Scan barcode
insomniatattoos's review against another edition
5.0
I saw this book’s cover on a shelf at Barnes and Noble when I was maybe 15 or 16, and decided to buy the first of the trilogy based on that art alone. I had already starting drifting away from fantasy at that point, but something about Gerald Tarrant’s sassy sword-wielding-vampire pose grabbed me. It was the right move, it ended up being one of my favorite works of fiction as a teen.
It’s about 20 years later and in a bit of a nostalgia cycle, I decided to pick it up again. It definitely has its little problems (I wish there were more fleshed out women in the story, the romance in the third book is pretty weak, the first book has a lot of repeated phrases that become super noticeable), but the writing gets continuously better throughout the story and it’s completely carried by its charismatic anti-hero main character and his frenemy/bff, the less charismatic but still likable priest. The development of their friendship is genuinely so enjoyable to read. I also love the world building and the fae as a unique and immersive system of magic, often a point of contention with me when it comes to fantasy.
My high rating comes from a personal place of love, I can’t say what I’d rate it if I read it for the first time today, but I still recommend it to all my friends. If you’re looking for a fantasy/sci fi/vampire story with dark undertones and a splash of bittersweet, take this one on.
It’s about 20 years later and in a bit of a nostalgia cycle, I decided to pick it up again. It definitely has its little problems (I wish there were more fleshed out women in the story, the romance in the third book is pretty weak, the first book has a lot of repeated phrases that become super noticeable), but the writing gets continuously better throughout the story and it’s completely carried by its charismatic anti-hero main character and his frenemy/bff, the less charismatic but still likable priest. The development of their friendship is genuinely so enjoyable to read. I also love the world building and the fae as a unique and immersive system of magic, often a point of contention with me when it comes to fantasy.
My high rating comes from a personal place of love, I can’t say what I’d rate it if I read it for the first time today, but I still recommend it to all my friends. If you’re looking for a fantasy/sci fi/vampire story with dark undertones and a splash of bittersweet, take this one on.
mickp81's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not really sure how i feel about this one, but i think i liked it.
nathan01's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely genius story development with the POV structure elevates this series to new heights. It simultaneously pushed forth an attempt at a redemption arc while constantly reminding us of just a small fraction of the endless pain this person has inflicted on the world. Could any amount of atonement and good intentions be enough? In my eyes, whether you say yes or no, any answer can suffice. And to pull off something like that is truly difficult.
I was a little skeptical of where this was going around halfway through the book, but I was a fool to ever have doubts. Once I understood what Friedman was going for, everything started to fit together like a puzzle in the most satisfying of ways possible. I can call this series a masterpiece with no hesitation at all. Very likely my favorite trilogy of all time at the time of writing this. It's a shame I can only read this for the first time once.
I was a little skeptical of where this was going around halfway through the book, but I was a fool to ever have doubts. Once I understood what Friedman was going for, everything started to fit together like a puzzle in the most satisfying of ways possible. I can call this series a masterpiece with no hesitation at all. Very likely my favorite trilogy of all time at the time of writing this. It's a shame I can only read this for the first time once.
incarnationblues's review against another edition
3.0
Amazingly, this is one of the few books that I read, enjoyed, and COMPLETELY forgot the entire storyline. Re-reading it revealed it to be a decent book, but one that I didn't like as much as it's predecessors. Not because it was any less quality, just because I dislike the way in which it ended. Nevermind that this was the way the series was set out to end from the beginning, and it worked out well for almost everyone, but the result of the final plot twist left the world a much less magical one, and much more technological/like our own. And that always makes me sad. Although I could definitely see some interesting stories being set in the future of that world, with one of the few lone fae users amidts all the new tech.
piratexalien's review against another edition
5.0
This trilogy is beautifully written, and is emotionally compelling. What I loved the most about this series is the astonishing amount of self sacrifice and the reflection of the consequences by Damien. Usually in novels I read about the hero doing acts that might not be entirely noble, but still for the greater good, and it is taken in stride by the hero and cast. A little frown or solemn look off in the distance, but not much else. Not these characters.
In the first book each character is set in their ways and their beliefs, in the second these beliefs begin to bend and grey areas are found. By the third everything they knew and held morally is redefined. Damien is consistently in the morally grey area and it weighs tremendously on his conscious. Everything he stands for, everything he WANTS to stand for is tested in his quest to save humanity, and dear God does this stunning piece of work put you through an emotional roller coaster! The Hunter and his redemption and personal pain is another matter completely, and lets just say that by the end of this book (4am) I curled up with my boyfriend for a bit and just cried out of relief, happiness, sadness and just good ole' emotional exhaustion that great books bring.
The detail is rich and enticing without being overly long and tiresome. I adored the back story to the humans of Erna, it was an amazing blend of fantasy and science fiction in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the new "magic" system (forgive me Tarrant, I know it's not magic!) and found it to be very refreshing. The characters moved me, though I admit to not being overly fond of the side characters from the first book, and I would kill to read some more of their exploits.
Overall, I picked this series up accidentally because I mistook it for a book that had some good reviews. By the time I realized that it wasn't the right one, I was already so deep into this trilogy that you couldn't pull me away if you wanted to. Read it.
In the first book each character is set in their ways and their beliefs, in the second these beliefs begin to bend and grey areas are found. By the third everything they knew and held morally is redefined. Damien is consistently in the morally grey area and it weighs tremendously on his conscious. Everything he stands for, everything he WANTS to stand for is tested in his quest to save humanity, and dear God does this stunning piece of work put you through an emotional roller coaster! The Hunter and his redemption and personal pain is another matter completely, and lets just say that by the end of this book (4am) I curled up with my boyfriend for a bit and just cried out of relief, happiness, sadness and just good ole' emotional exhaustion that great books bring.
The detail is rich and enticing without being overly long and tiresome. I adored the back story to the humans of Erna, it was an amazing blend of fantasy and science fiction in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the new "magic" system (forgive me Tarrant, I know it's not magic!) and found it to be very refreshing. The characters moved me, though I admit to not being overly fond of the side characters from the first book, and I would kill to read some more of their exploits.
Overall, I picked this series up accidentally because I mistook it for a book that had some good reviews. By the time I realized that it wasn't the right one, I was already so deep into this trilogy that you couldn't pull me away if you wanted to. Read it.
leseratte97's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jgshinton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a_chickletz's review against another edition
2.0
This is it, the final book. I read them all. I will admit, of all of them, this was the first book I wanted to give up on.
I have no idea what the hell was happening in this book half the time. I don't think I ever will.
Apparently the huge reveal is that the fae and mankind from many years ago created (mankind unknowingly created, mind you) a sentient being that can create it's own kind called Iszu which are half human half fae. Some Iszu have appeared throughout mankind and conversed with the characters in the book. Others have decided to go off the deep-end and become monsters... hence, the crazy that has happened in the books from day one.
Gerald Tarrant is one interesting character. At times, he reminds me of a psychotic Victor Frankenstien (more or less the Hammer Horror version) and spends his time in this book trying to watch his strange experiments and observations of mankind and the fae go wack. Other times he is spending the book in 'Hell' because he apparently did one good-deed and the gods who turned him into a vampire decided to punish him for it. Guess who has to go into Hell and drag him out of hell? Damien. Yep. He's bitching and griping about it.
Damien and Gerald's friendship has developed over the book. How some readers have taken it, it's some strange love and hate (though stronger on the 'love' when it comes to Damien). I can't tell if he wanted to fuck Gerard or just be super close friends with him.
The ending was a little weird because Gerard apparently (after loosing his powers while Damien takes him back to the living) made some sorcery deal that allowed him a new, mortal body of a younger man and if he was to tell anyone or speak his old name to any-one, it would make the new contract void and he would die or... as he put it, return to the original state of his body. (His head gets cut off in the of the book by his descendant. Yes, that is another plot point that was sorta touched on in book two, but came out of nowhere in this one.)
All in all, for a three star trilogy, I give this final installment two stars. It's not as good as the previous two, but then again, they were never really that good of books to begin with.
I have no idea what the hell was happening in this book half the time. I don't think I ever will.
Apparently the huge reveal is that the fae and mankind from many years ago created (mankind unknowingly created, mind you) a sentient being that can create it's own kind called Iszu which are half human half fae. Some Iszu have appeared throughout mankind and conversed with the characters in the book. Others have decided to go off the deep-end and become monsters... hence, the crazy that has happened in the books from day one.
Gerald Tarrant is one interesting character. At times, he reminds me of a psychotic Victor Frankenstien (more or less the Hammer Horror version) and spends his time in this book trying to watch his strange experiments and observations of mankind and the fae go wack. Other times he is spending the book in 'Hell' because he apparently did one good-deed and the gods who turned him into a vampire decided to punish him for it. Guess who has to go into Hell and drag him out of hell? Damien. Yep. He's bitching and griping about it.
Damien and Gerald's friendship has developed over the book. How some readers have taken it, it's some strange love and hate (though stronger on the 'love' when it comes to Damien). I can't tell if he wanted to fuck Gerard or just be super close friends with him.
The ending was a little weird because Gerard apparently (after loosing his powers while Damien takes him back to the living) made some sorcery deal that allowed him a new, mortal body of a younger man and if he was to tell anyone or speak his old name to any-one, it would make the new contract void and he would die or... as he put it, return to the original state of his body. (His head gets cut off in the of the book by his descendant. Yes, that is another plot point that was sorta touched on in book two, but came out of nowhere in this one.)
All in all, for a three star trilogy, I give this final installment two stars. It's not as good as the previous two, but then again, they were never really that good of books to begin with.
mockingquantum's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75