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A review by jackiespider
The Throne of Honor and Blood by J. Bree
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I am so bloody conflicted about how I feel about this book, so this review is going to be pure chaos, because I’m just going to talk.
First and foremost, I have an unexplainable attachment to this story and these characters. TCOOAC was exceptional, slow in that incredible way the beginning of all fantasy books are. It reminded me so much of Fellowship of the Ring, the introduction of different mythical races, the decades long political drama between each, and also within their own factions- and it had the absolute potential to deliver something incredible.
Unfortunately, book 2 was no Two Towers.
Why was it so long?!?! This needed some heavy editing, and I say that as someone who loves character driven instalments, with an appreciation for the slower plot lines. But 7 pages of Soren and Gage in a prison talking about absolutely nothing was completely unnecessary.
It could have benefitted from a few heavier action scenes thrown in to break up the long travel chapters, because this was an absolute drag to get through.
HOWEVER… J Bree has an absolute talent for writing complex characters with buckets of depth, and I adore Rooke so much. Sorens character development was excellent, and the introduction of the goblins was a highlight for me. I enjoyed a lot of the side characters, I just wish the plot was a bit more engaging, because for a book this size, it needs a decent balance, especially when the first book was also a slow burn.
Will I be reading the 3rd? Absolutely. I’m heavily invested, I was just really disappointed with this one.
First and foremost, I have an unexplainable attachment to this story and these characters. TCOOAC was exceptional, slow in that incredible way the beginning of all fantasy books are. It reminded me so much of Fellowship of the Ring, the introduction of different mythical races, the decades long political drama between each, and also within their own factions- and it had the absolute potential to deliver something incredible.
Unfortunately, book 2 was no Two Towers.
Why was it so long?!?! This needed some heavy editing, and I say that as someone who loves character driven instalments, with an appreciation for the slower plot lines. But 7 pages of Soren and Gage in a prison talking about absolutely nothing was completely unnecessary.
It could have benefitted from a few heavier action scenes thrown in to break up the long travel chapters, because this was an absolute drag to get through.
HOWEVER… J Bree has an absolute talent for writing complex characters with buckets of depth, and I adore Rooke so much. Sorens character development was excellent, and the introduction of the goblins was a highlight for me. I enjoyed a lot of the side characters, I just wish the plot was a bit more engaging, because for a book this size, it needs a decent balance, especially when the first book was also a slow burn.
Will I be reading the 3rd? Absolutely. I’m heavily invested, I was just really disappointed with this one.