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sandy292love's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
the_bookishmum's review against another edition
4.0
Michael Kingsman is trying to reclaim his families legacy after his father is killed for murdering a Prince and he, and his brother and sister are branded as traitors.
This book was incredible! I didn’t know where it was going at the start but there are so many twists and turns and I was so shocked with the final reveal. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
I received an arc of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
This book was incredible! I didn’t know where it was going at the start but there are so many twists and turns and I was so shocked with the final reveal. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
I received an arc of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
theemptybookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the Graphic Audio adoption of this book on Audible and it was above and beyond my expectations of what an audio book is.
Beside the amazing audio work the book itself was a lot of fun and one of the better debut novels I've has the privilege of reading in several years. I will definitely be listening to the next book to see where this story goes next.
Beside the amazing audio work the book itself was a lot of fun and one of the better debut novels I've has the privilege of reading in several years. I will definitely be listening to the next book to see where this story goes next.
lillanaa's review against another edition
5.0
This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So this might be one of my new favourite books. Martell is definitely an author on my radar now, this kind of dense awesome fantasy one that I enjoy so much but rarely find ones I can tolerate for the thousand page epics they are. I think the closest I can relate to this book is Brent Weeks' Lightbringer series, which is also like my absolute favourite series so it makes sense that this is one I'm going to be keeping an eye on.
There are a few complaints in other reviews about lack of full on definition for some terms, but I don't feel as though lacking a spelled out description hurt the book in any way. It's easy to interpret what's meant in these situations from context clues, and the magic system was simple but unique with a genuinely intriguing hint at what may be coming in future books partway through. The politics also didn't seem that out there for a general fantasy novel, either, and we're decently easy to follow.
The characters are really neat, too, and although Michael wasn't my absolute favourite, I began to understand that it may not have been his fault partway through the book. He did lose some sympathy from me when he but... That's the only real thing I can complain about, and for a 600 page book that's pretty good.
Ultimately, this is one that I'm going to be thinking about for a very, very long time. I want more, this world is so cool and I love the simplicity yet variation of magic here.
So this might be one of my new favourite books. Martell is definitely an author on my radar now, this kind of dense awesome fantasy one that I enjoy so much but rarely find ones I can tolerate for the thousand page epics they are. I think the closest I can relate to this book is Brent Weeks' Lightbringer series, which is also like my absolute favourite series so it makes sense that this is one I'm going to be keeping an eye on.
There are a few complaints in other reviews about lack of full on definition for some terms, but I don't feel as though lacking a spelled out description hurt the book in any way. It's easy to interpret what's meant in these situations from context clues, and the magic system was simple but unique with a genuinely intriguing hint at what may be coming in future books partway through. The politics also didn't seem that out there for a general fantasy novel, either, and we're decently easy to follow.
The characters are really neat, too, and although Michael wasn't my absolute favourite, I began to understand that it may not have been his fault partway through the book. He did lose some sympathy from me when he
Spoiler
randomly decided to take a super dark turn and burn down the templeUltimately, this is one that I'm going to be thinking about for a very, very long time. I want more, this world is so cool and I love the simplicity yet variation of magic here.
maddiepalmer443's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable read, epic fantasy by a new author. It had a nice review by Brandon Sanderson so I definitely was excited to pick this one up. The book has some nice world building, and an interesting magic system where using magic too frequently leads to amnesia. However, I made a crucial mistake when I started reading it. I thought this was a stand alone novel. This means that I was increasingly disappointed that tantalizing aspects of the book were going unanswered right up to the end.
That’s my fault though, if I’d know that it was going to be part of a series I’d have adjusted my expectations. For instance, there is this thing about the moon. It’s imploded for some reason and every once in a while pieces of it fall to the ground. It’s understood somehow that Michael’s family is responsible for this lunar destruction and I REALLY wanted to know why and how. Books like The Kingkiller Chronicles and The Fifth Season have whetted my appetite for moon content … however, when it comes to this book any answers about the moon are reserved for another part of the series I’m sure. Quel dommage.
Characters were pretty interesting. The main character is a little unreliable, because of plot reasons, and the political intrigue surrounding him was fairly good. It’s a nice first start for a new fantasy author.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
That’s my fault though, if I’d know that it was going to be part of a series I’d have adjusted my expectations. For instance, there is this thing about the moon. It’s imploded for some reason and every once in a while pieces of it fall to the ground. It’s understood somehow that Michael’s family is responsible for this lunar destruction and I REALLY wanted to know why and how. Books like The Kingkiller Chronicles and The Fifth Season have whetted my appetite for moon content … however, when it comes to this book any answers about the moon are reserved for another part of the series I’m sure. Quel dommage.
Characters were pretty interesting. The main character is a little unreliable, because of plot reasons, and the political intrigue surrounding him was fairly good. It’s a nice first start for a new fantasy author.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
jnnkdl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
briggamooz's review against another edition
4.0
High Fantasy Picaresque - Three words I never would have put together, yet Nick Martell handles the task with ease.
With a whipcrack pace, Martell takes us through the districts and alleys of Hollow, pulling back the curtain inch-by-inch on the rich world and engaging mystery he's constructed. Plot points develop and resolve, only to reveal further complications that Michael Kingman must overcome. With all the roguish wit one requires in a picaresque, Michael acts as our mostly-trustworthy, although sometimes not, tour guide as he re-enters a corrupt noble society. At first as a task, then a dare, then a point of pride, Michael's successes and failures cannot help but remind one of the fortunes and adversities of Lazarillo de Tormes.
A refreshing addition to the world of high fantasy, and a series I look forward to continuing.
With a whipcrack pace, Martell takes us through the districts and alleys of Hollow, pulling back the curtain inch-by-inch on the rich world and engaging mystery he's constructed. Plot points develop and resolve, only to reveal further complications that Michael Kingman must overcome. With all the roguish wit one requires in a picaresque, Michael acts as our mostly-trustworthy, although sometimes not, tour guide as he re-enters a corrupt noble society. At first as a task, then a dare, then a point of pride, Michael's successes and failures cannot help but remind one of the fortunes and adversities of Lazarillo de Tormes.
A refreshing addition to the world of high fantasy, and a series I look forward to continuing.