Reviews

The Price of Spring by Jackie Aber, Daniel Abraham

archergal's review against another edition

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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.

wjsanger's review against another edition

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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.

saraubs's review against another edition

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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

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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.

elros451's review against another edition

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5.0

Big 'ol masterpiece of an ending

coffee_and_wool's review against another edition

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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

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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

inarticulateblog's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

h4wke's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Abraham proves he's a master of the craft; The Price of Spring is the conclusion authors should strive for.

The Long Price Quartet is one of the most unique works of fiction I've experienced. It avoids most tropes, taking its time to show the story of a man's life, his consequences laid bare against the tapestry of time. 
Abraham uses only two main POVs for the bulk of this final entry, which was initially surprising — the last two books had quite a bit more. Fortunately they're the two focal points of the entire series, zooming in on these characters was ultimately a fantastic decision. The scale of the world was effectively built (mostly with An Autumn War), getting so close and introspective within that foundation was a wise choice.  The core of the story has always really been the dynamic between these two characters. 

The book is slow, to be sure, but it's incredibly purposeful with its pace. There are revelations that recontextualise character actions in the past; it's not so much the plot clicking together but motivations. This is the most character-focused series I've ever read, anyone that prioritises character over plot (a smaller pool than it should be, I expect) needs to give this a shot. The story is clearly planned out; the prologue of the very first book is just as relevant in chapter one in that entry as it is the ending of this one. The final chapters here are beautifully done, and I'm not afraid to admit I got especially emotional. In fact, I went for a drive an hour after putting the book down, thinking about it and it happened all over again. 

Abraham has secured my interest in whatever he has done and plans to do in the future. I know that Dagger and the Coin is more traditional, but I'm excited to see the character work on display in more familiar grounds. I suppose this isn't my first experience with his writing, I've seen The Expanse and it is the best sci-fi show of recent years. 
I'm very surprised this story isn't talked about more, is the first book really that off-putting for people? Judge the product as the whole, it's not that long. I couldn't recommend it more.

venti's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

rounded up to a four from what i would usually give it bc of idaan and eiah. also maati bc he’s my problematic cuck king. i enjoyed the ending for what it was

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