zenithharpink's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
This book was amazing-there was also a lot to be impressed about. Told in a revolving sort of format, the story hops to key characters in each chapter, which kept me frantically turning pages to find out what happened next. Additionally, this book is thoroughly well-researched (not surprising, given Herman's background) and I found myself reading up on characters through Wikipedia occasionally, just to get a better understanding of where they fit in the political and geographical context-a most unusual circumstance for general historical fiction.
Being so firmly grounded in documented history, while still adding the depth of magic and mystery to the story was supremely entertaining, and I couldn't pick a favorite character. There seem to be an even split between "good guys" and villains, this is not a binary read of a single hero against a supreme baddie-at least not yet, we'll see where the story takes us.
I can't really think of anything I didn't like about this book, except for the occasional editing slip-up, which I found to be a bit more prevalent than in other books-this I chalked up to slightly sloppy editing, and it was minor. Otherwise, even the villains I found fascinating-wishing to see where there exploits would take them, all the while hating them and hoping that things ended badly.
I would recommend to any looking for a strong fantasy historical fiction, especially if you have already read Legacy of Kings, the first book in this series. I recommend reading the first book, but this books stands on it's own and I found it to be stronger than the first book. You'll be satisfied either way.
This book was amazing-there was also a lot to be impressed about. Told in a revolving sort of format, the story hops to key characters in each chapter, which kept me frantically turning pages to find out what happened next. Additionally, this book is thoroughly well-researched (not surprising, given Herman's background) and I found myself reading up on characters through Wikipedia occasionally, just to get a better understanding of where they fit in the political and geographical context-a most unusual circumstance for general historical fiction.
Being so firmly grounded in documented history, while still adding the depth of magic and mystery to the story was supremely entertaining, and I couldn't pick a favorite character. There seem to be an even split between "good guys" and villains, this is not a binary read of a single hero against a supreme baddie-at least not yet, we'll see where the story takes us.
I can't really think of anything I didn't like about this book, except for the occasional editing slip-up, which I found to be a bit more prevalent than in other books-this I chalked up to slightly sloppy editing, and it was minor. Otherwise, even the villains I found fascinating-wishing to see where there exploits would take them, all the while hating them and hoping that things ended badly.
I would recommend to any looking for a strong fantasy historical fiction, especially if you have already read Legacy of Kings, the first book in this series. I recommend reading the first book, but this books stands on it's own and I found it to be stronger than the first book. You'll be satisfied either way.
sir_presh's review against another edition
3.0
Not too remarkable... Just barely interesting enough to keep me reading
ejbenfi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leedigesu's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely better than the first one, which only picked up at the end.
I bought the other two books in the series so I'll keep reading.
I bought the other two books in the series so I'll keep reading.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
5.0
Full review will come on my blog next week. But there's a note in the back of this that the first book was sold to WB network for a possible tv series!!! So cool!!
lunamond's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
This book is a masterclass in queererasure.
For anybody unaware what I'm refering to I highly recommend researching Alexander and Hepheastion's actual relationship.
Hint: it was incredibly gay, to the point of people being concerned about Alexander lack of interest in women kinda gay and refering to themselves as Achilles and Patrocules kinda gay...
This makes the choice of having Alexander beefing and exiling Hepheastion incredibly weird and offensive. However, nothing tops the choice of a romance between Hepheastion and the invented female MC, who also happens to be the sister of Alexander.
For anybody unaware what I'm refering to I highly recommend researching Alexander and Hepheastion's actual relationship.
Hint: it was incredibly gay, to the point of people being concerned about Alexander lack of interest in women kinda gay and refering to themselves as Achilles and Patrocules kinda gay...
This makes the choice of having Alexander beefing and exiling Hepheastion incredibly weird and offensive. However, nothing tops the choice of a romance between Hepheastion and the invented female MC, who also happens to be the sister of Alexander.
marie_lrj's review against another edition
4.0
I had a hard time rating this book, because there were parts I absolutely loved, but there were parts that bored me and I couldn't wait to get past. I think it stems from the fact that there are so many different characters and viewpoints. I typically really enjoy books with multiple viewpoints, but the problem with this book was that I didn't like all of them and found some of them boring. Also, I think because of that, some characters and their stories didn't get the attention they deserved, and things moved too fast. But that being said, overall I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait for the next book!
booking_along's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
it’s too slow with too many character point of views, that are too often switched with no real reason as to eat it’s switched so often and at the point the switches happen, with too short chapters to make all of that actually work well.
there are things happening in the book, but most of it drags until the last few chapter to actually get somewhere and most of it wasn’t done overly well either, in my opinion.
it certainly suffers from middle book syndrome, the story has ti be dragged out and stretched to its maximum capacity to get as many books out of plot that could and should have been written at the most in two books but could have easily been told in one bigger book.
at least that’s how i feel after reading this book. maybe the next two books will change my mind completely on that, but just this book felt basically unnecessary, sadly.
there are things happening in the book, but most of it drags until the last few chapter to actually get somewhere and most of it wasn’t done overly well either, in my opinion.
it certainly suffers from middle book syndrome, the story has ti be dragged out and stretched to its maximum capacity to get as many books out of plot that could and should have been written at the most in two books but could have easily been told in one bigger book.
at least that’s how i feel after reading this book. maybe the next two books will change my mind completely on that, but just this book felt basically unnecessary, sadly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Torture, Child abuse, Gore, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Slavery, and War
nyxshadow's review against another edition
2.0
Beaucoup de difficultés cette fois-ci à "rentrer" dans l'histoire. Je suis restée presque totalement en retrait sans m'intéresser au sort des différents protagonistes.
Pourtant, l'auteur poursuit parfaitement la lignée du premier tome que j'avais beaucoup apprécié. Mais je n'ai même pas eu l'impression d'une évolution quelconque. Comme si on poussait les pions en place à différents endroits géographiques, mais que les vrais actions étaient encore à venir.
Pourtant, l'auteur poursuit parfaitement la lignée du premier tome que j'avais beaucoup apprécié. Mais je n'ai même pas eu l'impression d'une évolution quelconque. Comme si on poussait les pions en place à différents endroits géographiques, mais que les vrais actions étaient encore à venir.