theshaggyshepherd's review
4.0
We Lie with Death // by Devin Madson
I struggled a little more with writing this review than the one for the first book. There were a lot of great things about this book but there were also parts that I really struggled with. One thing that really stood out to me as something that I wish every series had was that Madson did a recap of what has happened so far right at the beginning of the book. I read We Ride the Storm just last week so I could still remember what happened in that book easily but as someone that generally struggles with my memory and often cannot remember anything about books besides a very vague plot, this is very much appreciated. I really hope this will be done in book 3 as well since it is a few months before we get that one and I definitely will need a reminder.
In addition to Miko, Rah, and Cassandra, we also now get the point of view of Dashiva, a Levanti Sword loyal to Gideon. Thanks to Dishiva, we get to learn many new things about Levanti society but we also have a view of the events surrounding the new emperor, which are – let me tell you – quite a few. Gideon, who sounded so steadfast and sure of himself when he first sat upon the throne, has quite an interesting character development in this book. But he is not the only one whose character changes and adapts to its circumstances – whether in a positive or in a negative way: Miko, Rah, Jie, Tor, Dishiva, Cassandra, Kaysa . . . Even those characters that at first seemed so simple and easy to understand show us that they are quite complicated with complex feelings that influence the overall story in interesting ways.
Some of these characters, despite this intriguing growth, become involved in utterly confusing events though. When I thought I knew who Kaysa and Cassandra were separately, all of a sudden everything was turned upside down on its head. I have an inkling as to why this is going on though and if that is true, then hat off to the author because you really made it work effectively here. Also, when I thought I knew where in this world a certain character was located (I don’t want to say the name of this one to avoid spoilers), that assumption was dashed very soon after. While you definitely find out the reasons for some this by the end of the book, I have more mixed feelings about its execution this time. The idea was very clever. It adds a lot of intrigue to the book and I am excited to learn more in the next book. But I feel like something was still missing. Rather than being compelled to continue to read to find out what is going on, this particular unfolding of events kept pulling me out of the story and left me wondering whether I needed to go back and reread several sections a few more times to find out what I was missing. I see what Madson was trying to do and I love how she is incorporating different strategies into her books to keep the readers on their toes, but this time it didn’t work for me quite as well.
Overall though, I think I am pretty happy with the book now that I have had a few days to think it over. I am definitely planning on rereading this series in the future because it’ll be interesting to see the events unfold while knowing the motivations and capabilities of the different characters. I am also a big fan of world-building and learning about the magic systems and special abilities in books, so it was fun to find out more about souls, deathwalkers, reincarnations, etc. I was really worried about the confusion being too much at some point for me to stay invested in some of the characters in this book, but now I am just even more intrigued than ever and can’t wait to see what other interesting plot devices Madson is going to present to us in the future!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I struggled a little more with writing this review than the one for the first book. There were a lot of great things about this book but there were also parts that I really struggled with. One thing that really stood out to me as something that I wish every series had was that Madson did a recap of what has happened so far right at the beginning of the book. I read We Ride the Storm just last week so I could still remember what happened in that book easily but as someone that generally struggles with my memory and often cannot remember anything about books besides a very vague plot, this is very much appreciated. I really hope this will be done in book 3 as well since it is a few months before we get that one and I definitely will need a reminder.
In addition to Miko, Rah, and Cassandra, we also now get the point of view of Dashiva, a Levanti Sword loyal to Gideon. Thanks to Dishiva, we get to learn many new things about Levanti society but we also have a view of the events surrounding the new emperor, which are – let me tell you – quite a few. Gideon, who sounded so steadfast and sure of himself when he first sat upon the throne, has quite an interesting character development in this book. But he is not the only one whose character changes and adapts to its circumstances – whether in a positive or in a negative way: Miko, Rah, Jie, Tor, Dishiva, Cassandra, Kaysa . . . Even those characters that at first seemed so simple and easy to understand show us that they are quite complicated with complex feelings that influence the overall story in interesting ways.
Some of these characters, despite this intriguing growth, become involved in utterly confusing events though. When I thought I knew who Kaysa and Cassandra were separately, all of a sudden everything was turned upside down on its head. I have an inkling as to why this is going on though and if that is true, then hat off to the author because you really made it work effectively here. Also, when I thought I knew where in this world a certain character was located (I don’t want to say the name of this one to avoid spoilers), that assumption was dashed very soon after. While you definitely find out the reasons for some this by the end of the book, I have more mixed feelings about its execution this time. The idea was very clever. It adds a lot of intrigue to the book and I am excited to learn more in the next book. But I feel like something was still missing. Rather than being compelled to continue to read to find out what is going on, this particular unfolding of events kept pulling me out of the story and left me wondering whether I needed to go back and reread several sections a few more times to find out what I was missing. I see what Madson was trying to do and I love how she is incorporating different strategies into her books to keep the readers on their toes, but this time it didn’t work for me quite as well.
Overall though, I think I am pretty happy with the book now that I have had a few days to think it over. I am definitely planning on rereading this series in the future because it’ll be interesting to see the events unfold while knowing the motivations and capabilities of the different characters. I am also a big fan of world-building and learning about the magic systems and special abilities in books, so it was fun to find out more about souls, deathwalkers, reincarnations, etc. I was really worried about the confusion being too much at some point for me to stay invested in some of the characters in this book, but now I am just even more intrigued than ever and can’t wait to see what other interesting plot devices Madson is going to present to us in the future!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
4.0
You know what they say after a storm? It clears the air, but there was no calm after the storm in We Lie with Death. The world building is once again rich and brutal and I was once again delighted to see characters taking their own paths, accepting the hand that fate had dealt them and becoming all the stronger for it. I only very recently finished reading We Ride the Storm and the first thing I did was request the next book in the series on netgalley, thankfully the book gods granted my request and here I am basking in the glory of the empire of Kisia.
I was hesitant and on edge before diving into this book not because I thought it was going to be an awful experience but because I had built up my expectations to be unnaturally high. We’ve all been there; you love a book so much that you daren’t believe that a sequel could even match the high you’ve just been taken on. Well, Madson doesn’t disappoint…I don’t think its possible that the author can write a bad book. The magic, the elegance and the culture immediately whisks you off into lands unknown. Its impossible to fight it.
Oh, and the biggest plus point that I personally feel has been missing from fantasy books…THE STORY SO FAR. A recap, yes…FINALLY!
We Lie with Death carries on immediately after We Ride the Storm and the brakes aren’t applied through-out the book. The action is like a shovel to the face and doesn’t stop for a breath, not even for a minute. The characterisation is stronger, the personalities coming through to the reader in 8k definition. I fell harder for characters than I even thought possible and I was the biggest cheerleader mainly for Rah( Boy does he know how to get into trouble)! The reader gets more of an understanding about the conflicts between cultures. The cracks appearing between Levanti and the Kisians. The power of politics is never too far away from the fray and you can almost feel sorry for some of the characters (ALMOST)!
We Lie with Death is a masterpiece in storytelling and having that ability to know when the perfect time is to drop those bombshells. I didn’t know whether to pull my hair out or scream for joy at some of them but then that’s the intense mastery portrayed by Madson. The plot surrounding Cassandra is growing thicker by the page and my greedy little fingers couldn’t turn the pages quick enough; I wanted to learn more about souls, reincarnation and overincarnation. It just added so much more depth to the narrative.
We Lie with Death has an atmospheric sense of place. An absolute treat from a superbly unique voice in fantasy.
I was hesitant and on edge before diving into this book not because I thought it was going to be an awful experience but because I had built up my expectations to be unnaturally high. We’ve all been there; you love a book so much that you daren’t believe that a sequel could even match the high you’ve just been taken on. Well, Madson doesn’t disappoint…I don’t think its possible that the author can write a bad book. The magic, the elegance and the culture immediately whisks you off into lands unknown. Its impossible to fight it.
Oh, and the biggest plus point that I personally feel has been missing from fantasy books…THE STORY SO FAR. A recap, yes…FINALLY!
We Lie with Death carries on immediately after We Ride the Storm and the brakes aren’t applied through-out the book. The action is like a shovel to the face and doesn’t stop for a breath, not even for a minute. The characterisation is stronger, the personalities coming through to the reader in 8k definition. I fell harder for characters than I even thought possible and I was the biggest cheerleader mainly for Rah( Boy does he know how to get into trouble)! The reader gets more of an understanding about the conflicts between cultures. The cracks appearing between Levanti and the Kisians. The power of politics is never too far away from the fray and you can almost feel sorry for some of the characters (ALMOST)!
We Lie with Death is a masterpiece in storytelling and having that ability to know when the perfect time is to drop those bombshells. I didn’t know whether to pull my hair out or scream for joy at some of them but then that’s the intense mastery portrayed by Madson. The plot surrounding Cassandra is growing thicker by the page and my greedy little fingers couldn’t turn the pages quick enough; I wanted to learn more about souls, reincarnation and overincarnation. It just added so much more depth to the narrative.
We Lie with Death has an atmospheric sense of place. An absolute treat from a superbly unique voice in fantasy.
cerviallacarica's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
zoeamac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
realis's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
heathersbooks's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
antonella_filipas's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I found the first book in this series excellent and loved it, this one is even better.
Great storytelling and plot development, excellent world building and a cast of interesting characters.
I can't wait to read the next one in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Great storytelling and plot development, excellent world building and a cast of interesting characters.
I can't wait to read the next one in this series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
dominish_books's review
4.5
I really enjoyed We Ride the Storm and don’t know why it took me so long to get to We Lie With Death, but I definitely enjoyed this one as well. Book one was a new experience for me, as it is a first-person story but from three different points of view, and I’m used to such stories being in the third person.
Here, we get that again, but with more characters. As a result, I think I really benefitted from listening to the audiobook for this as there were different voice actors for each character.
It was a good story, and a good continuation of the series that has really built my desire to continue. It takes everything from book one and builds on it, so for the most part, everything is bigger, bolder, and better.
Initially, when I found out that there were going to be additional POV characters, I was unsure. I didn't see enough in those characters in book one to interest me in them, but getting more of them here, we obviously get to know them a lot better, and I ended up really appreciating them.
Here, we get that again, but with more characters. As a result, I think I really benefitted from listening to the audiobook for this as there were different voice actors for each character.
It was a good story, and a good continuation of the series that has really built my desire to continue. It takes everything from book one and builds on it, so for the most part, everything is bigger, bolder, and better.
Initially, when I found out that there were going to be additional POV characters, I was unsure. I didn't see enough in those characters in book one to interest me in them, but getting more of them here, we obviously get to know them a lot better, and I ended up really appreciating them.
queenterribletimy's review against another edition
5.0
The review was originally posted on RockStarlit BookAsylum!
I've got an ARC from Devin Madson in exchange of an honest review.
“Alive one moment, dead the next, the weight of each individual soul upon the world as fleeting as a daylight sparrow.”
Events pick up right after they were left off at the end of [b:We Ride the Storm|39781307|We Ride the Storm (The Reborn Empire, #1)|Devin Madson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526473689s/39781307.jpg|61489484]. Miko is forced to fled and find allies to get back Kisia's throne with her faithful General on her side. Rah leaves the forming Levanti Empire behind after refusing to bow down to Gideon, trying to figure out where he should go. Cassandra finally meets the Witchdoctor, but not exactly the way she planned. Actually, nothing happens the way she planned. In We Lie With Death a fourth POV character joins to the others: Dishiva e'Jaroen, who decides to stay with Gideon and help him build the Levanti Empire and keep him safe, even from himself if needed.
I usually give a little summary about the plot, but this time I'm trying to avoid it, as this is a book you have to discover for yourself. There are so many layers to We Lie With Death that it's hard to talk about them all without some accidental spoilers. But I'll try anyway. One of the strenghts of Madson's book is her characters. We Lie With Death is purely character driven an hoo boy, it's hard not to root at least for one of them.
My favorite remains to be Cassandra, whose person is surrounded by mystery. Rest assured, we'll get a few answers and a bit of explaination of how reincarnation of a soul works for example, or why does Cassandra has a company in Her. And hers is the honour to reveal one big twist which will leave your jaw hang open. Seriously, I did not see that coming and it also makes Dishiva's troubles muuuuch more interesting. Not that they weren't to begin with. But back to Cassandra for a minute. Like it or not her fate is entwined with Empress Hana's and they have to work together in order to have a chance of survival. One of my favorite parts of this plotline was the house they are delivered to by the Witchdoctor. It has a huge tree in the middle of it and the way Madson described it, makes me want to live in it - after some rebuilding and cleaning, that is. I sometimes found a bit hard to follow the explanations about the souls and I still not entirely sure I understand how Cassandra's "problem" works, but at least good old Cassandra was her usual self fighting, not giving up when she wants something and not hiding her opinion.
Dishiva. I already liked her in We Ride the Storm, and I was really happy to see her getting her own chapters. As one of Gideon trusted people, her job is to take care of the safety of Gideon, as the head of the guard. There is a certain someone who despite Dishiva's warning gets close to Gideon while he tries to make his dream of a free Levanti Empire come true. He is so occupied with his plans and ambitions, that doesn't heeds Dishiva's warnings. Instead, after several "incidents" happening around her, Gideon sends her to deal with a camp of deserters as well as Koi - which a Kisian army led by Jie - or as Emperor Kin the second as he is called now - and his grandfather, Odayama. But what she doesn't see coming is that she'll start questioning her own loyalty and find herself conflicted when she steps into that camp. My favorite part about her plotline was the way the mystery slowly unfurled around her, made me think I was reading a crime novel - the better kind might I add. It's amazing, how Madson can wave so many tropes and genres into one novel.
Rah finds himself in a position where he is forced to make an unusual allie and accept some hard truths about himself and the expectations some of the Levanti sets for him. The question is, what does Rah want? Still live in exile, go home or fight against Gideon and his dreams of an Empire? Just a quoute which gives back Rah's personality:
"In darkness you cease to exist as solitude wears your soul to a stub, but nothing could erode the truth in my heart."
Miko was my least favorite character in We Ride the Storm, but she started to grow on me this time around. She is no longer the spoiled princess who tries to play the adult's game. Now she has to find her own way to claim her throne and find allies to fight against the Levanti. What she didn't expect is that she has to fight for the support of her own people and find a way to make a deal with Jie.
One of my favorite things about We Lie With Death is the way the cultures collide with each other. Levanti and Kisian are forced to get closer to each other and learn about the other's custom, sometimes adapting to them. It's interesting to see how people can understand furthermore form a bond between each other without speaking a common language. It's interesting to experience how one's opinion about a character changes when seeing them through a different character's eyes than before.
If I liked We Ride the Storm, I'm sure as hell loved We Lie With Death. All the POV characters have their distinct voices and you can't help but turn the pages in your need to learn what happens next. This is that kind of book which makes you promise yourself you'll only read one more chapter. Let me spare you to lie to yourself: you won't be able to stop. Every chapter ends in mini climax urging you to read on. By the end you won't be able to contain your feelings and probably will curse Devin Madson by leaving you hanging, waiting for the next book like a drug addict waits for the next shot. We Lie With Death is cleverly written, intricate and addictive, merging genres like it's the most natural thing in the world, while handling topics with a sensitivity that shows Madson's genius. If you didn't read We Ride the Storm yet, start it now, because you don't want to miss We Lie With Death!
I've got an ARC from Devin Madson in exchange of an honest review.
Events pick up right after they were left off at the end of [b:We Ride the Storm|39781307|We Ride the Storm (The Reborn Empire, #1)|Devin Madson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526473689s/39781307.jpg|61489484]. Miko is forced to fled and find allies to get back Kisia's throne with her faithful General on her side. Rah leaves the forming Levanti Empire behind after refusing to bow down to Gideon, trying to figure out where he should go. Cassandra finally meets the Witchdoctor, but not exactly the way she planned. Actually, nothing happens the way she planned. In We Lie With Death a fourth POV character joins to the others: Dishiva e'Jaroen, who decides to stay with Gideon and help him build the Levanti Empire and keep him safe, even from himself if needed.
I usually give a little summary about the plot, but this time I'm trying to avoid it, as this is a book you have to discover for yourself. There are so many layers to We Lie With Death that it's hard to talk about them all without some accidental spoilers. But I'll try anyway. One of the strenghts of Madson's book is her characters. We Lie With Death is purely character driven an hoo boy, it's hard not to root at least for one of them.
My favorite remains to be Cassandra, whose person is surrounded by mystery. Rest assured, we'll get a few answers and a bit of explaination of how reincarnation of a soul works for example, or why does Cassandra has a company in Her. And hers is the honour to reveal one big twist which will leave your jaw hang open. Seriously, I did not see that coming and it also makes Dishiva's troubles muuuuch more interesting. Not that they weren't to begin with. But back to Cassandra for a minute. Like it or not her fate is entwined with Empress Hana's and they have to work together in order to have a chance of survival. One of my favorite parts of this plotline was the house they are delivered to by the Witchdoctor. It has a huge tree in the middle of it and the way Madson described it, makes me want to live in it - after some rebuilding and cleaning, that is. I sometimes found a bit hard to follow the explanations about the souls and I still not entirely sure I understand how Cassandra's "problem" works, but at least good old Cassandra was her usual self fighting, not giving up when she wants something and not hiding her opinion.
Dishiva. I already liked her in We Ride the Storm, and I was really happy to see her getting her own chapters. As one of Gideon trusted people, her job is to take care of the safety of Gideon, as the head of the guard. There is a certain someone who despite Dishiva's warning gets close to Gideon while he tries to make his dream of a free Levanti Empire come true. He is so occupied with his plans and ambitions, that doesn't heeds Dishiva's warnings. Instead, after several "incidents" happening around her, Gideon sends her to deal with a camp of deserters as well as Koi - which a Kisian army led by Jie - or as Emperor Kin the second as he is called now - and his grandfather, Odayama. But what she doesn't see coming is that she'll start questioning her own loyalty and find herself conflicted when she steps into that camp. My favorite part about her plotline was the way the mystery slowly unfurled around her, made me think I was reading a crime novel - the better kind might I add. It's amazing, how Madson can wave so many tropes and genres into one novel.
Rah finds himself in a position where he is forced to make an unusual allie and accept some hard truths about himself and the expectations some of the Levanti sets for him. The question is, what does Rah want? Still live in exile, go home or fight against Gideon and his dreams of an Empire? Just a quoute which gives back Rah's personality:
Miko was my least favorite character in We Ride the Storm, but she started to grow on me this time around. She is no longer the spoiled princess who tries to play the adult's game. Now she has to find her own way to claim her throne and find allies to fight against the Levanti. What she didn't expect is that she has to fight for the support of her own people and find a way to make a deal with Jie.
One of my favorite things about We Lie With Death is the way the cultures collide with each other. Levanti and Kisian are forced to get closer to each other and learn about the other's custom, sometimes adapting to them. It's interesting to see how people can understand furthermore form a bond between each other without speaking a common language. It's interesting to experience how one's opinion about a character changes when seeing them through a different character's eyes than before.
If I liked We Ride the Storm, I'm sure as hell loved We Lie With Death. All the POV characters have their distinct voices and you can't help but turn the pages in your need to learn what happens next. This is that kind of book which makes you promise yourself you'll only read one more chapter. Let me spare you to lie to yourself: you won't be able to stop. Every chapter ends in mini climax urging you to read on. By the end you won't be able to contain your feelings and probably will curse Devin Madson by leaving you hanging, waiting for the next book like a drug addict waits for the next shot. We Lie With Death is cleverly written, intricate and addictive, merging genres like it's the most natural thing in the world, while handling topics with a sensitivity that shows Madson's genius. If you didn't read We Ride the Storm yet, start it now, because you don't want to miss We Lie With Death!