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mcmah303's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable and original story, but the ending twist was foreshadowed too strongly. I am interested to see where the story goes though.
rjhodnette's review against another edition
Really great ideas and interesting characters, but the story just isn’t grabbing me right now. Will likely try to read it again at a later date.
tessofthetales's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
ellie_cripps's review against another edition
3.0
This was slow to really grip me, but I did feel compelled to get to the end even if I took an unusually long time over the audiobook. I felt as though there were some interesting concepts at play in this world, but that they overlapped and clashed with each other too much for me to fully engage with (or really understand) any of them. I may come back for the second one, but I am honestly not sure at the moment.
whattamess's review against another edition
5.0
MacHalo Buddy Read
I am so in love with this world and the storyline that Jen Williams has created. And the characters! The characters were done so well. If you love fantasy this tale is food for your brain and soul.
c340's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
2.0
oliviasoule's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
darkskybooks's review
4.0
A very different fantastical setting. Taking some interesting tropes but twisting them in unique ways this was a highly impressive read. Clever world building and really interesting character development lead to a highly accomplished and unique feeling fantasy.
The world is one of decay, quite a common fantasy trope, but taken in quite a clever and unique way. The race and civilization that has protected the world (Ebora) is in terminal decline. Its sustaining god has died and with it the protections granted. They have turned into an almost vampiric people, finding that human blood helps sustain them, but at the cost of eventual terminal illness.
Meanwhile, Fell Witches, women who can use other creatures life force to generate 'winnow flame', are kept in a kind of prison, looked over by some malevolent religious cult. They are kept as almost slaves.
The alien Jure'lia invader that has left the world in its decayed state have relics dotted around the landscape, which cause all sorts of weird and strange effects in their vicinity.
The story has a strong found family bent. We follow Vintage, a strangely wealthy researcher into the relics dotted around the world, an escaped Fell Witch, and one of the Eboran vampiric type creatures. They are on a quest to understand the Jure'lian relics with implications for the future of the world.
Meanwhile, there is politics afoot as the leader of Ebora tries to heal her falling civilization.
This is all epic fantasy at its best. Plus it has giant pet bats.
The world is one of decay, quite a common fantasy trope, but taken in quite a clever and unique way. The race and civilization that has protected the world (Ebora) is in terminal decline. Its sustaining god has died and with it the protections granted. They have turned into an almost vampiric people, finding that human blood helps sustain them, but at the cost of eventual terminal illness.
Meanwhile, Fell Witches, women who can use other creatures life force to generate 'winnow flame', are kept in a kind of prison, looked over by some malevolent religious cult. They are kept as almost slaves.
The alien Jure'lia invader that has left the world in its decayed state have relics dotted around the landscape, which cause all sorts of weird and strange effects in their vicinity.
The story has a strong found family bent. We follow Vintage, a strangely wealthy researcher into the relics dotted around the world, an escaped Fell Witch, and one of the Eboran vampiric type creatures. They are on a quest to understand the Jure'lian relics with implications for the future of the world.
Meanwhile, there is politics afoot as the leader of Ebora tries to heal her falling civilization.
This is all epic fantasy at its best. Plus it has giant pet bats.
celiapowell's review against another edition
5.0
Spectacular fantasy in a wonderfully realised setting - I loved this and am launching straight in to the sequels.