kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
This was a quick and good read!
I clicked with the characters early on, was hooked by the plot and the writing was fluent enough that I more or less flew through the story.
For my own tastes there was a bit too much sex in it (but then if you follow my reviews, I never like Sex scenes in my books, so it doesn't take much to be too much for me) but at least in this one they were written rather well. There's definitely a trigger warning about "stockholm syndrome" with this one though.
I loved exploring the world and following the characters adventures.
I especially loved how well the author handled the topic of how the world around us changes who we are, and who we perceive to be. The characters grow and stretch and have to find their own way. Neither is perfect or just strong by default, but they actually have to work for everything.
I'm definitely intrigued enough to want to know what happens next!
I clicked with the characters early on, was hooked by the plot and the writing was fluent enough that I more or less flew through the story.
For my own tastes there was a bit too much sex in it (but then if you follow my reviews, I never like Sex scenes in my books, so it doesn't take much to be too much for me) but at least in this one they were written rather well. There's definitely a trigger warning about "stockholm syndrome" with this one though.
I loved exploring the world and following the characters adventures.
I especially loved how well the author handled the topic of how the world around us changes who we are, and who we perceive to be. The characters grow and stretch and have to find their own way. Neither is perfect or just strong by default, but they actually have to work for everything.
I'm definitely intrigued enough to want to know what happens next!
ladyofbooks's review
4.0
A while back I got on twitter and made a request of this book to the author, and I think it was almost a month (or two?) ago. My computer battery died, I got behind on reviews, though I did manage to read quite a bit because of it. I am heartily sorry for the long awaited review, and I sincerely hope that you like the review that I do now. This book is also going to be featured in my ‘Indie Must Read’ gallery off to the side, because it IS a must-read book!
This book drew me in, in part because of the cover. I know, I’m terrible judging books by covers, but sometimes I can’t seem to help myself. But it also helped that it was a fantasy and you guys know I’m always a sucker for a good fantasy story. My one regret is that I chose the start of yet another series. I have so many of them to read!
This book had it all-strong female characters, lots of action, adventure in spades. There were pirates, high seas, and even magical powers. There were girls being awesome, and plenty of world-building to go around too. I really liked this one for its science meshing in with the magic. The spaceship that landed on the planet, the people reciting logs for years to come even though those logbooks have long since lost meaning…it definitely painted a very vivid picture, and the book reminded me very strongly of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern at times for it.
Overall, the writing was good. The characters were very entertaining, and I definitely had a good time in reading it. I’m hopeful in getting book two soon, because if I don’t get it soon then it will be just one of many series that I’ve started and never finished, and I’m trying to get better about that. So, I’ve added book two to my amazon wishlist, and am eager to get started on it.
I’m giving this a four out of five stars, for an enjoyable time well spent while reading this fun and entertaining book. My sincere thanks to the author for providing me with a copy!
This book drew me in, in part because of the cover. I know, I’m terrible judging books by covers, but sometimes I can’t seem to help myself. But it also helped that it was a fantasy and you guys know I’m always a sucker for a good fantasy story. My one regret is that I chose the start of yet another series. I have so many of them to read!
This book had it all-strong female characters, lots of action, adventure in spades. There were pirates, high seas, and even magical powers. There were girls being awesome, and plenty of world-building to go around too. I really liked this one for its science meshing in with the magic. The spaceship that landed on the planet, the people reciting logs for years to come even though those logbooks have long since lost meaning…it definitely painted a very vivid picture, and the book reminded me very strongly of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern at times for it.
Overall, the writing was good. The characters were very entertaining, and I definitely had a good time in reading it. I’m hopeful in getting book two soon, because if I don’t get it soon then it will be just one of many series that I’ve started and never finished, and I’m trying to get better about that. So, I’ve added book two to my amazon wishlist, and am eager to get started on it.
I’m giving this a four out of five stars, for an enjoyable time well spent while reading this fun and entertaining book. My sincere thanks to the author for providing me with a copy!
bookwormbunny's review
4.0
*** I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. The opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***
A Wizard’s Forge by A.M. Justice is a story about a young woman who achieves the role of Logkeeper at a very young age…the age of 15…the youngest to ever become a Logkeeper. She lives in a village of where the people remember the logs kept by those who came before them from the stars and ended up landing on the planet they now live on in the hopes of being able to find the metals they would need inorder to return home but that never happened. Vic goes from village to village teaching the young ones the logs and how to read and delivering the mail until one day at a sea side village she is kidnapped by pirates and taken captive along with several other young people from the village. She is sold into slavery as a mistress where a man named Lornk works to mold her into what he wants her to be. One day she escapes through a Device to another kingdom but there her real journey begins as she works to become someone different. Vic faces a lot of ups and downs in her life as she struggles to find her path and also while she seeks revenge for what has happened to her.
Now, I’ll say this…this book is not for everyone. In this book there are mentions of things that most people like to try and avoid even thinking about so if you have an issue with: human trafficking or rape then this is not the book for you. Granted these are only briefly mentioned a couple of times so it’s not something that really should be a serious issue for anyone.
A Wizard’s Forge is a decent book overall. I think that it is a bit long and I was disappointed that the title didn’t really make itself known to match up with the story overall like I had hoped it would. Vic struggles a lot throughout this book as she tries to come to terms with many different things. When she is with the Relmlord she despises him and wishes to escape or die. Then she manages to get away but she never really lets go of him in her mind or what he has done to her. Basically she has a case of Stockholm’s. She joins the army because she believes that it what she has been called to and pursues her revenge through that to get stronger. She comes to care for the Prince of the realm that she is now living in and who she has contact with often being the ward of the royal family.
I think that while the book has quite a few good points and aspects to it that it could have been shortened and that some aspects of it could have been cut out. It is a bit long when quite a bit could have been edited out and it would have made the story flow better. Vic is a complicated character with her highs and lows and there are several other characters who add to it.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book and am curious to see what happens next. I just hope that the next part in this series is a bit more focused and condensed. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
A Wizard’s Forge by A.M. Justice is a story about a young woman who achieves the role of Logkeeper at a very young age…the age of 15…the youngest to ever become a Logkeeper. She lives in a village of where the people remember the logs kept by those who came before them from the stars and ended up landing on the planet they now live on in the hopes of being able to find the metals they would need inorder to return home but that never happened. Vic goes from village to village teaching the young ones the logs and how to read and delivering the mail until one day at a sea side village she is kidnapped by pirates and taken captive along with several other young people from the village. She is sold into slavery as a mistress where a man named Lornk works to mold her into what he wants her to be. One day she escapes through a Device to another kingdom but there her real journey begins as she works to become someone different. Vic faces a lot of ups and downs in her life as she struggles to find her path and also while she seeks revenge for what has happened to her.
Now, I’ll say this…this book is not for everyone. In this book there are mentions of things that most people like to try and avoid even thinking about so if you have an issue with: human trafficking or rape then this is not the book for you. Granted these are only briefly mentioned a couple of times so it’s not something that really should be a serious issue for anyone.
A Wizard’s Forge is a decent book overall. I think that it is a bit long and I was disappointed that the title didn’t really make itself known to match up with the story overall like I had hoped it would. Vic struggles a lot throughout this book as she tries to come to terms with many different things. When she is with the Relmlord she despises him and wishes to escape or die. Then she manages to get away but she never really lets go of him in her mind or what he has done to her. Basically she has a case of Stockholm’s. She joins the army because she believes that it what she has been called to and pursues her revenge through that to get stronger. She comes to care for the Prince of the realm that she is now living in and who she has contact with often being the ward of the royal family.
I think that while the book has quite a few good points and aspects to it that it could have been shortened and that some aspects of it could have been cut out. It is a bit long when quite a bit could have been edited out and it would have made the story flow better. Vic is a complicated character with her highs and lows and there are several other characters who add to it.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book and am curious to see what happens next. I just hope that the next part in this series is a bit more focused and condensed. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
blood_rose_books's review
3.0
A.M. Justice: A Wizard's Forge A. M. Justice takes a ready on the journey of a young woman who goes from a Scholar to Slave to Warrior to Wizard: Victoria was the youngest scholar in her town. It was her job to spread the word of the history from town to town to make sure that the past was never forgotten. On her very first trip she is kidnapped and sold in to sexual slavery to the Realmlord whose every desire is to break Vic's will and make her love him and no other. Vic is able to break free, she has no desire to be a slave she knows she has to fight in order to make sure it never happens again. She becomes a warrior hell bent on revenge from her former captor but there could have been other reasons the Realmlord chose her. Vic is about to learn more about herself and her destiny but it will a bloody battle and many friends will be lost and the very thing that Vic craves may be what destroys her as well. This was an interesting read and more high fantasy with a mix of sci-fi than I thought that it was going to be and I think overall Justice created an interesting and compelling read but there were a few flaws. For me I got lost a bit in the details of the world building that Justice tries to impose on the reader. It almost felt like Justice was trying to hard in creating her world. I guess what I'm trying to say is Less is More. I'm still not sure what the importance is yet that they are on a different planet than Earth this aspect was very downplayed the farther you go in to the book. I'm going to assume here that there will be more development on this in the future books. For me what drove this book was the development of her characters both those you liked and hated. Vic is an amazing character, the strength she shows on a daily basis to go through what she has endured is amazing. I liked that Justice never had Vic forget what had happened to her as it has shaped her and still defines her character and the choices that she makes. It will be interesting to watch Vic come in to her powers and abilities the more practice and control and I look forward to Justice being creative with this. There are times when Vic's ideal are child like though which makes sense as she is only a teenager when this books starts and she has to grow up quick. I also find that these characteristics come out the more that she is with Ashel. Personally, I disliked Ashel as a character; I liked him when you first meet him in the book but it kind of went downhill from there. He is a spoiled rich prince who is not used to hearing no, he has not really experienced the world and always has his family there to bail him out if needed. I think that Justice created him this way so that when he meets Vic and actually has to go through some life changing even on his own his character has the ability to develop and change. Justice does not shy away from torture in this book and it takes on several different forms from mutilation to sexual to psychological in nature. While this book may feature a teenager, this is not for a young adult audience some of the things that Realmlord does to his people is very disturbing. However, Realmlord is an interesting foe and one that Vic will never be able to forget and he uses that to his advantage on more than one occasion. The Realmlord is one of the highlights of this book as his a a really good villain and the length he will go to for control and to get Vic back are extreme.
Overall enjoyed the book even though I found the world building a bitt too convoluted, I really enjoyed the story and Vic as a character. Of course there is a cliffhanger at the end too, so you'll be wanting to read the next book
Enjoy!
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Overall enjoyed the book even though I found the world building a bitt too convoluted, I really enjoyed the story and Vic as a character. Of course there is a cliffhanger at the end too, so you'll be wanting to read the next book
Enjoy!
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barb4ry1's review
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5/5
SPFBO 2018 is in full swing. Stakes are high. I try to keep up and read books from all batches. A Wizard's Forge hooked me with an attractive cover and intriguing synopsis.
It's not a classic fantasy as the story happens in the future on a planet far from Earth. Advanced technology of ancestors is long gone, and their descendants fight a decades-long war. Shy scholar Victoria knows nothing of this conflict until pirates kidnap and sell her as a sexual slave to the sadistic tyrant - Lornk Korng.
Lornk subjects her to months of psychological torture and abuse. When she manages to escape, Vic joins the army (I totally oversimplify things) that fights her former master. The prey becomes the predator, but in this case, the newborn predator is still deeply traumatised.
Vic is a chilling example of a Stockholm syndrome victim. She suffers both the physical abuse of imprisonment and the severe emotional manipulation that locks her in place when Lornk is involved. Vic's coping with the trauma is the essence of the story. It influences her behaviour, choices and relationships.
There's a lot to like about this story. It touches delicate subjects (sexual slavery and abuse, trauma) and handles them with care. Bad things happen but there's no gratuitous violence or scenes that serve to shock the reader. I appreciate it as way too many contemporary fantasy books try to hide thin plot and weak characterization underneath layers of gore.
Vic and Ashel are two enticingly complex characters, and their chemistry is obvious from the get-go. Vic is still coping with her trauma, which makes it hard for her to start a healthy relationship. Achel, meanwhile, keeps convincing himself his feelings aren't that serious, and just when he comes to terms with the reality, a tragedy that will change things forever happens. Watching these two come to grips with reality is emotionally satisfying.
A well-rounded supporting cast includes despicable, but complex villain and traitor, trusty allies, and a princess who is no damsel-in-distress by any means. Every character shapes the story in his or her own unique way, and there are some inventive twists and turns to freshen things up when the storytelling starts to drag.
The world in which A Wizard's Forge takes place is nicely fleshed out and nuanced, with historical and esoteric details rendered in a skillful, but sometimes too detailed way. Having a race of sentient insectoids (Kragnashians) is another creative touch, and Justice’s description of the species and their role in forging Vic's titular destiny is impressive.
The world feels medieval although airships are mentioned and the inhabitants of the planet are descendants of marooned space-travellers. Some sci-fi elements, like the Device (a transporter machine that allows an individual to travel instantly between one Device platform and another) are included in the story. There's also a Slotaen - a gel-like substance distilled by Kragnashians from their own blood that has both anesthetic and antibiotic properties. It seems creating a wizard involves infecting a candidate with parasites. Exciting stuff.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot crowded into this narrative—some of it interesting and some of it unnecessary. This creates an unwieldy read with erratic pacing throughout. Some of the descriptions and internal monologues were too long and tiring to me. There's also an unexpected time-jump that happens in the first half of the book. I can understand it, but it felt jarring.
Overall, though, it was a satisfying book to read. A scientific fantasy that feels fresh and manages to handle difficult topics well. It's a slower book than the average fantasy, but it offers both - a unique setting and a tale that focuses on character's inner dramas.
SPFBO 2018 is in full swing. Stakes are high. I try to keep up and read books from all batches. A Wizard's Forge hooked me with an attractive cover and intriguing synopsis.
It's not a classic fantasy as the story happens in the future on a planet far from Earth. Advanced technology of ancestors is long gone, and their descendants fight a decades-long war. Shy scholar Victoria knows nothing of this conflict until pirates kidnap and sell her as a sexual slave to the sadistic tyrant - Lornk Korng.
Lornk subjects her to months of psychological torture and abuse. When she manages to escape, Vic joins the army (I totally oversimplify things) that fights her former master. The prey becomes the predator, but in this case, the newborn predator is still deeply traumatised.
Vic is a chilling example of a Stockholm syndrome victim. She suffers both the physical abuse of imprisonment and the severe emotional manipulation that locks her in place when Lornk is involved. Vic's coping with the trauma is the essence of the story. It influences her behaviour, choices and relationships.
There's a lot to like about this story. It touches delicate subjects (sexual slavery and abuse, trauma) and handles them with care. Bad things happen but there's no gratuitous violence or scenes that serve to shock the reader. I appreciate it as way too many contemporary fantasy books try to hide thin plot and weak characterization underneath layers of gore.
Vic and Ashel are two enticingly complex characters, and their chemistry is obvious from the get-go. Vic is still coping with her trauma, which makes it hard for her to start a healthy relationship. Achel, meanwhile, keeps convincing himself his feelings aren't that serious, and just when he comes to terms with the reality, a tragedy that will change things forever happens. Watching these two come to grips with reality is emotionally satisfying.
A well-rounded supporting cast includes despicable, but complex villain and traitor, trusty allies, and a princess who is no damsel-in-distress by any means. Every character shapes the story in his or her own unique way, and there are some inventive twists and turns to freshen things up when the storytelling starts to drag.
The world in which A Wizard's Forge takes place is nicely fleshed out and nuanced, with historical and esoteric details rendered in a skillful, but sometimes too detailed way. Having a race of sentient insectoids (Kragnashians) is another creative touch, and Justice’s description of the species and their role in forging Vic's titular destiny is impressive.
The world feels medieval although airships are mentioned and the inhabitants of the planet are descendants of marooned space-travellers. Some sci-fi elements, like the Device (a transporter machine that allows an individual to travel instantly between one Device platform and another) are included in the story. There's also a Slotaen - a gel-like substance distilled by Kragnashians from their own blood that has both anesthetic and antibiotic properties. It seems creating a wizard involves infecting a candidate with parasites. Exciting stuff.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot crowded into this narrative—some of it interesting and some of it unnecessary. This creates an unwieldy read with erratic pacing throughout. Some of the descriptions and internal monologues were too long and tiring to me. There's also an unexpected time-jump that happens in the first half of the book. I can understand it, but it felt jarring.
Overall, though, it was a satisfying book to read. A scientific fantasy that feels fresh and manages to handle difficult topics well. It's a slower book than the average fantasy, but it offers both - a unique setting and a tale that focuses on character's inner dramas.
melissarstone's review
3.0
This was an interesting take on sci-fantasy. I didn't really connect with any of the characters, but it was still an enjoyable read.
tarmunvykers's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from the first sentence to the last. It is, in essence, the story of a young woman's journey from intellectual prodigy to sexual slave, then legendary warrior and, finally, well...I don't want to spoil it for you. There is plenty of action, along with a great cast of characters, one of whom is the best, most three-dimensional villain this side of Game of Thrones. There's also a fascinating blending of science fiction and fantasy that I totally accepted. Lastly, the novel also features a number of worthy themes -- the nature of family, loyalty, gender roles and more. If you're looking for some darkish fantasy that isn't just bash-and-smash, you've found the right novel!
maddyd51's review
2.0
{Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of A Wizard's Forge.}
This book had such a great synopsis and that cover! I am a sucker for novels of colonist shipwrecked in space, loved the first two chapters, full of the history of a world that was unique and fascinating. Vic is a 16-year old woman who memorized the logs of her ancestors, who were space colonists who made an emergency landing and maintained the hope of returning to Earth someday.
Then, I got to the sex slavery portion of this novel. The violent sexual assault of Vic (who, remember, is 16 years old) was graphic and extraordinarily detailed to the level of prurience. This level of intricate detail felt completely unnecessary and offered only for shock value. In the same vein, scattered throughout the novel were one-liners that felt more appropriate in a cheesy romance novel than what could have been an epic fantasy.
There were also disconcerting leaps in time that left me guessing. More disappointingly, these leaps in time created insta-love situations that lacked sincerity and depth. I skimmed the last half of the book and would have put it down entirely if I weren't reviewing it.
This book had such a great synopsis and that cover! I am a sucker for novels of colonist shipwrecked in space, loved the first two chapters, full of the history of a world that was unique and fascinating. Vic is a 16-year old woman who memorized the logs of her ancestors, who were space colonists who made an emergency landing and maintained the hope of returning to Earth someday.
Then, I got to the sex slavery portion of this novel. The violent sexual assault of Vic (who, remember, is 16 years old) was graphic and extraordinarily detailed to the level of prurience. This level of intricate detail felt completely unnecessary and offered only for shock value. In the same vein, scattered throughout the novel were one-liners that felt more appropriate in a cheesy romance novel than what could have been an epic fantasy.
There were also disconcerting leaps in time that left me guessing. More disappointingly, these leaps in time created insta-love situations that lacked sincerity and depth. I skimmed the last half of the book and would have put it down entirely if I weren't reviewing it.
noctisora's review
3.0
This book was not at all what I was expecting it to be. I went into it thinking it would be a good mix of fantasy and sci-fi, but it definitely ended up being more of a sci-fi read. Also, a reader warning: this book gets into sexual and psychological abuse and torture, and it is very emotional and tragic.
As a frequent reader of fantasy and sci-fi, I think that this book had the potential to be great but fell just short. The plot was interesting, and the idea of logkeepers and world elements were fascinating. However, one of the things that just didn't strike my interest was the world-building. In sci-fi and fantasy novels, you can do ANYTHING. There are no rules, no limits to what kind of world and magic an author can bring to life. But ultimately, the world introduced to us just felt like Earth 2.0. Certain scenes and depictions felt so similar to what I would read in a contemporary novel, and in a fantasy setting, that is disappointing. I also feel like the structure of the world itself was not fully grasped. Details were thrown in that just didn't connect, and it was a real struggle as a reader to piece together bits of info and form a picture.
One thing I will say though is Justice NAILS the emotions of the main character, Vic. Some of what she goes through is heartbreaking and disturbing, and Justice wrings out every little ounce of emotion you could possibly feel. Vic is a strong female character, and I LOVE THAT. I relished her want for revenge, wanted to see her tear down her tormentor bit by bit. The characterization of Vic was by far my favorite part of this book.
And UGH, multiple love interests. OVER. IT.
Love triangles (and worse, love squares) will kill a book for me like no other, Vic had a couple suitors, and when the romance part of things started, I found myself slowly disengaging. For a book like this, I wanted more magic, more exploration, more revenge! Those were the parts I enjoyed, and when the love interests were presented, those parts became a bit of struggle for me to get through. Love triangles are very hard to weave through, and so far, only Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series has portrayed a GOOD one for me. It'll be interesting to see how the characters and their connections to one another continue to develop.
Overall, this was an entertaining, emotional read. I wished there were a bit more magical elements and world-building, but the character development, especially for Vic, was bar none.
As a frequent reader of fantasy and sci-fi, I think that this book had the potential to be great but fell just short. The plot was interesting, and the idea of logkeepers and world elements were fascinating. However, one of the things that just didn't strike my interest was the world-building. In sci-fi and fantasy novels, you can do ANYTHING. There are no rules, no limits to what kind of world and magic an author can bring to life. But ultimately, the world introduced to us just felt like Earth 2.0. Certain scenes and depictions felt so similar to what I would read in a contemporary novel, and in a fantasy setting, that is disappointing. I also feel like the structure of the world itself was not fully grasped. Details were thrown in that just didn't connect, and it was a real struggle as a reader to piece together bits of info and form a picture.
One thing I will say though is Justice NAILS the emotions of the main character, Vic. Some of what she goes through is heartbreaking and disturbing, and Justice wrings out every little ounce of emotion you could possibly feel. Vic is a strong female character, and I LOVE THAT. I relished her want for revenge, wanted to see her tear down her tormentor bit by bit. The characterization of Vic was by far my favorite part of this book.
And UGH, multiple love interests. OVER. IT.
Love triangles (and worse, love squares) will kill a book for me like no other, Vic had a couple suitors, and when the romance part of things started, I found myself slowly disengaging. For a book like this, I wanted more magic, more exploration, more revenge! Those were the parts I enjoyed, and when the love interests were presented, those parts became a bit of struggle for me to get through. Love triangles are very hard to weave through, and so far, only Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series has portrayed a GOOD one for me. It'll be interesting to see how the characters and their connections to one another continue to develop.
Overall, this was an entertaining, emotional read. I wished there were a bit more magical elements and world-building, but the character development, especially for Vic, was bar none.
ofwavesandpages's review
4.0
The first chapters of this book didn’t particularly hook me, but while reading, I got somehow attached to the story and the characters.
A. M . Justice created an amazing world, with different countries, cultures and languages, exotic names and lifestyles and curious characters. The worldbuilding was highly detailed and the author’s writing allowed us to get to know the characters and places even better!
READ FULL REVIEW HERE
A. M . Justice created an amazing world, with different countries, cultures and languages, exotic names and lifestyles and curious characters. The worldbuilding was highly detailed and the author’s writing allowed us to get to know the characters and places even better!
READ FULL REVIEW HERE