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evione's review against another edition
3.0
Egy hangyányit bajban vagyok az értékeléssel, mert túl azon, hogy ez a könyv rendkívüli módon olvasatja magát, valami mégsem volt egészen a helyén. Egyrészt a Hangakirály legendája, plusz egyes helyszínek igazi dark fantasys körítést adtak a regénynek, amiért teljesen odáig voltam, viszont a setting többi részével már nem igazán voltam megelégedve. Az én ízlésemnek túlzottan is régivágású fantasy a Hangakirály, rendkívül unalmas udvari intrikákkal megfűszerezve. És ne értsetek félre, szeretem a jó kis politikai intrikát, de itt inkább a ki-kivel akar dugni (már elnézést a kifejezésért) van előtérben, ami engem nagyon untatott. Mint mondtam a dark fantasys vonulata a könyvnek tetszett, plusz a befejezés is érdekesre sikeredett, de nem tudom, hogy érdemes lenne-e folytatnom a következő kötettel.
ttown93's review against another edition
5.0
This book has a slow introduction, but once Greg Keyes starts with the adventures, you can't stop reading it. Absolutely lovely!
katmarhan's review against another edition
4.0
7.5/10
Criticism first: the book needs a list of characters and their roles, and either fewer words that have no meaning in English or a glossary that defines them. Yes, context gives some clues, but I like to know what it is I’m reading about.
Now the praise: interesting characters (even the minor ones), lots of twisty plot threads and subterfuge, and good maps. The book was somewhat confusing at first, with changing POVs each chapter and little sense of continuity until the reader is about a third into the book. But then things get rolling and and then story moves right along. I’m looking forward to continuing this series as so many plot threads are still dangling.
Criticism first: the book needs a list of characters and their roles, and either fewer words that have no meaning in English or a glossary that defines them. Yes, context gives some clues, but I like to know what it is I’m reading about.
Now the praise: interesting characters (even the minor ones), lots of twisty plot threads and subterfuge, and good maps. The book was somewhat confusing at first, with changing POVs each chapter and little sense of continuity until the reader is about a third into the book. But then things get rolling and and then story moves right along. I’m looking forward to continuing this series as so many plot threads are still dangling.
cavalary's review against another edition
5.0
The praise usually found on the first few pages and the back cover of a book has little to do with the book, it's just marketing, but for this one I found something I must quote: "In the end, the best recommendation I can give is that if you are sick to death of fantasy, read The Briar King. Remember why you used to love it." So true, this is pure fantasy at its best. There were moments when I was almost afraid to read on thinking it's too good and the author will have to ruin it somehow... He didn't.
The parts about the court, while it still stood, were terribly annoying, and there is still at least one character (out of the "good ones") still alive that I really wish wasn't, but that's really the only thing I can say against it. Well, besides the usual problems that come with the beginning of a story, when things take a while to get moving.
The parts about the court, while it still stood, were terribly annoying, and there is still at least one character (out of the "good ones") still alive that I really wish wasn't, but that's really the only thing I can say against it. Well, besides the usual problems that come with the beginning of a story, when things take a while to get moving.
mizdmc's review against another edition
2.0
I was surprised to find that after loving Waterborn/The Black God, I could not force my way through this one. None of the characters made me want to read their story, and the story itself was not exceptional.
tbr_the_unconquered's review against another edition
2.0
The Stage :
The Court, Jungles, Inns by the wayside, Monasteries, Crowded City Squares among others.
The Actors :
Powerful yet helpless Kings, Scheming courtiers, Warriors, Monks, Beasts of Legend, Foul Villains....the works !!!
The Plot :
Ancient Legends come to life, the dead turn in their graves and chaos slowly begins descending on a delirious world.
There !!! now did that sound clichéd or what ? There are tidbits of conversation between characters which do spark an interest but otherwise its flat and predictable a ride through the plot. All in all, it feels like an extended prologue (which it is !!) for things to come.
Not very impressed but willing to give a shot to its successors at some point in time.
The Court, Jungles, Inns by the wayside, Monasteries, Crowded City Squares among others.
The Actors :
Powerful yet helpless Kings, Scheming courtiers, Warriors, Monks, Beasts of Legend, Foul Villains....the works !!!
The Plot :
Ancient Legends come to life, the dead turn in their graves and chaos slowly begins descending on a delirious world.
There !!! now did that sound clichéd or what ? There are tidbits of conversation between characters which do spark an interest but otherwise its flat and predictable a ride through the plot. All in all, it feels like an extended prologue (which it is !!) for things to come.
Not very impressed but willing to give a shot to its successors at some point in time.
cjcurtis's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a fantasy fiction aficionado. Compared to a lot of people, I'm not even particularly well read in the genre. (Notably, I have yet to pick up George Martin, Terry Brooks, or Terry Goodkind). But I am someone who used to read fantasy regularly and eventually gave up on all but a few authors due to an ever decreasing ability to buy (figuratively or literally) what they were writing.
Greg Keyes is one of the few I kept reading. Now that I've finished book four of this series, I am relieved to say it's been worth it. The plot lines and characterizations are every bit as interesting and compelling as, say, those in Robert Jordan, but without the apparent inability to convey them in fewer than 10,000 pages. Keyes just writes a good story, time and time again.
I also recommend [book: Waterborn] and [book: Blackgod], and especially his Age of Unreason series, beginning with [book: Newton's Cannon].
Greg Keyes is one of the few I kept reading. Now that I've finished book four of this series, I am relieved to say it's been worth it. The plot lines and characterizations are every bit as interesting and compelling as, say, those in Robert Jordan, but without the apparent inability to convey them in fewer than 10,000 pages. Keyes just writes a good story, time and time again.
I also recommend [book: Waterborn] and [book: Blackgod], and especially his Age of Unreason series, beginning with [book: Newton's Cannon].
dei2dei's review against another edition
3.0
Tagging this as "fantasy" and "alternate history"... we've got loads of references to Virginia Dare (first child born in the American colonies to English parents), and Roanoke.
It took me a bit to get into - I had initially started it and put it down because I couldn't find anything compelling. Then I gave it another go in a different mindset, and was pleasantly surprised. Enough historical allusions to be fun, but clearly fantasy and an alternate setting. Some of the characters are more developed than others, some of the situations only slightly more brow-raising than others, but an enjoyable romp nonetheless.
It took me a bit to get into - I had initially started it and put it down because I couldn't find anything compelling. Then I gave it another go in a different mindset, and was pleasantly surprised. Enough historical allusions to be fun, but clearly fantasy and an alternate setting. Some of the characters are more developed than others, some of the situations only slightly more brow-raising than others, but an enjoyable romp nonetheless.
vaderbird's review against another edition
4.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
caedo06's review against another edition
4.0
A good blend of action, mystery, and adventure. The world building is heavily medieval Europe inspired, which did make me nervous at first. So often that can lead to boring cliches. And while there certainly were a number of fantasy stereotypes here (really not a single romantic relationship I cared about), the overall story didn't get bogged down in trite/over-done cliches.
At some points the book felt almost more like a prologue--it's clear Keyes had planned out where he's taking the story. But the unfolding of the plot was engaging, and the climax well executed. I look forward to seeing where things go from here.
At some points the book felt almost more like a prologue--it's clear Keyes had planned out where he's taking the story. But the unfolding of the plot was engaging, and the climax well executed. I look forward to seeing where things go from here.