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j3ss1c4r34d5 's review for:
The Coward
by Stephen Aryan
I have never read anything by Stephen Aryan, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But it's safe to say that he is officially on my radar and I'll be devouring all of his previous work.
The Coward follows Kell Kressia, a farmer who is trying to escape from his hero past. Much to his annoyance, he is summoned by the King and sent off once again to destroy the forces in the North that threaten the kingdoms. Convinced that he survived his first quest by luck and luck alone, he concocts a plan that will hopefully increase his chances of survival. On his way North, he recruits a unique group of warriors willing to risk their life for the sake of glory and fame. But none of them were prepared for the dangers along the way, let alone the actual threat that awaits them beyond the ice.
There was a unique juxtaposition of hero and coward and how easily the line between the two can be blurred. The truth behind a warrior's journey was darkly comedic and depressing all at once. It was also incredibly human, a concept that is often lost in most fantasy novels. Usually the heroes are painted in an infallible light but that is not the case in The Coward. All of the characters made it easy to immerse myself within the story. It felt like I was part of the motley group, sitting around the campfire listening to their stories. I didn't want the story to end, simply because I loved the bond that naturally grew within the group.
The POV chapter shifts were difficult for me to enjoy at first. The political intrigue angle didn't seem to mesh with the main story, but it didn't take long for me to throw that thought out the window. I usually guess where a story is heading early on the book, but I found myself pleasantly surprised when the story kept shifting. It has the perfect blend of action, comedy, and mystery. The ending took me by surprise and not because it was a cliffhanger. It's just one of those endings that's so clever that you almost want to laugh.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an e-arc copy for review.
The Coward follows Kell Kressia, a farmer who is trying to escape from his hero past. Much to his annoyance, he is summoned by the King and sent off once again to destroy the forces in the North that threaten the kingdoms. Convinced that he survived his first quest by luck and luck alone, he concocts a plan that will hopefully increase his chances of survival. On his way North, he recruits a unique group of warriors willing to risk their life for the sake of glory and fame. But none of them were prepared for the dangers along the way, let alone the actual threat that awaits them beyond the ice.
There was a unique juxtaposition of hero and coward and how easily the line between the two can be blurred. The truth behind a warrior's journey was darkly comedic and depressing all at once. It was also incredibly human, a concept that is often lost in most fantasy novels. Usually the heroes are painted in an infallible light but that is not the case in The Coward. All of the characters made it easy to immerse myself within the story. It felt like I was part of the motley group, sitting around the campfire listening to their stories. I didn't want the story to end, simply because I loved the bond that naturally grew within the group.
The POV chapter shifts were difficult for me to enjoy at first. The political intrigue angle didn't seem to mesh with the main story, but it didn't take long for me to throw that thought out the window. I usually guess where a story is heading early on the book, but I found myself pleasantly surprised when the story kept shifting. It has the perfect blend of action, comedy, and mystery. The ending took me by surprise and not because it was a cliffhanger. It's just one of those endings that's so clever that you almost want to laugh.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an e-arc copy for review.