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meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
I am not sure what I think of this book. It is very different from what I remember The Immortals Quartet, Song of the Lioness Quartet, and the Trickster Duology to be. This is the first of an unknown number of books which tells of how Arram Draper becomes Numair Salmalín. This books focuses mainly on his schooling in Carthage, and there are few recognizable characters from the other books. It is significantly more violent than the other books, and shows us that Arram Draper is a very different person than Numair Salmalín. The book ended well after it needed to, but well before I thought it should. I'm giving it three stars because I'm not sure how I feel about it. I didn't love it and I'm not sure if I would be interested in reading a sequel (too much violence and bloodshed for me). I didn't enjoy reading it, but I finished it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
If you are highly empathic, this book deals with graphic depictions of violence and minor character death. It has 'uncut' scenes of gladiatorial combat, and slavery. It is not an easy read.nytephoenyx's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
*deep breath*
Okay. So. I LOVE Tamora Pierce. I grew up in Tortall and I just adore her world so so much, so know that when I say TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER was a bummer, it's not for lack of REALLY REALLY REALLY wanting to love it. There are some good discussions in this story and the characters are great and her world-building is still fantastic. But TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER has absolutely no self-contained plot, the pacing meanders, and it doesn't quite work.
I still enjoyed it, but not that "this is a good book" enjoyment. My enjoyment came from the sheer pleasure of having new content in Tortall. ANY new content. But if you've heard about Pierce and heard me and others holler to the moon about her book, TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER isn't a good place to start. She explains magic well, but if you don't already love Aram from The Immortals series, you may not latch on to him here. Add to that fact that a previous knowledge of the world helps... and this is going to bore and/or lose new readers.
And I am heartbroken by that, because her world as a whole is so fantastic, it really is. Please go try the first book of another one of her series. I like to recommend the Beka Cooper trilogy for YA and adult readers interested in trying her work. Once you've fallen in love with everything Tortall... come back then and read TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER. Enjoy the foray into the world from a different angle! But don't come for the plot... because... there isn't one.
For more bookish content, reviews, and more, come visit me at The Literary Phoenix.
Okay. So. I LOVE Tamora Pierce. I grew up in Tortall and I just adore her world so so much, so know that when I say TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER was a bummer, it's not for lack of REALLY REALLY REALLY wanting to love it. There are some good discussions in this story and the characters are great and her world-building is still fantastic. But TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER has absolutely no self-contained plot, the pacing meanders, and it doesn't quite work.
I still enjoyed it, but not that "this is a good book" enjoyment. My enjoyment came from the sheer pleasure of having new content in Tortall. ANY new content. But if you've heard about Pierce and heard me and others holler to the moon about her book, TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER isn't a good place to start. She explains magic well, but if you don't already love Aram from The Immortals series, you may not latch on to him here. Add to that fact that a previous knowledge of the world helps... and this is going to bore and/or lose new readers.
And I am heartbroken by that, because her world as a whole is so fantastic, it really is. Please go try the first book of another one of her series. I like to recommend the Beka Cooper trilogy for YA and adult readers interested in trying her work. Once you've fallen in love with everything Tortall... come back then and read TEMPESTS AND SLAUGHTER. Enjoy the foray into the world from a different angle! But don't come for the plot... because... there isn't one.
For more bookish content, reviews, and more, come visit me at The Literary Phoenix.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Slavery, and Blood
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death