imakeworlds's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tezzarudge's review
3.0
This didn't blow me away like book 1 did.
But it's a gnarly world and I loved that.
Looking forward to reading more by this author
But it's a gnarly world and I loved that.
Looking forward to reading more by this author
preacher's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
sylum's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vanngogh's review
4.0
I enjoyed Idols Fall, and the trilogy as a whole. My one complaint, and the reason I have to rate this book slightly lower than it's predecessors, is the ending. As far as I know this was the last book in the series, but you wouldn't know it from the way it ended. Without spoiling anything, it was a satisfying conclusion to the book...but not the series as a whole.
So my biggest complaint was that there wasnt more to read.
I will immediately read anything Mike Shel releases in the future, in the Iconoclasts universe or any other.
So my biggest complaint was that there wasnt more to read.
I will immediately read anything Mike Shel releases in the future, in the Iconoclasts universe or any other.
ladyvictoria's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
esop's review
5.0
Fantastic finale to one of my favorite fantasy series. I'll keep this short and sweet to avoid any spoilers and also because if you're reading this you're probably already familiar with the series.
Idols Fall kicks off where Sin Eater ended, showing the far-reaching consequences of the party's actions at the end of that book. And man, those consequences are...not great. It's grim and horrifying, but...maybe it's worthwhile in the end? Maybe those hard choices and bleak short-term consequences are worth the long-term benefits for the world and its peoples?
That's the question that everyone in this book, especially its star Agnes Manteo, is wrestling with throughout the course of the novel. All the major POV characters here face incredibly difficult decisions at multiple points in the story and they must decide whether they truly can follow through with their plans, not knowing if--but hoping that--their sacrifices (and the sacrifices of others) will result in a better future, even if it's one they may not live to see.
It's an interesting and compelling conundrum, and it's one that often had me biting my nails wondering whether Agnes was going to follow through with certain decisions or not. Shel is great at throwing these characters into impossible circumstances and showing the human side of them, showing them wavering in their resolve and their reactions to the choices they must sometimes reluctantly make.
The worldbuilding in this final book is also extremely compelling. We get to dig into the history and lore of the Djao even more here, and it was fascinating getting a closer look at the society these ancient people lived in as well as gaining more knowledge about the divide between the Ush'oul and Besh'oul.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't touch on the dungeon-crawling, which is as excellent as it is in the previous books. The book really shines in these moments, having the characters work together to solve puzzles and face grisly, strange, terrifying beasts. This has always been my favorite part of the series, since I'm a sucker for really weird and gross creatures, and Shel certainly delivers on that front.
Fans of the series will no doubt love this book. Idols Fall is a satisfying and surprising conclusion to the Iconoclasts trilogy, while simultaneously setting up Shel's intricately-rendered world for whatever he writes in it next. I for one can't wait to see what it is.
Idols Fall kicks off where Sin Eater ended, showing the far-reaching consequences of the party's actions at the end of that book. And man, those consequences are...not great. It's grim and horrifying, but...maybe it's worthwhile in the end? Maybe those hard choices and bleak short-term consequences are worth the long-term benefits for the world and its peoples?
That's the question that everyone in this book, especially its star Agnes Manteo, is wrestling with throughout the course of the novel. All the major POV characters here face incredibly difficult decisions at multiple points in the story and they must decide whether they truly can follow through with their plans, not knowing if--but hoping that--their sacrifices (and the sacrifices of others) will result in a better future, even if it's one they may not live to see.
It's an interesting and compelling conundrum, and it's one that often had me biting my nails wondering whether Agnes was going to follow through with certain decisions or not. Shel is great at throwing these characters into impossible circumstances and showing the human side of them, showing them wavering in their resolve and their reactions to the choices they must sometimes reluctantly make.
The worldbuilding in this final book is also extremely compelling. We get to dig into the history and lore of the Djao even more here, and it was fascinating getting a closer look at the society these ancient people lived in as well as gaining more knowledge about the divide between the Ush'oul and Besh'oul.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't touch on the dungeon-crawling, which is as excellent as it is in the previous books. The book really shines in these moments, having the characters work together to solve puzzles and face grisly, strange, terrifying beasts. This has always been my favorite part of the series, since I'm a sucker for really weird and gross creatures, and Shel certainly delivers on that front.
Fans of the series will no doubt love this book. Idols Fall is a satisfying and surprising conclusion to the Iconoclasts trilogy, while simultaneously setting up Shel's intricately-rendered world for whatever he writes in it next. I for one can't wait to see what it is.
zdmgg's review
adventurous
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nina_bloodsworn's review
5.0
A great finale to the Trilogy!! gripping adventure to finish off the quest. World-building, characters and plot kept me up till the last strike.