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dani_reis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
First read: audio Oct 16 - 22, 2023
Second read: kindle with audio June 1 - 18, 2024
This book is very dense. This requires your full attention and slow digest of the information. So many moving parts. The entire book is mostly focused on world building. You don't feel a connection with any single character where if they were to suddenly die, it isn't a worry on your emotions.
The second read was much more successful with my ADHD by keeping notes and making sure I actually followed giant info dump paragraphs before moving on. Is this going to be necessary for most? No. But I know the plot, and can move onwards without completely requiring rereads to continue.
I highly recommend for those looking for an epic fantasy read and aren't in a hurry to push out another book for a number. Enjoy the book on the side of another if that's what's necessary to slow down.
Second read: kindle with audio June 1 - 18, 2024
This book is very dense. This requires your full attention and slow digest of the information. So many moving parts. The entire book is mostly focused on world building. You don't feel a connection with any single character where if they were to suddenly die, it isn't a worry on your emotions.
The second read was much more successful with my ADHD by keeping notes and making sure I actually followed giant info dump paragraphs before moving on. Is this going to be necessary for most? No. But I know the plot, and can move onwards without completely requiring rereads to continue.
I highly recommend for those looking for an epic fantasy read and aren't in a hurry to push out another book for a number. Enjoy the book on the side of another if that's what's necessary to slow down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
Suicide minorjosiah17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
While being certainly confusing, as it's intended to be by Erikson's writing style, I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I was really nervous going in because I desperately want to enjoy this series, and I'm glad to say that I couldn't be more excited going forward.
Erikson's prose is absolutely magnificent. It might be the best I've read so far. He writes incredibly dialogue, makes mundane scenes interesting with the way his language flows, and creates an incredibly atmosphere through the descriptors and words he's used and created for this world.
The action sequences are cinematic. I don't typically like a soft magic system, but I absolutely loved whatever the magic is in this series. It creates some jaw dropping moments.
Characters and worldbuilding were also great. I would die for Kruppe. It was an absolute joy to read every scene he was in.
I'm very pleased with the beginning to this series.
Erikson's prose is absolutely magnificent. It might be the best I've read so far. He writes incredibly dialogue, makes mundane scenes interesting with the way his language flows, and creates an incredibly atmosphere through the descriptors and words he's used and created for this world.
The action sequences are cinematic. I don't typically like a soft magic system, but I absolutely loved whatever the magic is in this series. It creates some jaw dropping moments.
Characters and worldbuilding were also great. I would die for Kruppe. It was an absolute joy to read every scene he was in.
I'm very pleased with the beginning to this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
nerdkitten's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
Minor: Genocide, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
bcrowes11's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A lot of people call it dark, though I'd call it slightly pretentious. That being said, I want to read it again now that I know how it plays out so I can get a better feel for it, but it did seem that Erickson tries too hard to be unique in this first book. So we'll see how the tone changes since the rest weren't for a screenplay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Minor: Sexual content