Scan barcode
A review by witchywilds
The Warden by Daniel M. Ford
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A really great surprise, I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did! This isn't marketed as cozy or featuring found family vibes, but that's what I got from it, so if that's your cup of tea I think you'll love this book.
Aelis is surprisingly likeable, despite her noble background and inflated self image. If you like clever and capable women who love necromancy, wine, and kissing girls, this is the protagonist for you! I think fans of the Locked Tomb series will enjoy this one, though the atmosphere is different. She slowly grows throughout the story and kind of loses her standoffish, "I'm better than this" attitude and becomes quite likeable imo.
Aelis is also supported by a great cast of characters such as Maurenia the half-elf, Tun the half-orc, and Rus the innkeep. There's loads more that I enjoyed but I'll let you read to discover them.
I enjoyed Ford's writing style and especially his action scenes, not too drawn out but not so devoid of detail I couldn't picture what was happening well.
This is a nitpick, but I was off put in the beginning just how often Aelis spoke to herself out loud rather than just talking in her head, but this tapers off as the story progresses. Another nitpick is the romance. I'm not a big romance guy so feel free to ignore my unqualified opinion, but it just kinda happens, which is whatever to me, I don't mind. Sometimes all you need to date someone is to think they're pretty and if so, more power to you! I do enjoy the two together, I just wasn't convinced they'd hook up so quickly and would've liked more buildup. However, Necrobane is releasing in a matter of days and will pick up right where we left off and I see there's a third book in the works so plenty of time to flesh this relationship out!
Overall one of my favorite reads of the year so far and I'm super excited to get my hands on Necrobane in a few days time! Hats off to you Mr. Ford, you've got a new reader!
BTW, I think the cover art for these books is gorgeous and will be buying physical copies later for SURE!
Aelis is surprisingly likeable, despite her noble background and inflated self image. If you like clever and capable women who love necromancy, wine, and kissing girls, this is the protagonist for you! I think fans of the Locked Tomb series will enjoy this one, though the atmosphere is different. She slowly grows throughout the story and kind of loses her standoffish, "I'm better than this" attitude and becomes quite likeable imo.
Aelis is also supported by a great cast of characters such as Maurenia the half-elf, Tun the half-orc, and Rus the innkeep. There's loads more that I enjoyed but I'll let you read to discover them.
I enjoyed Ford's writing style and especially his action scenes, not too drawn out but not so devoid of detail I couldn't picture what was happening well.
This is a nitpick, but I was off put in the beginning just how often Aelis spoke to herself out loud rather than just talking in her head, but this tapers off as the story progresses. Another nitpick is the romance. I'm not a big romance guy so feel free to ignore my unqualified opinion, but it just kinda happens, which is whatever to me, I don't mind. Sometimes all you need to date someone is to think they're pretty and if so, more power to you! I do enjoy the two together, I just wasn't convinced they'd hook up so quickly and would've liked more buildup. However, Necrobane is releasing in a matter of days and will pick up right where we left off and I see there's a third book in the works so plenty of time to flesh this relationship out!
Overall one of my favorite reads of the year so far and I'm super excited to get my hands on Necrobane in a few days time! Hats off to you Mr. Ford, you've got a new reader!
BTW, I think the cover art for these books is gorgeous and will be buying physical copies later for SURE!