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tough_cookie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Picking up where the first book left off, Alwyn Scribe finds himself with Lady Evadine Courlain, Risen Martyr, and her Covenant Company hiding out in the forest, condemned by both king and Covenant. However, the group is given a chance at redemption from King Tomas: travel to Alundia and quell the rebellion stirring there, using an abandoned, poorly fortified (and situated) castle as their base. Alwyn is quick to see the scheme behind this ruse and so makes it his mission to ensure Evadine's success.Â
However, the rebellion is only half the story (literally -- the second half of the book continues with a more intriguing plot), and as Alwyn travels into both new territory and familiar webs of political machinations, he'll have to rely on all his wit and cunning to keep himself and the people he cares about alive.
Although it held my interest, this entry in the Covenant of Steel trilogy can't compare to the first book. Surprisingly, I found the siege portion of the novel a bit boring, and it took effort for me to continue reading. The second half picked up more speed, although it failed to excite me like the first book did. However, it revealed certain details that served to enrich the plot for me; I especially enjoyed the expansion of the Caerith aspect.Â
I found the descriptions of gore to be a bit much for my stomach (and there are many), so be warned of that. That's more of a personal preference though rather than an actual writing issue, so I don't fault the author for it; if anything, he deserves praise for being so descriptive as to make me nauseous!
Possibly my greatest point of contention with this book is how it practically gave away the trilogy's ending. Although it danced around it several times, too much foreshadowing all but spelled out what the third book's climax will look like, and I'm not excited at the prospect. I could be wrong, of course, but I would be *very* surprised if that's the case. This is a well-written novel, there's no doubt of that. But, given these few but significant detractors, I'm not sure if I'll finish this trilogy.Â
However, the rebellion is only half the story (literally -- the second half of the book continues with a more intriguing plot), and as Alwyn travels into both new territory and familiar webs of political machinations, he'll have to rely on all his wit and cunning to keep himself and the people he cares about alive.
Although it held my interest, this entry in the Covenant of Steel trilogy can't compare to the first book. Surprisingly, I found the siege portion of the novel a bit boring, and it took effort for me to continue reading. The second half picked up more speed, although it failed to excite me like the first book did. However, it revealed certain details that served to enrich the plot for me; I especially enjoyed the expansion of the Caerith aspect.Â
I found the descriptions of gore to be a bit much for my stomach (and there are many), so be warned of that. That's more of a personal preference though rather than an actual writing issue, so I don't fault the author for it; if anything, he deserves praise for being so descriptive as to make me nauseous!
Possibly my greatest point of contention with this book is how it practically gave away the trilogy's ending. Although it danced around it several times, too much foreshadowing all but spelled out what the third book's climax will look like, and I'm not excited at the prospect. I could be wrong, of course, but I would be *very* surprised if that's the case. This is a well-written novel, there's no doubt of that. But, given these few but significant detractors, I'm not sure if I'll finish this trilogy.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Death, War, and Blood
chthonicgod's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction and Torture
Minor: Rape
grimdark_dad's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Drug use, War, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Grief, Rape, Confinement, Death, and Violence
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