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itsneilcochrane 's review for:
The Thousand Names
by Django Wexler
This book was, to be honest, full of surprises for me. It had been on my radar for awhile because I follow Wexler, a fellow PNW author, on Twitter, and I finally picked it up while on vacation this summer.
I obviously had forgotten the blurb in the interim, because I did not expect such a military-heavy flintlock fantasy. The only other one I've read was The Promise of Blood, which I also enjoyed, though not enough to rush out for The Crimson Campaign. When it became clear that this novel was really militaristic, I wavered a little, but plugged on because I was so in love with Winter.
Winter was another surprise. I did not know there was a lesbian in this book and when I found out I literally giggled because I was so pleased. I fell in love with her right away. She's exactly the kind of character I swoon for: analytical, taciturn, shrewd but loyal, with more layers than the earth's crust. I really can't gush enough. Marcus got more page time for furthering the major action, but to me Winter was the real star and I'm dying for more of her.
I wavered, as I said, because the numerous battles wore on me a little, but as I continued to read it became clear that Wexler is a serious master of his craft. There was one chapter in particular that handled several reveals perfectly, so much so that I actually cackled aloud as I understood, but the whole novel is a study of pacing an epic work. It was long, but luxuriously so, with world detail, reflection, and action in a beautiful balance, nicely blended for a casual reader and an absolute pleasure to observe as a fellow writer.
I look forward to picking up book two!
I obviously had forgotten the blurb in the interim, because I did not expect such a military-heavy flintlock fantasy. The only other one I've read was The Promise of Blood, which I also enjoyed, though not enough to rush out for The Crimson Campaign. When it became clear that this novel was really militaristic, I wavered a little, but plugged on because I was so in love with Winter.
Winter was another surprise. I did not know there was a lesbian in this book and when I found out I literally giggled because I was so pleased. I fell in love with her right away. She's exactly the kind of character I swoon for: analytical, taciturn, shrewd but loyal, with more layers than the earth's crust. I really can't gush enough. Marcus got more page time for furthering the major action, but to me Winter was the real star and I'm dying for more of her.
I wavered, as I said, because the numerous battles wore on me a little, but as I continued to read it became clear that Wexler is a serious master of his craft. There was one chapter in particular that handled several reveals perfectly, so much so that I actually cackled aloud as I understood, but the whole novel is a study of pacing an epic work. It was long, but luxuriously so, with world detail, reflection, and action in a beautiful balance, nicely blended for a casual reader and an absolute pleasure to observe as a fellow writer.
I look forward to picking up book two!