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A review by frasersimons
A Time of Dread by John Gwynne
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My first Gwynne, and probably the wrong starting point, I’m guessing, since it feels like it’s winking and nodding to something I was completely unaware of. Apparently there’s a series before this one.
However, it is still pretty fun. Warrior winged angel type people and multiple POVs serving as a setup to a larger conflict around the major factions.
It’s relatively strong at character interiority and especially at battle scenes, which feel kinetic and interesting, rather than super heroic and bombastic. The realism makes it convincing.
The dialogue and overall plot is more serviceable than anything, but this is commercial fiction, so I’m fine with that. Annoyingly, when I bought this and the sequel on an audible sale, I thought it was a duology and not a trilogy. This did make me want to keep reading though. Can’t ask for much more than that.
However, it is still pretty fun. Warrior winged angel type people and multiple POVs serving as a setup to a larger conflict around the major factions.
It’s relatively strong at character interiority and especially at battle scenes, which feel kinetic and interesting, rather than super heroic and bombastic. The realism makes it convincing.
The dialogue and overall plot is more serviceable than anything, but this is commercial fiction, so I’m fine with that. Annoyingly, when I bought this and the sequel on an audible sale, I thought it was a duology and not a trilogy. This did make me want to keep reading though. Can’t ask for much more than that.