realis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
manieyou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
An epic fantasy according to my heart: gripping, full of great characters and actions, with a great world building.
I was hooked since the first pages and read it as fast as I could.
I can't wait to read the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I was hooked since the first pages and read it as fast as I could.
I can't wait to read the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
kristinv20's review against another edition
took me almost three weeks to get this far and just wasn’t excited about it, put it down multiple times for other books and never got excited to pick it back up. might try it again later when i have more time but this just wasn’t what i was looking or right now
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Rape
dominish_books's review against another edition
5.0
** My full video review can be found here: https://youtu.be/0tluWpiadP4 **
We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson is the first book in The Reborn Empire series—originally self-published but then picked up by Orbit in time for book two in the series to be released.
This world is a real melting pot of cultures, with an ancient China/Japan feel to Kisia alongside the nomadic Mongol-like Levanti and finally Chiltae, which has a slightly more western feel to it.
The three point of view characters each hail from one of these nations, giving great insight not only into the individual cultures, but also into how the other cultures are viewed from the outside.
Princess Miko is the daughter of the empress, but not of the emperor. She’s fighting for acceptance for her and her twin brother, who they hope will be named heir to the empire. Soon though, she’ll have a lot more to fight for.
Rah e’Torin just wants to keep his people safe in a strange land. He doesn’t want to fight someone else’s war, but circumstance forces his hand.
Cassandra Marius is an assassin who really needs a witchdoctor’s help. In return for an introduction, she takes on a job that might just break the world.
The resulting story is a fantastic tale of empires, betrayals and epic battles that’s not to be missed.
(Actual rating 4.5 stars, rounded up as it's more a 5-star read than a 4-star one!)
We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson is the first book in The Reborn Empire series—originally self-published but then picked up by Orbit in time for book two in the series to be released.
This world is a real melting pot of cultures, with an ancient China/Japan feel to Kisia alongside the nomadic Mongol-like Levanti and finally Chiltae, which has a slightly more western feel to it.
The three point of view characters each hail from one of these nations, giving great insight not only into the individual cultures, but also into how the other cultures are viewed from the outside.
Princess Miko is the daughter of the empress, but not of the emperor. She’s fighting for acceptance for her and her twin brother, who they hope will be named heir to the empire. Soon though, she’ll have a lot more to fight for.
Rah e’Torin just wants to keep his people safe in a strange land. He doesn’t want to fight someone else’s war, but circumstance forces his hand.
Cassandra Marius is an assassin who really needs a witchdoctor’s help. In return for an introduction, she takes on a job that might just break the world.
The resulting story is a fantastic tale of empires, betrayals and epic battles that’s not to be missed.
(Actual rating 4.5 stars, rounded up as it's more a 5-star read than a 4-star one!)
heathersbooks's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jtisreading's review against another edition
4.0
This is not the typical fantasy style that I am used to reading. There are a few fantastical elements but I felt in general the reading felt much more like historical fiction rather than a fantasy read. Where I don't think it would have worked with most books, here it worked wonderfully. I really enjoyed that Madson really shows the story and almost removes the artist's imprint in her writing. That in itself makes the art of the novel even more pertinent.
The first 150 pages were a bit slow and almost even dragged to a halt. But after that, there is an entire Game of Thrones meets Asian Historical fantasy. And it doesn't stop or slow down even to the last page. I'm super glad I kept pushing through that first third of the book the complexities really begin paying off.
Madson also does an incredible job of incorporating strong cultural traditions in a non-inhibiting and simplistic way.
Overall, its a book worth reading filled with a lot of originality and interesting characters.
The first 150 pages were a bit slow and almost even dragged to a halt. But after that, there is an entire Game of Thrones meets Asian Historical fantasy. And it doesn't stop or slow down even to the last page. I'm super glad I kept pushing through that first third of the book the complexities really begin paying off.
Madson also does an incredible job of incorporating strong cultural traditions in a non-inhibiting and simplistic way.
Overall, its a book worth reading filled with a lot of originality and interesting characters.
queenterribletimy's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted on RockStarlit BookAsylum!
Actual rating: 4.5*
Disclaimer: I've got an ARC copy from Orbit in exchange of an honest review. This is the revised review of the one I wrote in 2018 for the self-published edition.
We Ride the Storm is set after the events in The Vengeance Trilogy. It’s not necessary to read those books before plunging into The Reborn Empire series, but it helps to understand what’s happening at the beginning of the story. And might give a better sense of the world, since we are pretty much thrown in the middle of things. Although eventually things will clear up.
As I’ve had the chance to read both the self-published and traditionally published versions, I can see how much got changed in the process. I’m happy to report that the few extra scenes and tightened plot here and there definitely did good for We Ride the Storm. I might not have caught all the changes – 2 years is a long time – but what I did catch were all great additions.
We follow the story through 3 characters’ POVs, all of them written in first person, which, if we are being honest a really bad-ass thing to do. But also hard to portray three very different character’s voice and personality. Devin Madson definitely excelled at it.
Rah – Levanti warrior, captain of the Second Swords of Torin. He and his Swords are exiled from their homeland for a cycle and find themselves in the middle of an ages long conflict between two empires: Kisia and Chiltae. He also manages to get himself into a conflict with another captain, Gideon, because of their different views. Their relationship is a layered one. At one hand, Rah sees him as his friend, brother even, someone he always looked up to. But on the other, their time apart brought on changes in both of them that makes a gap between them. Rah stubbornly tries to keep the old customs, helds honor above else and is loyal to a fault. He holds to his believes throughout the book. He is that character who you can’t help but look up to, because whatever the circumstances he always tries to do what he believes is right. Even if that has unforseeable consequences. Through his eyes we get to learn about the Levanti culture which is about as shocking to us as to the Chiltaens. Especially since the opening scene of Rah’s POV gets us right to this point. Let’s just say, I’m happy I wasn’t born to be a Levanti. Although I like their oath:
Miko – living in the Imperial Court, far from the outside world, under the influence of her mother Empress Hanna, who tries to use her children to get the upper hand against the Emperor, Kin Ts’ai. Miko and her twin brother Tanaka have their own plans to one day get the Crimson Throne and rule over Kisia, but things go awry pretty fast. Miko finds herself choosing between two opposite fractions only to decide to put her self-interest above everything else. Miko is a strong female character, although young, naive and inexperienced when it comes to full scale politics. But she is also clever and can find her own fate, not letting anyone to stand in her way. The first time around I found it hard to connect with her and she was my least favourite of the three. For the second time, I definitely warmed up to her. She needs to grow up fast and has to make some hard decisions despite her young age. I admired her resolve and the way she was able to put the Empire’s interest above her own.
Cassandra – “Whoresassin” as Leo puts it. She is quite troubled and against her better judgement she agrees to take a job which promises to get rid of her problem permanently. Out of the three, she is the most interesting, and most complex character, but she gets less space than the other two, which is a shame. Her interactions with Leo were the funniest and the most emotional of all. Also this plotline held most of the surprises which left me with my mouth hanging open. I’m really looking forward to see where her path leads. She was the only character I really got to care about, even though I liked the other two as well. But there is just something in Cass. Maybe the hardships she’s gone through, her struggle to get control over herself and learning about how to make compromises and care about others too. That her problems aren’t really just hers. Also, the name Cassandra reminds me of the Greek mythology. She was the daughter of King Priam and was cursed so no one ever believed her prophecies, amongst them the destruction of Troy. Anyway, one of my favorite part of her and Leo’s conversation:
Through the 3 POVs we not only get glimpses into three lives, but we witness a brewing war too. Nevertheless the main focus is on the characters’ lives and motives. There are a few battle scenes which are usually short and brutal. And far more head falls in this book than you’d expect. Maybe because of the switching between the POVs, the sense of time is a bit off. Things seem to happen too fast, especially toward the end.
Without the background knowledge of the previous trilogy it’s a bit harder to grasp the world in its entirety. Especially the feud between Kisia and Chiltae which is the main driver of the story. Sure, we get explanations here and there, but since we see everything through the characters’ eyes, our knowledge is limited to theirs. We only get the information necessary to follow the events. Which is fine, but sometimes it can get frustrating. Interestingly, this did not bother me during the reread, as I was so engrossed in the story that I hardly had any complaints.
The same goes for the cultural backgrounds of the Empires. We learn the most about Levanti customs and faith, but there are many other things left untold, which would add to the worldbuilding and shine a different light on characters maybe. Let’s take the Hieromonk for example: we learn practically nothing of the religion despite him being the head of the church. Or about his motives, except the obvious, but I’m sure we’ll do so in later books.
Devin Madson seems to have an undying love for beheadings and anything to do with a weapon having a pointy end, and though there are some indeed bloody scenes, it still manages not to cross that fine line where it ends up being utterly disturbing and/or pointless. Every kill has its purpose, and every battle scene is a dance. Every chapter has its own arc, and every ending is cathartic, which just makes you turn to the next page and it makes damn hard to put it down. If you’ll find yourself saying just one more chapter, don’t be surprised if you end up staying up far too late. Madson’s style of prose also helps things, when you get descriptions like this:
It’s freaking genius, if you ask me. And her subtle humor makes this read even more enjoyable.
We Ride the Storm is a strong, incredible even, first book, which builds up the conflict and leaves plenty of questions to be answered in later books. It’s a bloody, character driven, headless… err, endless fun. Devin Madson‘s voice is one worth listening to in the cacophony of the Fantasy genre, and I personally can’t wait to see how far she will get with the Reborn Empire series. Hopefully not too many heads will fall in her wake.
Actual rating: 4.5*
Disclaimer: I've got an ARC copy from Orbit in exchange of an honest review. This is the revised review of the one I wrote in 2018 for the self-published edition.
“They tried to kill me four times before I could walk. Seven before I held any memory of the world. Every time thereafter I knew fear, but it was anger that chipped sharp edges into my soul.”
We Ride the Storm is set after the events in The Vengeance Trilogy. It’s not necessary to read those books before plunging into The Reborn Empire series, but it helps to understand what’s happening at the beginning of the story. And might give a better sense of the world, since we are pretty much thrown in the middle of things. Although eventually things will clear up.
As I’ve had the chance to read both the self-published and traditionally published versions, I can see how much got changed in the process. I’m happy to report that the few extra scenes and tightened plot here and there definitely did good for We Ride the Storm. I might not have caught all the changes – 2 years is a long time – but what I did catch were all great additions.
We follow the story through 3 characters’ POVs, all of them written in first person, which, if we are being honest a really bad-ass thing to do. But also hard to portray three very different character’s voice and personality. Devin Madson definitely excelled at it.
Rah – Levanti warrior, captain of the Second Swords of Torin. He and his Swords are exiled from their homeland for a cycle and find themselves in the middle of an ages long conflict between two empires: Kisia and Chiltae. He also manages to get himself into a conflict with another captain, Gideon, because of their different views. Their relationship is a layered one. At one hand, Rah sees him as his friend, brother even, someone he always looked up to. But on the other, their time apart brought on changes in both of them that makes a gap between them. Rah stubbornly tries to keep the old customs, helds honor above else and is loyal to a fault. He holds to his believes throughout the book. He is that character who you can’t help but look up to, because whatever the circumstances he always tries to do what he believes is right. Even if that has unforseeable consequences. Through his eyes we get to learn about the Levanti culture which is about as shocking to us as to the Chiltaens. Especially since the opening scene of Rah’s POV gets us right to this point. Let’s just say, I’m happy I wasn’t born to be a Levanti. Although I like their oath:
“We are the Swords that hunt so your hands may be clean. We are the Swords that kill so your soul may be light. We are the Swords that die so you may live.”
Miko – living in the Imperial Court, far from the outside world, under the influence of her mother Empress Hanna, who tries to use her children to get the upper hand against the Emperor, Kin Ts’ai. Miko and her twin brother Tanaka have their own plans to one day get the Crimson Throne and rule over Kisia, but things go awry pretty fast. Miko finds herself choosing between two opposite fractions only to decide to put her self-interest above everything else. Miko is a strong female character, although young, naive and inexperienced when it comes to full scale politics. But she is also clever and can find her own fate, not letting anyone to stand in her way. The first time around I found it hard to connect with her and she was my least favourite of the three. For the second time, I definitely warmed up to her. She needs to grow up fast and has to make some hard decisions despite her young age. I admired her resolve and the way she was able to put the Empire’s interest above her own.
Cassandra – “Whoresassin” as Leo puts it. She is quite troubled and against her better judgement she agrees to take a job which promises to get rid of her problem permanently. Out of the three, she is the most interesting, and most complex character, but she gets less space than the other two, which is a shame. Her interactions with Leo were the funniest and the most emotional of all. Also this plotline held most of the surprises which left me with my mouth hanging open. I’m really looking forward to see where her path leads. She was the only character I really got to care about, even though I liked the other two as well. But there is just something in Cass. Maybe the hardships she’s gone through, her struggle to get control over herself and learning about how to make compromises and care about others too. That her problems aren’t really just hers. Also, the name Cassandra reminds me of the Greek mythology. She was the daughter of King Priam and was cursed so no one ever believed her prophecies, amongst them the destruction of Troy. Anyway, one of my favorite part of her and Leo’s conversation:
“Now let’s keep moving before the sight of this damn place makes me piss myself.”
“As you wish, Your Whoreness.” He had taken a few steps but turned to look back over his shoulder. “Or should it be Your Assassinness? Whoresassin!”
Through the 3 POVs we not only get glimpses into three lives, but we witness a brewing war too. Nevertheless the main focus is on the characters’ lives and motives. There are a few battle scenes which are usually short and brutal. And far more head falls in this book than you’d expect. Maybe because of the switching between the POVs, the sense of time is a bit off. Things seem to happen too fast, especially toward the end.
Without the background knowledge of the previous trilogy it’s a bit harder to grasp the world in its entirety. Especially the feud between Kisia and Chiltae which is the main driver of the story. Sure, we get explanations here and there, but since we see everything through the characters’ eyes, our knowledge is limited to theirs. We only get the information necessary to follow the events. Which is fine, but sometimes it can get frustrating. Interestingly, this did not bother me during the reread, as I was so engrossed in the story that I hardly had any complaints.
The same goes for the cultural backgrounds of the Empires. We learn the most about Levanti customs and faith, but there are many other things left untold, which would add to the worldbuilding and shine a different light on characters maybe. Let’s take the Hieromonk for example: we learn practically nothing of the religion despite him being the head of the church. Or about his motives, except the obvious, but I’m sure we’ll do so in later books.
Devin Madson seems to have an undying love for beheadings and anything to do with a weapon having a pointy end, and though there are some indeed bloody scenes, it still manages not to cross that fine line where it ends up being utterly disturbing and/or pointless. Every kill has its purpose, and every battle scene is a dance. Every chapter has its own arc, and every ending is cathartic, which just makes you turn to the next page and it makes damn hard to put it down. If you’ll find yourself saying just one more chapter, don’t be surprised if you end up staying up far too late. Madson’s style of prose also helps things, when you get descriptions like this:
“Koi’s gatehouse stood over the road like a furious matron towering above a naughty child. Its boltholes glared down at us, and the imperial flag fluttered like the matron’s bloodstained apron. And between her legs the only way in or out.”
It’s freaking genius, if you ask me. And her subtle humor makes this read even more enjoyable.
We Ride the Storm is a strong, incredible even, first book, which builds up the conflict and leaves plenty of questions to be answered in later books. It’s a bloody, character driven, headless… err, endless fun. Devin Madson‘s voice is one worth listening to in the cacophony of the Fantasy genre, and I personally can’t wait to see how far she will get with the Reborn Empire series. Hopefully not too many heads will fall in her wake.
antonella_filipas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
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
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this , it’s a great fantasy/action filled story. It’s got great complex world building and good diversity, the writing is really good too. My only criticism is I found myself a bit disinterested a few times and my mind wandered at some points, but it’s a only a couple of points in the book. I loved the complex and ‘real’ nature of the characters and that they aren’t perfect, they have real flaws and some that aren’t likeable at all, to me that’s great character development, which I love. Overall this a great first book to a new series, one that has to set everything up, so I look forward to future books in the series.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion