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A review by toledoray7
Shadow Fall by Alexander Freed
2.0
I hate to give this 2 stars but by Goodreads suggestion, this book was just "ok".
I think the fundamental problem I have with this book is that I care little about the characters. Outside of Nath and maybe Quell I am not interested in any of the other characters. Chass is extremely unlikable and while Freed is trying to have a character arc for her I am not seeing much development or any redeeming qualities. Wyl is much the same way. His character arc is to become less sympathetic? Kairos was the most intriguing character in the first book and Freed decides to pretty much write her out of this one for the most part. I couldn't believe it. Quell is fine but I am getting tired with her character's relentless guilt. I am happy where she ended up at the end of this novel as that is probably the most interesting development that could have happened to her.
I thought Freed's writing style was not great here, especially in the combat scenes. Maybe it was just me but I often couldn't visualize in my head what he was describing so I just pushed through and accepted that only the outcome of the battle scenes really mattered. I felt like there was a few gaps in the plot that were maybe lost in editing or perhaps I just didn't comprehend certain plot developments.
Overall I am disappointed that this book wasn't more interesting however for all of its faults, Shadow Fall ended in a way that gives the story a lot of potential to have a satisfying conclusion.
I think the fundamental problem I have with this book is that I care little about the characters. Outside of Nath and maybe Quell I am not interested in any of the other characters. Chass is extremely unlikable and while Freed is trying to have a character arc for her I am not seeing much development or any redeeming qualities. Wyl is much the same way. His character arc is to become less sympathetic? Kairos was the most intriguing character in the first book and Freed decides to pretty much write her out of this one for the most part. I couldn't believe it. Quell is fine but I am getting tired with her character's relentless guilt. I am happy where she ended up at the end of this novel as that is probably the most interesting development that could have happened to her.
I thought Freed's writing style was not great here, especially in the combat scenes. Maybe it was just me but I often couldn't visualize in my head what he was describing so I just pushed through and accepted that only the outcome of the battle scenes really mattered. I felt like there was a few gaps in the plot that were maybe lost in editing or perhaps I just didn't comprehend certain plot developments.
Overall I am disappointed that this book wasn't more interesting however for all of its faults, Shadow Fall ended in a way that gives the story a lot of potential to have a satisfying conclusion.