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archiegitdog's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved it - follows on same pace as book 1 - now time for book 3. Love it!!!
alex1vo's review against another edition
4.0
I rated this book 4 stars, but the series goes down hill fast
konvineo's review against another edition
4.0
This book featured the POV's of both Jadir and Abban in addition to the POV's from the first book. I think it gave an interesting insight into the culture of the Krasians. The lore about this culture is extremely interesting, and it definitely becomes clear throughout the book that we're dealing with a complex society.
I even found myself starting to like both of these characters the more chapters I read through their POV. Despite, going into this book strongly disliking Jadir and being sort of "meh" about Abban, finding him more sleazy than anything else. It created an understanding of their actions from the first book.
I'm still not entirely sure if agree with the way rape is handled in this series. Based on the material I've read... it seems a bit off? I think that's the way I would explain it. I don't mind rape being a theme that an author chooses to work with, but it needs to be handled right, if that makes sense. I know that people deal with such a trauma in a myriad of different ways, but here it just seems weird? Certain characters has been victims of rape in the past yet it doesn't really seem to have any real(istic) effect on them. For one character the line of thinking is even something like "Y'kno? Might've been for the better. So... eh, what can ya do?". Excuse me, but what? I get that self-loathing is a thing, but to me, that wasn't what was being communicated. While, on the other hand, other characters are clearly deeply, deeply affected them and their actions. It was totally clear that they had been deeply traumatised and tried to deal with it as best they could.
Please, correct me if I'm totally wrong on this subject! Correct me, if I'm reading these passages wrong! I really want to understand this.
BUT besides this I've got to say that the ending was pretty intense! I quite liked it, and I'm really interested to see what happens in the next book.
I even found myself starting to like both of these characters the more chapters I read through their POV. Despite, going into this book strongly disliking Jadir and being sort of "meh" about Abban, finding him more sleazy than anything else. It created an understanding of their actions from the first book.
I'm still not entirely sure if agree with the way rape is handled in this series. Based on the material I've read... it seems a bit off? I think that's the way I would explain it. I don't mind rape being a theme that an author chooses to work with, but it needs to be handled right, if that makes sense. I know that people deal with such a trauma in a myriad of different ways, but here it just seems weird? Certain characters has been victims of rape in the past yet it doesn't really seem to have any real(istic) effect on them. For one character the line of thinking is even something like "Y'kno? Might've been for the better. So... eh, what can ya do?". Excuse me, but what? I get that self-loathing is a thing, but to me, that wasn't what was being communicated. While, on the other hand, other characters are clearly deeply, deeply affected them and their actions. It was totally clear that they had been deeply traumatised and tried to deal with it as best they could.
Please, correct me if I'm totally wrong on this subject! Correct me, if I'm reading these passages wrong! I really want to understand this.
BUT besides this I've got to say that the ending was pretty intense! I quite liked it, and I'm really interested to see what happens in the next book.
harmonictempest's review against another edition
3.0
It irks me when every female character is described physically at every opportunity, and all the main female characters are incredibly attractive, and none of the supporting female characters are.
cristina_02's review against another edition
5.0
A juicy sequel with new POVs, showing us Jardir’s childhood and upbringing as a Krassian warrior, and Abban, his brother in arms (at least for a while) in the quest for becoming a warrior. This storyline is imbued with the adult Jardir currently busy conquering the northern lands, causing swathes of refugees to seek the Painted Man as the true Deliverer. We understand more about the customs and beliefs of the Krassians, and we witness the moral dilemma Jardir faces when he contends with Arlen.
The storylines combine, to show us how Arlen, Leesha and Rojer get on in Deliverer’s Hollow, and the influx of refugees strains the resources of the villages.
Eventually, the two plot lines combine in interesting ways, as Jardir and Leesha face off and learn each other’s cultures for the sake of “politics”, and Reena makes a dramatic reappearance that links her to Arlen’s fate. We unlock new mind demons that control thoughts and make things all the more exciting.
Overall, while there is a lot of violence (particularly of the sexual kind), I suppose it does serve the plot to some extent, and creates a harsh medieval kind of society where women’s rights and powers are not freely given, but fought for at virtually every turn. In my opinion, it makes their success all the more sweeter.
The storylines combine, to show us how Arlen, Leesha and Rojer get on in Deliverer’s Hollow, and the influx of refugees strains the resources of the villages.
Eventually, the two plot lines combine in interesting ways, as Jardir and Leesha face off and learn each other’s cultures for the sake of “politics”, and Reena makes a dramatic reappearance that links her to Arlen’s fate. We unlock new mind demons that control thoughts and make things all the more exciting.
Overall, while there is a lot of violence (particularly of the sexual kind), I suppose it does serve the plot to some extent, and creates a harsh medieval kind of society where women’s rights and powers are not freely given, but fought for at virtually every turn. In my opinion, it makes their success all the more sweeter.
cherrick8's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good continuation of the series. Since it's a book 2, the storylines are still in progress, but I found it entertaining.
joshuaray's review against another edition
3.0
The story of Arlen Bales from 'The Warded Man' continues-but only after much more detail about the Aiel...i mean Krasian people, especially their leader Jadir. I enjoyed the book...but it had an interesting structure. Retelling portions of the first book but from Jadir's perspective and then some interesting developments once it caught up to where to previous book ended but...well, it seemed like more of a collection of happenings that moved some plots around than something with a tight and overarching narrative. Still enjoyable though.
dwimblim's review against another edition
4.0
Second book in this series, I think at this point I still liked it and was fairly looking forward to reading the rest. I read this series a while ago and I'm not sure exactly which book it was where I started losing interest and energy in the characters and story.