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puttingwingsonwords's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I was provided with an e-ARC by the author.
Deep Roots is a high fantasy novel in which elves and humans are caught up in the potentially world-ending power struggle of their rivalling gods. Thanks to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
What drew me in immediately was the world-building: warring pantheons playing games at the expense of their mortal subjects, the unique history of those pantheons, the differences between the mystical world of the elves and the fast-paced human realm, all part of a fantasy world with a long and rich history.
What I enjoyed most was the depiction of the various gods, who felt appropriately otherworldly and removed from the mortals in their immense power.
Unfortunately, I soon had trouble keeping track of the aforementioned world-building and the overarching plot. I think the story would have benefited from a little more exposition and the occasional reminder of who’s who and what they’re after.
It seemed a bit like ‘show don’t tell’ gone too far; some things do just need to be told to the audience to be understood. This story had a lot of potential, but in the end I was too busy trying to remember what was going on to see that realised.
Review originally posted on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwag1bBIgWV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
What drew me in immediately was the world-building: warring pantheons playing games at the expense of their mortal subjects, the unique history of those pantheons, the differences between the mystical world of the elves and the fast-paced human realm, all part of a fantasy world with a long and rich history.
What I enjoyed most was the depiction of the various gods, who felt appropriately otherworldly and removed from the mortals in their immense power.
Unfortunately, I soon had trouble keeping track of the aforementioned world-building and the overarching plot. I think the story would have benefited from a little more exposition and the occasional reminder of who’s who and what they’re after.
It seemed a bit like ‘show don’t tell’ gone too far; some things do just need to be told to the audience to be understood. This story had a lot of potential, but in the end I was too busy trying to remember what was going on to see that realised.
Review originally posted on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwag1bBIgWV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death and Suicide
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