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maddiepalmer443's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable read, epic fantasy by a new author. It had a nice review by Brandon Sanderson so I definitely was excited to pick this one up. The book has some nice world building, and an interesting magic system where using magic too frequently leads to amnesia. However, I made a crucial mistake when I started reading it. I thought this was a stand alone novel. This means that I was increasingly disappointed that tantalizing aspects of the book were going unanswered right up to the end.
That’s my fault though, if I’d know that it was going to be part of a series I’d have adjusted my expectations. For instance, there is this thing about the moon. It’s imploded for some reason and every once in a while pieces of it fall to the ground. It’s understood somehow that Michael’s family is responsible for this lunar destruction and I REALLY wanted to know why and how. Books like The Kingkiller Chronicles and The Fifth Season have whetted my appetite for moon content … however, when it comes to this book any answers about the moon are reserved for another part of the series I’m sure. Quel dommage.
Characters were pretty interesting. The main character is a little unreliable, because of plot reasons, and the political intrigue surrounding him was fairly good. It’s a nice first start for a new fantasy author.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
That’s my fault though, if I’d know that it was going to be part of a series I’d have adjusted my expectations. For instance, there is this thing about the moon. It’s imploded for some reason and every once in a while pieces of it fall to the ground. It’s understood somehow that Michael’s family is responsible for this lunar destruction and I REALLY wanted to know why and how. Books like The Kingkiller Chronicles and The Fifth Season have whetted my appetite for moon content … however, when it comes to this book any answers about the moon are reserved for another part of the series I’m sure. Quel dommage.
Characters were pretty interesting. The main character is a little unreliable, because of plot reasons, and the political intrigue surrounding him was fairly good. It’s a nice first start for a new fantasy author.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
jnnkdl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
briggamooz's review against another edition
4.0
High Fantasy Picaresque - Three words I never would have put together, yet Nick Martell handles the task with ease.
With a whipcrack pace, Martell takes us through the districts and alleys of Hollow, pulling back the curtain inch-by-inch on the rich world and engaging mystery he's constructed. Plot points develop and resolve, only to reveal further complications that Michael Kingman must overcome. With all the roguish wit one requires in a picaresque, Michael acts as our mostly-trustworthy, although sometimes not, tour guide as he re-enters a corrupt noble society. At first as a task, then a dare, then a point of pride, Michael's successes and failures cannot help but remind one of the fortunes and adversities of Lazarillo de Tormes.
A refreshing addition to the world of high fantasy, and a series I look forward to continuing.
With a whipcrack pace, Martell takes us through the districts and alleys of Hollow, pulling back the curtain inch-by-inch on the rich world and engaging mystery he's constructed. Plot points develop and resolve, only to reveal further complications that Michael Kingman must overcome. With all the roguish wit one requires in a picaresque, Michael acts as our mostly-trustworthy, although sometimes not, tour guide as he re-enters a corrupt noble society. At first as a task, then a dare, then a point of pride, Michael's successes and failures cannot help but remind one of the fortunes and adversities of Lazarillo de Tormes.
A refreshing addition to the world of high fantasy, and a series I look forward to continuing.
bibliosquire's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This was very enjoyable, but the writing style just didn’t really do it for me
This was very enjoyable, but the writing style just didn’t really do it for me
annakak's review against another edition
2.0
After I read The Accidental Highwayman I began to fear that Brandon Sanderson might not have very good taste in books; after I read The Kingdom of Liars, I was convinced that he doesn't.
(Still writes excellent ones, though.)
(Still writes excellent ones, though.)
susani_'s review against another edition
5.0
Still minded blown that this book isn’t talked about on booktube, goodreads or other book loving platforms.
5 stars
5 stars
questsandcrimes's review against another edition
4.0
Michael Kingman and his siblings are branded traitors because their father murdered the king’s son. Ten years have passed since their father was executed, but Michael can’t let it go. He thinks his father was innocent and embarks on a journey to prove it. In Hollow, the price for using magic is your memories and the kingdom is in the grips of a rebel conflict. Michael must navigate through the conflict and world of high nobles to prove himself and his father’s legacy.
Wow. For a fantasy debut this book is amazing. I found myself lost in the world building. The magic system is so interesting, I wished there was more magic use in the story. I will say that although I enjoyed the world, there are certain terms and ideas that could have used more fleshing out. Such as the drug of choice in the city, blackberries. This concept was touched on, but that’s about it.
I loved how Martell wove together the story lines for all of the characters. I did find myself wishing for more action at times, but the characters were so engaging that I didn’t want to let the story go. I do look forward to exploring more of the various cultures described in the book.
I can’t wait to see where this series goes. I have dabbled in adult high fantasy, but it’s generally not my first choice. If you’re looking for a new fantasy author, Nick Martell is surely a great choice.
Thank you to Bookishfirst and Saga Press for my review copy.
Wow. For a fantasy debut this book is amazing. I found myself lost in the world building. The magic system is so interesting, I wished there was more magic use in the story. I will say that although I enjoyed the world, there are certain terms and ideas that could have used more fleshing out. Such as the drug of choice in the city, blackberries. This concept was touched on, but that’s about it.
I loved how Martell wove together the story lines for all of the characters. I did find myself wishing for more action at times, but the characters were so engaging that I didn’t want to let the story go. I do look forward to exploring more of the various cultures described in the book.
I can’t wait to see where this series goes. I have dabbled in adult high fantasy, but it’s generally not my first choice. If you’re looking for a new fantasy author, Nick Martell is surely a great choice.
Thank you to Bookishfirst and Saga Press for my review copy.