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beyourbestshelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
birdjay's review
3.0
Thank you to Orbit Books for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
It took me longer than I'd like to really sink my teeth into Ashes of the Sun. It might be because it's been a bit since I've read an epic fantasy, or it might be because this book is extremely slow to start. Nothing really happens for the first third of the book -- no real insight into what the plot might be, no huge action, nothing like that. It's primarily world-building, which is fine, considering this is the first book in a trilogy. However, y'gotta give me something. Despite that, I never really considered DNFing this, I just muddled through until it got interesting. The world is what kept me reading -- Ashes of the Sun's setting is wildly unique. Set 400 years after a war, the world is broken, with vast differences in how classes live. The poor live deep underground, barely scraping an existence by, while the rich through extravagant parties without a care in the world. There's magic, science, alchemy, and all sorts of fascinating creatures.
The two main characters -- Gyre and Maya -- are brother and sister. Throughout the book, their plotlines weave in and out from each other, which was a really cool way to piece the story together. I think, overall, I liked Maya's storyline better. Maya is an apprentice of sorts, for the Twilight Order. She's close to gaining her title, at the start of the book, and she's doing everything she can to earn that privilege. She's got a more of a welcoming personality, versus her very grumpy brother who just wants to end the Twilight Order. Their relationship was interesting - I truly can't wait to see where it goes in the next books.
My biggest beef with this book is that it wasn't sure what story it wanted to tell for a long time. It's not until like...halfway through the book that the main plotline actually comes into being. Like I said earlier -- setting up for a trilogy takes a lot of work, but maybe this needed to go back to the drawing board a couple more times to really tighten it up. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, who knows. There was a lot of potential here, but a great deal of it went unused. (Though the plaguespawn and the horrors they represented were extremely cool.) You can tell the author is an enormous fan of Star Wars, and that that particular universe was...how shall we say...borrowed from quite frequently. I have nothing against that, as it was used in very cool ways.
The world and everything set up in Ashes of the Sun will definitely have me picking up the sequel, I just hope Blood of the Chosen is a little more well-rounded.
kim_reads87's review
3.0
wamboldt_t's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
wickedgrumpy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
spooky_steven's review
4.0
midwichtriffid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
talia012's review
4.0