writer_a_fox's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
persephonefoxx's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Am I a little bias because I love Vax’ildan with all my heart? Yeah. Do I see where a lot of other reviews are coming from? Also yeah.
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a slow start (outside of the first of many of the twin’s childhood flashback, which were a lore highlight of the story). But I always falter a bit when it comes to high fantasy, it’s just not really my jam. But despite that, I really did have quite a bit of fun with this novel.
However, I am aware that the reason why I could get through some of this book’s problems (which I will admit were present) was that I am a huge fan of Campaign 1 of Critical Role. As I mentioned, I adore Vax.
While I had a good time reading this book, liked it’s characters, and enjoyed the story. I think it might lose some of its charm outside of the world of a Critical Role/Vox Machina fan. For fans of CR1: particularly Vex, Vax, and everyone’s favourite bear this book is likely to be a win in the sense that it is a fun little jaunt through the twin’s adventures pre-campaign. But it might not be as enjoyable by those who aren’t fans of the show.
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a slow start (outside of the first of many of the twin’s childhood flashback, which were a lore highlight of the story). But I always falter a bit when it comes to high fantasy, it’s just not really my jam. But despite that, I really did have quite a bit of fun with this novel.
However, I am aware that the reason why I could get through some of this book’s problems (which I will admit were present) was that I am a huge fan of Campaign 1 of Critical Role. As I mentioned, I adore Vax.
While I had a good time reading this book, liked it’s characters, and enjoyed the story. I think it might lose some of its charm outside of the world of a Critical Role/Vox Machina fan. For fans of CR1: particularly Vex, Vax, and everyone’s favourite bear this book is likely to be a win in the sense that it is a fun little jaunt through the twin’s adventures pre-campaign. But it might not be as enjoyable by those who aren’t fans of the show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars
Kith & Kin is basically just a fun time.
As a more recent fan of the Critical Role world, I was excited to read a novel featuring the earlier experiences of Vax and Vex – two of my favourite characters (though really they’re all my favourites).
From a fantasy YA standpoint, K&K is nothing special or unique. But it is fun, with plenty of action, quips, (easy to figure out) plot twists, and emotional moments (especially the flashbacks). And from a CR perspective, it’s a fan-freaking-tastic time. I enjoyed some of the extra worldbuilding and gained a better understanding of how jaded the twins became by the beginning of Vox Machina. While the twins were initially on opposite sides of a larger conflict, I appreciated that the author didn’t drag it out and had them resolve their issues and work together – the strength of their relationship is largely dependent on the trust they’ve built and the open communication they (try to) maintain.
I recommend picking up the audiobook if you can – Robbie Daymond (aka Dorian Storm in Exandria Unlimited and early Campaign 3) is the narrator, with Liam O’Brien and Laura Bailey reprising their characters’ voices. Basically, I imagine Dorian as an older bard telling this tale to his audience. I will say - it was hard to contain my reactions to some scenes while in public!
Finally - I'm a big fan of Thorn and can’t forgive the author for going fade-to-black in *that* scene with Vax….
Kith & Kin is basically just a fun time.
As a more recent fan of the Critical Role world, I was excited to read a novel featuring the earlier experiences of Vax and Vex – two of my favourite characters (though really they’re all my favourites).
From a fantasy YA standpoint, K&K is nothing special or unique. But it is fun, with plenty of action, quips, (easy to figure out) plot twists, and emotional moments (especially the flashbacks). And from a CR perspective, it’s a fan-freaking-tastic time. I enjoyed some of the extra worldbuilding and gained a better understanding of how jaded the twins became by the beginning of Vox Machina. While the twins were initially on opposite sides of a larger conflict, I appreciated that the author didn’t drag it out and had them resolve their issues and work together – the strength of their relationship is largely dependent on the trust they’ve built and the open communication they (try to) maintain.
I recommend picking up the audiobook if you can – Robbie Daymond (aka Dorian Storm in Exandria Unlimited and early Campaign 3) is the narrator, with Liam O’Brien and Laura Bailey reprising their characters’ voices. Basically, I imagine Dorian as an older bard telling this tale to his audience. I will say - it was hard to contain my reactions to some scenes while in public!
Finally - I'm a big fan of Thorn and can’t forgive the author for going fade-to-black in *that* scene with Vax….
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Violence, Injury/injury detail, Blood, and Death of parent
perleerose's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
great book if you want to know more about vex and vax from critical role
definitely better if you know critical role from the stream or tv show first tho, wouldn’t recommend trying to get into critical role by starting with this book
definitely better if you know critical role from the stream or tv show first tho, wouldn’t recommend trying to get into critical role by starting with this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/injury detail, Blood, and Violence
achingallover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-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
it felt like a story arc in critical role and that's exactly what i wanted it to be. also the audiobook was very well acted (as expected)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Violence
egfrith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
mirireads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
droggelbecher42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book so much.
I cried, I got incredibly angry, I laughed and smiled.
Some of my favourite things about it (no spoilers):
- incredibly organic sibling dynamic, both full of bickering and true care
- the audiobooks narration by Robbie Daymond with voices from Laura & Liam
-> incredibly immersive, I forgot that an adorable little girl was in fact also spoken by him
-> the twins voices, as a fan of campaign 1 I just missed their in character voices, but even without that aspect it just added to the immersion
- complex issues and characters
-> I don't want to spoil anything, but there is a issue that is portrayed in a very unique way, giving equal times to both sides of the story.
- flashbacks!
-> They were well timed and made me appreciate the characters more, while also givivng more perspective to their flaws
- lgbtq+ representation
Tl;dr:
Good book, beautifully told story, not only for fans of campaign 1 & critical role, but also for fans of fantasy stories, intrigue and family dynamics
I cried, I got incredibly angry, I laughed and smiled.
Some of my favourite things about it (no spoilers):
- incredibly organic sibling dynamic, both full of bickering and true care
- the audiobooks narration by Robbie Daymond with voices from Laura & Liam
-> incredibly immersive, I forgot that an adorable little girl was in fact also spoken by him
-> the twins voices, as a fan of campaign 1 I just missed their in character voices, but even without that aspect it just added to the immersion
- complex issues and characters
-> I don't want to spoil anything, but there is a issue that is portrayed in a very unique way, giving equal times to both sides of the story.
- flashbacks!
-> They were well timed and made me appreciate the characters more, while also givivng more perspective to their flaws
- lgbtq+ representation
Tl;dr:
Good book, beautifully told story, not only for fans of campaign 1 & critical role, but also for fans of fantasy stories, intrigue and family dynamics
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Bullying, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty and Slavery
Includes some themes of terrible family dynamics, trust issues and feeling worthless
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