A review by sonofthunder
Lamentation by Ken Scholes

3.0

This is a book that I discovered via an online article some time back...found the book itself in Half-Price Books not that long ago and now have completed it. It's...an interesting book with interesting ideas and I want to say I liked it. The idea of it intrigued me(mix of fantasy and ancient technology and whispers of Earth) and indeed the ideas and the plot is the best thing about the book. The writing itself is a bit rough, and as I started reading it, I was very much not impressed. Figured I'd finish it for the sake of it but not read any more of the series. Half-way through, I found it getting slightly better, but still doubted I'd want to read any further books. Then somehow today, as I finished the book...realized I actually do want to read more of this series now. Good job, Scholes - you've hooked me!! Why didn't I like it at first? Well, I suppose I can say that I'm not a fan of the way the author handled the characters. As some of you may know, my very favourite books feature characters so rich and deep that they seem almost real. This book...does not have characters like that. They all seemed a bit one-dimensional. A few chapters in, you instantly understand who the heroes are, who the villains are...and...that's not necessarily a bad thing, but the characters themselves just seemed flat. No layers, no growth. The prose was also a bit dull and predictable at times, but I suppose I can't complain too much, as my own writing is far worse! Nonetheless, not impressed. But...the world itself, and the evident detail that has gone into the world-building and plotting gave the story a richness that saved it from the lacklustre characters and mediocre writing. Very much have to give the author props for creating some seriously fascinating history and backstory! And at the end of the day, I am curious to see where he takes the story from here and I'm hoping(as this was his debut novel) that the second book improves and grips me even further.