shmosieposie's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! Some bits drag on a little, but if you read the first one the second does not disappoint.
dark_reader's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED. IT. This is going on my "favorites" shelf. This author cares about good writing, in the Strunk & White sense, and I have encountered so much of the opposite lately, it really stands out. He chooses his words with care; his writing is not sparse, but neither is it bloated at all. This is the kind of conscientious wordcraft that depends on multiple rounds of edits, by self and others, to smooth into perfection.
The book has a wonderful classic feel to it with its almost-episodic adventure, and several epistolary touches that I simply adore. Adventure at sea and on land, on remote jungle islands and in seaside cave complexes, the Chathrand battles enemy ships and the elements while its voyagers jockey for advantage as a multi-layered conspiracy unfolds, all in a world with loosely-defined magic, barely-seen supernatural creatures, and so many secrets still unrevealed. Two volumes left in this series—ooh, this is going to be good! And the author has recently stated that he expects to produce more work set in this world.
The book's world is desirable and believable, in terms of economics, politics, information systems, technology, etc. It's a gaslamp-type setting, but this wasn't clear to me until somewhere in the second book (when an actual gas lamp was in use), because the world is presented perfectly naturally through the experience of the characters and not as a 'character' in its own right. It's just where they live, without any explicit statements about what kind of world it it. I am so used at this point to grimdark and gritty fantasy, I have to adjust when characters actually care about individual lives in general and a single death is significant.
Who is "the editor"? My current guess is Neeps, but it's a total shot in the dark.
The book has a wonderful classic feel to it with its almost-episodic adventure, and several epistolary touches that I simply adore. Adventure at sea and on land, on remote jungle islands and in seaside cave complexes, the Chathrand battles enemy ships and the elements while its voyagers jockey for advantage as a multi-layered conspiracy unfolds, all in a world with loosely-defined magic, barely-seen supernatural creatures, and so many secrets still unrevealed. Two volumes left in this series—ooh, this is going to be good! And the author has recently stated that he expects to produce more work set in this world.
The book's world is desirable and believable, in terms of economics, politics, information systems, technology, etc. It's a gaslamp-type setting, but this wasn't clear to me until somewhere in the second book (when an actual gas lamp was in use), because the world is presented perfectly naturally through the experience of the characters and not as a 'character' in its own right. It's just where they live, without any explicit statements about what kind of world it it. I am so used at this point to grimdark and gritty fantasy, I have to adjust when characters actually care about individual lives in general and a single death is significant.
Who is "the editor"? My current guess is Neeps, but it's a total shot in the dark.
jeanne_satre's review against another edition
1.0
The plot and writing both devolve precipitously. I could not finish this book.
ahpotts's review against another edition
4.0
The pace kept up, the characters grow more interesting, I found myself impatient to get back to the book & keep reading. On to the next!
joabroda's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.5
Second book in a series (The Chathrand Voyage,) that I am so thankful was suggested in my fantasy group.
Book 1 concentrated on building the world, setting the scene. This 2nd book is more character driven and I have fallen in love with most of them.
If you are like me, and fantasy reading is your escape from the real world, try this series, I doubt you will be disappointed.
<i>Brimming with high adventure, dark enchantment, and unforgettable characters, this story deftly secures Redick’s place in the ranks of epic fantasy’s most original and enthralling storytellers.</i>
Book 1 concentrated on building the world, setting the scene. This 2nd book is more character driven and I have fallen in love with most of them.
If you are like me, and fantasy reading is your escape from the real world, try this series, I doubt you will be disappointed.
<i>Brimming with high adventure, dark enchantment, and unforgettable characters, this story deftly secures Redick’s place in the ranks of epic fantasy’s most original and enthralling storytellers.</i>
lsneal's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars again. This one definitely sucked me back in, after the somewhat disappointing ending of the first book. There were a couple of plot points that grated, seemingly crafted only to further one miscommunication or other, but overall very strong. The writing continues to be excellent and evocative.
kadomi's review against another edition
3.0
I guess there is a reason that it took me a solid three years to complete the 2nd book of The Chathrand Voyage, and this after really enjoying the first one, The Red Wolf Conspiracy.
The Rats and the Ruling Sea continues right where the first book ended, but then proceeds to plod along at a bit of a glacial pace. After stopping the plans of the various conspiracies aboard the gigantic Chathrand, the ship now sets out to cross the Ruling Sea, to further the plans of the Arquali Empire.
It's tough to follow the various conspiracies, and the main characters Pazel and Thasha are sometimes quite maddening. It wasn't until the last quarter of the book that it really picked up for me. Things come to a head as the Chathrand is about to end up in the heart of a maelstrom while the battling factions aboard come to a head.
The world building and the various characters are still as imaginative as in the first book. It's incredibly creative and definitely unique amongst the many fantasy books I have read in my life.
All in all 3.5 stars, and I will continue on, but man, I sure wish the looooooong middle stretch of the book had been more exciting.
The Rats and the Ruling Sea continues right where the first book ended, but then proceeds to plod along at a bit of a glacial pace. After stopping the plans of the various conspiracies aboard the gigantic Chathrand, the ship now sets out to cross the Ruling Sea, to further the plans of the Arquali Empire.
It's tough to follow the various conspiracies, and the main characters Pazel and Thasha are sometimes quite maddening. It wasn't until the last quarter of the book that it really picked up for me. Things come to a head as the Chathrand is about to end up in the heart of a maelstrom while the battling factions aboard come to a head.
The world building and the various characters are still as imaginative as in the first book. It's incredibly creative and definitely unique amongst the many fantasy books I have read in my life.
All in all 3.5 stars, and I will continue on, but man, I sure wish the looooooong middle stretch of the book had been more exciting.
More...