alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
Review here - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2018/10/09/review-shadow-of-the-exile-by-mitchell-hogan/
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one. Mainly because the main character is NOT human. I always enjoyed those characters a lot!
In this one we get to follow a demon - who was summoned and now has to grudgingly do as he's told. Demons are violent of course - but they do have a wide range of emotions really, and not all is as it first seems.
I must confess it didn't always work a hundred percent for me. At times he felt a bit too "human" and just changed a bit too quickly. But overall it was a really nice change of POV!
Same for the second main character - the female who did the summoning. I like how there's quite some depth to the characters history, though at times it felt a bit predictable and hollow. Not enough to really nag me, but enough for me to go for 4 stars instead of 5.
The world is interesting and there is PLENTY of magic! So if you need a break from the current low magic trend and want shields and demons and all kinds of magic - this is a good choice!
Once again I'm quite satisfied and will definitely keep picking up whatever the author publishes next!
In this one we get to follow a demon - who was summoned and now has to grudgingly do as he's told. Demons are violent of course - but they do have a wide range of emotions really, and not all is as it first seems.
I must confess it didn't always work a hundred percent for me. At times he felt a bit too "human" and just changed a bit too quickly. But overall it was a really nice change of POV!
Same for the second main character - the female who did the summoning. I like how there's quite some depth to the characters history, though at times it felt a bit predictable and hollow. Not enough to really nag me, but enough for me to go for 4 stars instead of 5.
The world is interesting and there is PLENTY of magic! So if you need a break from the current low magic trend and want shields and demons and all kinds of magic - this is a good choice!
Once again I'm quite satisfied and will definitely keep picking up whatever the author publishes next!
satash_v_raws's review against another edition
5.0
Holy Shit. I did not expect it to be this amazing.
thinde's review against another edition
4.0
It was difficult for me to be force-fed a growing romantic connection between a slave and his master. A romance that blossomed despite torture and denigrations. Was this aimed at the BDSM crowd?
Sure, we learn about the hidden motives later on. Motives that somewhat justify the sorcerer's actions. However, the enslaved demon didn't know about these motives as the harp-strings started playing in the background. It wouldn't have taken much to have Tarrik intuit Ren's plans earlier in the story, thus ameliorating their conflict.
Regardless, this is a good book. The setting is complex and the characterization is detailed and mostly believable. I've segued straight into book two... which speaks for itself.
Sure, we learn about the hidden motives later on. Motives that somewhat justify the sorcerer's actions. However, the enslaved demon didn't know about these motives as the harp-strings started playing in the background. It wouldn't have taken much to have Tarrik intuit Ren's plans earlier in the story, thus ameliorating their conflict.
Regardless, this is a good book. The setting is complex and the characterization is detailed and mostly believable. I've segued straight into book two... which speaks for itself.
maxines_obsessions's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
ѓ??Iѓ??m not a man,ѓ?ќ said Tarrik. ѓ??And mercy is for the weak.ѓ?ќ
When Tarrik is pulled from his exile, into the human world, he is shocked. He is a higher level demon, he hasnѓ??t seen this world in hundreds of years. Who would even know his name, let alone be strong enough to bind him?
Serenity ѓ??Renѓ?ќ Branwen is desperate. On the run from those who wish her harm, she calls Tarrik, she binds him to her will and uses him to set her plans in motion. She is a member of the Nine, hellbent on releasing Samal from his prison. She is cold and ruthless and orders him to kill.
In a world of sorcerers and magic, demons are treated like slaves. They are dragged into this world to do sorcerers bidding. Sometimes they are experimented on, sometimes they are let loose on the world. Demons are complex, they feel everything stronger than a human could. Whether it be anger or lust, their passionate natures make them seem like they have no self-control. But when it comes to higher level demons, like Tarrik, they are masters of self control. They just might not always use it.
Shadow of the Exile (Book 1 Of the Infernal Guardian series) had an awesome old school fantasy feel to it. Tarrik and Ren travelled the world, gathering relics and scheming. Making sure everything is in order for the release of Samal. They run into trouble wherever they go and have to rely on each other to get out of some very sticky situations; From mad sorcerers to demons, itѓ??s chaos.
Tarrik is a complex, endearing, ruthless, scheming character. I loved him. I think he was written really well and his displays of emotion contrasted with Renѓ??s cold, business like manner really well. He showed a lot more ѓ??humanityѓ?ќ than 90% of the actual humans in the book and it turns your concept of the term demon on its head.
The world was intriguing; Because of the way Ren travelled we got to see glimpses of many places. While it didnѓ??t go deep into each place we did get a sense of how oppressed the people were by their rulers and governments. It was interesting seeing it from Tarriks viewpoint. He was often disgusted with the behaviour of humans and his thoughts on things were often much more reasonable than those he was judging.
ѓ??Ideas are everywhere,ѓ?ќ he said. ѓ??To imprison someone for history and ideas would mean imprisoning all.ѓ?ќ
The writing itself was good, there were a few phrases that were repeated a lot or bits of information that we kept getting given, but other than that it was a solid, fast paced read. The world has so much more room to be explored.
I received a copy of this from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ѓ??Iѓ??m not a man,ѓ?ќ said Tarrik. ѓ??And mercy is for the weak.ѓ?ќ
When Tarrik is pulled from his exile, into the human world, he is shocked. He is a higher level demon, he hasnѓ??t seen this world in hundreds of years. Who would even know his name, let alone be strong enough to bind him?
Serenity ѓ??Renѓ?ќ Branwen is desperate. On the run from those who wish her harm, she calls Tarrik, she binds him to her will and uses him to set her plans in motion. She is a member of the Nine, hellbent on releasing Samal from his prison. She is cold and ruthless and orders him to kill.
In a world of sorcerers and magic, demons are treated like slaves. They are dragged into this world to do sorcerers bidding. Sometimes they are experimented on, sometimes they are let loose on the world. Demons are complex, they feel everything stronger than a human could. Whether it be anger or lust, their passionate natures make them seem like they have no self-control. But when it comes to higher level demons, like Tarrik, they are masters of self control. They just might not always use it.
Shadow of the Exile (Book 1 Of the Infernal Guardian series) had an awesome old school fantasy feel to it. Tarrik and Ren travelled the world, gathering relics and scheming. Making sure everything is in order for the release of Samal. They run into trouble wherever they go and have to rely on each other to get out of some very sticky situations; From mad sorcerers to demons, itѓ??s chaos.
Tarrik is a complex, endearing, ruthless, scheming character. I loved him. I think he was written really well and his displays of emotion contrasted with Renѓ??s cold, business like manner really well. He showed a lot more ѓ??humanityѓ?ќ than 90% of the actual humans in the book and it turns your concept of the term demon on its head.
The world was intriguing; Because of the way Ren travelled we got to see glimpses of many places. While it didnѓ??t go deep into each place we did get a sense of how oppressed the people were by their rulers and governments. It was interesting seeing it from Tarriks viewpoint. He was often disgusted with the behaviour of humans and his thoughts on things were often much more reasonable than those he was judging.
ѓ??Ideas are everywhere,ѓ?ќ he said. ѓ??To imprison someone for history and ideas would mean imprisoning all.ѓ?ќ
The writing itself was good, there were a few phrases that were repeated a lot or bits of information that we kept getting given, but other than that it was a solid, fast paced read. The world has so much more room to be explored.
I received a copy of this from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
teri_b's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
I just simply loved this book and its rendition by the narrator as I listened to it on audio.
In my perception the male main character who is a demon offers such a unique perspective on the story unfolding that really kept me captivated from beginning to end.
In my perception the male main character who is a demon offers such a unique perspective on the story unfolding that really kept me captivated from beginning to end.
lbrick363's review against another edition
4.0
I obviously listened to the audio of this book and I liked it a lot. I did not care for Ren, so is it bad to say that I am glad she died? Horrible I know and I am sure being tortured can turn you into a giant bitch, but her character really irritated me. The story line was good and I was intrigued from the beginning. I did not love the fact that his feelings towards Ren was equivalent to love. He just made it seem like he was falling in love with her. I could understand that he would grow to respect her, but no love like he did his wife. I'm sorry that was just not believable to me. I liked the cliffhanger at the end. Cannot wait for book 2 to see who is pulling him to them.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Notes to Self: Only follow up on the series if I'm really bored.
Good narration & somewhat interesting ideas but overly dramatic writing that did not add to the character/scene/etc.
Good narration & somewhat interesting ideas but overly dramatic writing that did not add to the character/scene/etc.
alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
Review here - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2018/10/09/review-shadow-of-the-exile-by-mitchell-hogan/