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path_through_pages's Reviews (267)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So I feel like I may be a bit on the outside when it comes to this book.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley and I will absolutely say that I enjoyed this story.
It was unique, complex, had interesting characters, and a lot of emotional and character development.
But where I am torn is I can't say that the read was enjoyable. The story just kept feeling like hit after hit. I've noticed a big trend in a lot of fantasy lately where the authors just don't leave room for natural development and progression. Essentially there is now down time to allow the reader to process and move through the story.
It's as if the common thread is perpetual chaos/trauma and it can make a book exhausting to read.
Again I enjoyed the story, but wouldnt say I enjoyed the process.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley and I will absolutely say that I enjoyed this story.
It was unique, complex, had interesting characters, and a lot of emotional and character development.
But where I am torn is I can't say that the read was enjoyable. The story just kept feeling like hit after hit. I've noticed a big trend in a lot of fantasy lately where the authors just don't leave room for natural development and progression. Essentially there is now down time to allow the reader to process and move through the story.
It's as if the common thread is perpetual chaos/trauma and it can make a book exhausting to read.
Again I enjoyed the story, but wouldnt say I enjoyed the process.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was unfortunately pretty disappointed by this book.
So many people raved about it but I found it incredibly predictable to the point where I started really losing interest.
It's one of those books where the concept is incredibly unique but the execution simply wasn't engaging for me.
I genuinely don't think I'm going to continue the series because I honestly just got bored 🤷♀️
So many people raved about it but I found it incredibly predictable to the point where I started really losing interest.
It's one of those books where the concept is incredibly unique but the execution simply wasn't engaging for me.
I genuinely don't think I'm going to continue the series because I honestly just got bored 🤷♀️
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 rounded up
I feel like this is the kind of book you'd either really love it just feel meh about.
I'm unfortunately on the meh side. But honestly it may be because of personal preference so if the below is fine with you then you might like it.
So much of this book was women compromising their lives for men. Yes it gets acknowledged throughout the book but nothing really gets done about it. It's almost like the author realized this was happening so they had to throw in some feminine outrage to try and make it seem intentional. I know there was some 'redemptive' moments but nothing really changes for the women 🤷♀️ you could argue it does for Lily but we never find out.
I genuinely wish we got more of Hell in this book. It's advertised as being really about the main deal maker but we only get like 25% hell. There is also far less humor than advertised in the blurb so I really didn't get what I was hoping to out of this book.
I also found every single twist to be predictable. Like clearly predictable. I wasn't surprised at any point in this book.
Also there was sooooooo muuuuuuuuch emphasis on parenting and being a parent. It's like this entire book was just a long winded way for multiple characters to talk about the joy and appreciation of parenting. I get how for some people this might be great but personally, I felt like they went into that faaaaaar too much.... I can understand the need for context and character building but there has to be a point where you realize you've done your job and you can add another layer to your character already.
I feel like this is the kind of book you'd either really love it just feel meh about.
I'm unfortunately on the meh side. But honestly it may be because of personal preference so if the below is fine with you then you might like it.
So much of this book was women compromising their lives for men. Yes it gets acknowledged throughout the book but nothing really gets done about it. It's almost like the author realized this was happening so they had to throw in some feminine outrage to try and make it seem intentional. I know there was some 'redemptive' moments but nothing really changes for the women 🤷♀️ you could argue it does for Lily but we never find out.
I genuinely wish we got more of Hell in this book. It's advertised as being really about the main deal maker but we only get like 25% hell. There is also far less humor than advertised in the blurb so I really didn't get what I was hoping to out of this book.
I also found every single twist to be predictable. Like clearly predictable. I wasn't surprised at any point in this book.
Also there was sooooooo muuuuuuuuch emphasis on parenting and being a parent. It's like this entire book was just a long winded way for multiple characters to talk about the joy and appreciation of parenting. I get how for some people this might be great but personally, I felt like they went into that faaaaaar too much.... I can understand the need for context and character building but there has to be a point where you realize you've done your job and you can add another layer to your character already.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A genuinely fun fantasy read with a couple new twists! A high stakes adventure with a low stakes vibe! Think game of thrones but way less serious and less incest.
I truly enjoyed this story! It was fun, adventurous but also kind of exhausting! With confirmed subtle nods to famous hilarious comedies like Monty Python's Holy Grail, Robinhood Men in Tights and Space Balls, you'll get a lot of nostalgic comedic references while also following a motley crew of adventurous misfits.
Pros:
- fun story
- multiple POV
- strong, intelligent, and incredibly logical female character
- no miscommunication tropes
- no pregnancy tropes
- the first fantasy Ive ever read that actually codifies the authority of dragons into the political constitution which creates a ridiculous but weirdly logical redtap roadblock around killing the damn thing since its... Well... Kinda the king now?
- political underhandedness
- good world building
- fluid and easy to follow writing style
- ends on a cliffhanger
Cons:
- would have loved to see more of the female main character
- I really want to love Brolo the dwlef but his anxt gets exhausting
- the bickering in the adventure party is a tad much
- there is a lot of missing character back story that I would have really liked earlier on but I understand this book is going to be a series so I am hopeful the missing pieces will be filled in more quickly in book two
Overall I think this is a great start to the series and I can really see myself wanting to read the rest! It's always good to keep in mind that this IS a series so there is a lot more room for character growth.
For sure recommend if you're looking for a not-so-serious adventure!
I truly enjoyed this story! It was fun, adventurous but also kind of exhausting! With confirmed subtle nods to famous hilarious comedies like Monty Python's Holy Grail, Robinhood Men in Tights and Space Balls, you'll get a lot of nostalgic comedic references while also following a motley crew of adventurous misfits.
Pros:
- fun story
- multiple POV
- strong, intelligent, and incredibly logical female character
- no miscommunication tropes
- no pregnancy tropes
- the first fantasy Ive ever read that actually codifies the authority of dragons into the political constitution which creates a ridiculous but weirdly logical redtap roadblock around killing the damn thing since its... Well... Kinda the king now?
- political underhandedness
- good world building
- fluid and easy to follow writing style
- ends on a cliffhanger
Cons:
- would have loved to see more of the female main character
- I really want to love Brolo the dwlef but his anxt gets exhausting
- the bickering in the adventure party is a tad much
- there is a lot of missing character back story that I would have really liked earlier on but I understand this book is going to be a series so I am hopeful the missing pieces will be filled in more quickly in book two
Overall I think this is a great start to the series and I can really see myself wanting to read the rest! It's always good to keep in mind that this IS a series so there is a lot more room for character growth.
For sure recommend if you're looking for a not-so-serious adventure!
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm really 50/50 with this book, and to be honest I did a speed read of the last half.
Pros:
- The title and concept were great
- The author's intro was hilarious
- A chaotic fever dream of a story where stuff was simply always happening
- trauma filled nightmare dreamscape of a book
Cons:
- there were times where it REALLY felt like the author was trying too hard to be edgy.
- there were moments where the irreverent humor was perfect and hilarious and other times where it felt like the author needed to slapstick throw something in there for the sake of shock value.
- I read the newly published 2021 version. The frequent and repeated use of the R word just seemed juvenile and distasteful. There was literally no reason why they couldn't have made an edit in this new version. It really did nothing to keep it in the story and it kept being used more and more frequently which started to give me the ick.
- Genuinely feel like this book could have been half the length because it just started feeling repetitive in its chaos.
I have several other books from this author/universe so I am hopeful they will build and turn into something great.
But honestly I don't think I'll ever have a desire to pick this one up again.
Pros:
- The title and concept were great
- The author's intro was hilarious
- A chaotic fever dream of a story where stuff was simply always happening
- trauma filled nightmare dreamscape of a book
Cons:
- there were times where it REALLY felt like the author was trying too hard to be edgy.
- there were moments where the irreverent humor was perfect and hilarious and other times where it felt like the author needed to slapstick throw something in there for the sake of shock value.
- I read the newly published 2021 version. The frequent and repeated use of the R word just seemed juvenile and distasteful. There was literally no reason why they couldn't have made an edit in this new version. It really did nothing to keep it in the story and it kept being used more and more frequently which started to give me the ick.
- Genuinely feel like this book could have been half the length because it just started feeling repetitive in its chaos.
I have several other books from this author/universe so I am hopeful they will build and turn into something great.
But honestly I don't think I'll ever have a desire to pick this one up again.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If pick a struggle was a book it would be this freaking book.
Not a single MC in all the POVs could catch a freaking break.
Oh, just going to collect this escaped prisoner? Psych! Here's a troll testicle to the face! (Also, why did the author feel the need to emphasize the troll testicles so much? We get it.. they're big...)
On our way to solve a side quest to get us some coin? Well here is a monster mining expedition and chain gang!
Time to sail my little boat down the river in search of my vengeance? Nevermind because here's a water spike boy out here eating your homies!
Oh and then a dragon, whatever just toss that in there.
This book was exhausting.
Also randomly the author would emphasize unnecessary details in a way that didn't feel super organic.
Not a single MC in all the POVs could catch a freaking break.
Oh, just going to collect this escaped prisoner? Psych! Here's a troll testicle to the face! (Also, why did the author feel the need to emphasize the troll testicles so much? We get it.. they're big...)
On our way to solve a side quest to get us some coin? Well here is a monster mining expedition and chain gang!
Time to sail my little boat down the river in search of my vengeance? Nevermind because here's a water spike boy out here eating your homies!
Oh and then a dragon, whatever just toss that in there.
This book was exhausting.
Also randomly the author would emphasize unnecessary details in a way that didn't feel super organic.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a genuinely fun and enjoyable read!
Clearly written, good descriptors and easy to follow. Something super easy to get through which I really appreciated!
It has all the cornerstones of a good mystery without trying to bog down the reader with frivolous complications.
I wouldn't say it was a life changing mystery that kept me guessing, but that didn't mean it wasn't enjoyable.
I was able to get a good idea of the 'bad guy' easy enough, but I was really along for the ride so that didn't matter too much.
Overall a fun read!
I will also say, it was so incredibly refreshing to read about the main characters parents. So often parents are depicted as abusive or dysfunctional. Pip had simply amazing parents and her dad was a sideline star, I both appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed this part of the character building.
(And no main character pregnancy tropes which is always a plus).
Clearly written, good descriptors and easy to follow. Something super easy to get through which I really appreciated!
It has all the cornerstones of a good mystery without trying to bog down the reader with frivolous complications.
I wouldn't say it was a life changing mystery that kept me guessing, but that didn't mean it wasn't enjoyable.
I was able to get a good idea of the 'bad guy' easy enough, but I was really along for the ride so that didn't matter too much.
Overall a fun read!
I will also say, it was so incredibly refreshing to read about the main characters parents. So often parents are depicted as abusive or dysfunctional. Pip had simply amazing parents and her dad was a sideline star, I both appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed this part of the character building.
(And no main character pregnancy tropes which is always a plus).