A review by aeglaeca
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

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.