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aceinit's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I actually did but, ultimately, it left me unfulfilled.
Bear’s world-building is, as always, superb. She has created a unique vision here, where the sky changes according to whose empire you’re in, and where moons wink out of existence as the human life they’re tied to is cut short. And Temur, Samarkar, Hrahina and their Nameless adversary are all intriguing characters who are worth getting to know.
The story itself, though, is where this one falters. I never really bought into Temur being willing to wage a hero’s epic quest for some girl he slept around with a few times but really barely knew. It becomes more improbable given how carefully his relationship with Samarkar is fleshed out by comparison.
In addition, Temur and his band of travelers come together a little too easily. Everyone clicks. Everyone, even the young, pregnant princess-in-peril is uncannily *capable.* Everyone gets along. And, even when they encounter difficulties, the truth is, things weren’t that difficult. I never felt a sense of peril for these characters. The action scenes are written rather hurriedly and, even if a life is in danger, it is suddenly not in the next paragraph. They read too quickly, never giving the reader a chance to lose themselves in battle and fear for their protagonists the way they are able to get lost in Bear’s descriptions of the world itself.
And, though the book mercifully waits almost until its close to give us our prophecies (I’ve ranted on my particular dislike of prophecy as a storytelling device in several reviews of different authors now), a majority of said prophecy comes true in the very next chapter. So, instead of giving the reader something to wonder about, it just seems like a really unnecessary form of foreshadowing at a time (the climax of the novel) when the element of surprise may have worked better.
I’m not sure if I will pick up the second installment or not. Though I would like to know how this journey ultimately ends, I’m not yet convinced the voyage will be worth the payoff. Even with the twist in the novel’s final page.
Bear’s world-building is, as always, superb. She has created a unique vision here, where the sky changes according to whose empire you’re in, and where moons wink out of existence as the human life they’re tied to is cut short. And Temur, Samarkar, Hrahina and their Nameless adversary are all intriguing characters who are worth getting to know.
The story itself, though, is where this one falters. I never really bought into Temur being willing to wage a hero’s epic quest for some girl he slept around with a few times but really barely knew. It becomes more improbable given how carefully his relationship with Samarkar is fleshed out by comparison.
In addition, Temur and his band of travelers come together a little too easily. Everyone clicks. Everyone, even the young, pregnant princess-in-peril is uncannily *capable.* Everyone gets along. And, even when they encounter difficulties, the truth is, things weren’t that difficult. I never felt a sense of peril for these characters. The action scenes are written rather hurriedly and, even if a life is in danger, it is suddenly not in the next paragraph. They read too quickly, never giving the reader a chance to lose themselves in battle and fear for their protagonists the way they are able to get lost in Bear’s descriptions of the world itself.
And, though the book mercifully waits almost until its close to give us our prophecies (I’ve ranted on my particular dislike of prophecy as a storytelling device in several reviews of different authors now), a majority of said prophecy comes true in the very next chapter. So, instead of giving the reader something to wonder about, it just seems like a really unnecessary form of foreshadowing at a time (the climax of the novel) when the element of surprise may have worked better.
I’m not sure if I will pick up the second installment or not. Though I would like to know how this journey ultimately ends, I’m not yet convinced the voyage will be worth the payoff. Even with the twist in the novel’s final page.
noranne's review
3.0
I enjoyed this. The first half was pretty slow, but it picked up a bit for the second half as some of the storylines started to converge. I'm certainly intrigued with how the series will continue. I really enjoyed all the different religions and how the sky literally manifests the gods of those in power in different areas. It was a bit dry, the writing is certainly almost at a remove from everything that is happening, despite being written in limited third.
kanissa's review
5.0
I chose this book based on its setting - one of my recent "kicks". The inspiration for Ms Bear's world comes from the the Black Sea. (Think Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, etc.) In this story, we encounter a nomadic steppes culture and groups of powerful magicians.
At first, the worldbuilding just feels so different from your standard fantasy novel that it was all I could focus on. I dare say on a second reading, there will be many more points to enjoy. But Ms Bear does a fantastic job of sucking you into her world, managing to make it feel both exotic and familiar at once.
I found the main characters to all be very sympathetic, although they never really acted in a way that might try one's enthusiasm for them. For the most part, it seems like a simple quest storyline: go find the kidnapped girl, kill the evil ghosts, seek out powerful allies to help you with the two previous points. But the story was never dull and kept my attention.
Definitely will re-read at some point to see what points I missed out in my first go!
At first, the worldbuilding just feels so different from your standard fantasy novel that it was all I could focus on. I dare say on a second reading, there will be many more points to enjoy. But Ms Bear does a fantastic job of sucking you into her world, managing to make it feel both exotic and familiar at once.
I found the main characters to all be very sympathetic, although they never really acted in a way that might try one's enthusiasm for them. For the most part, it seems like a simple quest storyline: go find the kidnapped girl, kill the evil ghosts, seek out powerful allies to help you with the two previous points. But the story was never dull and kept my attention.
Definitely will re-read at some point to see what points I missed out in my first go!
belanna2's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
kltemplado's review against another edition
5.0
Fantasy at its best in a non-Western setting. If you like fantasy tropes, this book is not for you.
weltenkreuzer's review against another edition
4.0
Eine klassisch erzählte Fantasygeschichte in einem kulturell eher ungewöhnlichen Gewand. Die erste Orientierung fällt etwas schwer, nach einem Viertel geht es aber los.
genderqueer_hiker's review against another edition
2.0
I read a LOT of fantasy and this book just dragged, spectacularly. It finally started moving more by 2/3 of the way though the book, but I was already totally checked out. The characters didn't have life; the world building was quite interesting, but no story holds water without decent characters. The relentless seeking of the kidnapped (maybe 2 weeks together) girlfriend by our main character felt very forced. And honestly, it was hard to keep track of who was who, and what place/politics we were dealing with at any given time. I might listen to the second and third book in the series later, but as of right now I can't abide the idea
kadomi's review against another edition
4.0
Ever since those magical days in the 90s that I first read the Empire series by Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts, I have a weakness for fantasy and historical books within an Asian setting. I could really use more recommendations for that area, really, so if you have any, comment away! Range of Ghosts was recommended by a friend, and is a fantasy story clearly based on Asian tales. It's Mongols meet feudal Chinese/Japanese meet Arabian assassins. Quite a fun mix.
The protagonist of the story is Temur, grandson of the Great Khagan of the Qersnyk whose empire is falling to dust as his descendants squabble over who gets to rule. Temur is one of few survivors of a battle at the capital of the Qersnyk, razed by Qori Buqa, one of the warlords trying for the throne. He is assisted by assassins from Rathman, led by the mysterious al-Sepehr. Temur joins up with fellow Qersnyk, and falls in love with Edene, a girl from the tribe he's travelling with. Qori Buqa wants to have Temur dead as he is a threat to his claims for the throne, and so ghosts are sent after him, kidnapping Edene.
Temur sets out to rescue her, travelling wide and far, and finding companions in Samarkar, a princess turned wizard, a silent fighting monk, and an imposing woman from a race of cat-people, the Cho-Tse. And let's not forget his valiant pony, Bansh.
It's well written, and it's an interesting world. It's still doing my head in that apparently every part of the world under another ruler has different skies and celestial bodies. Qersnyk have moons for every royal family member, e.g. Quite fascinating.
If I have one beef with the book is that at least half of it seems all exposure and build-up and it didn't feel like a story of its own. You turn the last page, and even though there's no cliffhanger, you feel you need more because there's no real satisfying conclusion. It's quite obviously the first book in a series. I am hoping the next book comes sooner than later!
The protagonist of the story is Temur, grandson of the Great Khagan of the Qersnyk whose empire is falling to dust as his descendants squabble over who gets to rule. Temur is one of few survivors of a battle at the capital of the Qersnyk, razed by Qori Buqa, one of the warlords trying for the throne. He is assisted by assassins from Rathman, led by the mysterious al-Sepehr. Temur joins up with fellow Qersnyk, and falls in love with Edene, a girl from the tribe he's travelling with. Qori Buqa wants to have Temur dead as he is a threat to his claims for the throne, and so ghosts are sent after him, kidnapping Edene.
Temur sets out to rescue her, travelling wide and far, and finding companions in Samarkar, a princess turned wizard, a silent fighting monk, and an imposing woman from a race of cat-people, the Cho-Tse. And let's not forget his valiant pony, Bansh.
It's well written, and it's an interesting world. It's still doing my head in that apparently every part of the world under another ruler has different skies and celestial bodies. Qersnyk have moons for every royal family member, e.g. Quite fascinating.
If I have one beef with the book is that at least half of it seems all exposure and build-up and it didn't feel like a story of its own. You turn the last page, and even though there's no cliffhanger, you feel you need more because there's no real satisfying conclusion. It's quite obviously the first book in a series. I am hoping the next book comes sooner than later!
talenyn's review
4.0
I love the intricate world building and lush descriptions! The story feels sort of familiar, in the way that oral storytelling tradition does, which tricks you into thinking the story is predictable. But by the end of the three books the author slowly builds many (sometimes archetypal) plot lines into a dazzlingly intricate and satisfying whole. This trilogy is truly greater than the sum of its parts, and the each book is solid to begin with!