siddharthageorge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
duffypratt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Continuing my love/hate relationship with this series.
Here, Arithon finally starts taking the initiative and he does it in ways that are both surprising and sometimes funny. That's great to see. It was also nice to get at least a little bit of depth to his half-brother/nemesis Liesayer. And Davien, the renegade sorcerer, remains an interesting character, as does Dakar.
Unfortunately, the book seems largely wrapped up in things that feel like side quests. The main thread of this book involves the threat posed by a group of necromancers, who might take over Liesayer's body and thus rule the Alliance. Imagine the horrors if this mass murderer, already the puppet of the Mistwraith, became the puppet of another group of mass murderers. As with the Korianth plot to bait Arithon out of hiding by putting the double they had created into jeopardy, I simply was not on board with the stakes or the motivation involved here.
Add to that that the climax of the book was <Spoiler> an extended coitus interruptus, so a literal anti-climax. </Spoiler>
On top of that is my continued dislike of her writing style. There are just too many redundancies here ("flat-bottomed skiff" "reeked of scent"), combined with her persistent misuse of the "if, then" construction, her use of imagery that is literally impossible to imagine, and the abundant contradictions which largely stem from her insistence on using as many adjectives as possible, and as many unusual sentence constructions as she can contrive. I read review after review of people praising her beautiful writing, and she is certainly capable of it, but I mostly don't see that. There is more here that makes the book difficult to read simply for the sake either of showing off her writing, or perhaps just to make the book difficult.
Having said all that, there is an absolutely brilliant sequence in the book where a ship is nearly destroyed by small spirits called to it by a witch's sigil. So again, there is enough in this book to keep me going, though with every book there seems to be as much that makes me roll my eyes as there are passages that I find brilliant and truly enjoyable
Here, Arithon finally starts taking the initiative and he does it in ways that are both surprising and sometimes funny. That's great to see. It was also nice to get at least a little bit of depth to his half-brother/nemesis Liesayer. And Davien, the renegade sorcerer, remains an interesting character, as does Dakar.
Unfortunately, the book seems largely wrapped up in things that feel like side quests. The main thread of this book involves the threat posed by a group of necromancers, who might take over Liesayer's body and thus rule the Alliance. Imagine the horrors if this mass murderer, already the puppet of the Mistwraith, became the puppet of another group of mass murderers. As with the Korianth plot to bait Arithon out of hiding by putting the double they had created into jeopardy, I simply was not on board with the stakes or the motivation involved here.
Add to that that the climax of the book was <Spoiler> an extended coitus interruptus, so a literal anti-climax. </Spoiler>
On top of that is my continued dislike of her writing style. There are just too many redundancies here ("flat-bottomed skiff" "reeked of scent"), combined with her persistent misuse of the "if, then" construction, her use of imagery that is literally impossible to imagine, and the abundant contradictions which largely stem from her insistence on using as many adjectives as possible, and as many unusual sentence constructions as she can contrive. I read review after review of people praising her beautiful writing, and she is certainly capable of it, but I mostly don't see that. There is more here that makes the book difficult to read simply for the sake either of showing off her writing, or perhaps just to make the book difficult.
Having said all that, there is an absolutely brilliant sequence in the book where a ship is nearly destroyed by small spirits called to it by a witch's sigil. So again, there is enough in this book to keep me going, though with every book there seems to be as much that makes me roll my eyes as there are passages that I find brilliant and truly enjoyable
brinstarre's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-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
4.5
mousie_books's review against another edition
4.0
Traitor's Knot is the fourth book (of five) in the third arc and seventh in the series. (This is not a series that should be picked up in the middle.) The focus is on Arithon (yay!), and secondarily, on Lysaer. So much happens in this book. Strained by the havoc dealt to Athera's natural balance by the Koriani, Fellowship oversight of prevailing politics is hobbled. Prime Selidie presses her plot(s) to entangle Arithon. Once again out and about, Davien selectively meddles. Arithon, as always, tries to prevent bloodshed while racing headlong into conflict after conflict. Necromancers vie for power.
The density of this series still takes me by surprise. I usually breeze through any book I enjoy, but I am unable to do that with these. I thought it was the Fellowship chapters, but they were sparse in this book. The author expects/trusts the reader to be observant, so it's easy to miss important details in the nuanced encounters. Weirdly, she's very explicit when it comes to the portrayal of speech, e.g. Arithon's words are described as blunt/cutting many, many, many times -- even when they do not particularly seem it. I love the cleverness and audacity of Arithon's manipulative skill, and the conflict/growth of his character.
Pro tip: This edition (and maybe others) has a concise timeline summary of the events up to this point at the back of the book and a clear explanation of the lineages and differences between clan and townborn.
The density of this series still takes me by surprise. I usually breeze through any book I enjoy, but I am unable to do that with these. I thought it was the Fellowship chapters, but they were sparse in this book. The author expects/trusts the reader to be observant, so it's easy to miss important details in the nuanced encounters. Weirdly, she's very explicit when it comes to the portrayal of speech, e.g. Arithon's words are described as blunt/cutting many, many, many times -- even when they do not particularly seem it. I love the cleverness and audacity of Arithon's manipulative skill, and the conflict/growth of his character.
Pro tip: This edition (and maybe others) has a concise timeline summary of the events up to this point at the back of the book and a clear explanation of the lineages and differences between clan and townborn.
vinjii's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favourite epic fantasy series.
This is high fantasy at its best. Janny Wurts takes her time to build her world meticulously. The prose is dense, especially for a non native speaker, but every word is exactly the right word to fit and complete each sentence.
It's an epic series spanning years and years with wonderful characters that are fleshed out and have become very dear to me.
I recommend this series to anyone who doesn't mind slow and who appreciates beautiful writing and carefully crafted works.
This is high fantasy at its best. Janny Wurts takes her time to build her world meticulously. The prose is dense, especially for a non native speaker, but every word is exactly the right word to fit and complete each sentence.
It's an epic series spanning years and years with wonderful characters that are fleshed out and have become very dear to me.
I recommend this series to anyone who doesn't mind slow and who appreciates beautiful writing and carefully crafted works.
hypatian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
eclipse777's review against another edition
5.0
One of the darkest books I've ever read in any genre so 5 stars from me...
chicagodave's review
5.0
As mentioned in my previous review, the series has quickened significantly in pace and although there's still a great deal of detail about the land, this tale is about the still-impeded Seven in their battle to repair the damage done by the Prime Matriarch.
During this time, a cult of necromancy sees the opening to invade Lysaer's budding false religion with blood magic and both Sulvin Evand and Arithon fight to save the day.
This is probably the fastest read of the series and a fantastic adventure. Lysaer inches closer to his own realities while Arithon becomes more than he once was.
Davien, the Betrayer also becomes a more prominent character, foreshading future interactions.
Highly recommended. If you've gotten this far, you're for sure hooked.
During this time, a cult of necromancy sees the opening to invade Lysaer's budding false religion with blood magic and both Sulvin Evand and Arithon fight to save the day.
This is probably the fastest read of the series and a fantastic adventure. Lysaer inches closer to his own realities while Arithon becomes more than he once was.
Davien, the Betrayer also becomes a more prominent character, foreshading future interactions.
Highly recommended. If you've gotten this far, you're for sure hooked.
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