bookaneer's review
2.0
I admit that I do not ship Taniel and Ka-Poel. Maybe that is why this is my least favorite of the novellas. So sue me.
onemanbookclub's review
4.0
Check out my Booklikes Blog, Dan Grover: Cover to Cover
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Prequel Power
So, I started reading Promise of Blood and found it as advertised: “Just Plain Awesome.”
It’s pretty grand in scope, however, and I felt a little unsettled with all the characters. Who are the good guys? Who should I be rooting for? Who’s on whose side? About 150 pages in I discovered that there were 6 short, novella-sized prequels to Promise of Blood. I’ve had good experience with prequels adding value to the story in the past, so I went ahead and downloaded all 6 of them.
Pat my myself on the back. I was a great decision.
These 6 prequels give backstory and understanding to each of the key players I’ve run into so far in Promise of Blood. All six are well written, entertaining stories by themselves. Of course, you’ll be able to follow the story in Promise of Blood—and enjoy it—just fine without reading the prequels. But, man, they sure did add a lot of color to the picture I was trying to form. The characters weren’t characters anymore—they became people. Now that I’ve finished prequels and I’m back into Promise of Blood, I’m emotionally invested in this story that seems to be pushing past awesome to all the way to completely amazing.
They aren’t numbered, so you’ll need to know what order to read them to have the most effect.
1. Foresworn
2. Servant of the Crown
3. Murder at the Kinnen Hotel
4. Hope’s End
5. The Girl of Hrusch Avenue
6. The Face in the Window
My recommendation? Don’t read Promise of Blood without reading the prequels first.
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
Prequel Power
So, I started reading Promise of Blood and found it as advertised: “Just Plain Awesome.”
It’s pretty grand in scope, however, and I felt a little unsettled with all the characters. Who are the good guys? Who should I be rooting for? Who’s on whose side? About 150 pages in I discovered that there were 6 short, novella-sized prequels to Promise of Blood. I’ve had good experience with prequels adding value to the story in the past, so I went ahead and downloaded all 6 of them.
Pat my myself on the back. I was a great decision.
These 6 prequels give backstory and understanding to each of the key players I’ve run into so far in Promise of Blood. All six are well written, entertaining stories by themselves. Of course, you’ll be able to follow the story in Promise of Blood—and enjoy it—just fine without reading the prequels. But, man, they sure did add a lot of color to the picture I was trying to form. The characters weren’t characters anymore—they became people. Now that I’ve finished prequels and I’m back into Promise of Blood, I’m emotionally invested in this story that seems to be pushing past awesome to all the way to completely amazing.
They aren’t numbered, so you’ll need to know what order to read them to have the most effect.
1. Foresworn
2. Servant of the Crown
3. Murder at the Kinnen Hotel
4. Hope’s End
5. The Girl of Hrusch Avenue
6. The Face in the Window
My recommendation? Don’t read Promise of Blood without reading the prequels first.
argent_'s review
5.0
Much like the other Powder Mage short stories, 30 pages were not enough to leave a lasting impression on me in either direction. Was it worth a buck? Sure. Would I have paid $20 for an anthology (just) for this novella (novelette?)? Ehh... probably not.
cwebb's review
3.0
Die letzte der Kurzgeschichten vor der Haupt-Trilogie berichtet vom Zusammentreffen von Taniel mit Ka-Poel. Jedoch scheint mir, als würde hier das Ganze anders berichtet als später... auch gibt es keine grossen Überraschungen, daher nur drei Punkte.
rocabarraigh's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
marklpotter's review
5.0
I am not sure that rating a short story is always worth it but McClellan has way with things. The Face In The Window is a taste, a brief, taste of Taniel's past and an introduction to Ka-Poel. And dammit if the man didn't make me hate him even more. You see Brian McClellan is a genius and in this short forty page romp through a swamp he made me wish it was a full book. I could have easily read four hundred pages of this story without batting an eyelash. It's as good as every other story in this world and so far the best of the short stories. This is a storyline that I want more of, desperately.
I truly love this about McClellan. He is such a good writer that a short like this, with a nice neat ending that foreshadows things we already know (it is a prequel after all) and doesn't feel like enough doesn't leave thinking he's not a good writer but rather a right bastard for not writing more. Trust me, that's something special.
I truly love this about McClellan. He is such a good writer that a short like this, with a nice neat ending that foreshadows things we already know (it is a prequel after all) and doesn't feel like enough doesn't leave thinking he's not a good writer but rather a right bastard for not writing more. Trust me, that's something special.
phee's review
4.0
Woah. Taniel, That was intense. The scene where the novella gets its title was tense as hell.
speljamr's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this short story that gives us a bit more info about Taniel and Ka-Poel. I hope Brian McClellan continues this trend and gives us more short stories and novellas set in the Powder Mage universe.
ghostmuppet's review
4.0
This was another short story leading up to the events in Promise of Blood. It tells the story of Taniel’s trip to Fatrasta and his first meeting with Ka-poel. A great little read.
conalo's review
4.0
A fun quick read about the first foree into battle against the Kez for Taniel.
4 stars and recommended for any fans of the Powder Mage trilogy
4 stars and recommended for any fans of the Powder Mage trilogy