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drawde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
lvl52_grant's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
It felt less like a sequel. The story is a parallel one to the first book, but it made more sense to read it after the first instead of a tandem read. It gives more depth and answers questions the first left unanswered, and gives the city of Kithamar more character. Instead of focusing on a criminal underworld, it focuses on traders and nobility and young love. The two main characters tugged at my heart and showcased a story of finding yourself as you grow up. It's an excellent sequel and I'm mad that I need to wait for the third to be finished!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
yevolem's review against another edition
5.0
Blade of Dreams was far better than Age of Ash, which I enjoyed as well. Its style comes close to what I believe to be the ideal sort of low fantasy. There wasn't anything still present that bothered me from the previous book, so I had no reason to give this any less than my highest rating. Each book I've read from Abraham has only further cemented his status as one of my favorite authors. He's near the top of the most consistently enjoyable authors I've read and possibly has written the most series that I've highly rated.
Age of Ash began with Harvest while Blade of Dream began with the preceding time of Midsummer, which provided what happened before the first book. Although this second book takes place simultaneously with the first book from Harvest onwards the events depicted are almost entirely different. That's to be expected as none of the viewpoint characters from the first book return as one here. Some of the characters who aren't viewpoints this time appear again, but mostly only in the background and they're often left unnamed. I expect that this layering effect will continue in the third book.
The primary viewpoints are Garreth Left, the eldest son of a major trading house, and Elaine a Sal, the heir to the throne, which makes the story take on a significantly more romantic bent when compared to the first. Minor viewpoints include Divol Senit, a captain in the city guard; Lemel Tarrit, the head chef for the royal family; Finar, a bargeman for the Left family, Vasch, Garreth's younger brother, and two that can't be named without spoiling. Not only viewpoint characters matter though as some of the best characters with the most impactful scenes that provide for the most thoughtful consideration are those whom seemingly have the least agency of their own.
The prevalent theme, which each character explored in their own way, was identity and expectations. How much do the expectations of forces outside of ourselves determine who we are? Is the cost of self-determination worthwhile? Are mutually beneficial compromises between the self and society the best possible outcome? There's a particularly well-written passage near the end that lays out an approach to navigating life through knowing which compromises are necessary to have a satisfying though not ideal life. How one ought to live and how that affects others may require painful consideration, though those who don't at all may be ones causing the most pain to themselves and others.
I had some doubts about whether Abraham could tell the same overall story three times, but all of those doubts have been dispelled. A change in perspective can make all the difference. I eagerly await the third book, which assumedly will come out sometime in 2024. This second book will be released on July 18th, 2023.
I received this DRC from Orbit through NetGalley.
Age of Ash began with Harvest while Blade of Dream began with the preceding time of Midsummer, which provided what happened before the first book. Although this second book takes place simultaneously with the first book from Harvest onwards the events depicted are almost entirely different. That's to be expected as none of the viewpoint characters from the first book return as one here. Some of the characters who aren't viewpoints this time appear again, but mostly only in the background and they're often left unnamed. I expect that this layering effect will continue in the third book.
The primary viewpoints are Garreth Left, the eldest son of a major trading house, and Elaine a Sal, the heir to the throne, which makes the story take on a significantly more romantic bent when compared to the first. Minor viewpoints include Divol Senit, a captain in the city guard; Lemel Tarrit, the head chef for the royal family; Finar, a bargeman for the Left family, Vasch, Garreth's younger brother, and two that can't be named without spoiling. Not only viewpoint characters matter though as some of the best characters with the most impactful scenes that provide for the most thoughtful consideration are those whom seemingly have the least agency of their own.
The prevalent theme, which each character explored in their own way, was identity and expectations. How much do the expectations of forces outside of ourselves determine who we are? Is the cost of self-determination worthwhile? Are mutually beneficial compromises between the self and society the best possible outcome? There's a particularly well-written passage near the end that lays out an approach to navigating life through knowing which compromises are necessary to have a satisfying though not ideal life. How one ought to live and how that affects others may require painful consideration, though those who don't at all may be ones causing the most pain to themselves and others.
I had some doubts about whether Abraham could tell the same overall story three times, but all of those doubts have been dispelled. A change in perspective can make all the difference. I eagerly await the third book, which assumedly will come out sometime in 2024. This second book will be released on July 18th, 2023.
I received this DRC from Orbit through NetGalley.
echristian3's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Daniel Abraham, Orbit, and Netgalley for giving me an eARC of Blade of Dream in exchange for an honest review.
This book surprised me. The concept of the Kithamar series is so unique, with each book taking place over the course of the same year. However, each book follows a different set of characters over the course of the same year. In order to get the full picture of what happened during that year and to get the answers to all your questions you have to read the entire series. Yet, it does not feel like you are reading the same story. I was able to predict some events because I have read Age of Ash, however much of what happened was new to me.
Personally, I enjoyed Blade of Dreams so much more than Age of Ash. The story as a whole had a different feel to it. While Age of Ash was more plot driven, Blade of Dreams was more character driven, something I greatly prefer in stories. If you did not love Age of Ash, I would highly recommend giving Blade of Dreams a try because it was great. Just be warned that this book is a slower read during the first half, however the second half is one that you will fly through if you are willing to stick with it.
This book surprised me. The concept of the Kithamar series is so unique, with each book taking place over the course of the same year. However, each book follows a different set of characters over the course of the same year. In order to get the full picture of what happened during that year and to get the answers to all your questions you have to read the entire series. Yet, it does not feel like you are reading the same story. I was able to predict some events because I have read Age of Ash, however much of what happened was new to me.
Personally, I enjoyed Blade of Dreams so much more than Age of Ash. The story as a whole had a different feel to it. While Age of Ash was more plot driven, Blade of Dreams was more character driven, something I greatly prefer in stories. If you did not love Age of Ash, I would highly recommend giving Blade of Dreams a try because it was great. Just be warned that this book is a slower read during the first half, however the second half is one that you will fly through if you are willing to stick with it.
led's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vitiumthevampire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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? No
4.25
sakeriver's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really like what Daniel is doing by telling the same story through different viewpoints, but instead of different individual POVs, using class as the distinction. And particularly how that subverts or works across genre norms, since the series moves from underclass to middle class to, presumably, elites in the finale. Really interested to see how this series ends.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
nickg530's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-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
4.25
brodego's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0