azdanowski07's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
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
4.75
serareadthat's review
5.0
I cannot believe this series is over. I cannot believe this series is over. i cannot believe this series is over.
this will be my whole personality for the next few years, i think.
this will be my whole personality for the next few years, i think.
mi_noangel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sambora's review
5.0
*SPOILER-FREE*
A Time Of Courage feels like a single huge 600+ page battle.
Now... That may sound a bit daunting or "over the top" to those who haven't read anything by John Gwynne before, but those that have know that his large-scale battle coordination and his visceral skirmish descriptions are some of the absolute best that the genre has to offer.
I hope that this helps make it clear as to the sheer volume of high quality writing this book contains.
The story of A Time Of Courage also develops the various factions that have been featured throughout the series(') in a much more nuanced way than some of the previous entries.
Rather than the good and the bad, we have all sorts of complex grey areas and overlaps. These grey areas and crossovers make the character motivations of those that belong to each faction much more multifaceted and far more unpredictable.
I said that this book reads like a single huge battle, but in truth, of course, that isn't entirely the case. It is extremely fast paced and action packed, but there are also very poignant moments of rest and reprieve in which our characters learn, grow and bond.
Family, friendship and companionship are key themes employed throughout most of Mr. Gwynne's stories, but rarely more so than here. It is so freshing and heartwarming to read of these relationships, but also therefore so utterly devastating if or when these get torn apart.
There hasn't been a single book set in the Banished Lands that hasn't at some point brought me to tears of either joy or sadness or both.
There is always a lot riding on the end of a series, particularly an epic fantasy series such as this. Quite often the ending falls a little short, but I am very happy to say this series ends on a strong note.
There was a lot that happened in this book that surprised me. I do not wish to spoil anything for those that have yet to read it, but if you are this far in the series then I assure you that you, like me, shall be very satisfied with it's conclusion.
5 Stars
As one series comes to an end, I am left with my excitement for what is coming next from Mr. Gwynne, in the form of the wonderfully titled [b:The Dragon Unchained|52694527|The Dragon Unchained (The Bloodsworn Saga, #1)|John Gwynne|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|73710031], the first book in 'The Bloodsworn Saga'.
But, until then, truth and courage.
________________________
Thank you for reading my review. I hope you are all keeping well, staying safe and reading good books.
A Time Of Courage feels like a single huge 600+ page battle.
Now... That may sound a bit daunting or "over the top" to those who haven't read anything by John Gwynne before, but those that have know that his large-scale battle coordination and his visceral skirmish descriptions are some of the absolute best that the genre has to offer.
I hope that this helps make it clear as to the sheer volume of high quality writing this book contains.
The story of A Time Of Courage also develops the various factions that have been featured throughout the series(') in a much more nuanced way than some of the previous entries.
Rather than the good and the bad, we have all sorts of complex grey areas and overlaps. These grey areas and crossovers make the character motivations of those that belong to each faction much more multifaceted and far more unpredictable.
I said that this book reads like a single huge battle, but in truth, of course, that isn't entirely the case. It is extremely fast paced and action packed, but there are also very poignant moments of rest and reprieve in which our characters learn, grow and bond.
Family, friendship and companionship are key themes employed throughout most of Mr. Gwynne's stories, but rarely more so than here. It is so freshing and heartwarming to read of these relationships, but also therefore so utterly devastating if or when these get torn apart.
There hasn't been a single book set in the Banished Lands that hasn't at some point brought me to tears of either joy or sadness or both.
'Love, loyalty and friendship shall be my guiding light.'
There is always a lot riding on the end of a series, particularly an epic fantasy series such as this. Quite often the ending falls a little short, but I am very happy to say this series ends on a strong note.
There was a lot that happened in this book that surprised me. I do not wish to spoil anything for those that have yet to read it, but if you are this far in the series then I assure you that you, like me, shall be very satisfied with it's conclusion.
5 Stars
As one series comes to an end, I am left with my excitement for what is coming next from Mr. Gwynne, in the form of the wonderfully titled [b:The Dragon Unchained|52694527|The Dragon Unchained (The Bloodsworn Saga, #1)|John Gwynne|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|73710031], the first book in 'The Bloodsworn Saga'.
But, until then, truth and courage.
________________________
Thank you for reading my review. I hope you are all keeping well, staying safe and reading good books.
zackgraff's review
5.0
A Time of Courage is quite the thrilling conclusion to this second series in The Banished Lands.
It's hard to rate this third book without rating the whole series so I do need to make a small caveat; the third book is probably closer to a 4 than it is a 5, but the series overall is an easy, EASY 5 so I'm going to let my guard down, just a little, here at the end. There were just a few too many moments where the plot armor felt a little too strong and the pacing felt a little too rushed. In all honesty I would have liked to have seen John break this series into 4 books like he did with the first era (The Faithful and the Fallen). But alas - we got 3. Not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but not as bulletproof as the first two felt.
The character pain and growth throughout this series was next to none. Many of the arcs came to resonant and beautiful (or tragic, but no less incredible) ends. The band of characters we followed here felt a lot more like friends than those in the first era. All of which contributed to the intensity of the final battle(s) which, much to my delight, lasted about 25-30 chapters with shifting POV's across an epic battlefield. Un-putdown-able!
Overall another triumph for John Gwynne. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better writer in the grimdark space than him right now.
It's hard to rate this third book without rating the whole series so I do need to make a small caveat; the third book is probably closer to a 4 than it is a 5, but the series overall is an easy, EASY 5 so I'm going to let my guard down, just a little, here at the end. There were just a few too many moments where the plot armor felt a little too strong and the pacing felt a little too rushed. In all honesty I would have liked to have seen John break this series into 4 books like he did with the first era (The Faithful and the Fallen). But alas - we got 3. Not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but not as bulletproof as the first two felt.
The character pain and growth throughout this series was next to none. Many of the arcs came to resonant and beautiful (or tragic, but no less incredible) ends. The band of characters we followed here felt a lot more like friends than those in the first era. All of which contributed to the intensity of the final battle(s) which, much to my delight, lasted about 25-30 chapters with shifting POV's across an epic battlefield. Un-putdown-able!
Overall another triumph for John Gwynne. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better writer in the grimdark space than him right now.
gracie1304's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
the_jolly_elf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
dalicieux's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
genabackis's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you John Gwynne for these books.
Truth and courage !
Truth and courage,
Truth and courage.
Truth and courage !
Truth and courage,
Truth and courage.