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mallorypen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO this book was so freaking good!!!!!
I was trying to describe this story to someone, and said "If you liked Hunger Games, but wished the political intrigue was dialed up to eleven and that it was set in a fantasy version of ancient Rome, this is the book for you." While I don't think that description does this story a disservice, it hardly scratches the surface of what the novel is.
Firstly, the clarity of writing. There are so many characters in this book, and I feel like I could accurately recall and describe at least 3/4 of them because they were written so distinctly and so well. Eidhin and Callidus (CALLIDUS!!!!!!!!) and Emissa and Ulciscor and Relucia and Lanistia and Validius and Aequa ... and VIS. Ugh, Vis is the hero I want to root for in every hero's journey-style story, because despite his temper and his disinterest in engaging against the government that killed his family, he is so good. His goodness guides his decisions and though he could easily step into the role of a Gary Stu - he's amazing at strategy, he can outfight anyone, he's a polyglot, he's handsome - he's still a believable character throughout all the trials he faces.
There are also an incredible amount of plot points in the novel; so much so it flirts with being too much. Despite that, the story doesn't meander, nor do the bits in between the explosions and action sequences drag. I was fully locked in the entire time, and felt the tension of Vis' subterfuge in every scene.
The worldbuilding is incredible. The concept of the Pyramids, the ceding, the Cataclysm, the way the Republic took over the known world, the hierarchy - it felt like a real society and real effects from a real history. And yes, being based on ancient Rome helped fill in any gaps that might have occured, but I didn't get the sense that my knowledge of the real-world history had to work all that hard because the gaps, if there were any, were minimal. The exposition was enough to keep me from being confused, but wasn't so much that I felt like I was being hit over the head with detail. Vis as the narrator did an excellent job of informing the reader through thoughts and actions that advanced the plot rather than just explained a facet of the worldbuilding, and as I mentioned, I was fully locked in for the entire story.
I also enjoyed the relationship developments throughout - Vis got to know people without fully trusting them blindly, and when his trust was earned, I as the reader was right there with him. (Again ... CALLIDUS!!!!!) The distinct characterizations lent themselves to distinct relationships with Vis; his friendships with Callidus and Eidhin felt appropriately different to his wary but tentative truce with Aequa, which felt appropriately different from his antagonistic yet appreciative relationship with Lanistia. My only note is that the female relationships aren't as compelling as the male relationships; I was not as convinced about Vis' feelings towards Emissa, because he had more chemistry with Callidus and Eidhin. And Aequa's change of heart/friendship that was built with Callidus and Vis during the final few weeks of their training didn't feel as fully-fleshed out as other friendships - it did allow for her apparent betrayal during the Eudicium . But even then, I still think overall character and relationship work in the novel were fantastic.
The INTRIGUES. God, I could spend hours talking about the twists and the overarching mysteries and the double-crossings ... but I won't. Instead, I'll just start a countdown to when the next book comes out!
I was trying to describe this story to someone, and said "If you liked Hunger Games, but wished the political intrigue was dialed up to eleven and that it was set in a fantasy version of ancient Rome, this is the book for you." While I don't think that description does this story a disservice, it hardly scratches the surface of what the novel is.
Firstly, the clarity of writing. There are so many characters in this book, and I feel like I could accurately recall and describe at least 3/4 of them because they were written so distinctly and so well. Eidhin and Callidus (CALLIDUS!!!!!!!!) and Emissa and Ulciscor and Relucia and Lanistia and Validius and Aequa ... and VIS. Ugh, Vis is the hero I want to root for in every hero's journey-style story, because despite his temper and his disinterest in engaging against the government that killed his family, he is so good. His goodness guides his decisions and though he could easily step into the role of a Gary Stu - he's amazing at strategy, he can outfight anyone, he's a polyglot, he's handsome - he's still a believable character throughout all the trials he faces.
There are also an incredible amount of plot points in the novel; so much so it flirts with being too much. Despite that, the story doesn't meander, nor do the bits in between the explosions and action sequences drag. I was fully locked in the entire time, and felt the tension of Vis' subterfuge in every scene.
The worldbuilding is incredible. The concept of the Pyramids, the ceding, the Cataclysm, the way the Republic took over the known world, the hierarchy - it felt like a real society and real effects from a real history. And yes, being based on ancient Rome helped fill in any gaps that might have occured, but I didn't get the sense that my knowledge of the real-world history had to work all that hard because the gaps, if there were any, were minimal. The exposition was enough to keep me from being confused, but wasn't so much that I felt like I was being hit over the head with detail. Vis as the narrator did an excellent job of informing the reader through thoughts and actions that advanced the plot rather than just explained a facet of the worldbuilding, and as I mentioned, I was fully locked in for the entire story.
I also enjoyed the relationship developments throughout - Vis got to know people without fully trusting them blindly, and when his trust was earned, I as the reader was right there with him. (Again ... CALLIDUS!!!!!) The distinct characterizations lent themselves to distinct relationships with Vis; his friendships with Callidus and Eidhin felt appropriately different to his wary but tentative truce with Aequa, which felt appropriately different from his antagonistic yet appreciative relationship with Lanistia. My only note is that the female relationships aren't as compelling as the male relationships; I was not as convinced about Vis' feelings towards Emissa, because he had more chemistry with Callidus and Eidhin. And Aequa's change of heart/friendship that was built with Callidus and Vis during the final few weeks of their training didn't feel as fully-fleshed out as other friendships - it did allow for her
The INTRIGUES. God, I could spend hours talking about the twists and the overarching mysteries and the double-crossings ... but I won't. Instead, I'll just start a countdown to when the next book comes out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide and Vomit
aducharme4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Self harm, and Colonisation
cheye13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
As someone who took Latin in high school because I thought it would help me write a fantasy novel in the future... I feel a kinship in this book somewhere.
I don't think this is as propulsive or inventive or riveting as most reviews I've seen claim. I struggled significantly with the visual/physical descriptions of settings and actions. The plot is trope-heavy/trope-forward, which isn't a bad thing, but telegraphed the "twists" rather clearly. I don't think the magic system played a very significant part in the main story (especially given that the students cannot use it).
Even so, I moderately enjoyed it. There's enough emotion and action to push through 600+ pages, and unlike most books of its size, I don't think it needed sharper editing. I was a little miffed at the final twist/series cliffhanger, as it seemed to be building toward it all novel, and it was exceptionally brief and confusing. But I do appreciate that it's more a set-up and thought-provoking twist than a time sensitive, conditional cliffhanger.
I don't think this is as propulsive or inventive or riveting as most reviews I've seen claim. I struggled significantly with the visual/physical descriptions of settings and actions. The plot is trope-heavy/trope-forward, which isn't a bad thing, but telegraphed the "twists" rather clearly. I don't think the magic system played a very significant part in the main story (especially given that the students cannot use it).
Even so, I moderately enjoyed it. There's enough emotion and action to push through 600+ pages, and unlike most books of its size, I don't think it needed sharper editing. I was a little miffed at the final twist/series cliffhanger, as it seemed to be building toward it all novel, and it was exceptionally brief and confusing. But I do appreciate that it's more a set-up and thought-provoking twist than a time sensitive, conditional cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, and War
iono's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia, Torture, Vomit, Cultural appropriation, and War
kirstenpod_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Suicide and Vomit
trapdorr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
Very interesting world building and concept. I throughly enjoyed that aspect of the novel. The plot was a bit confusing at times tho but it’s because you’re discovering/learning with the mmc. Wish their were slightly more straightforward answers tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, and Classism
stephhaigreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Blood, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: War
kirstym25's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and War
ripxreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, and War