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A review by stateofdreamingg
The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley
2.0
2.5* Let me first start this off by saying I have my opinion on this book, and you have yours. Let's agree to disagree here. I came across this book after it was listed alongside Malice by John Gwynne as a book for adult fantasy and grimdark fans. I looked at the rating on here and figured I give it a shot hoping the book would be something I would enjoy.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. First thing, the book has great world-building. I enjoyed that aspect of it. However, I found the book somewhat boring. The plot is something that's been done before; an emperor is murdered and his children are targeted next. I was hoping that Staveley would put an interesting twist on it, but in my opinion he did not. There was, however, one part of the book that I was not expecting so I appreciate that.
Adare's part of the book was great and the main reason I gave this book 2.5 stars. But Adare only had 4 or 5 chapters in the book, and the rest of the book was given to Kaden and mostly Valyn. I'm not sure how old Valyn is supposed to be (I'm assuming older than Kaden whom is 17), but boy did he act like a teenager most of the book. He had little growth and only showed true development the last three chapters of the book. God, I wish Adare had more chapters.
The last thing I'm gonna comment on is the language the narrative and characters used to refer to women. They were either bitches or whores. A female character could not be described unless her breasts and hips were mentioned. I had to laugh when a character (not mentioning who because of spoilers) was tied up and facing death had time to think about a woman's shapely breasts and curvaceous hips. Not to mention the woman he was commenting on was also in bad shape injury wise. I bought the physical copy of this book, but if it wasn't for the audiobook I wouldn't have finished it.
I don't plan on reading the other books unless someone tells me we get more of Adare's POV.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. First thing, the book has great world-building. I enjoyed that aspect of it. However, I found the book somewhat boring. The plot is something that's been done before; an emperor is murdered and his children are targeted next. I was hoping that Staveley would put an interesting twist on it, but in my opinion he did not. There was, however, one part of the book that I was not expecting so I appreciate that.
Adare's part of the book was great and the main reason I gave this book 2.5 stars. But Adare only had 4 or 5 chapters in the book, and the rest of the book was given to Kaden and mostly Valyn. I'm not sure how old Valyn is supposed to be (I'm assuming older than Kaden whom is 17), but boy did he act like a teenager most of the book. He had little growth and only showed true development the last three chapters of the book. God, I wish Adare had more chapters.
The last thing I'm gonna comment on is the language the narrative and characters used to refer to women. They were either bitches or whores. A female character could not be described unless her breasts and hips were mentioned. I had to laugh when a character (not mentioning who because of spoilers) was tied up and facing death had time to think about a woman's shapely breasts and curvaceous hips. Not to mention the woman he was commenting on was also in bad shape injury wise. I bought the physical copy of this book, but if it wasn't for the audiobook I wouldn't have finished it.
I don't plan on reading the other books unless someone tells me we get more of Adare's POV.