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afictionalescapist's reviews
49 reviews
A Touch of Light by Thiago Abdalla
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
3.75 Rounded up
“That’s the thing about light. All you need is a touch to see the horrors lurking in the dark.”
Initially I thought this book didn’t really work for me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Upon reflection the execution and transition between the POV’s were rather jarring and took me out of the world, meaning I had to readjust constantly throughout the book. That being said, nearly all of the individual elements inside of these 450 odd pages really hit the mark starting with the cover.
Abdalla’s cover captures the energy of this book perfectly.
The more I look at it, the more I must applaud the artist. It’s simple but dramatic. The Ever tree stands tall, beautiful, and bright, with a hint that something isn’t quite right. The leaves are falling, and it looks almost wrong, like they shouldn’t be. Then you look closer, and the falling leaves are dying. Creating an essence of decay around an otherwise awe-inspiring centrepiece. The sword, (to me) represents the Domain the political and governmental leader who should not be judged or questioned for their actions; regardless of the chaos unfolding around them.
I am going to approach this review a little differently, as I understand the jarring POV's was a stylistic choice which didn't work for me as a reader, but I still have many a reason as to why you should pick this book up and give it a go.
First of all the character arcs. Each POV is given their own unique character arc which is utterly captivating when taken as individual stories. The reader follows Adrian, prince of the Domain, searching desperately for answers as to his brothers death. Lynne, a rebellious sentinel called back to her true calling, to be a bringer of death, and Nasha, a women fighting for her place amongst the Ronar against all odds.
Secondly the magic systems, these again felt unique to each story. I could not read Lynne's chapters fast enough. Even after putting this book down I want to go back and see if I missed things about the sentinels and the weight of the world she carries on her shoulder as well as the magical bond she carries with her mount.
The Overarching plot. This took a little more brain space to put together as the madness bleeds into each story and affects our characters in different ways. I am (ironically) dying to find out more about just what this is, what happened many many years ago, why it is back and how or if it can be defeated. I feel like we have only touched upon this in book one.
Lastly, there is a GRIFFIN!
Calling it now. 2022 - Year of the Griffin.
“That’s the thing about light. All you need is a touch to see the horrors lurking in the dark.”
Initially I thought this book didn’t really work for me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Upon reflection the execution and transition between the POV’s were rather jarring and took me out of the world, meaning I had to readjust constantly throughout the book. That being said, nearly all of the individual elements inside of these 450 odd pages really hit the mark starting with the cover.
Abdalla’s cover captures the energy of this book perfectly.
The more I look at it, the more I must applaud the artist. It’s simple but dramatic. The Ever tree stands tall, beautiful, and bright, with a hint that something isn’t quite right. The leaves are falling, and it looks almost wrong, like they shouldn’t be. Then you look closer, and the falling leaves are dying. Creating an essence of decay around an otherwise awe-inspiring centrepiece. The sword, (to me) represents the Domain the political and governmental leader who should not be judged or questioned for their actions; regardless of the chaos unfolding around them.
I am going to approach this review a little differently, as I understand the jarring POV's was a stylistic choice which didn't work for me as a reader, but I still have many a reason as to why you should pick this book up and give it a go.
First of all the character arcs. Each POV is given their own unique character arc which is utterly captivating when taken as individual stories. The reader follows Adrian, prince of the Domain, searching desperately for answers as to his brothers death. Lynne, a rebellious sentinel called back to her true calling, to be a bringer of death, and Nasha, a women fighting for her place amongst the Ronar against all odds.
Secondly the magic systems, these again felt unique to each story. I could not read Lynne's chapters fast enough. Even after putting this book down I want to go back and see if I missed things about the sentinels and the weight of the world she carries on her shoulder as well as the magical bond she carries with her mount.
The Overarching plot. This took a little more brain space to put together as the madness bleeds into each story and affects our characters in different ways. I am (ironically) dying to find out more about just what this is, what happened many many years ago, why it is back and how or if it can be defeated. I feel like we have only touched upon this in book one.
Lastly, there is a GRIFFIN!
Calling it now. 2022 - Year of the Griffin.
Exile by R.A. Salvatore
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Exile - R.A. Salvatore
For years Drizzt has been the hunter of the underdark. With keen senses and deadly scimitars nothing can stand in his way of freedom. Nothing, but a dreadful sense of loneliness.
Yearning for friendship, be it from Drow or Monster, Drizzt ventures out of his new safe haven, in search of the one thing he desperately craves. Another, living soul.
Unlikely friendships bloom while a vengeful mother plots her revenge and soon Drizzt is forced to flee once more into the dark. What she has planned, he may not survive.
I had a really fun time with the second installment of the Legend of Drizzt. I think I enjoyed book two more than the first because the world has already been established and we get to build upon the prior knowledge and really feel the dark around us as we read.
I enjoyed the exploration of grief and loss as well as building trust and letting others see our vulnerability. We find out that Drizzt really is not like other Drow.
While these books are not what I would call stand outs in the fantasy world for me, they feel comfortable. A nice, long running series to use as a pallet cleaner or when you need something that feels like home in this chosen genre.
Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jade Legacy - Fonda Lee
Regardless of whether you thought the Green Bone Saga was a 5/5 read, you have to admit, what author Fonda Lee has achieved is astounding.
Book three reads a little different to the first two installments. The reader is invited to a bigger picture, spanning decades. We watch prior and current clan decisions unfold. We see the consequences of both new and repeated actions. Old hatred’s, tired yet determined Green Bones and experience just how deep the green runs.
We see advancements in military, international take overs, rebellion, love, dedication, determination and familial turmoil. It all boils down to the clan. Which side will you choose?
Absolutely phenomenal. Even if I was stressed up until the last 20 seconds.
The Soul's Instruments by Mark Holloway
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Souls Instruments - Mark Holloway
“Where God is Order, the Aspect is Chaos”
Woah dang! I can honestly say that I did not move from my chair reading the last half of this book.
We start with a bang, Kehlem and Eva trying desperately to escape the hunters. Needing to learn to trust old friends, pick up fighting skills and put together the pieces of a much bigger puzzle than they initially thought.
This story is told in two POV’s, one man’s desperate control of the Aspect, is another man’s decent into vengeance fueled madness. Each character discovering the political and religious plays afoot, in order to seek complete control of the empire.
This book blows this world wide open, where the readers got a glimpse in book one, now we have a world. A world full of sinister machinations, desperate pleas for control, and devastating secrets inside of an ancient text no one knows how to translate.
My favorite part of this book was just how much more we got to see of the Aspect. The magic of the world is fascinating. Pulling energy from surrounding sources to exist in between a physical and astral world. Learning to control it is another matter altogether. Can Kehlem find peace and become the hero he so desperately desires, or will the Butcher surface and reign supreme?
Full in depth review to come on my Channel and epicindie.net.
The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
“Pray if it makes you feel better.” “Whatever happens now will be between you and your gods”
City of Dusk by Tara Sim was a wickedly fun read full of family politics, intriguing magic’s and complicated friendships.
The realms are dying, since the gods cut them off. Its up to the heirs of each of our four houses to work together and weaken the magical barriers holding the living and the dead alike trapped in Nexus.
But conjuration is afoot, threatening to bring the entire city down around them before they even get the chance to free the souls trapped within their city.
Will the four heirs use their magic in time to save their people? Or will their internal bickering destroy them all?
This book was very enjoyable, I particularly liked hasn’t shied away from showing how following our hearts can get in the way of duty. Humans are complicated, those descended from the gods even more so. I also loved the battle scenes! Pitting God against God ensures absolute chaos. These scenes had me shooing away responsibilities because I needed to finish them there and then.
I had a few issues with prose and pacing but overall it was a good time!
City of Dusk by Tara Sim was a wickedly fun read full of family politics, intriguing magic’s and complicated friendships.
The realms are dying, since the gods cut them off. Its up to the heirs of each of our four houses to work together and weaken the magical barriers holding the living and the dead alike trapped in Nexus.
But conjuration is afoot, threatening to bring the entire city down around them before they even get the chance to free the souls trapped within their city.
Will the four heirs use their magic in time to save their people? Or will their internal bickering destroy them all?
This book was very enjoyable, I particularly liked hasn’t shied away from showing how following our hearts can get in the way of duty. Humans are complicated, those descended from the gods even more so. I also loved the battle scenes! Pitting God against God ensures absolute chaos. These scenes had me shooing away responsibilities because I needed to finish them there and then.
I had a few issues with prose and pacing but overall it was a good time!
No Place for Peace by Tom Dumbrell
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
No Place for Peace picks up just weeks after the events in book one “The Look of a King”, with our main protagonist Cyrus venturing to King Simeon’s keep expecting to be thrown into his dungeons. Instead, Cyrus is shown compassion and given a task, to find Simeon’s long lost son. In the name of keeping the peace Cyrus accepts this quest. He eventually returns home, only to find the princes of Verdera on his doorstep, threatening his new life and his new family. It seems like, there is no place for peace after all.
Once again Dumbrell’s fast paced plot draws the reader in to his world, but the stakes are heightened with one party wanting peace, and the others fighting for the Auldhaven throne. At no point does the reader need to wonder what is happening; each chapter pushes the audience forward from one event to the next.
While book one did describe the nations at war (or peace) with one another, book two takes it to a whole new level. The four nations of the Quadripartite all play a bigger role here. The relationships and political standing of each city and its leaders are further explored giving the world a much bigger feel.
Our characters also develop quite a lot in this second instalment as new responsibilities and a shift of lifestyle comes into play. We experience new acquaintances, friendships, shifting alliances, treachery, and ambitions through the eyes of our POV’s.
My biggest praise for this book is how the author can build up a scene, lull the reader into a false sense of security then within a sentence, leave us devastated. The way emotions are toyed with within these pages is masterful, but it does leave me as a reader a little distrustful. On a few occasions I thought to myself “oh this is nice, wait … I’m about to get gut punched aren’t I?”.
I would be remiss not to mention that the romance in this book has me completely sucked in. For someone that doesn’t particularly like a lot of romance, that is quite the feat. The romance feels new, and sweet, reminiscent of the first time you felt your heart flutter when someone you fancied walked past back in the day. It doesn’t take away from the darker undertones of the story at all, instead lacing it with hope, and a reminder that even in the hardest of times, there is always something or someone to come home to.
From about 40% on I didn’t want to put this book down and had a very enjoyable time. There are certain parts which I think could have been a little more fleshed out but overall, I give this one a solid 4.25.
Once again Dumbrell’s fast paced plot draws the reader in to his world, but the stakes are heightened with one party wanting peace, and the others fighting for the Auldhaven throne. At no point does the reader need to wonder what is happening; each chapter pushes the audience forward from one event to the next.
While book one did describe the nations at war (or peace) with one another, book two takes it to a whole new level. The four nations of the Quadripartite all play a bigger role here. The relationships and political standing of each city and its leaders are further explored giving the world a much bigger feel.
Our characters also develop quite a lot in this second instalment as new responsibilities and a shift of lifestyle comes into play. We experience new acquaintances, friendships, shifting alliances, treachery, and ambitions through the eyes of our POV’s.
My biggest praise for this book is how the author can build up a scene, lull the reader into a false sense of security then within a sentence, leave us devastated. The way emotions are toyed with within these pages is masterful, but it does leave me as a reader a little distrustful. On a few occasions I thought to myself “oh this is nice, wait … I’m about to get gut punched aren’t I?”.
I would be remiss not to mention that the romance in this book has me completely sucked in. For someone that doesn’t particularly like a lot of romance, that is quite the feat. The romance feels new, and sweet, reminiscent of the first time you felt your heart flutter when someone you fancied walked past back in the day. It doesn’t take away from the darker undertones of the story at all, instead lacing it with hope, and a reminder that even in the hardest of times, there is always something or someone to come home to.
From about 40% on I didn’t want to put this book down and had a very enjoyable time. There are certain parts which I think could have been a little more fleshed out but overall, I give this one a solid 4.25.
Shadow's Edge by Brent Weeks
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Following on from the events in book one Kylar hopes to move forward with a more peaceful life. Unfortunately staying away from the desire to kill isn't as easy as he hoped. But he will try like hell, for the family, peace and love he so craves.
His dreams of becoming a humble herbalist alongside his sweet love, and adopted child are shattered when an old friend from the past is rumoured to be alive. Will Kylar give up everything he had hoped for, to save his friend, and protect an entire nation from the Godking's reign?
I had a good time with this book. It is fun familiar fantasy, fast paced, good vs. evil overtones, morally grey characters and a surprising amount of humanity.
The last two lines of this book will have you itching to pick up book 3 right away!
His dreams of becoming a humble herbalist alongside his sweet love, and adopted child are shattered when an old friend from the past is rumoured to be alive. Will Kylar give up everything he had hoped for, to save his friend, and protect an entire nation from the Godking's reign?
I had a good time with this book. It is fun familiar fantasy, fast paced, good vs. evil overtones, morally grey characters and a surprising amount of humanity.
The last two lines of this book will have you itching to pick up book 3 right away!
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Girl Who Kicks the Hornet's Nest takes place right after the events of book two.
Salander in the hospital recovering while the team behind her (despite her sunny disposition) strive to prove her innocents from the previous events.
This book is filled with espionage, tension and forced friendship making for a highly entertaining read.
I had a great time with the series as a whole with book three being my least favourite but still ranking at a solid 3.5 rounded up.
Salander in the hospital recovering while the team behind her (despite her sunny disposition) strive to prove her innocents from the previous events.
This book is filled with espionage, tension and forced friendship making for a highly entertaining read.
I had a great time with the series as a whole with book three being my least favourite but still ranking at a solid 3.5 rounded up.
Prison of Sleep by Tim Pratt
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
**Spoilers for book one Doors of Sleep included in this review**
Picking up after the events of book one, Zaxony Delatree finds himself alone, with a pen and paper diary tracking his travels through the wormholes of the multiverse trying to get back to his friends. This time the tale is told through two separate timelines and POV’s. Ana, Zax’s love interest who comes in right at the end of book one and Zax. We find out through their diary accounts that they found sanctuary for a time, but were unfortunately separated due to an attack on the “Sleeperhold” and must once again find their way to one another through the multiverse while also battling and finding the source of the “Cult of the Worm”. A cult hellbent on the destruction of the entire multiverse.
Once again we are thrown into the thick of the world or worlds without a whole lot of explanation, but through the diary entries we are told that each time people travel through the worlds they create small pin prick holes in the multiverse, threatening the world with collapse. It has been discovered that some sort of wormy parasite is ingested by those who travel and there is a cult of people infecting others with these little worms with the intention of destroying the world. Luckily there are those who wish to stop the bleeding (so to speak) and seek to repair the holes, take down the cult and restore peace.
Following a similar quirky tone, Pratt invites the reader to let their imagination run wild. The imagery and humour shine throughout the pages but there is a hint at a more serious undertone from the first instalment. Again, we have some serious conversations subtly introduced such as the importance of seeing another person’s point of view before casting judgement, friendship and once again to seize the day and live as happily as we can for however many days we have left. I will say I enjoyed book one more overall, but I really liked the structure of this book told between the two POV’s.
This one gets a 3.25 from me 😊
Picking up after the events of book one, Zaxony Delatree finds himself alone, with a pen and paper diary tracking his travels through the wormholes of the multiverse trying to get back to his friends. This time the tale is told through two separate timelines and POV’s. Ana, Zax’s love interest who comes in right at the end of book one and Zax. We find out through their diary accounts that they found sanctuary for a time, but were unfortunately separated due to an attack on the “Sleeperhold” and must once again find their way to one another through the multiverse while also battling and finding the source of the “Cult of the Worm”. A cult hellbent on the destruction of the entire multiverse.
Once again we are thrown into the thick of the world or worlds without a whole lot of explanation, but through the diary entries we are told that each time people travel through the worlds they create small pin prick holes in the multiverse, threatening the world with collapse. It has been discovered that some sort of wormy parasite is ingested by those who travel and there is a cult of people infecting others with these little worms with the intention of destroying the world. Luckily there are those who wish to stop the bleeding (so to speak) and seek to repair the holes, take down the cult and restore peace.
Following a similar quirky tone, Pratt invites the reader to let their imagination run wild. The imagery and humour shine throughout the pages but there is a hint at a more serious undertone from the first instalment. Again, we have some serious conversations subtly introduced such as the importance of seeing another person’s point of view before casting judgement, friendship and once again to seize the day and live as happily as we can for however many days we have left. I will say I enjoyed book one more overall, but I really liked the structure of this book told between the two POV’s.
This one gets a 3.25 from me 😊
The Blood of the Spear by Mark Timmony
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am not going to lie, I was intimidated by this book from the get-go, not because it is particularly long, but because we have an intricate map at the front and a full glossary of terms in the back. I am pleased to say, although I did take a little longer than a standard 500 – 600 book to read this one, I had a really great time within these pages.
We are dropped into a trial of sorts between Kaiel and Rolan as they race against the other to become a renowned deamon hunter. The reader is Immediately thrown into a world full of monsters, and the stakes are set super high from page one. The fast-paced trial leaving Kaiel at a loss is only the beginning.
It becomes apparent that our buddy Kaiel is going to need a plan B, and his brother Darien just so happens to be planning to leave to join the Ciralys; A group of people who can use this worlds magic (the Asai) to wield the light of the eye. Although sceptical about Darien’s knew life path, there is a case of if you can’t beat em, join em. Their departure becomes desperate when rumours of an ancient bloodline begin to surface, rumours focusing on the two brothers, and suddenly they are being hunted.
This is an action packed, sometimes terrifying travelling adventure, full of intriguing characters that hold their own, daemons who will not quit, and a 3000-year-old battle that has come back to follow these two brothers.
There were a few stand outs for me in Mark Timmony’s work the first being the world building and prose.
While it took me a fairly long time to get into the language of the novel, the descriptions and technicalities of the prose bought this world to life. There is obvious inspiration from Wheel of Time, but the author has taken great care into making this world his own. The prose here is not flowery at all, but as a visual reader, I was able to see the daemons as they were described, and there were many of them! Timmony has taken the time to craft a world at every turn of the page, there was not one creature or aspect that I felt was just written for the sake of it.
The world is also explained slowly throughout the book, namely through action and conversation between the characters. The world, the magic and the relationships are all layered and interwoven to give the reader a full view over the course of the book. We aren’t handed the ins and outs of this world on a platter, as a reader this book invites us to pay attention, look closer and piece the larger picture together for ourselves.
The Characters also felt real, there were real quarrels between the group we follow, it felt authentic, nothing was done as a placeholder for another event. The way our team interacted helped to move the story forward every step of the way. The author has very cleverly given us some side characters at the beginning of the book and build them up throughout the pages to become more and more important as time went by, leading into a very promising (and epic) part two.
I will say I think some of the more technical aspects of this book were lost on me initially being fairly new to fantasy, and there were a few pages that I had to re-read to grasp. I believe this would be well suited to those who love being thrown into the thick of it when it comes to an epic fantasy adventure.