bleepnik's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not much of a fantasy reader. This book was a free download for the Kindle from Amazon.com, so I thought, why not? I've noticed that many of the free Kindle books from Amazon are first in a series, and this title is no exception. I've read many grumbly comments about this, but I think it's brilliant marketing. I didn't find Keyes' writing particularly fantastic, but the story's a good one and the pace is brilliant, making this a thoroughly entertaining page-turner. I look forward to reading the next volume.
iamshadow's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up The Briar King from a bargain bin, and was pleasantly surprised to find a genuinely good fantasy book. Having existed in tamed and relative peace for centuries, the land starts to awaken, and grim and perilous creatures begin to roam the the land. Assassination plagues the royal family of Dare, and a priest, a green country knight and a woodsman are all somehow tied to mankind's fate. A genuinely good tale of dark fantasy, for likers of Robert Jordan, for example.
wynwicket's review against another edition
5.0
The first book in the Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone quartet introduces some intriguing characters (my favorite of which is Stephen, a young priest with a talent for deciphering ancient languages) and plenty of dark, wild magic. All the elements of traditional epic fantasy are there, but it's so well-written, with dashes of Old English for flavor and some beautiful language, that the occasional cliche can be overlooked. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
eb2114's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shirezu's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know why but I went into this book expecting not to like it. I cannot figure out why. I don't remember anyone talking about this book to me but I'd been pushing it to the back of my challenge list with the other books I'm not looking forward to.
But once I started reading it I really enjoyed it. There was a lot of cliche, predictable in parts, but I enjoyed a lot as well. The not really discussed link to Roanoke. The faneways and the Briar King. Lots of things not quite explained but that fit well. I think I will have to put the sequels into my TBR list and not near the bottom either.
But once I started reading it I really enjoyed it. There was a lot of cliche, predictable in parts, but I enjoyed a lot as well. The not really discussed link to Roanoke. The faneways and the Briar King. Lots of things not quite explained but that fit well. I think I will have to put the sequels into my TBR list and not near the bottom either.
evione's review against another edition
3.0
Egy hangyányit bajban vagyok az értékeléssel, mert túl azon, hogy ez a könyv rendkívüli módon olvasatja magát, valami mégsem volt egészen a helyén. Egyrészt a Hangakirály legendája, plusz egyes helyszínek igazi dark fantasys körítést adtak a regénynek, amiért teljesen odáig voltam, viszont a setting többi részével már nem igazán voltam megelégedve. Az én ízlésemnek túlzottan is régivágású fantasy a Hangakirály, rendkívül unalmas udvari intrikákkal megfűszerezve. És ne értsetek félre, szeretem a jó kis politikai intrikát, de itt inkább a ki-kivel akar dugni (már elnézést a kifejezésért) van előtérben, ami engem nagyon untatott. Mint mondtam a dark fantasys vonulata a könyvnek tetszett, plusz a befejezés is érdekesre sikeredett, de nem tudom, hogy érdemes lenne-e folytatnom a következő kötettel.
ttown93's review against another edition
5.0
This book has a slow introduction, but once Greg Keyes starts with the adventures, you can't stop reading it. Absolutely lovely!
katmarhan's review against another edition
4.0
7.5/10
Criticism first: the book needs a list of characters and their roles, and either fewer words that have no meaning in English or a glossary that defines them. Yes, context gives some clues, but I like to know what it is I’m reading about.
Now the praise: interesting characters (even the minor ones), lots of twisty plot threads and subterfuge, and good maps. The book was somewhat confusing at first, with changing POVs each chapter and little sense of continuity until the reader is about a third into the book. But then things get rolling and and then story moves right along. I’m looking forward to continuing this series as so many plot threads are still dangling.
Criticism first: the book needs a list of characters and their roles, and either fewer words that have no meaning in English or a glossary that defines them. Yes, context gives some clues, but I like to know what it is I’m reading about.
Now the praise: interesting characters (even the minor ones), lots of twisty plot threads and subterfuge, and good maps. The book was somewhat confusing at first, with changing POVs each chapter and little sense of continuity until the reader is about a third into the book. But then things get rolling and and then story moves right along. I’m looking forward to continuing this series as so many plot threads are still dangling.
cavalary's review against another edition
5.0
The praise usually found on the first few pages and the back cover of a book has little to do with the book, it's just marketing, but for this one I found something I must quote: "In the end, the best recommendation I can give is that if you are sick to death of fantasy, read The Briar King. Remember why you used to love it." So true, this is pure fantasy at its best. There were moments when I was almost afraid to read on thinking it's too good and the author will have to ruin it somehow... He didn't.
The parts about the court, while it still stood, were terribly annoying, and there is still at least one character (out of the "good ones") still alive that I really wish wasn't, but that's really the only thing I can say against it. Well, besides the usual problems that come with the beginning of a story, when things take a while to get moving.
The parts about the court, while it still stood, were terribly annoying, and there is still at least one character (out of the "good ones") still alive that I really wish wasn't, but that's really the only thing I can say against it. Well, besides the usual problems that come with the beginning of a story, when things take a while to get moving.
mizdmc's review against another edition
2.0
I was surprised to find that after loving Waterborn/The Black God, I could not force my way through this one. None of the characters made me want to read their story, and the story itself was not exceptional.