cnapple's review against another edition
2.0
I recently re-read this as I remembered enjoying the series in my childhood, but unfortunately that impression didn't hold up. Two stars for an original setting and plot, but aside from that there's not much else going on. The characters, while decently developed are unlikeable and inept, particularly the two leads, and the relationships are shallow and there's little justification as to why any of them care about each other at all. The story is set in the present, but relies heavily on the events of a past crisis which is shrouded in mystery. What we do learn about past events is laid out in a series of info dumps as remembered by whichever character's point of view would be most convenient. Which is another problem with the writing; while not objectively problematic, the 3rd person omniscient voice, in this case proves distracting as the narrative jumps from one character's thoughts to another with little distinction. It also cheapens the characters and relationships as the reader is simply told flat out what everyone is feeling about each other at any given moment.
One final, curious point; the author does deserve some credit for presenting a diverse cast of characters and cultures. About half the main cast is female, and they all hold their own in terms of power with the male characters. There doesn't seem to be a gender based cultural stratification which is refreshing in an older fantasy novel. There are also prominent characters from fantasy analogues of non-western cultures, another pleasant surprise.
All in all, an entertaining, if frustrating bit of light reading. I wouldn't mind being stuck on an airplane with it, but probably not one to move to the top of your to-read list.
One final, curious point; the author does deserve some credit for presenting a diverse cast of characters and cultures. About half the main cast is female, and they all hold their own in terms of power with the male characters. There doesn't seem to be a gender based cultural stratification which is refreshing in an older fantasy novel. There are also prominent characters from fantasy analogues of non-western cultures, another pleasant surprise.
All in all, an entertaining, if frustrating bit of light reading. I wouldn't mind being stuck on an airplane with it, but probably not one to move to the top of your to-read list.
shivapriya's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Loved that it is populated with multiple female characters of Note. Served well as an introduction to the story world setup.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
cooperc879's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
1.0
I gave this book a lot of chances, but is just not for. I managed to get 25% through, but the why this author writes wants to make me hit him. It reminded me a lot of the Earthsea book. That was considered a classic, so I ploughed through (and it was short). This is over 20 hours. I know people like this book, and the author was recommended, but it is not for me at all.
laurawil's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
diesmali's review against another edition
4.0
Oddly paced, glossing over several days of action at times. Weird paragraphing, switching perspectives and making it difficult to follow sometimes.
But lovely world building and mostly well-balanced characters.
But lovely world building and mostly well-balanced characters.
katmarhan's review against another edition
3.0
6/10
This is book 1 in a tetralogy, so the author spends a lot of time on world-building and historical back-notes. Yet we do get to know the main characters, Llian and Karan, quite well. i thought all the major characters seem fairly nuanced--real people with flaws and strengths, warts and virtues.
I thought some of the interminable journeying could have been condensed, but the events in the escapes and chases did help develop the characters and their relationships with each other.
I certainly enjoyed this enough and am intrigued enough to continue the series.
This is book 1 in a tetralogy, so the author spends a lot of time on world-building and historical back-notes. Yet we do get to know the main characters, Llian and Karan, quite well. i thought all the major characters seem fairly nuanced--real people with flaws and strengths, warts and virtues.
I thought some of the interminable journeying could have been condensed, but the events in the escapes and chases did help develop the characters and their relationships with each other.
I certainly enjoyed this enough and am intrigued enough to continue the series.
ph230's review against another edition
4.0
A shadow on the glass is no easy book to read.
The story is tense, there are many many details and description, and the characters are full (and many).
I found the story so overwhleming!! (if I took so much time to read is because I misplaced my kindle :( )
The story is tense, there are many many details and description, and the characters are full (and many).
I found the story so overwhleming!! (if I took so much time to read is because I misplaced my kindle :( )
lewipoint's review against another edition
I thought that the beginning was very strong with the set-up for the world and lore. The two main characters were also quite interesting but then it turned into hundreds of pages of just walking to locations with not much interesting happening. One character is pursued the whole time by beings seemingly adept at tracking and yet she miraculously keeps giving them the slip while the other character seems incapable of doing much at all. I've been told its a good series overall and I like that the author is Australian but there just wasn't enough for me to push through.