josh_vanrys's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
the_real_al_cal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Wow. Okay, so before I started this book, I spoiled myself on some of it by reading the other reviews, and I have to say, I completely agree with the assessments that this book is basically a bunch of different literary tropes in a trenchcoat. But at the same time... I kind of loved it. I thought I would hate it, but where book three in the series took me a month to finish, this one took me three days. I could not put it down.
Don't get me wrong, the tropes are definitely overdone at this point but Flewelling has a way of breathing new life into them through the tactile nature of her world's magic systems. To be honest, sometimes it still put me off and I was originally going to rate this a 3.5 or 4, but the last few pages really brought the entire story together so neatly that I actually gasped at the surprise revelation at the end:
What struck me right away is how much Flewelling's writing style changed between book 3's release in 1999 and book 4's release in 2008. Neither style is bad, and I enjoy both a lot, but it was very noticeable! I would say the earlier three had more of a classically-rosy style similar to Robin Hobb or George R.R. Martin. Book 4's style felt very fluid and was easier for me to read (because my attention span is garbage these days), but perhaps more along the lines of the quick action/short descriptions that a lot of popular authors follow these days. Again, neither is bad, and I inhaled this book all the same.
At the end of the day, I enjoy these stories because I enjoy the characters. They have all come such a long way from book 1, thanks to Flewelling's masterful character development. Where I enjoyed the characters before, now I feel invested in what they will do next.
Don't get me wrong, the tropes are definitely overdone at this point but Flewelling has a way of breathing new life into them through the tactile nature of her world's magic systems. To be honest, sometimes it still put me off and I was originally going to rate this a 3.5 or 4, but the last few pages really brought the entire story together so neatly that I actually gasped at the surprise revelation at the end:
Spoiler
Finding out from Magyana that Sebrahn is dragon-like! What does it mean?!What struck me right away is how much Flewelling's writing style changed between book 3's release in 1999 and book 4's release in 2008. Neither style is bad, and I enjoy both a lot, but it was very noticeable! I would say the earlier three had more of a classically-rosy style similar to Robin Hobb or George R.R. Martin. Book 4's style felt very fluid and was easier for me to read (because my attention span is garbage these days), but perhaps more along the lines of the quick action/short descriptions that a lot of popular authors follow these days. Again, neither is bad, and I inhaled this book all the same.
At the end of the day, I enjoy these stories because I enjoy the characters. They have all come such a long way from book 1, thanks to Flewelling's masterful character development. Where I enjoyed the characters before, now I feel invested in what they will do next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Trafficking
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Excrement, Vomit, and Xenophobia
elm's review
4.0
that sure was a WILD RIDE oh my god!!!!!
not going to lie, I was really worried going into this book. and honestly I did end up being stressed to the highest degree for the majority of it. However, I still loved it?? The big reveals were shocking and truly threw me for a loop. and I mean.. how could I not love the book that gave me this?
I guess, one of my biggest complaints about this book was the lack of side characters that have been featured so prominently in the last 3 books. I missed them :(
Also... just going to say now that I am anticipating the BIGGEST nightrunner withdrawals when I finish this series..
not going to lie, I was really worried going into this book. and honestly I did end up being stressed to the highest degree for the majority of it. However, I still loved it?? The big reveals were shocking and truly threw me for a loop. and I mean.. how could I not love the book that gave me this?
Spoiler
he kissed his palm and pressed it to his heart. 'Keep well, talí'I guess, one of my biggest complaints about this book was the lack of side characters that have been featured so prominently in the last 3 books. I missed them :(
Also... just going to say now that I am anticipating the BIGGEST nightrunner withdrawals when I finish this series..
akemichan's review
3.0
Il problema di quando hai letto troppe fanfiction Slave!AU è che niente più più sorprenderti o impressionarti.
bookpenguin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
mxmi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
triftwizened's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0