saoki's review against another edition
3.0
A solid 7 book, and that is not a bad rating. Sometimes all we need is a book that does what you expect without surprises. In this case, I needed to read something about Jedis-with-the-serial-numbers-filed-off and that is what this book delivers, though there is less spirituality in the Twilight Order (and I am fascinated with mixing spirituality into science fantasy) (yes I like Gene Wolfe.).
It will bug me for a while, but this book is so much a 7 that I can't even define what it lacks, what different thing would make it the sort of book I like. It's not like I dislike it. The story is solid, there are some nice scenes and exciting fights. There is even dancing!
The characters are not what bothers me. I like Maya and find Gyre an overpowered fool (which does not means I dislike him), Beq is nice I suppose and Tanax is my diligent son (which does means I love him). I won't be discussing Kit, but she does happens to have more character then the rest of the secondary cast.
The setting is pretty evocative, even if the alieness is only surface-level*. The fact that so much of what would make the setting unique is borrowed from other stories does much to dispel the wonder of a city built on the technological ruins of giant furbies with tzimisce powers**. Besides that it's fantasy fare. There are castles, farms, inns, taberns and brothels. Doors have hinges, food comes in plates and is frequently cheese and bread, forests are European styled, mountains are snowy but not so much you can't climb up without special equipment.
But I'm a fantasy reader, I can deal with all of that.
What bothers me is something between what's borrowed and what's new. So much of this book feels like a shounen manga (or maybe JPRG) that I expected the story to be structured differently. It is already pretty episodic - you could separate it in arcs - but there is very little time, very little ma (間). Without proper ma in an episodic story you don't get to feel the impact of violence or the pain of choices. The story goes on and so do the reader's feelings. It all becomes forgettable.
And now it seems I had a lot to think about a solid 7 book.
On a side note, Django Wexler is pretty famous as male fantasy authors go and has a bit of a following, what with having written so many books. However, this was the first book of his that I read and, from what I've seen, he does not write my kind of books. If this is a trilogy I'm up to reading the second book just to see if my guess is right, but if it is a longer series, I'm probably not buying the next one.
Still, a nice book.
* Not every writer is Kameron Hurley.
** I have never really dug into where White Wolf got the idea for vicissitude as a power, but I'm pretty sure it was the same place the author found it. I don't actually think he was going for the tzimisce when he created the Ghouls.
It will bug me for a while, but this book is so much a 7 that I can't even define what it lacks, what different thing would make it the sort of book I like. It's not like I dislike it. The story is solid, there are some nice scenes and exciting fights. There is even dancing!
The characters are not what bothers me. I like Maya and find Gyre an overpowered fool (which does not means I dislike him), Beq is nice I suppose and Tanax is my diligent son (which does means I love him). I won't be discussing Kit, but she does happens to have more character then the rest of the secondary cast.
The setting is pretty evocative, even if the alieness is only surface-level*. The fact that so much of what would make the setting unique is borrowed from other stories does much to dispel the wonder of a city built on the technological ruins of giant furbies with tzimisce powers**. Besides that it's fantasy fare. There are castles, farms, inns, taberns and brothels. Doors have hinges, food comes in plates and is frequently cheese and bread, forests are European styled, mountains are snowy but not so much you can't climb up without special equipment.
But I'm a fantasy reader, I can deal with all of that.
What bothers me is something between what's borrowed and what's new. So much of this book feels like a shounen manga (or maybe JPRG) that I expected the story to be structured differently. It is already pretty episodic - you could separate it in arcs - but there is very little time, very little ma (間). Without proper ma in an episodic story you don't get to feel the impact of violence or the pain of choices. The story goes on and so do the reader's feelings. It all becomes forgettable.
And now it seems I had a lot to think about a solid 7 book.
On a side note, Django Wexler is pretty famous as male fantasy authors go and has a bit of a following, what with having written so many books. However, this was the first book of his that I read and, from what I've seen, he does not write my kind of books. If this is a trilogy I'm up to reading the second book just to see if my guess is right, but if it is a longer series, I'm probably not buying the next one.
Still, a nice book.
* Not every writer is Kameron Hurley.
** I have never really dug into where White Wolf got the idea for vicissitude as a power, but I'm pretty sure it was the same place the author found it. I don't actually think he was going for the tzimisce when he created the Ghouls.
johnsnowwasright's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! It was perfectly paced and had engaging characters. I could definitely see the Star Wars inspiration and Jaedia reminded me of Qui-Gon. I can't wait to read the second one!
shelly2232's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a roller-coaster ride, in the best kind of way. It was fast-paced and actioned packed. The character's voices were flushed out and the dialog was hilarious. The world is very Star Wars and Final Fantasy inspired, which are two of my favorite franchises. Obviously I loved it.
If you enjoyed series like A Chorus of Dragons or the Ninth Rain you'll definitely like Ashes of the Sun.
The two reasons this wasn't a 5 star is because it was nonstop. Following two POVs in constantly action was bit exhausting. The second reason is I read this via autobook and the narrator really didn't work for me. I felt like they cheapened some of the characters by using tones and accents that didn't match. I already have physical copies of the next two and will continue the trilogy reading eyes only.
Overall, I had a blast with Ashes of the Sun.
If you enjoyed series like A Chorus of Dragons or the Ninth Rain you'll definitely like Ashes of the Sun.
The two reasons this wasn't a 5 star is because it was nonstop. Following two POVs in constantly action was bit exhausting. The second reason is I read this via autobook and the narrator really didn't work for me. I felt like they cheapened some of the characters by using tones and accents that didn't match. I already have physical copies of the next two and will continue the trilogy reading eyes only.
Overall, I had a blast with Ashes of the Sun.
sherbetmango's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Entertaining epic fantasy. I enjoyed the opposing storylines of Maya and Gyre and am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.
lbatch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
evandaniel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
faith_wotorson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think this book was good. It’s definitely not my FAVORITE fantasy book, as like, plot wise it was VERY easy to get lost. Also, keeping up with what everyone looked like bc like, some people had blue skin and white hair or blue eyes and green hair or just brown skin and red hair and it was interesting for my brain to manage (Note to self: in the second book, annotate and mark the SHIT out of it). I did enjoy the power system that wexler established, and how this massive power divulgence between ghouls and the order is really just two sides of the same coin. I will say, what took the rating down for me was how rapid the ending was. It went from 0 to 100 to 0 bc the book ended and I just had to accept that.
Spoiler
we went from, Maya, Tanax and Beq looking for Jaedia they just stumble upon them all of a sudden?? My hunch was right that that creepy crawley took over jaedias body, but then all of a sudden maya becomes OP and kills both nicomidi AND the creepy crawley?? Then afterwards they just HAPPEN to stumble upon gyre and kit?? Like wutttttSpoiler
ALSO, almost HALF the characters in this book died, like, literally 50% of the way in. Like, most of Gyres crew got taken out, WHERES VARO?!?!? (He’s not dead but, I’m hoping we’ll see him again sometime soon LMAO, he gave sevro vibes to me). Anyways, it felt like as soon as we started getting decently close to a character, plot-wise, and we’re in Gyres POV?? Oh, oh just assume they’re gonna get absolutely clipped. Moidad. Dead. Donezo.rosepoos's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25