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willinthehead's review
4.0
The story begun in "The Justice of Kings" continues as an ailing Vonvalt and his apprentice Helena arrive in the Sovan capital city and set out to unravel a conspiracy threatening to destroy the empire. Soon they find themselves tasked with solving the kidnapping of the Emperor's grandson which sends them to the frontier beyond Sova where the mystery only deepens.
Vonvalt and Helena are both excellently drawn characters that readers will come to root for as they face sinister adversaries both human and demonic.
An excellent second entry in what promises to be a fantasy trilogy for the ages.
Vonvalt and Helena are both excellently drawn characters that readers will come to root for as they face sinister adversaries both human and demonic.
An excellent second entry in what promises to be a fantasy trilogy for the ages.
athenathor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ldpickens's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
arijitnag's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ljames934's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
ryanswell's review
3.0
I really enjoy this world and these characters. I really enjoy the magical and religious components - it's unique, dangerous, and mysterious. I really enjoy the interactions and conversations between characters. I really enjoy the discussions about law and justice. But the overall plot in this sequel is lacking.
In the first book the characters came across as very competent, but they were hard pressed to uncover an underground operation that was well hidden. They were caught up in things they weren't always prepared for, but they were thoughtful. This sequel was a little hard to read because Helena and Vonvalt felt very dumbed down. In the first book, it was often commented that Helena is very clever and I recognized it myself. She was astute in her reasoning and investigation. In this book it is often commented again that Helena is very smart. But it rang hollow this time, it was all tell and no show. It seemed like she lost most of her ability to reason and connect clues.
It was also frustrating that she didn't really develop her skills at all. After what happened to her, she didn't feel any motivation to focus on training in combat? She's not a soldier but she's still stumbling through fights the same way as before. Or learn more about necromancy? They know what Claver is capable of and only getting stronger, but they don't prepare for it at all. I would've liked the magic to be expanded and Helena to spend some time on that (before the very last second).
I expected this book to be about the decline/fall of the empire and I was excited to read about it. The protagonists are up against formidable enemies, and an empire this large is difficult to maintain. There's so much opportunity for a well crafted story. But most of the twists in this plot were very contrived, and it was really frustrating to read these characters being completely oblivious to some obvious red flags. I would have really enjoyed a book where Vonvalt and Helena were genuinely outsmarted and outmaneuvered, but that is not the story I got.
In the first book the characters came across as very competent, but they were hard pressed to uncover an underground operation that was well hidden. They were caught up in things they weren't always prepared for, but they were thoughtful. This sequel was a little hard to read because Helena and Vonvalt felt very dumbed down. In the first book, it was often commented that Helena is very clever and I recognized it myself. She was astute in her reasoning and investigation. In this book it is often commented again that Helena is very smart. But it rang hollow this time, it was all tell and no show. It seemed like she lost most of her ability to reason and connect clues.
It was also frustrating that she didn't really develop her skills at all. After what happened to her, she didn't feel any motivation to focus on training in combat? She's not a soldier but she's still stumbling through fights the same way as before. Or learn more about necromancy? They know what Claver is capable of and only getting stronger, but they don't prepare for it at all. I would've liked the magic to be expanded and Helena to spend some time on that (before the very last second).
I expected this book to be about the decline/fall of the empire and I was excited to read about it. The protagonists are up against formidable enemies, and an empire this large is difficult to maintain. There's so much opportunity for a well crafted story. But most of the twists in this plot were very contrived, and it was really frustrating to read these characters being completely oblivious to some obvious red flags. I would have really enjoyed a book where Vonvalt and Helena were genuinely outsmarted and outmaneuvered, but that is not the story I got.