mleetm's review against another edition
5.0
Holy Mother..
This was astounding. It had a slow start, but necessarily so, as it was the foundation of the world. Just wow. So it reminds me of several books: Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss meets Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi meets Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.
Fantastically intricate world building and characters that are fully fleshed out emotionally and mentally were combined with a refreshingly deep (and dark) storyline. I haven’t felt this excited and HUNGRY for a book in a long, long time. This is solid favorite that I want to reread again and again.
This was astounding. It had a slow start, but necessarily so, as it was the foundation of the world. Just wow. So it reminds me of several books: Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss meets Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi meets Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.
Fantastically intricate world building and characters that are fully fleshed out emotionally and mentally were combined with a refreshingly deep (and dark) storyline. I haven’t felt this excited and HUNGRY for a book in a long, long time. This is solid favorite that I want to reread again and again.
briarrose1021's review against another edition
4.0
Salo is the first-born son of his clan's chief. There are expectations placed upon him from birth. Unfortunately for the clan and their expectations, Salo's interests are in the arcane and magical - the domain of women - and not in being a warrior - the domain of men. As a result, Salo is tolerated, at best, within his tribe and held in disdain by many. But, when Salo's village is savagely attacked by an unknown mystic, he sees a path forward and petitions the queen to allow him to awaken his mystic power.
Surprising everyone, she does so. But she does has plans for Salo, and she sends him on a quest to the city at the political heart of the Red Lands. Part pilgrimage and part quest, Salo begins the journey alone before gaining three different companions along the way.
This book is the first of a series and does a lot of worldbuilding through the various tales it weaves in parallel to set the stage. As the story comes to a close, you begin to see how those tales will weave together, but the tapestry is clearly just getting started, and there are many loose threads yet to be woven. Even still, Rwizi sets a beautiful stage rich with history and color, and the many characters are complex and alive.
One thing I loved about this book was how well everything flowed together. At no point did I feel bogged down by needless words or info dumps, and even with the length of this book, every piece felt necessary and important. Though this book ends in what is clearly still an ongoing story, it does so at a natural breaking point, and I look forward to continuing the series to see what happens to and around Salo and his companions.
While reading this book, I swapped back and forth between reading it and listening to it, and sometimes I would even listen whilst I followed along. The narrators - Janina Edwards, Korey Jackson, Robin Eller, Kimberly Woods, and Susan Dalian - did a wonderful job, and I look forward to listening to them again in the next book.
Surprising everyone, she does so. But she does has plans for Salo, and she sends him on a quest to the city at the political heart of the Red Lands. Part pilgrimage and part quest, Salo begins the journey alone before gaining three different companions along the way.
This book is the first of a series and does a lot of worldbuilding through the various tales it weaves in parallel to set the stage. As the story comes to a close, you begin to see how those tales will weave together, but the tapestry is clearly just getting started, and there are many loose threads yet to be woven. Even still, Rwizi sets a beautiful stage rich with history and color, and the many characters are complex and alive.
One thing I loved about this book was how well everything flowed together. At no point did I feel bogged down by needless words or info dumps, and even with the length of this book, every piece felt necessary and important. Though this book ends in what is clearly still an ongoing story, it does so at a natural breaking point, and I look forward to continuing the series to see what happens to and around Salo and his companions.
While reading this book, I swapped back and forth between reading it and listening to it, and sometimes I would even listen whilst I followed along. The narrators - Janina Edwards, Korey Jackson, Robin Eller, Kimberly Woods, and Susan Dalian - did a wonderful job, and I look forward to listening to them again in the next book.
aneton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sielantgem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Very slow because you’ll be provided with a lot of information each character and slowly understand boy is going on. Towards the end mostly.. But the world and the impending events are Interesting and entice you to get to the next book.
itsbrianascall's review against another edition
4.0
Pleasantly surprised
Though it started out a bit slow for me, I'm glad I continued to read. As the threads of the individual characters' stories began to intertwine, I grew more and more intrigued with the story. I'm absolutely hooked and can't wait to see what becomes of the characters in the next book!
Though it started out a bit slow for me, I'm glad I continued to read. As the threads of the individual characters' stories began to intertwine, I grew more and more intrigued with the story. I'm absolutely hooked and can't wait to see what becomes of the characters in the next book!
kristauhh's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
a really interesting and refreshing story! very cool magic system, even though it takes time to understand.
lovely characters and such a creative world.
definitely continuing this series:)
lovely characters and such a creative world.
definitely continuing this series:)
jillysmith's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A beautiful story with such great world building. Should be a huge bestseller. A real hidden gem
derricoreads's review against another edition
3.0
This one is a LOT. Not only is it a slow start with several stories slowly intermingling, but it's a High Fantasy that does not practice mercy. You are thrown into the world of Scarlet Odyssey without a life jacket.
It is difficult to describe what is great about this book without spoiling the experience. I deeply enjoyed how the plots came together and I grew to love the characters as the book progressed. I think the allegory is a little bit on the nose, but I think that's the only straightforward thing about this book haha.
It'll be a minute before I'm brave enough to pick up book two, but I'm sure it can only be better now that the main storylines are all coming together! Less to keep track of.
It is difficult to describe what is great about this book without spoiling the experience. I deeply enjoyed how the plots came together and I grew to love the characters as the book progressed. I think the allegory is a little bit on the nose, but I think that's the only straightforward thing about this book haha.
It'll be a minute before I'm brave enough to pick up book two, but I'm sure it can only be better now that the main storylines are all coming together! Less to keep track of.