Reviews

A Dance of Blades by David Dalglish

disastrouspenguin's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5/5

Some of the same faults as the first, minor typos, but even better than the first. I will definitely finish this series!

faehistory's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

xeni's review against another edition

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2.0

Well, this was certainly easier to read (less suspension of disbelief needed, though still needed) than the first book. There was still so much freaking child abuse. Wow. I think I'll stop with the series here, as while I am curious to see where the plot goes, and what happens to Thren and Haern, I'm not curious enough to continue to put up with a slew of evil slop being poured over my brain.

ngreads's review against another edition

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5.0

Two words: Vigilante. Assassin.

This book is fantastic. Even better than the first. Read them.

leanne394's review against another edition

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4.0

Really enjoyed this book, keeps you wanting to read more to find out what's going to happen to everyone! Enjoyed this book more than the first.

ghostmuppet's review against another edition

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3.0

Not sure how i feel about this book. It made me feel uneasy in some parts, frustrated in others and enjoyment in some. The violence seems ridiculous sometimes, and the fighting too much to comprehend (all the speed and twirling).
Ghost was a great character, and i really enjoyed his parts. The other characters are starting to grow on me. I still find it hard to get my head around so many guilds in a city.

The audiobook was good, but the narrator uses too many accents. Yes, i understand the reason, but they can be very grating.

thinde's review against another edition

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4.0

I'm warming to this series. Despite people's plans still making little sense, the characters are well-wrought and the pace is fast.

On to book 3.

squishies's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars

Interesting to see how Haern turned out...

zoeamac's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

schez's review against another edition

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4.0

I think... I liked this book more than the first one. Which is unusal for myself whilst reading a series. I tend to cling to the first book and stubbornly refuse to beleive that following books are better.

The writing in A Dance of Blades seems more polished- it flowed better and although we don't see much of of Thorne (guild master of the spiders), hes always there in the background- his reputation still feared.

Haern's character has deepened. I believe this book gives him this by taking his father's presence back a step.

So what we Have in a Dance of blades is Hearn five years on and how he is progressed since escaping the fire of the previous book. Determined to put an end to the guild wars he takes his place as "the watcher" destroying what he can of the guilds. He battles with himself through the book about his motives and if they really are far from what his father wants him to be and what has trying to run from.

Alyssa has taken her father's palace as a member of the Trifect and has given birth to a son. The son she sends away in a bid to keep him safe but begins to realise that she has done the same as her father and wants his return.
On the road back, Arthur, derermind to win a place by Alyssa's side (and to have power within the Trifict ) realises he must first remove the competition for Alyssa's heart (Mark) and the next heir ... her son Nathaniel. With them gone he has a clear run, but things don't go exactly to plan.

There are many other characters in this story that are in a race to elimate the watcher... and Hearn must stay a step ahead. Surprises and plot twists with a little magic keep the pages turning.

As fires burn in the Varden time is running out for Haern to change the future of the guilds or die trying.