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A review by readtheblurb
The Sword Saint by C.F. Iggulden, Conn Iggulden
3.0
I have very mixed feelings about this trilogy (I’m reviewing all three books again). This is Conn Iggulden’s first attempt at a fantasy series as his usual genre is historical fiction. I’ve always liked his other books so had high hopes for this trilogy. Conn’s writing is fast flowing and easy to read, so that you can literally jump into the book at any point with no issues.
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The story itself revolves around a city named Darien, ruled by twelve families, and a plot to kill the king. We’re quickly introduced to the entire cast who all play a vital role, but have no affiliation with each other. Despite this, all characters somehow converge in one place, despite very different motives. I will say one thing though, and that is the characters are extremely varied and have some really exciting aspects to them which do make them very unique. This is probably one of the first times I’ve liked EVERY character. I won’t say much about the magic system in the books, however, it was unique and quite enjoyable to discover more about it.
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The plot at times was interesting yet mostly felt messily thrown together. I actually think the first book could easily have been a stand-alone or if anything just worked as a stage setting book, because the plot really only started....and ended in book two.
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I actually found the second book a lot better than the first. We’re introduced to some new and interesting characters and a brand new city. Conn somehow links up the plot between the two cities and suddenly we’re back at Darien and stuff happens. But overall it was actually a better book. Book three on the other hand...hmmph. This should’ve been a duo series. It wasn’t a bad book, but not really needed and didn’t expand on the world or reveal any revelations, except for just extending the story and revealing a new bad guy, (whose motives were so “tropey”). So once again the band of characters gets together and does some shit (very similar to book one). I think the third book may have been a rehash of book one?!
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Overall verdict is 3.5
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The story itself revolves around a city named Darien, ruled by twelve families, and a plot to kill the king. We’re quickly introduced to the entire cast who all play a vital role, but have no affiliation with each other. Despite this, all characters somehow converge in one place, despite very different motives. I will say one thing though, and that is the characters are extremely varied and have some really exciting aspects to them which do make them very unique. This is probably one of the first times I’ve liked EVERY character. I won’t say much about the magic system in the books, however, it was unique and quite enjoyable to discover more about it.
-
The plot at times was interesting yet mostly felt messily thrown together. I actually think the first book could easily have been a stand-alone or if anything just worked as a stage setting book, because the plot really only started....and ended in book two.
-
I actually found the second book a lot better than the first. We’re introduced to some new and interesting characters and a brand new city. Conn somehow links up the plot between the two cities and suddenly we’re back at Darien and stuff happens. But overall it was actually a better book. Book three on the other hand...hmmph. This should’ve been a duo series. It wasn’t a bad book, but not really needed and didn’t expand on the world or reveal any revelations, except for just extending the story and revealing a new bad guy, (whose motives were so “tropey”). So once again the band of characters gets together and does some shit (very similar to book one). I think the third book may have been a rehash of book one?!
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Overall verdict is 3.5