slavicreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I would have possibly rated this higher if the ending came through strong, but alas, it did not. The story just kept going and going and going... And I sat there it would, just, stop.
There was little to no sense or direction as to why things happened the way they did in the last 100ish pages. No sense of satisfaction or closure upon finishing the book. If anything, it left our characters in muddy waters, like???
I'm not even going to talk about the disturbing aspect of the story, for the sake of spoilers. Okay no maybe I will. I really hoped Gerro's urges wouldn't carry over in his next life but oh boy. I daresay it only got weirder? As a side note I definitely need therapy after reading the first 643 chapter.
The present day romance felt super rushed to me. I say this as someone who loves a good romance, but like the majority, I'm not keen on insta love. And Rhody... I just didn't understand why he was falling in love with women left and right.
To conclude, I don't think this was my kinda read. It wasn't even horny, but some things did seem to be glorified a bit too much to my liking. Well, actually the prologue does mention the word lust several times so maybe? I'm really not sure. There is something to this book but by far not enough for me to rate it any higher.
There was little to no sense or direction as to why things happened the way they did in the last 100ish pages. No sense of satisfaction or closure upon finishing the book. If anything, it left our characters in muddy waters, like???
I'm not even going to talk about the disturbing aspect of the story, for the sake of spoilers. Okay no maybe I will. I really hoped Gerro's urges wouldn't carry over in his next life but oh boy. I daresay it only got weirder? As a side note I definitely need therapy after reading the first 643 chapter.
The present day romance felt super rushed to me. I say this as someone who loves a good romance, but like the majority, I'm not keen on insta love. And Rhody... I just didn't understand why he was falling in love with women left and right.
To conclude, I don't think this was my kinda read. It wasn't even horny, but some things did seem to be glorified a bit too much to my liking. Well, actually the prologue does mention the word lust several times so maybe? I'm really not sure. There is something to this book but by far not enough for me to rate it any higher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
Moderate: Suicide, Death, Rape, and Sexual assault
annekepaige's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
slow-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Incest, Animal death, and Death
felinity's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's easy to discount Daggerspell as another Dark Ages fantasy novel, and for some people it might be just that. You've got kings, magic, blood feuds, clans and mercenaries, all twisting together to create a story.
But there's so much more. Daggerspell, the first of the Deverry books, is deceptively simple. It isn't told in a linear fashion, nor does it employ the flashbacks which have become almost required these days. Instead, it uses a Celtic-style storyline, where lives and incarnations cross each others' paths in an effort to reconcile old differences and correct grievances. Hatred or friendship can continue to the next life, and influence the whole country, and - at least for this book - one man has the job of doing his best to untangle the worst knot he helped create.
So yes, there are battles and blood feuds and sorcery (called dweomer), but these just provide the settings for the intricate character storylines.
I love this series, and reread the Deverry and Westlands cycles every couple of years, always finding something new. They stand up well to rereads, as the second or third time around you'll find new meanings in the multiple timelines, and pick up more clues.
But there's so much more. Daggerspell, the first of the Deverry books, is deceptively simple. It isn't told in a linear fashion, nor does it employ the flashbacks which have become almost required these days. Instead, it uses a Celtic-style storyline, where lives and incarnations cross each others' paths in an effort to reconcile old differences and correct grievances. Hatred or friendship can continue to the next life, and influence the whole country, and - at least for this book - one man has the job of doing his best to untangle the worst knot he helped create.
So yes, there are battles and blood feuds and sorcery (called dweomer), but these just provide the settings for the intricate character storylines.
I love this series, and reread the Deverry and Westlands cycles every couple of years, always finding something new. They stand up well to rereads, as the second or third time around you'll find new meanings in the multiple timelines, and pick up more clues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Incest
More...