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ssminski's review against another edition
5.0
my favorite by her. such a perfect balance of hope and despair, gains and losses. throughout the book.
thiefofcamorr's review against another edition
Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
mrsdarcylynn's review against another edition
4.0
If you read my review for [b:The Prodigal Mage|6237480|The Prodigal Mage (The Fisherman's Children, #1)|Karen Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327919482s/6237480.jpg|6420202], you'll know that I came into the second book in the series with low expectations. Karen Miller, again, spends too much time "building up" and too little moving the plot forward. Her characters are inexplicably always in disagreement with one another (which I find to be statistically unlikely, they have to agree at some point!), making this book a lot like the last in that respect.
But, you say, I reviewed this book higher! I did. Because, for me, the ending was worth it. The Reluctant Mage introduces new hunky-man love-interest Ewan, making the Fisherman's Children return more closely to Kingmaker/Kingbreaker's love story between Asher and Dathne (something that was missing from The Prodigal Mage). The intrigue continues though, because everyone insists on lying to each other for no real reason (so, drama!). Basically, after 300 or so pages the plot finally builds up and the book becomes an exciting read.
Addressing another my complaint in my last review, Deenie and Charis (the main characters in this book, and both female!!!!) are center stage and they finally don't suck! Unfortunately they share the same motivation: saving Rafel (instead of, you know, saving Lur, which is in danger). Overall I want to say that having two interacting female characters was a vast improvement over the original series and the previous book, and I really enjoyed both butt-kicking girls. Neither girl experiences the "so-weak-I'm-bedridden" trap that the previous book put them in (despite being beaten up by magic more thoroughly in this book), and both girls show more initiative in this book. I think it speaks toward a real "coming-of-age" story in a way that I never felt Rafel's story did in The Prodigal Mage. Both girls grow and learn, where Rafel held the same beliefs at 10 as he did at 21.
In my last review I mention how I love made-up slang- in this book it was overdone. Not only was the slang overdone, but Ewan's people talk like Yoda and it is insanely hard to read. This is my biggest complaint with the writing. When writing a special dialect, make sure your audience can understand it.
Overall, a good ending to the series. I wouldn't recommend the books in Fisherman's Children to people who don't have the time to read nearly 1,000 pages of build-up before getting to the chase, but if you're a dedicated reader, this wouldn't be a bad read.
But, you say, I reviewed this book higher! I did. Because, for me, the ending was worth it. The Reluctant Mage introduces new hunky-man love-interest Ewan, making the Fisherman's Children return more closely to Kingmaker/Kingbreaker's love story between Asher and Dathne (something that was missing from The Prodigal Mage). The intrigue continues though, because everyone insists on lying to each other for no real reason (so, drama!). Basically, after 300 or so pages the plot finally builds up and the book becomes an exciting read.
Addressing another my complaint in my last review, Deenie and Charis (the main characters in this book, and both female!!!!) are center stage and they finally don't suck! Unfortunately they share the same motivation: saving Rafel (instead of, you know, saving Lur, which is in danger). Overall I want to say that having two interacting female characters was a vast improvement over the original series and the previous book, and I really enjoyed both butt-kicking girls. Neither girl experiences the "so-weak-I'm-bedridden" trap that the previous book put them in (despite being beaten up by magic more thoroughly in this book), and both girls show more initiative in this book. I think it speaks toward a real "coming-of-age" story in a way that I never felt Rafel's story did in The Prodigal Mage. Both girls grow and learn, where Rafel held the same beliefs at 10 as he did at 21.
In my last review I mention how I love made-up slang- in this book it was overdone. Not only was the slang overdone, but Ewan's people talk like Yoda and it is insanely hard to read. This is my biggest complaint with the writing. When writing a special dialect, make sure your audience can understand it.
Overall, a good ending to the series. I wouldn't recommend the books in Fisherman's Children to people who don't have the time to read nearly 1,000 pages of build-up before getting to the chase, but if you're a dedicated reader, this wouldn't be a bad read.
ekfmef's review against another edition
1.0
Synopsis of this book:
Charis: "Deenie, you HAVE to save the world! It's your job!"
Deenie: "No, there are serious reasons I can't"
Charis: "Maybe you just enjoy it when people die"
Deenie: "Charis!"
A few moments later:
Deenie: "I've found a way, but you won't like it."
Charis: "No, you can't, it is dangerous."
Deenie: "Saving the world is inherently dangerous, so-"
Charis: "Deenie! You can't do this!"
Deenie: "Shut up!" *slaps Charis*
A few moments later:
Deenie: "Sorry, I acted like a jerk."
Charis: "oh Deenie..."
Worst of all, throughout the book this cycle repeats. Charis eggs Deenie on by emotionally manipulating her, Deenie gives in/ finds a way, Charis suddenly disapproves / is scared, Deenie pushes on, apologizes for her behavior (but Charis is the one who starts everything). Etc. This cycle is also present in the other POVs. Apparently no one just discusses things, they always need to fight and escalate their fights.
Charis: "Deenie, you HAVE to save the world! It's your job!"
Deenie: "No, there are serious reasons I can't"
Charis: "Maybe you just enjoy it when people die"
Deenie: "Charis!"
A few moments later:
Deenie: "I've found a way, but you won't like it."
Charis: "No, you can't, it is dangerous."
Deenie: "Saving the world is inherently dangerous, so-"
Charis: "Deenie! You can't do this!"
Deenie: "Shut up!" *slaps Charis*
A few moments later:
Deenie: "Sorry, I acted like a jerk."
Charis: "oh Deenie..."
Worst of all, throughout the book this cycle repeats. Charis eggs Deenie on by emotionally manipulating her, Deenie gives in/ finds a way, Charis suddenly disapproves / is scared, Deenie pushes on, apologizes for her behavior (but Charis is the one who starts everything). Etc. This cycle is also present in the other POVs. Apparently no one just discusses things, they always need to fight and escalate their fights.
ssminski's review against another edition
5.0
my favorite by her. such a perfect balance of hope and despair, gains and losses. throughout the book.
omiai's review against another edition
5.0
I adored Innocent mage and awakened mage, truly 2 of the best books I have ever read! And was delighted to see another series with the same world and characters was being released, but I was worried it wouldn't be as good as the first series. I wouldn't say the 2 books in this series stand up to the AWESOME-ness of the first series, but they still totally deserve their 5 stars.
in this book we mostly follow Deenie (asher's daughter and rafel's sister) as she and charis try to travel through Morg's land to find Rafel, Goose and the others who went on the expedition over the wall. They face some terrifying things and you really feel as if you are there with them, feeling their pain and suffering in the harsh lands. They are joined by Eric, who, along with his men, help them get to Morg's city.
Morg's power is growing, and the stronger he grows, the more he destroys of rafel's mind and body (which he is possessing). So it's up to deenie, charis, eric and arlin to fight him and hopefully save rafel in the process.
This is an excellent book which had me hooked from the start. Usually female characters in books drive me mad, but Deenie is such a great character that I didn't mind reading the story mostly from her view.
Well worth the read, but at least read Prodigal mage first, but I highly recommend reading Innocent mage and awakened mage before that, otherwise a lot of the references may not make sense to you.
in this book we mostly follow Deenie (asher's daughter and rafel's sister) as she and charis try to travel through Morg's land to find Rafel, Goose and the others who went on the expedition over the wall. They face some terrifying things and you really feel as if you are there with them, feeling their pain and suffering in the harsh lands. They are joined by Eric, who, along with his men, help them get to Morg's city.
Morg's power is growing, and the stronger he grows, the more he destroys of rafel's mind and body (which he is possessing). So it's up to deenie, charis, eric and arlin to fight him and hopefully save rafel in the process.
This is an excellent book which had me hooked from the start. Usually female characters in books drive me mad, but Deenie is such a great character that I didn't mind reading the story mostly from her view.
Well worth the read, but at least read Prodigal mage first, but I highly recommend reading Innocent mage and awakened mage before that, otherwise a lot of the references may not make sense to you.
adamdavidcollings's review against another edition
5.0
The previous book in this series spent a great deal of time build up toward the possibility of exploring beyond the bounds of the land of Lur, but ended just as it was starting to happen, so I entered this book with a lot of expectation.
While Rafel's journey was cut short by tragedy, I got to experience that exploration as Deenie sets off on her quest. In a lot of ways book 1 was just set-up for book 2. In the Reluctant Mage, the plot really starts moving.
Karen Millar's great strength seems to be the development of characters and people groups. This continues to show through in this book. She creates a brand new race of people, and again gives them their own turns of phrase. The people of Vharne feel very distinct from the people of Lur.
This book gave Deenie the development she needed, and watching her growth was a lot of fun. I felt that Rafel's character was lacking in this book, as he was incapacitated due to important plot reasons. It all worked, it's just that he was so important in the last book that I wanted more of him.
I enjoyed the dynamic that built between Arlin and both Rafel and Deenie. It's always fulfilling to see former foes forced to develop a begrudging respect for one another.
The book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. I now look forward to going back and reading some of the earlier books set in this world.
While Rafel's journey was cut short by tragedy, I got to experience that exploration as Deenie sets off on her quest. In a lot of ways book 1 was just set-up for book 2. In the Reluctant Mage, the plot really starts moving.
Karen Millar's great strength seems to be the development of characters and people groups. This continues to show through in this book. She creates a brand new race of people, and again gives them their own turns of phrase. The people of Vharne feel very distinct from the people of Lur.
This book gave Deenie the development she needed, and watching her growth was a lot of fun. I felt that Rafel's character was lacking in this book, as he was incapacitated due to important plot reasons. It all worked, it's just that he was so important in the last book that I wanted more of him.
I enjoyed the dynamic that built between Arlin and both Rafel and Deenie. It's always fulfilling to see former foes forced to develop a begrudging respect for one another.
The book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. I now look forward to going back and reading some of the earlier books set in this world.
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