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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or my review in any way.
This book came to my attention when the author, Antonio Urias, contacted me asking for an honest review. To be honest, I'm glad he did.
My favourite thing in the book was the variety of fae. We not only have fairies, but we also have trolls, hobgoblin, fawns, etc too. It's nice to see a book with such a wide variety. I LOVE mythical creatures, so it was really nice to finally find an author who's not afraid to incorporate this into the story.
The world-building is great. I love how he describes the city and how we can visualise its growth from a normal city to something more akin to a maze. We learn quite a bit about the history of the city in this book and I love that - it's always one of my favourite aspects of a book. I think this really makes the world more believable because otherwise it's just a bit bland. The history makes it something you can really get your teeth into.
I loved the characters, they're relatable and 3D. Each has their own motives. I think my favourite is the Countess. She's such a complex character - you know there's more to her story and you just have to know what. To be fair that's true for all the characters, but the Countess is seen as "evil"... but I just can't see it! I think she'd actually be good for the town, she's a good apple!
The pacing is brilliant, it keeps you hooked throughout. There's always something happening to keep you reading.
All of the above are usually reasons I'd give a book a five-star review. Here's why I haven't... the ending. Yes, it was satisfying... but it ended more like a tv episode. It wasn't a cliff-hanger, but it still leaves you wanting to read the next book. I know that's a good thing! However, its personal preference. In a series I much prefer it when each book contains a story of its own, then the stories link together with a low-lying subplot (which turns out to be the main plot!) And BOOM! Again, this is personal preference, but I'm still left wanting to read the next book and that's always a good thing :)
I'd recommend this book to lovers of the fae world, fantasy and conflict. It's a very unique story which I still will get better as the books progress - you just KNOW there's something big coming :P
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog: http://www.anovelstart.com
This book came to my attention when the author, Antonio Urias, contacted me asking for an honest review. To be honest, I'm glad he did.
My favourite thing in the book was the variety of fae. We not only have fairies, but we also have trolls, hobgoblin, fawns, etc too. It's nice to see a book with such a wide variety. I LOVE mythical creatures, so it was really nice to finally find an author who's not afraid to incorporate this into the story.
The world-building is great. I love how he describes the city and how we can visualise its growth from a normal city to something more akin to a maze. We learn quite a bit about the history of the city in this book and I love that - it's always one of my favourite aspects of a book. I think this really makes the world more believable because otherwise it's just a bit bland. The history makes it something you can really get your teeth into.
I loved the characters, they're relatable and 3D. Each has their own motives. I think my favourite is the Countess. She's such a complex character - you know there's more to her story and you just have to know what. To be fair that's true for all the characters, but the Countess is seen as "evil"... but I just can't see it! I think she'd actually be good for the town, she's a good apple!
The pacing is brilliant, it keeps you hooked throughout. There's always something happening to keep you reading.
All of the above are usually reasons I'd give a book a five-star review. Here's why I haven't... the ending. Yes, it was satisfying... but it ended more like a tv episode. It wasn't a cliff-hanger, but it still leaves you wanting to read the next book. I know that's a good thing! However, its personal preference. In a series I much prefer it when each book contains a story of its own, then the stories link together with a low-lying subplot (which turns out to be the main plot!) And BOOM! Again, this is personal preference, but I'm still left wanting to read the next book and that's always a good thing :)
I'd recommend this book to lovers of the fae world, fantasy and conflict. It's a very unique story which I still will get better as the books progress - you just KNOW there's something big coming :P
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog: http://www.anovelstart.com
This was almost a winner for me. It had an interesting world, interesting characters, a convoluted plot, and people/fairies doing things for deeply personal reasons. And for the most part, outside of some repetition, the writing was very readable. It could have been really really good. Instead, it was ok.
There were several reasons for this. One, there were about 4 billion characters, each with a plot thread of their own. It was too much and became confusing. Two, the narratives, from all these characters' perspectives were often provided to the reader in very brief snippets. At one point we got about a page of one character getting sea sick and then jumped away again. It was jarring and not a particularly engaging way to read a story. (It made the book feel very long.) Lastly, the book, with all its many many plot points doesn't wrap up. So, you've been presented with multiple mysteries, none of which are solved. This is a BIG no-no for me.
All in all, it has some fun fantasy characters and the beginning of what will probably be an intriguing storyline 1,000 pages from now. If you're willing to commit to the long haul it's worth picking up. I don't know that I am.
There were several reasons for this. One, there were about 4 billion characters, each with a plot thread of their own. It was too much and became confusing. Two, the narratives, from all these characters' perspectives were often provided to the reader in very brief snippets. At one point we got about a page of one character getting sea sick and then jumped away again. It was jarring and not a particularly engaging way to read a story. (It made the book feel very long.) Lastly, the book, with all its many many plot points doesn't wrap up. So, you've been presented with multiple mysteries, none of which are solved. This is a BIG no-no for me.
All in all, it has some fun fantasy characters and the beginning of what will probably be an intriguing storyline 1,000 pages from now. If you're willing to commit to the long haul it's worth picking up. I don't know that I am.
A terrorist bombing in one of the main cities leads to fear; a potential uprising; and more than a little political advantage.
I was given this book free in exchange for an honest review, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It starts off with a bang (literally), as one of the busiest gates in Talis is blown up without warning. There are faerie and human victims, along with the city officials that police the gate.
Urias quickly sets the scene for Talis and the world beyond. I was quickly convinced of the history, the humans having had control for so long; and although they allow faerie folk to reside in Talis, there is a very uneasy peace, and the faeries are treated as second-class citizens by many.
You get to experience so many levels of society in Irons in the Fire - which I think is both its strength and its weakness.
It seems to be a common problem I find in books - especially Fantasy books - that the author has been immersed in this world that they have created for so long, that they forget what it's like for a newcomer.
As far as history and atmosphere went, Urias got it spot on. But I felt dizzy jumping from one scene, with the police in one area; to the back streets of the Faerie quarter with a different cast of characters; to the palace with a slew of new characters.
Each character does have their part to play, and their own importance, but I felt a little overwhelmed with keeping track of names, species, history etc. The first half of the book jumps mercilessly between them all, like an episode of Game of Thrones.
The second half runs a lot smoother, partly because my name-recollection was finally kicking in; but mainly because the threads of all the different characters were weaving more closely together, making everything clearer by comparison.
I think my favourite thing about this book was that it's a perfect example of defying genre, it doesn't easily tick just one box.
It is an unashamed Fantasy, it has faeries and goblins, witches and imps, all very realistically presented.
But it could easily match up to any investigative thriller, as you follow the police and officials tracking down the terrorist threat.
Best of all, it has the political intrigue of any court or historical drama.
And surely I'm not the only person who imagined the Faerie Folk defiant on their barricades in Les Miserables...
I was? Ok.
I would recommend checking this book out, and I am very much looking forward to the next instalment!
I was given this book free in exchange for an honest review, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It starts off with a bang (literally), as one of the busiest gates in Talis is blown up without warning. There are faerie and human victims, along with the city officials that police the gate.
Urias quickly sets the scene for Talis and the world beyond. I was quickly convinced of the history, the humans having had control for so long; and although they allow faerie folk to reside in Talis, there is a very uneasy peace, and the faeries are treated as second-class citizens by many.
You get to experience so many levels of society in Irons in the Fire - which I think is both its strength and its weakness.
It seems to be a common problem I find in books - especially Fantasy books - that the author has been immersed in this world that they have created for so long, that they forget what it's like for a newcomer.
As far as history and atmosphere went, Urias got it spot on. But I felt dizzy jumping from one scene, with the police in one area; to the back streets of the Faerie quarter with a different cast of characters; to the palace with a slew of new characters.
Each character does have their part to play, and their own importance, but I felt a little overwhelmed with keeping track of names, species, history etc. The first half of the book jumps mercilessly between them all, like an episode of Game of Thrones.
The second half runs a lot smoother, partly because my name-recollection was finally kicking in; but mainly because the threads of all the different characters were weaving more closely together, making everything clearer by comparison.
I think my favourite thing about this book was that it's a perfect example of defying genre, it doesn't easily tick just one box.
It is an unashamed Fantasy, it has faeries and goblins, witches and imps, all very realistically presented.
But it could easily match up to any investigative thriller, as you follow the police and officials tracking down the terrorist threat.
Best of all, it has the political intrigue of any court or historical drama.
And surely I'm not the only person who imagined the Faerie Folk defiant on their barricades in Les Miserables...
I was? Ok.
I would recommend checking this book out, and I am very much looking forward to the next instalment!