jbragg6625's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kellsway's review
4.0
Actual Ratings: 4.75
I didn't think that this book could outdo it's predecessor. Oh but by the Black Freaking Gate it did. I just can't with the sheer Epic Awesomeness that is this series. The world, the characters, the magic oh dammit it's bloody perfection.
I'm racing onto book three without any delay as I must have more, more, more "miniacal laughter* Wait why am I wasting time rabbling when I should be reading. See you in a book beat.
Read this Series!!!! It's freaking awesome 😘😘😘😘😘
I didn't think that this book could outdo it's predecessor. Oh but by the Black Freaking Gate it did. I just can't with the sheer Epic Awesomeness that is this series. The world, the characters, the magic oh dammit it's bloody perfection.
I'm racing onto book three without any delay as I must have more, more, more "miniacal laughter* Wait why am I wasting time rabbling when I should be reading. See you in a book beat.
Read this Series!!!! It's freaking awesome 😘😘😘😘😘
lanko's review against another edition
5.0
Surprisingly great.
The first book had a more low-fantasy setting, with magic only present at the very beginning and near the very end (and more subtly in Tharok's POV) but now the fantastical really steps up here.
Starkadr, the Hold, Agerastos, Tharok's journey... all presented some fantastic things but never forgetting to still make things matter to characters.
Ascension, Starkadr, demons and the whole thing going on behind it all seems something orchestrated by Sanderson in steroids. Really good present story and backstory, ramifications on everything and on everyone.
Characters developed further as well. Tharok remained my favorite and Audsley rose immensely as my second, after a very shaky start in the first book.
Asho actually developed some humor, who would have thought. He's also in some serious trouble and the potential plot path for him that I kinda of wanted to at least see him thinking about when he gained powers showed its head here. I wonder if he'll do it.
Kethe here is pretty fatalist. I kinda of wished more than that from her, but she did make a great team with Asho.
Now a little rant. The problem with both of them, however, is that the answer to their problems pretty much lies with gaining/using more magical power and that they are... overpowered.
Asho was portrayed as frail, a coward and racially disdained. Kethe was a young woman set in becoming a knight, a field dominated by men. She even forges her own armor to her specific needs and limitations.
Both interesting plotlines, but all those challenges and obstacles are simply set aside when you simply have the power to fight whole armies, not even human armies, but demonic hordes ranging from thirteen feet six-legged monstrosities to demon dragons and archdemons.
Some people like this super powerful magic and one-two characters standing against thousands of ogres, demons, giants and etc (like Vin in Mistborn or in Japanese animations) but for me those rarely work in books.
Worst, the consequences and limitations of magic don't seem to matter either. Asho is obviously not gonna kill Kethe or "snuff out" in chapter twenty or thirty something fighting unimportant, nameless enemies. Kethe also won't die in those random battles and obviously won't fail the test that everyone says it's fatal as well. It's interesting that will put her at odds with people dear to her, though.
The reminders of such perils in the usage of their powers happen often and become kinda of grating specially when 1)you're sure nothing will really happen and 2)it's confirmed indeed when even though characters faint or cough blood and etc from their powers, a few days later they appear fine and channel even greater power against even greater odds. Yes, Kethe really needs to go to Aletheia, but everyone knows she not only she will get there but will pass the trial.
If this was written by or very similarly in style to GRRM or Abercrombie, both having no problems killing or crippling characters unexpectedly and without remorse, then I would fear for those characters, but at least in these two volumes, nothing of the sort prompted me to do so (though to be fair, the authors does pull such a moment, but with another character).
Anyway, moving to the other four characters:
Ser Tiron and Iskra go to Agerastos (with Tiron stopping at Starkadr first) and their chapters were really good. Their warmth for each other felt natural and relatable. They're the "mature" characters of the cast, without special powers and with far more limitations than the others, so I guess that does make their achievements or struggles more fascinating.
Tharok remained my favorite POV. His chapters gained even more fantastical lore and surprises. I have great expectations for his new "ally". When this guy finally unleashes his fury on the world, I want to be there to see it. And apparently it's coming very soon.
Finally, Audsley. In the first book I really didn't like his POV. In this one, though, If it wasn't for Tharok, Audsley would clearly steal the entire show. Or does it, if you didn't like Tharok that much.
His scholar character type finally shines. He makes excellent insights and discoveries, both about the past and the present, gives us most of the excellent backstory and becomes really important with his discoveries.
His quirks that annoyed me in the first book here became fascinating and I grew fond of the character.
He now has to face challenges, make hard choices, and you feel the character growing and a lot of possibilities opening for him.
It even felt bad when the relationship between him and his cat soured (for actually quite some dark reasons).
Starkadr, a place, does deserve special mention. A fantastic, creepy place. It's pretty much a character in itself and I could write paragraphs and paragraphs about the place. I just can't wait to see what they'll do with it.
We also get glimpses of Aletheia and visit Agerastos. Regarding Agerastos, I have to say that while for the two characters there it helped to develop them, the plot in itself (gain their support) was concluded with unbelievable speed. And we don't even get to see the terms and the proper negotiation.
Worse, there's the death of someone dear to the powers-that-be of Agerastos and... apparently it didn't really matter (or maybe it will later) but the astounding speed in which this arc concluded was quite noticeable.
Overall, this was hard to put down and I really loved all the interconnections between the lore and the different characters. The author clearly thought a lot about it and really does clever things with those interconnections.
The first book had a more low-fantasy setting, with magic only present at the very beginning and near the very end (and more subtly in Tharok's POV) but now the fantastical really steps up here.
Starkadr, the Hold, Agerastos, Tharok's journey... all presented some fantastic things but never forgetting to still make things matter to characters.
Ascension, Starkadr, demons and the whole thing going on behind it all seems something orchestrated by Sanderson in steroids. Really good present story and backstory, ramifications on everything and on everyone.
Characters developed further as well. Tharok remained my favorite and Audsley rose immensely as my second, after a very shaky start in the first book.
Asho actually developed some humor, who would have thought. He's also in some serious trouble and the potential plot path for him that I kinda of wanted to at least see him thinking about when he gained powers showed its head here. I wonder if he'll do it.
Kethe here is pretty fatalist. I kinda of wished more than that from her, but she did make a great team with Asho.
Now a little rant. The problem with both of them, however, is that the answer to their problems pretty much lies with gaining/using more magical power and that they are... overpowered.
Asho was portrayed as frail, a coward and racially disdained. Kethe was a young woman set in becoming a knight, a field dominated by men. She even forges her own armor to her specific needs and limitations.
Both interesting plotlines, but all those challenges and obstacles are simply set aside when you simply have the power to fight whole armies, not even human armies, but demonic hordes ranging from thirteen feet six-legged monstrosities to demon dragons and archdemons.
Some people like this super powerful magic and one-two characters standing against thousands of ogres, demons, giants and etc (like Vin in Mistborn or in Japanese animations) but for me those rarely work in books.
Worst, the consequences and limitations of magic don't seem to matter either. Asho is obviously not gonna kill Kethe or "snuff out" in chapter twenty or thirty something fighting unimportant, nameless enemies. Kethe also won't die in those random battles and obviously won't fail the test that everyone says it's fatal as well. It's interesting that will put her at odds with people dear to her, though.
The reminders of such perils in the usage of their powers happen often and become kinda of grating specially when 1)you're sure nothing will really happen and 2)it's confirmed indeed when even though characters faint or cough blood and etc from their powers, a few days later they appear fine and channel even greater power against even greater odds. Yes, Kethe really needs to go to Aletheia, but everyone knows she not only she will get there but will pass the trial.
If this was written by or very similarly in style to GRRM or Abercrombie, both having no problems killing or crippling characters unexpectedly and without remorse, then I would fear for those characters, but at least in these two volumes, nothing of the sort prompted me to do so (though to be fair, the authors does pull such a moment, but with another character).
Anyway, moving to the other four characters:
Ser Tiron and Iskra go to Agerastos (with Tiron stopping at Starkadr first) and their chapters were really good. Their warmth for each other felt natural and relatable. They're the "mature" characters of the cast, without special powers and with far more limitations than the others, so I guess that does make their achievements or struggles more fascinating.
Tharok remained my favorite POV. His chapters gained even more fantastical lore and surprises. I have great expectations for his new "ally". When this guy finally unleashes his fury on the world, I want to be there to see it. And apparently it's coming very soon.
Finally, Audsley. In the first book I really didn't like his POV. In this one, though, If it wasn't for Tharok, Audsley would clearly steal the entire show. Or does it, if you didn't like Tharok that much.
His scholar character type finally shines. He makes excellent insights and discoveries, both about the past and the present, gives us most of the excellent backstory and becomes really important with his discoveries.
His quirks that annoyed me in the first book here became fascinating and I grew fond of the character.
He now has to face challenges, make hard choices, and you feel the character growing and a lot of possibilities opening for him.
It even felt bad when the relationship between him and his cat soured (for actually quite some dark reasons).
Starkadr, a place, does deserve special mention. A fantastic, creepy place. It's pretty much a character in itself and I could write paragraphs and paragraphs about the place. I just can't wait to see what they'll do with it.
We also get glimpses of Aletheia and visit Agerastos. Regarding Agerastos, I have to say that while for the two characters there it helped to develop them, the plot in itself (gain their support) was concluded with unbelievable speed. And we don't even get to see the terms and the proper negotiation.
Worse, there's the death of someone dear to the powers-that-be of Agerastos and... apparently it didn't really matter (or maybe it will later) but the astounding speed in which this arc concluded was quite noticeable.
Overall, this was hard to put down and I really loved all the interconnections between the lore and the different characters. The author clearly thought a lot about it and really does clever things with those interconnections.
annasirius's review against another edition
4.0
Well written fantasy soap opera. You could not see the meta plot in the first book, yet it shapes up more here.
angrywombat's review
4.0
part 2
Great continuation.
Character are still interesting - especially Audesly the magister - hes becoming more interesting as time goes on! Asho and Kethe are still good, and finally are leaning into their powers. Plus we get to see some more of the world and the worldbuilding improves!
Great continuation.
Character are still interesting - especially Audesly the magister - hes becoming more interesting as time goes on! Asho and Kethe are still good, and finally are leaning into their powers. Plus we get to see some more of the world and the worldbuilding improves!
barb4ry1's review against another edition
4.0
I've enjoyed Path of Flames a lot, so once I've finished it I bought second book and plunged myself into Tucker's world once again. Overall I was impressed with the book. I've enjoyed the writing, twists, Audsley, Tiron, Tharok, Iskra development. On the other hand I felt tired by Asho and Kethe POV's chapters that felt too much like YA novella. I have nothing against YA and I know they're young and still need to discovea a lot about the world and themselves but I can't help but say that I just couldn't engage myself in the world seen through their eyes.
It's a solid book. Today I started reading third one and I hope it'll be just a little better than Black SHriving.
It's a solid book. Today I started reading third one and I hope it'll be just a little better than Black SHriving.
annarien's review
5.0
Book 2 in the series is every bit as good as book 1, carrying the same fantastic pace and relentless action. At some point, during the last 100 pages, I was staring at the book and thinking "Holy shit, is the author killing them ALL?" Great suspense, high stakes, the story gets ever more complex, together with the world it is spun in. I'm very pleasantly surprised by some of the choices made for certain characters and I'll be damned if I don't root even for this world's Karsa Orlong(and that guy is my favorite Malazan character to hate).
vivekkodira's review
4.0
I liked this book better than the first. Rather than Asho, I found myself rooting for Audsley. Weyland finally does something other than what you expect "knightly" characters in books to do.
Seriously, it felt good to see characters like Wyland and Brocuff, who until then had been so stereotypical, abandon everyone. Until then, these characters had been very two-dimensional - just necessary for the growth of principal characters like Asho and Kethe.
Though the story didn't progress much - I didn't mind. The writing felt crisper, the characters were less angsty. There was still too much explaining of feelings for the benefit of the reader.
The magic system is revealed in greater detail. And more of the murky history of the world is understood. There is one chapter devoted to politics and it was well done: particularly enjoyed Tiron and Iskara's perspectives of the same event and her explaining the underlying political currents to Tiron.
Looking forward to the next books. Recommended.
Spoiler
Seriously, it felt good to see characters like Wyland and Brocuff, who until then had been so stereotypical, abandon everyone. Until then, these characters had been very two-dimensional - just necessary for the growth of principal characters like Asho and Kethe.
Though the story didn't progress much - I didn't mind. The writing felt crisper, the characters were less angsty. There was still too much explaining of feelings for the benefit of the reader.
The magic system is revealed in greater detail. And more of the murky history of the world is understood. There is one chapter devoted to politics and it was well done: particularly enjoyed Tiron and Iskara's perspectives of the same event and her explaining the underlying political currents to Tiron.
Looking forward to the next books. Recommended.
hotpinkmess's review
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0