I have to say that the world-building was a perfect start and RJ Barker succeeded in developing a deeply rich world that throws you right in with no handholding. The description of the landscapes, creatures and the worlds inhabitants ranged from mystical to magical and this was my favourite part of the novel.
For the plot itself, this was a slow build up and the story was confusing at the start. There were sections that felt like a side-quest in the overall story and other parts that should have been expanded upon. There are certain things that are supposed to be understood just because they are mentioned and others that have yet to come into light. I'm hoping the rest of the series delves deeper into this, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be mysterious when really all I wanted was an explanation.
The characters themselves felt flat at times. The main character wasn't particularly interesting, nor did they bring anything different to the "troubled past, keeping to themselves" trope. The investment wasn't there and whilst other characters were written better, I felt no connection to these and it felt like the characters had no chemistry. The dialogue felt more information-filled, and the pacing was dragging. More story, less description seemed to be a common thought throughout this and whilst I appreciate fantasy stories have to build a foundation, I felt no engagement to this.
The best parts of the novel where when Barker described the Wyrdwood and it's a shame that nothing else clicked with me because I was looking forward to this. This novel was supposed to take us on a wild ride throughout the Wyrdwood and it's unfortunate that the story was in the back seat throughout it all.