Scan barcode
A review by cathuluu
The Emerald Blade by Steven Kelliher
4.0
Kole Reyna and his battle-seasoned friends have left their sheltered Valley and made their way into the World. The Sages have amassed vast amounts of power in an attempt to defeat each other, yet the consequences fall upon people who only mean to preserve their way of life. The Landkist of the Valley mean to right the wrongs inflicted upon the World by the Sages, and to seek out their once-sovereign, the Ember King. His alliances have shifted over the long years of his life, and Kole believes he is integral in bringing the Sages down.
The scope of The Emerald Blade is much wider than its predecessor, [b:Valley of Embers|31296952|Valley of Embers (The Landkist Saga, #1)|Steven Kelliher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469891747s/31296952.jpg|51961898]. The writing allows the reader to easily envision the sweeping breadth of the World as the Valley Landkist step into it for the first time in a generation. I found an interesting parallel between the reader's experience and our group of protagonists; we're experiencing the World right alongside Kole, Linn, Baas, Misha & Jenk, which is both enthralling and at some times, confusing. Their lives were spent cloistered away in the Valley, the ways of the World unknown to them and to the reader as well. There were times in the story when I wasn't able to keep track of the new characters from Center, as some of them are referred to by a title, and some of those titles seemed interchangeable. All was made clear by the end of the book, but I struggled a little in the first half, having to go back and reread to get a better understanding of what was happening and to whom.
I really enjoyed Linn's progression, having come away from the battle with the White Crest with more than anyone expected. How she handles that change comes across as authentic, and it was a delight to see her come to embrace it in time. My favorite Landkist is Baas Taldis. He is Rockbled, having the means to manipulate the earth around him. He's a human with World-given gifts, but is essentially described as a personified boulder with a gentle & wise soul, careful not to waste his words on anything without purpose or thought. I love the contrast between his demeanor and his physical strength, giving his character depth.
This is a series worth reading if you are a great fan of epic fantasy. Things don't go as you'd expect them to, and you're treated to a detailed world filled with interesting and unique characters.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchanged for an honest review.
The scope of The Emerald Blade is much wider than its predecessor, [b:Valley of Embers|31296952|Valley of Embers (The Landkist Saga, #1)|Steven Kelliher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469891747s/31296952.jpg|51961898]. The writing allows the reader to easily envision the sweeping breadth of the World as the Valley Landkist step into it for the first time in a generation. I found an interesting parallel between the reader's experience and our group of protagonists; we're experiencing the World right alongside Kole, Linn, Baas, Misha & Jenk, which is both enthralling and at some times, confusing. Their lives were spent cloistered away in the Valley, the ways of the World unknown to them and to the reader as well. There were times in the story when I wasn't able to keep track of the new characters from Center, as some of them are referred to by a title, and some of those titles seemed interchangeable. All was made clear by the end of the book, but I struggled a little in the first half, having to go back and reread to get a better understanding of what was happening and to whom.
I really enjoyed Linn's progression, having come away from the battle with the White Crest with more than anyone expected. How she handles that change comes across as authentic, and it was a delight to see her come to embrace it in time. My favorite Landkist is Baas Taldis. He is Rockbled, having the means to manipulate the earth around him. He's a human with World-given gifts, but is essentially described as a personified boulder with a gentle & wise soul, careful not to waste his words on anything without purpose or thought. I love the contrast between his demeanor and his physical strength, giving his character depth.
This is a series worth reading if you are a great fan of epic fantasy. Things don't go as you'd expect them to, and you're treated to a detailed world filled with interesting and unique characters.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchanged for an honest review.