A review by lizziepurpleserenity
The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding

4.5

This was such a fun ride, tropey classic fantasy executed very well, and would be a perfect introduction to the epic fantasy genre or for those wanting to step up from YA fantasy (especially given the main protagonist is sixteen). It's easy to read and fast-paced, with short chapters (always a plus for me!) and the settings are vividly described.

It definitely has its flaws. My main gripe is

around Cade, the second half for him was really disappointing, the potential love triangle felt unnecessary and irritating, and Cade was reduced to a jealous teenage boy, really spoiling the bromance that had begun so strong in the first half, to the point where I found I didn't really care the way I should have about his death (especially given I had seen it coming)

. I enjoyed pretty much all the characters in this book otherwise, but I do feel like there was a little something missing and I can't put my finger on what or why - there were a few places where I should have been tearing up for example, but I realised I wasn't as emotionally invested as I might have been.

But all in all, this is WELL worth a read and I look forward to book 2.