mw2k's review
3.0
More long-winded and therefore not as entertaining as the first book. There's lots of static non-activity that drags this lengthy installment down. The passages that centre on Nikandr and Atiana are perhaps the best. I still haven't quite figured out what Nasim is, and his role in this tale. I suspect that the third novel may resolve that. I also hope it's not as padded out as this one.
Still an excellent example of character and world building, and quite a few fantasy authors could learn a thing or three about those arts. If only it wasn't such an ofttimes chore to get through.
Still an excellent example of character and world building, and quite a few fantasy authors could learn a thing or three about those arts. If only it wasn't such an ofttimes chore to get through.
kittyg's review
3.0
So this is book #2 in the Lays of Anuskaya series and I am definitely still finding it to be a complex series. The influence of Russian-style names and places means that there's a hard adjustment period every time I try to read these, but the audiobooks really help to make me see what the names sound like and get way more immersed. (I read this as a buddy read with the lovely Jackie)
This story picks up a fair few years after the first book ends meaning that some of our character's lives have really changed/progressed. I liked the fact that this was done as it meant that the character I was most curious about Nasim, had had a chance to learn more about what he wanted/needed to do with himself, and I think this was essential for the plot to move forwards.
As in book #1 we have 3 major characters:
Nasim - a young man now who is still unsure about his true 'purpose' in life and is trying to do an impossible task
Nikandr - a prince of Khalakovo and the character I find most like a pirate, galavanting around in windships
Atiana - a princess who has some very great power in the aether and who is going to be vital in the next phase of the upcoming battle.
These three characters all start off away from one another and for the majority of the book are separated and spread out by various missions and ideals they are working towards. I liked that this was the case as I think it meant that the world was more open in this book than in the first, but equally it means introducing more new places and characters (something which is already a little tricky to keep track of).
I really liked getting to see a lot more of the magic within this book, I feel like in the first I didn't fully wrap my head around the magic, but with this one I definitely did and seeing the elemental spirits being used, bonded with and manipulated to do all sorts of powerful magic was great. I also really liked seeing more of Atiana's magic within the other world and seeing how she dealt with the rules and misconceptions there to balance her emotions and mind and memories and thoughts.
Generally I do think that the contents at the book is a must read to explain the magic fully (which I only discovered after finishing the book - oops!) so if you get the chance to flip back first, I'd say do so!
Overall this story was adventure in the skies, lots of battling, politics, ancient magics and the return of evil beings. I like all of these things and yet the complicated names do make this a harder read then if everyone was called names like 'Dave' for example. I'd say if you like battle in airships and crazy sky-pirates then this may well be a book you'll enjoy, just go into it ready to try and wrap your head around the complicated names too. 3.5*s overall!
This story picks up a fair few years after the first book ends meaning that some of our character's lives have really changed/progressed. I liked the fact that this was done as it meant that the character I was most curious about Nasim, had had a chance to learn more about what he wanted/needed to do with himself, and I think this was essential for the plot to move forwards.
As in book #1 we have 3 major characters:
Nasim - a young man now who is still unsure about his true 'purpose' in life and is trying to do an impossible task
Nikandr - a prince of Khalakovo and the character I find most like a pirate, galavanting around in windships
Atiana - a princess who has some very great power in the aether and who is going to be vital in the next phase of the upcoming battle.
These three characters all start off away from one another and for the majority of the book are separated and spread out by various missions and ideals they are working towards. I liked that this was the case as I think it meant that the world was more open in this book than in the first, but equally it means introducing more new places and characters (something which is already a little tricky to keep track of).
I really liked getting to see a lot more of the magic within this book, I feel like in the first I didn't fully wrap my head around the magic, but with this one I definitely did and seeing the elemental spirits being used, bonded with and manipulated to do all sorts of powerful magic was great. I also really liked seeing more of Atiana's magic within the other world and seeing how she dealt with the rules and misconceptions there to balance her emotions and mind and memories and thoughts.
Generally I do think that the contents at the book is a must read to explain the magic fully (which I only discovered after finishing the book - oops!) so if you get the chance to flip back first, I'd say do so!
Overall this story was adventure in the skies, lots of battling, politics, ancient magics and the return of evil beings. I like all of these things and yet the complicated names do make this a harder read then if everyone was called names like 'Dave' for example. I'd say if you like battle in airships and crazy sky-pirates then this may well be a book you'll enjoy, just go into it ready to try and wrap your head around the complicated names too. 3.5*s overall!
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