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wrenandpeter's reviews
103 reviews
The Icebound Land by John Flanagan
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Nolyn by Michael J. Sullivan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Holy fuck this so boring. Not a single interesting sentence. Can’t do anymore
Knight's Shadow by Sebastien de Castell
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Claudius the God and His Wife Messalina by Robert Graves
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Book of Knights by Yves Meynard
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
9/10.
An absolutely lovely book. Highly recommended to those with any interest in knights and fairy tales. Not to mention it’s a standalone book!
Some reviewers I noted found the first two chapters slow. I can understand this but it’s completely necessary. It’s makes the magic fairytale world you live in for the rest of the story so much more exciting and whimsical. The ending is also quite clever all considering.
An absolutely lovely book. Highly recommended to those with any interest in knights and fairy tales. Not to mention it’s a standalone book!
Some reviewers I noted found the first two chapters slow. I can understand this but it’s completely necessary. It’s makes the magic fairytale world you live in for the rest of the story so much more exciting and whimsical. The ending is also quite clever all considering.
The Crimson Shield by Nathan Hawke
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
6.25/10
Just barely better than alright. Worth reading the paperback for $5-6. Only recommend it to people who love Vikings.
This book has glimmers of greatness. Its mythology is interesting, its action is superb and flows amazingly, and its battle scenes are top notch. If you love those things then dive in. It’s a Viking action movie in its purest form.
Yet this as at the cost of any real character development and overall world building. For the first time in a long time I’m dying for a fantasy book with more exposition lol.
Not to mention a personal quibble is that the “fantasy names” for locations or cultures either hit or really miss in this book. There are so many fantasy words that just feel awkward with bad mouthfeel: Marroc, Andhun, Yrhun, Lhosir, Vathen, Varyxhun, Nioingr, Witterslet, etc.
The aforementioned lack of exposition makes a lot of these names feel like just fantasy sounding place holders. Which is unfortunate since the places and cultures themselves are neat but Christ what an awful naming scheme. But in its own way that’s part of the charm - it feels clunky but it’s trying lol.
I’ve always been drawn to niche and forgotten things. This book is no exception. A Viking fantasy book from 2013 with 300 reviews? Why not I’ll read it! Nobody who reads this will wonder why people have not spoken about the Crimson shield. In fact I’ll probably be the most recent person to read it for for some.
Yes, it doesn’t take a fine comb to find flaws. Yes, this book is closer to historical fiction than fantasy. Yes, 95% of the characters are forgettable. Yes, I can’t pronounce half the stupid names. Yet I like it. It has ideas that tough but work and I think that deserves praise. Plus its flaws are charming.
Just barely better than alright. Worth reading the paperback for $5-6. Only recommend it to people who love Vikings.
This book has glimmers of greatness. Its mythology is interesting, its action is superb and flows amazingly, and its battle scenes are top notch. If you love those things then dive in. It’s a Viking action movie in its purest form.
Yet this as at the cost of any real character development and overall world building. For the first time in a long time I’m dying for a fantasy book with more exposition lol.
Not to mention a personal quibble is that the “fantasy names” for locations or cultures either hit or really miss in this book. There are so many fantasy words that just feel awkward with bad mouthfeel: Marroc, Andhun, Yrhun, Lhosir, Vathen, Varyxhun, Nioingr, Witterslet, etc.
The aforementioned lack of exposition makes a lot of these names feel like just fantasy sounding place holders. Which is unfortunate since the places and cultures themselves are neat but Christ what an awful naming scheme. But in its own way that’s part of the charm - it feels clunky but it’s trying lol.
I’ve always been drawn to niche and forgotten things. This book is no exception. A Viking fantasy book from 2013 with 300 reviews? Why not I’ll read it! Nobody who reads this will wonder why people have not spoken about the Crimson shield. In fact I’ll probably be the most recent person to read it for for some.
Yes, it doesn’t take a fine comb to find flaws. Yes, this book is closer to historical fiction than fantasy. Yes, 95% of the characters are forgettable. Yes, I can’t pronounce half the stupid names. Yet I like it. It has ideas that tough but work and I think that deserves praise. Plus its flaws are charming.
The Knight by Gene Wolfe
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.75