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sjnb 's review for:
King of Ashes
by Raymond E. Feist
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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
Alright, let's get a bit more personal about "King of Ashes." I picked this up as a longtime Feist fan, having devoured the Riftwar Cycle in my teens. So, there was definitely a nostalgic pull. While "King of Ashes" isn't quite the same lightning-in-a-bottle experience, it's a comfortable return to a familiar style of epic fantasy.
What really grabbed me was the world-building. Feist's talent for creating believable, lived-in worlds is still sharp. I could practically feel the soot and smell the forge in Declan's workshop. The political machinations, though initially complex, felt grounded and engaging. I found myself genuinely invested in Declan's struggle to find his place in a world that wanted him dead.
Now, I'll admit, the first half felt like a slow burn. I was itching for the action to kick in, and when it finally did, it delivered. The fight scenes were well-written and exciting, and the revelations about Declan's past were satisfying. However, I did notice a few familiar tropes popping up, which made some plot points feel a bit predictable.
Despite that, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the journey. Declan is a likeable protagonist, and his growth throughout the book felt natural. I was also intrigued by the supporting characters, particularly those with hidden agendas and mysterious pasts.
Ultimately, "King of Ashes" felt like a warm, comforting hug from an old friend. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid, well-crafted fantasy novel that left me eager to continue the series. If you're a Feist fan or just looking for a good, old-fashioned epic fantasy, this is definitely worth a read. It's a 4 out of 5 because while I enjoyed it, I wanted a little more of that "wow" factor that his older work had.
What really grabbed me was the world-building. Feist's talent for creating believable, lived-in worlds is still sharp. I could practically feel the soot and smell the forge in Declan's workshop. The political machinations, though initially complex, felt grounded and engaging. I found myself genuinely invested in Declan's struggle to find his place in a world that wanted him dead.
Now, I'll admit, the first half felt like a slow burn. I was itching for the action to kick in, and when it finally did, it delivered. The fight scenes were well-written and exciting, and the revelations about Declan's past were satisfying. However, I did notice a few familiar tropes popping up, which made some plot points feel a bit predictable.
Despite that, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the journey. Declan is a likeable protagonist, and his growth throughout the book felt natural. I was also intrigued by the supporting characters, particularly those with hidden agendas and mysterious pasts.
Ultimately, "King of Ashes" felt like a warm, comforting hug from an old friend. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid, well-crafted fantasy novel that left me eager to continue the series. If you're a Feist fan or just looking for a good, old-fashioned epic fantasy, this is definitely worth a read. It's a 4 out of 5 because while I enjoyed it, I wanted a little more of that "wow" factor that his older work had.