mjt2289's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
5.0
trashthatmatters's review against another edition
3.0
I am p tired of this series already and 2 more books to go...
jazztea's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
rharriskay's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a really tough book to rate because it's very inconsistent.
To be clear, I loved The Grace of Kings, the first book in this series, and was pumped to book up the sequel. That excitement gradually wore away as the first half of the novel went on. For those expecting another heavy military fantasy story, that is not to be found in the opening of this book, which is focused almost entirely on the struggles of the imperial court. Unlike the previous book, rarely does the narrative shift away to characters that aren't immediately connected to the imperial family, removing some of that sprawling feeling from the first book too.
That's not to say the imperial politics are bad at all. While I wasn't overly interested in the development of the scholar main character, the Empress has gone on to be perhaps one of my favorite political schemers in any book I've ever read. Her goals, ambitions, and plots are so understandable, yet her methods are undeniably difficult to stomach at times. Liu's work with characterization shines in her.
However, for the most part motivation was waning reading through this tome.
And then at the midpoint, the book makes a complete shift when. Talk about a return to form.
Suddenly all of the previous development, squabbling, and court politics are framed against such a large existential threat, it really is a great payoff. From that point onward, I was back to being very invested in the story, though it is a tough sell that the major spark kicks in halfway through a 900 page book.
There are still some kinks. The main bad guy is pretty two dimensional, but he certainly lays the groundwork for future, more interesting villains that pose an intellectual and physical threat to the main characters.
I also was extremely frustrated by the ending of the book, but I suppose it was a good frustration, since it was at the points of the climax where the author likely intended reader frustration.
In short, there are some great things in this book, but it also can take a long while to get there. If epic fantasy isn't your normal beat, or you're a slow reader, maybe just stick with the first book. As for me, I'm still looking forward to reading the third book.
To be clear, I loved The Grace of Kings, the first book in this series, and was pumped to book up the sequel. That excitement gradually wore away as the first half of the novel went on. For those expecting another heavy military fantasy story, that is not to be found in the opening of this book, which is focused almost entirely on the struggles of the imperial court. Unlike the previous book, rarely does the narrative shift away to characters that aren't immediately connected to the imperial family, removing some of that sprawling feeling from the first book too.
That's not to say the imperial politics are bad at all. While I wasn't overly interested in the development of the scholar main character, the Empress has gone on to be perhaps one of my favorite political schemers in any book I've ever read. Her goals, ambitions, and plots are so understandable, yet her methods are undeniably difficult to stomach at times. Liu's work with characterization shines in her.
However, for the most part motivation was waning reading through this tome.
And then at the midpoint, the book makes a complete shift when
Spoiler
the viking mongols invadeSuddenly all of the previous development, squabbling, and court politics are framed against such a large existential threat, it really is a great payoff. From that point onward, I was back to being very invested in the story, though it is a tough sell that the major spark kicks in halfway through a 900 page book.
There are still some kinks. The main bad guy is pretty two dimensional, but he certainly lays the groundwork for future, more interesting villains that pose an intellectual and physical threat to the main characters.
I also was extremely frustrated by the ending of the book, but I suppose it was a good frustration, since it was at the points of the climax where the author likely intended reader frustration.
In short, there are some great things in this book, but it also can take a long while to get there. If epic fantasy isn't your normal beat, or you're a slow reader, maybe just stick with the first book. As for me, I'm still looking forward to reading the third book.
cb1984's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really really good sequel. I particularly liked the scope and scale of it, with it covering about 10 years (mainly in two bit tranches). Was a good way to let the characters develop (the kids in particular).
As with Grace of Kings, there were a lot of twists and turns and never got predictable. And it was, again, pretty brutal - there's a lot of death!
Definitely looking forward to book 3, which has been set up really nicely.
As with Grace of Kings, there were a lot of twists and turns and never got predictable. And it was, again, pretty brutal - there's a lot of death!
Definitely looking forward to book 3, which has been set up really nicely.
prab's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-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
5.0
OMG This is definitely the best 2nd book ever. There is no trace of a 2nd book syndrome at all. Despite a very dense plot, I found myself loving all of the characters especially Kuni and Gin.
There is such intricate politics in this book which remind me of my favorite story of all time, Three Kingdoms.
This book also made me realized that Ken Liu is heartless hahaha he has killed off so many main characters and some definitely left scars in my heart. No character is safe in this story.
Can’t wait to read more books in the series.
There is such intricate politics in this book which remind me of my favorite story of all time, Three Kingdoms.
This book also made me realized that Ken Liu is heartless hahaha he has killed off so many main characters and some definitely left scars in my heart. No character is safe in this story.
Can’t wait to read more books in the series.
bookishplantmom's review against another edition
I can’t concentrate enough to actually follow this book right now.
justicen1511's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
5.0
Rise to the empress
lloydie666's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-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
5.0