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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It’s well written and an interesting story, but I grew tired of the battle descriptions.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book, but I had some issues with detail that really annoyed me, and one problem with plot. 😅 So the entire foundation of Omehi society is a caste system that's based on actual physical differences - but we're never actually told what marks those differences. Sure, okay, the Nobles are bigger, stronger, etc., but at no point are we told what marks the differences in caste amongst the Lessers, and it was super annoying. The characters can obviously all recognize the differences, and sometimes the uniform might be what gives it away, but what are the physical characteristics?? If someone saw Uduak, for example, outside of uniform, might they not assume he was a Noble? If the author is going to spend so much time focusing on this aspect of society, more detail should reaaaaalllly be included. Then there was the one big issue I had with the plot. The part where Tau all of a sudden starts to be "convinced" by Jayyed about peace wasn't very believable at all. Not for the kind of character he is, and not without faaaar stronger motivation. And then he starts to feel bad about how he spoke to Zuri about Kellan? I was totally unconvinced. Kellan doesn't have anything to do with peace, so why should talking about it change Tau's mind? It was too pivotal a point in the book for Tau's behaviour to make sense without a much greater impetus. I had a few other issues too, but I'll leave it at that. Apart from those relatively minor issues though, this was a good read. I would definitely recommend it.
Wow! After Hobb's Farseer trilogy which is a slow burn, chose this for a fast-paced, action-packed read and was not disappointed. The pace is breathtaking, with action or its anticipation, dripping in almost every page. Tau is a solid protagonist, and as opposed to clichés of being the One, his progress is earned in the story. Supporting characters such as Jayyed, Okar standout for me. Although, I would have liked to see more of Jabari and spend more time with Zuri to have more impact in the climax. However, the story is king here - super focused on Tau's journey but the larger politicking was beautifully interwoven with his arc. I hear good things about the the 2nd book, so excited for that!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
I think fantasy written by men with majority male cast of characters just doesn’t work for me.
And, like that, there was no going back. A Dragon had been called and someone would have to die.
With a tone reminiscent of Game of Thrones (and I do not say that lightly) The Rage of Dragons is a stunner of a read from start to finish. As fair warning: this book is brutally unkind and does not shy away from the topics of war, violence, and caste divide. With that said, the book does a beautiful job of highlighting the self-discovery that centers our main character and the novel - the resounding idea of what it means to be human and human alone. A human who mourns, loves, fights, and dies. The Rage of Dragons is about more than fantasy. To be honest, the dragons themselves play a very small part in the book at all. It is about the people and the way they, and the society that surrounds them, weave together.
Evan Winter has put together one amazing roster of characters and a brilliant world. I am currently reading through the second book and look forward to how the series continues to unfold.
With a tone reminiscent of Game of Thrones (and I do not say that lightly) The Rage of Dragons is a stunner of a read from start to finish. As fair warning: this book is brutally unkind and does not shy away from the topics of war, violence, and caste divide. With that said, the book does a beautiful job of highlighting the self-discovery that centers our main character and the novel - the resounding idea of what it means to be human and human alone. A human who mourns, loves, fights, and dies. The Rage of Dragons is about more than fantasy. To be honest, the dragons themselves play a very small part in the book at all. It is about the people and the way they, and the society that surrounds them, weave together.
Evan Winter has put together one amazing roster of characters and a brilliant world. I am currently reading through the second book and look forward to how the series continues to unfold.
3.5
This was good! Tight, well paced plot that followed in a fairly logical fashion, plot threads are well managed. It didn’t do anything too crazy with descriptive language or style; I think that’s some of the problem in terms of the fact that it’s very middle of the road fantasy fare on offer but I want to stress that this was good to read, objectively, and it felt fine! It felt okay! sometimes that’s actually okay for a book to be!
The inspiration behind the world I found much more compelling than the actual world building tbh, which was kind of heavy handed (the whole thing with dragons being called by just a woman mimicking how their younglings sound crying in the demon realm was a bit of a let down. I thought the Guardians were going to turn out much more important than they were, esp in the backstory). I liked the characters, even if Tau’s evolution into soldier wonder boy kind of happened off page and in little asides until he’s simply the best. Like I understand HOW it happened because I was told, a lot, but it felt a little repetitive? No other characters really stuck in my mind or surprised me enough to comment on character development.
The fight scenes were interesting, considering I’m not normally able to sit through them in books and this was (mostly) made up of them. What I will say is it’s impressive that it is paced so well (especially considering it’s a debut). At no point did I think “let’s wrap this up folks”.
The dialogue felt a little “action film” in that nobody really has much to say to each other past inspirational monologues or one liners.
Overall I did like it, but I’m not sure I’d directly compare it to other high fantasy series.
This was good! Tight, well paced plot that followed in a fairly logical fashion, plot threads are well managed. It didn’t do anything too crazy with descriptive language or style; I think that’s some of the problem in terms of the fact that it’s very middle of the road fantasy fare on offer but I want to stress that this was good to read, objectively, and it felt fine! It felt okay! sometimes that’s actually okay for a book to be!
The inspiration behind the world I found much more compelling than the actual world building tbh, which was kind of heavy handed (the whole thing with dragons being called by just a woman mimicking how their younglings sound crying in the demon realm was a bit of a let down. I thought the Guardians were going to turn out much more important than they were, esp in the backstory). I liked the characters, even if Tau’s evolution into soldier wonder boy kind of happened off page and in little asides until he’s simply the best. Like I understand HOW it happened because I was told, a lot, but it felt a little repetitive? No other characters really stuck in my mind or surprised me enough to comment on character development.
The fight scenes were interesting, considering I’m not normally able to sit through them in books and this was (mostly) made up of them. What I will say is it’s impressive that it is paced so well (especially considering it’s a debut). At no point did I think “let’s wrap this up folks”.
The dialogue felt a little “action film” in that nobody really has much to say to each other past inspirational monologues or one liners.
Overall I did like it, but I’m not sure I’d directly compare it to other high fantasy series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes