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wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man, so that's what was going on. Spent a chunk of the end going "no!" but overall I found it a very satisfying end to a good series, I want to read more by this author.
shaankayz's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
k24m's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
joshuacaps's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
darkskybooks's review
5.0
An epic and bombastic finale to an impressive series.
Flintlock fantasy is an interesting beast, and this is really the big flintlock fantasy series out there. The combination of magic and gunpowder weaponry means that the balances of power are split a bit differently than some classical fantasy. The hard magic system here is very well constructed, the world a fascinatingly built one and the characters are extremely well drawn.
In this final book of the trilogy we see things come to a head with huge battles (there is a wonderfully cinematic scope to some of these) and a showdown between gods (really expanding upon the mythology at the center of the story). The politicking is just as well realised as the earlier books.
This is epic fantasy, the scope of which is broad, the cast of characters large and the stakes enormous. It is also extremely well done. An excellent way to close out a series.
Flintlock fantasy is an interesting beast, and this is really the big flintlock fantasy series out there. The combination of magic and gunpowder weaponry means that the balances of power are split a bit differently than some classical fantasy. The hard magic system here is very well constructed, the world a fascinatingly built one and the characters are extremely well drawn.
In this final book of the trilogy we see things come to a head with huge battles (there is a wonderfully cinematic scope to some of these) and a showdown between gods (really expanding upon the mythology at the center of the story). The politicking is just as well realised as the earlier books.
This is epic fantasy, the scope of which is broad, the cast of characters large and the stakes enormous. It is also extremely well done. An excellent way to close out a series.
filberthoneysac's review
3.0
3 // 5
“After the adrenaline had worn off and medals had been awarded and the glory meted out, only the suffering remained after a battle.”
Huh. I paid a lot less attention to the details of this one because most of the story takes place within large military engagements-- what interests me the least about this trilogy. Lots of skimming... I felt more disconnected from the story as I read through it. Weird. The last two were so immersive.
The dynamic between Taniel and Ka-poel was one of my favorite parts of books 1 and 2... without much of it here, I felt the story had lost a lot of heart. Adamat's investigations this time around were less intriguing, especially in regards to Claremonte and Cheris... and their shadows. Meh.
The conclusion to the war with the Kez was anticlimactic. Lots of build up for what I felt like wasn't much of a payoff, a coup at the desperate hands of a character we'd never met until that moment.
Regardless, the rest of the novel's payoffs were fun and exciting. I'm glad Adom made it out of that mess.
THE GOOD:
- Taniel and Ka-poel. I love their relationship and they are both exceptionally talented with their respective magic skills.
- The dynamic between Nila and Bo is growing on me. Bo is jaded from all his experiences, and Nila is brand new but has all the makings of one of the strongest Priveleged. Throwing Adamat into the mix was interesting. I'm not sure where I expected this plotline to go, but it makes a lot of sense for Bo to drop everything to go save his boy Taniel.
- Tamas returning to his city under the cover of night because of Claremonte's iconoclastic invasion. He is BACK to clean up after everyone's messes.
- Adamat being sent back for some political dealings is exciting. I'm very interested in learning more about Claremonte.
THE BAD:
- Not a big fan of large-scale military engagements. Just so happens these books have been full of them, and I like them a lot regardless!
- I enjoy Nila a lot less when she's without Bo. I guess Bo is carrying that dynamic for me.
“After the adrenaline had worn off and medals had been awarded and the glory meted out, only the suffering remained after a battle.”
Huh. I paid a lot less attention to the details of this one because most of the story takes place within large military engagements-- what interests me the least about this trilogy. Lots of skimming... I felt more disconnected from the story as I read through it. Weird. The last two were so immersive.
The dynamic between Taniel and Ka-poel was one of my favorite parts of books 1 and 2... without much of it here, I felt the story had lost a lot of heart. Adamat's investigations this time around were less intriguing, especially in regards to Claremonte and Cheris... and their shadows. Meh.
The conclusion to the war with the Kez was anticlimactic. Lots of build up for what I felt like wasn't much of a payoff, a coup at the desperate hands of a character we'd never met until that moment.
Regardless, the rest of the novel's payoffs were fun and exciting. I'm glad Adom made it out of that mess.
THE GOOD:
- Taniel and Ka-poel. I love their relationship and they are both exceptionally talented with their respective magic skills.
- The dynamic between Nila and Bo is growing on me. Bo is jaded from all his experiences, and Nila is brand new but has all the makings of one of the strongest Priveleged. Throwing Adamat into the mix was interesting. I'm not sure where I expected this plotline to go, but it makes a lot of sense for Bo to drop everything to go save his boy Taniel.
- Tamas returning to his city under the cover of night because of Claremonte's iconoclastic invasion. He is BACK to clean up after everyone's messes.
- Adamat being sent back for some political dealings is exciting. I'm very interested in learning more about Claremonte.
THE BAD:
- Not a big fan of large-scale military engagements. Just so happens these books have been full of them, and I like them a lot regardless!
- I enjoy Nila a lot less when she's without Bo. I guess Bo is carrying that dynamic for me.
rhf10's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No