dannie86's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-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
5.0
kahle50's review against another edition
5.0
Okay first things first this book is good, if you are precariously straddling the fence on this one go ahead and get it, seriously.
So you want more huh? Fine fine.
How good is it you may be inclined to ask, and just why should I listen to you, I don't know you, you're just some dude on the internet.
Fair enough, first thing: It's so good I wrote this review twice, see my computer decided it was time to update half way though my first attempt at reviewing this book and I liked it well enough to wait for it to install updates and reboot just so I could come back and sing the praise of this book.
So why should you listen to me and bother with the book? I read a lot, that's it, that is the whole of my credentials to be found worthy of suggesting you read this book, I read a lot and as such I know a good book when I pick it up. This is one, and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series and honestly anything that he writes following this, it's that good I read it in a single day and in doing so found myself a fan.
Am I implying this is the greatest book of all time, devoid of any sort of plot issues with the most amazing and deep cast of characters in the history of literature? Nah, it's got issues, now here is where I could launch into a dissection of this book and I'm kinda tempted to honestly but I'll resist. The flaws that this book has are over shadowed by the good bits, it's a bit dark, a bit gritty, there is violence and bloodshed and foul language, it doesn't break new ground or shatter preconceived ideas but I found it incredibly enjoyable.
This was the 343 book I rated on goodreads and while it's not the first I've wanted to review its the first I actually took the time and the effort to write a review for, It's pretty damned stellar especially considering it's de Castell's first published work.
So you want more huh? Fine fine.
How good is it you may be inclined to ask, and just why should I listen to you, I don't know you, you're just some dude on the internet.
Fair enough, first thing: It's so good I wrote this review twice, see my computer decided it was time to update half way though my first attempt at reviewing this book and I liked it well enough to wait for it to install updates and reboot just so I could come back and sing the praise of this book.
So why should you listen to me and bother with the book? I read a lot, that's it, that is the whole of my credentials to be found worthy of suggesting you read this book, I read a lot and as such I know a good book when I pick it up. This is one, and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series and honestly anything that he writes following this, it's that good I read it in a single day and in doing so found myself a fan.
Am I implying this is the greatest book of all time, devoid of any sort of plot issues with the most amazing and deep cast of characters in the history of literature? Nah, it's got issues, now here is where I could launch into a dissection of this book and I'm kinda tempted to honestly but I'll resist. The flaws that this book has are over shadowed by the good bits, it's a bit dark, a bit gritty, there is violence and bloodshed and foul language, it doesn't break new ground or shatter preconceived ideas but I found it incredibly enjoyable.
This was the 343 book I rated on goodreads and while it's not the first I've wanted to review its the first I actually took the time and the effort to write a review for, It's pretty damned stellar especially considering it's de Castell's first published work.
calistaw's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seaclauss's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iam_griff's review against another edition
5.0
This book is amazing! I grew up on The Three Musketeers & this book is better! It has adventure, witty banter, a great story, & characters you can sympathize with. The fight dialogue is equal to R.A. Salvatore's epic battles with Drizzt.
This book gets better each time I read it.
This book gets better each time I read it.
isauldur's review against another edition
4.0
Below, my review is split into two parts. The first gives my general thoughts on the book, and the second gives details, spoilers and major plot points. Be warned.
Part One: Overview
This has been the first book in quite some time that I haven't been able to put down for longer than it takes me to wake up. The past few months, I'd been engaged prominently in re-reads, which isn't a bad thing at all, but it left me with nothing new to the point that I found myself almost unable to finish the books I started. I'd re-read a book I absolutely love and, at some point halfway, I'd pause and think to myself, "I want something else." Finally, I came across Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell.
The story of how I found this book is simple, but I guess a little important. I went to a bookstore and saw this book on the shelf, just sitting there, alone with two others that people had overlooked. With a shrug, for I knew nothing about the author or the book itself, I purchased it and simply set it on my own shelf, there to wait for several weeks until, on a whim, I brought it along with me for the holidays. I read 50 pages in one sitting in a waiting room, and then moved on to something else (another re-read) and finally, when I was done with that, I returned to Traitor's Blade, and I couldn't stop reading for this past week. If I hadn't had things to do, I perhaps would have finished it in two days at the most. It is very fast-paced, action-filled with enough fights to keep any action fan entertained and sufficient intrigue to keep plot fans engaged. The characters are simple, but relatable, fun and likeable. The writing is easy to read, but it is also very quick, vivid and immersive. The way the duels are described feels like the author was actually watching someone fight while writing the stuff down. In short, I truly loved this book.
To be honest, it's a 4.5 stars book. So why not five stars if I loved it? Well, for a very simple reason. It's very good, complex, smart swashbuckling tale about magister-duelists. But it is a little difficult to read (at least for me). I'll get into why in the second part, but suffice it to say that the plot drops a lot of stuff in our main characters that it's a little painful, especially because we like these characters. I'll re-read this again for sure. There's far too much good stuff in it for me not to, but it still hurts. First, Mr. De Castell makes me care about these guys and then the plot happens. It's not fair.
Truly a good book, and I recommend it to anyone, really. It has enough realism that it can almost count as a historical-inspired fiction novel, but sufficient panache to make it feel like a fantasy novel. One thing I will say, however: I didn't expect this book to take the turn it did. Really, after 100 pages, I still had no clue where the story was going, and even after having finished it, I'm still not entirely sure about what the book is about, and that only makes me like it all the more.
Part Two: SPOILERS and In-Depth Discussion
Falcio, oh, Falcio. He's like that friend that sucks at football but always jumps at the chance to play, only...if that friend didn't suck at football. And if football had rapiers instead of a ball. Bad example. Point is: he's been through a lot. And I mean, a LOT. When we first meet him, we know his dream, his goal, his absolute obsession with being a Greatcoat. Which he is, only...well, Greatcoats aren't very liked anymore because they, ahem, betrayed their King. Let him die, let others take his head and put it on a spike. And since then, Falcio, who is sort of like the leader of the Greatcoats, and his two friends, Kest and Brasti, have been going around, trying to get by and trying to find the King's Charoites, which they don't know what they are. So, before we even begin the book, Flacio has already lost his wife, his home, part of his sanity, his hope and his dream. We learn all this in later flashback chapters, but he starts off already pretty beaten and grim, if a little sarcastic.
The story then dumps fight after fight and plight after plight on Falcio and his two fellow Greatcoats to the point that they end up in a city during the Purge...I mean, Blood Week. Which is basically the Purge, minus guns and plus swords. Simple enough. Except that Falcio is trying to protect a child whose family gets killed during this event, and everyone in town is trying to kill her. De Castell takes us on a bloody joy-ride from hideout to fight to duel and...well, all this other stuff that makes it hard to read sometimes. It hurts to see the Fey Horse be tortured, it hurts to see Falcio lose his sanity for a moment. The villains are truly hateful, which makes them more threatening, but it also makes them look more like monsters and less like actual people. And for all the speeches about hope in the book, there's little hope to be read until maybe the final 50 pages or so. And this one paragraph gives my only problem with the book. So, there. If you cant handle your torture sessions, your beatings, your curses and on-the-edge escapes...well, you should still read the book. It's got some of the coolest fights I've read in a long time.
Brasti is a fun character, though he doesn't have much page time (screen time, but on the page). He's the world's best archer, or so he says, and he has the skill to prove it. Kest is quiet and silent, but he's always fun to have around, because he looks like the kind of character who would take on a god and probably win. Gods are just bigger Saints after all. But one of my favorite parts is the relationship that Falcio develops with the girl Aline. They develop almost a father-daughter relationship in record time, which makes sense when everyone is trying to kill the both of them. The beginning of their relationship feels a little rushed, as if they became too close too quickly, but that vanishes as the novel goes on. Through all the hardship that she and Falcio go through, of course they would cling to each other. She's a fun character, and she almost acts as Falcio's conscience and/or morale trainer. She's always telling him to carry on, that they can survive Blood Week, that she can get to the Rock and say her name...she's the hope, and he's the brawn.
I also loved the sensation of figuring out that Aline was the King's daughter. For me, it happened when the nun asked the girl if she should tell Aline her father's name...which it turns out is the King Paelis. I would have an issue with the fact that she's suddenly related to someone plot-important if I'd known what kind of story this book was going to be before then. Honestly, even after that reveal, I still had no clue where the book was taking me. Was this a revenge story between Falcio and the Duchess? Between Aline and the Duke of Rijou? Just some random adventure that Falcio came across? The fact that Aline the Girl shared a name with Falcio's deceased wife was too big a coincidence for me to not think it a coincidence. Of course Falcio would risk his life for a girl whose name is the same as his wife! Because we've gotten to know him and know that the death of his wife still haunts him. So when it turns out Aline is actually pivotal to the kingdom, I don't think it's contrived, just coincidental. Some people might have an issue with this, but I didn't. After all, if the Tailor can appear Gandalf-style whenever she's needed (and apparently there's a good reason behind it too, we just never get it in full), then it's certainly likely that the one girl that Falcio happens to try and protect also happens to be the rightful heir to the throne. I didn't mind, it was a pretty neat twist that I didn't see coming and that I had fun figuring out.
The story is also fairly self-contained, which is great, but it also leaves enough threads untied to continue the tale, which I'm grateful Mr. De Castell did! I'll be getting the second Greatcoats book soon, and I'll read it the instant I hold it. It was the book I needed after all the re-reads and retreads I'd had for the past couple of months. I'm happy I picked up this book at that bookstore and I'm glad I brought it with me for the holidays.
Part One: Overview
This has been the first book in quite some time that I haven't been able to put down for longer than it takes me to wake up. The past few months, I'd been engaged prominently in re-reads, which isn't a bad thing at all, but it left me with nothing new to the point that I found myself almost unable to finish the books I started. I'd re-read a book I absolutely love and, at some point halfway, I'd pause and think to myself, "I want something else." Finally, I came across Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell.
The story of how I found this book is simple, but I guess a little important. I went to a bookstore and saw this book on the shelf, just sitting there, alone with two others that people had overlooked. With a shrug, for I knew nothing about the author or the book itself, I purchased it and simply set it on my own shelf, there to wait for several weeks until, on a whim, I brought it along with me for the holidays. I read 50 pages in one sitting in a waiting room, and then moved on to something else (another re-read) and finally, when I was done with that, I returned to Traitor's Blade, and I couldn't stop reading for this past week. If I hadn't had things to do, I perhaps would have finished it in two days at the most. It is very fast-paced, action-filled with enough fights to keep any action fan entertained and sufficient intrigue to keep plot fans engaged. The characters are simple, but relatable, fun and likeable. The writing is easy to read, but it is also very quick, vivid and immersive. The way the duels are described feels like the author was actually watching someone fight while writing the stuff down. In short, I truly loved this book.
To be honest, it's a 4.5 stars book. So why not five stars if I loved it? Well, for a very simple reason. It's very good, complex, smart swashbuckling tale about magister-duelists. But it is a little difficult to read (at least for me). I'll get into why in the second part, but suffice it to say that the plot drops a lot of stuff in our main characters that it's a little painful, especially because we like these characters. I'll re-read this again for sure. There's far too much good stuff in it for me not to, but it still hurts. First, Mr. De Castell makes me care about these guys and then the plot happens. It's not fair.
Truly a good book, and I recommend it to anyone, really. It has enough realism that it can almost count as a historical-inspired fiction novel, but sufficient panache to make it feel like a fantasy novel. One thing I will say, however: I didn't expect this book to take the turn it did. Really, after 100 pages, I still had no clue where the story was going, and even after having finished it, I'm still not entirely sure about what the book is about, and that only makes me like it all the more.
Part Two: SPOILERS and In-Depth Discussion
Falcio, oh, Falcio. He's like that friend that sucks at football but always jumps at the chance to play, only...if that friend didn't suck at football. And if football had rapiers instead of a ball. Bad example. Point is: he's been through a lot. And I mean, a LOT. When we first meet him, we know his dream, his goal, his absolute obsession with being a Greatcoat. Which he is, only...well, Greatcoats aren't very liked anymore because they, ahem, betrayed their King. Let him die, let others take his head and put it on a spike. And since then, Falcio, who is sort of like the leader of the Greatcoats, and his two friends, Kest and Brasti, have been going around, trying to get by and trying to find the King's Charoites, which they don't know what they are. So, before we even begin the book, Flacio has already lost his wife, his home, part of his sanity, his hope and his dream. We learn all this in later flashback chapters, but he starts off already pretty beaten and grim, if a little sarcastic.
The story then dumps fight after fight and plight after plight on Falcio and his two fellow Greatcoats to the point that they end up in a city during the Purge...I mean, Blood Week. Which is basically the Purge, minus guns and plus swords. Simple enough. Except that Falcio is trying to protect a child whose family gets killed during this event, and everyone in town is trying to kill her. De Castell takes us on a bloody joy-ride from hideout to fight to duel and...well, all this other stuff that makes it hard to read sometimes. It hurts to see the Fey Horse be tortured, it hurts to see Falcio lose his sanity for a moment. The villains are truly hateful, which makes them more threatening, but it also makes them look more like monsters and less like actual people. And for all the speeches about hope in the book, there's little hope to be read until maybe the final 50 pages or so. And this one paragraph gives my only problem with the book. So, there. If you cant handle your torture sessions, your beatings, your curses and on-the-edge escapes...well, you should still read the book. It's got some of the coolest fights I've read in a long time.
Brasti is a fun character, though he doesn't have much page time (screen time, but on the page). He's the world's best archer, or so he says, and he has the skill to prove it. Kest is quiet and silent, but he's always fun to have around, because he looks like the kind of character who would take on a god and probably win. Gods are just bigger Saints after all. But one of my favorite parts is the relationship that Falcio develops with the girl Aline. They develop almost a father-daughter relationship in record time, which makes sense when everyone is trying to kill the both of them. The beginning of their relationship feels a little rushed, as if they became too close too quickly, but that vanishes as the novel goes on. Through all the hardship that she and Falcio go through, of course they would cling to each other. She's a fun character, and she almost acts as Falcio's conscience and/or morale trainer. She's always telling him to carry on, that they can survive Blood Week, that she can get to the Rock and say her name...she's the hope, and he's the brawn.
I also loved the sensation of figuring out that Aline was the King's daughter. For me, it happened when the nun asked the girl if she should tell Aline her father's name...which it turns out is the King Paelis. I would have an issue with the fact that she's suddenly related to someone plot-important if I'd known what kind of story this book was going to be before then. Honestly, even after that reveal, I still had no clue where the book was taking me. Was this a revenge story between Falcio and the Duchess? Between Aline and the Duke of Rijou? Just some random adventure that Falcio came across? The fact that Aline the Girl shared a name with Falcio's deceased wife was too big a coincidence for me to not think it a coincidence. Of course Falcio would risk his life for a girl whose name is the same as his wife! Because we've gotten to know him and know that the death of his wife still haunts him. So when it turns out Aline is actually pivotal to the kingdom, I don't think it's contrived, just coincidental. Some people might have an issue with this, but I didn't. After all, if the Tailor can appear Gandalf-style whenever she's needed (and apparently there's a good reason behind it too, we just never get it in full), then it's certainly likely that the one girl that Falcio happens to try and protect also happens to be the rightful heir to the throne. I didn't mind, it was a pretty neat twist that I didn't see coming and that I had fun figuring out.
The story is also fairly self-contained, which is great, but it also leaves enough threads untied to continue the tale, which I'm grateful Mr. De Castell did! I'll be getting the second Greatcoats book soon, and I'll read it the instant I hold it. It was the book I needed after all the re-reads and retreads I'd had for the past couple of months. I'm happy I picked up this book at that bookstore and I'm glad I brought it with me for the holidays.
lifeinthebookaisle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Traitor’s Blade is about Greatcoats. Greatcoats were law-enforcers who ensured that King’s Law was obeyed by everyone. (Kinda like gunslingers in The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, just with swords.) But now there is no king anymore and greatcoats are mocked and called trattari.
"We had been heroes for a little while and now we were just traitors with useless pardons, no allies and no purpose."
Narrator of Traitor’s Blade is greatcoat Falcio val Mond, and what a story it is – mix of flashbacks and his current adventures. It’s always exciting, sometimes sad, but never boring. And all spiced up with Falcio’s dry sense of humor, even when he is explaining ordinary things in life. To get this kind of snark from narrator I usually have to read urban fantasy novels.
"How they can transcribe the events of a man’s life from afar, I do not know. Some say they read the threads of fate, or they bond with a man’s mind and capture his thoughts to put down on paper. Others say they just make this shit up, since by the time anyone gets to read it the person it’s about is almost certainly dead."
And it gets even better if you are into fencing. Because Falcio has good advises from his long experience of sword-fights:
"Once you get hit with the ball from a pistol, you really only have a few seconds to get the pointy bit into someone’s mouth before you fall down and die."
If you are not lover of things with pointy ends, but still like to fight. Do not despair. There are tips for you too:
"When you’re fighting a crowd, it’s good to shout potentially threatening things like “Crossbows!” or “Fire!” or “Giant Flying Cat!” every once in a while."
But I am getting side-tracked. I almost told you The First Rule of the Sword. But I am not telling. Nope. For that you will have to read the book. ;)
Warmth and humor in Traitor’s Blade is only increased with banter of Falcio and his friends. A lot of people compare them to The Three Musketeers, but I found them more down-to-Earth. Like they are real and not just characters in a book. Their interactions reminded me of Cazio & his sword-fighting instructor z’Acatto from The Briar King by Greg Keyes (especially when they gossip about knights).
Another thing that I LOVED is Monster. I adore when a book features mythical creatures or animals with attitude and Monster had that in abundance. And again I am not telling more. My lips are sealed. Also, if I start I could not stop and would spoil half the book – so you really should appreciate my perseverance.
I think that was enough praise and fangirling. If you didn’t figure out until now, Traitor’s Blade is definitely getting a place on my Favorites shelf.
Now, what was bad? Nothing! Haha, just kidding. (Not really.) :D There are some descriptions of torture scenes and brutal behavior that might be tough to read if you are too sensitive and squeamish. Also, Falcio is so slow sometimes. I would call him stupid but I loved him as character so I am being gentle. But some facts were obvious to everyone, except to him.
In The End
Traitor’s Blade will definitely be on a list of my favorite fantasy novels in 2014. I would recommend it to old fantasy readers who like sword-fights and conspiracies and to urban fantasy fans who would like to try fantasy genre. There is enough snark and action to make Traitor’s Blade a fun summer read.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
"We had been heroes for a little while and now we were just traitors with useless pardons, no allies and no purpose."
Narrator of Traitor’s Blade is greatcoat Falcio val Mond, and what a story it is – mix of flashbacks and his current adventures. It’s always exciting, sometimes sad, but never boring. And all spiced up with Falcio’s dry sense of humor, even when he is explaining ordinary things in life. To get this kind of snark from narrator I usually have to read urban fantasy novels.
"How they can transcribe the events of a man’s life from afar, I do not know. Some say they read the threads of fate, or they bond with a man’s mind and capture his thoughts to put down on paper. Others say they just make this shit up, since by the time anyone gets to read it the person it’s about is almost certainly dead."
And it gets even better if you are into fencing. Because Falcio has good advises from his long experience of sword-fights:
"Once you get hit with the ball from a pistol, you really only have a few seconds to get the pointy bit into someone’s mouth before you fall down and die."
If you are not lover of things with pointy ends, but still like to fight. Do not despair. There are tips for you too:
"When you’re fighting a crowd, it’s good to shout potentially threatening things like “Crossbows!” or “Fire!” or “Giant Flying Cat!” every once in a while."
But I am getting side-tracked. I almost told you The First Rule of the Sword. But I am not telling. Nope. For that you will have to read the book. ;)
Warmth and humor in Traitor’s Blade is only increased with banter of Falcio and his friends. A lot of people compare them to The Three Musketeers, but I found them more down-to-Earth. Like they are real and not just characters in a book. Their interactions reminded me of Cazio & his sword-fighting instructor z’Acatto from The Briar King by Greg Keyes (especially when they gossip about knights).
Another thing that I LOVED is Monster. I adore when a book features mythical creatures or animals with attitude and Monster had that in abundance. And again I am not telling more. My lips are sealed. Also, if I start I could not stop and would spoil half the book – so you really should appreciate my perseverance.
I think that was enough praise and fangirling. If you didn’t figure out until now, Traitor’s Blade is definitely getting a place on my Favorites shelf.
Now, what was bad? Nothing! Haha, just kidding. (Not really.) :D There are some descriptions of torture scenes and brutal behavior that might be tough to read if you are too sensitive and squeamish. Also, Falcio is so slow sometimes. I would call him stupid but I loved him as character so I am being gentle. But some facts were obvious to everyone, except to him.
In The End
Traitor’s Blade will definitely be on a list of my favorite fantasy novels in 2014. I would recommend it to old fantasy readers who like sword-fights and conspiracies and to urban fantasy fans who would like to try fantasy genre. There is enough snark and action to make Traitor’s Blade a fun summer read.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
lostandfoundinbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced