katmarhan's review against another edition
4.0
8.25/10
This is a well-written and entertaining fantasy, book 2 in a series. The author gives us unusual magical creatures, a varied cast (royalty, monks, knights, maids, the Sefry, a composer, a windmill keeper, and the undead), intricate sword fights, wonderful world-building, and intrigue upon intrigue. Looking forward to book 3 in this series.
This is a well-written and entertaining fantasy, book 2 in a series. The author gives us unusual magical creatures, a varied cast (royalty, monks, knights, maids, the Sefry, a composer, a windmill keeper, and the undead), intricate sword fights, wonderful world-building, and intrigue upon intrigue. Looking forward to book 3 in this series.
cavalary's review against another edition
5.0
Just great! The only problem is that there are some moments when characters just happen to pop in the right place, at the right time... But I suppose that can't be avoided, there are so many stories interwoven here that explaining those events as well would make the plot have to slow to a crawl. And I'd have liked the overheard dialogues in invented languages to be translated too.
Things are moving in a direction that could bother some, but that seemed very logical and even quite desirable for me. You have a plot and definitely a deeper meaning here... But keep in mind these are not separate books, they're a single story.
Things are moving in a direction that could bother some, but that seemed very logical and even quite desirable for me. You have a plot and definitely a deeper meaning here... But keep in mind these are not separate books, they're a single story.
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
cat_queen005's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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
4.0
mikimeiko's review
3.0
Bah. It wasn't a BAD book, but I didn't get into the story at all. I don't think I'll read the other two.
lasairfiona's review against another edition
4.0
The organization of this book is different from the first book. More of the main characters interact so the chapters aren't organized by character anymore. Keyes seems to be really getting into his writting groove. This isn't high literature but it is a fun read. The story seems to stumble a bit as we try and figure out who is good and who is evil. This changing of opinions should be written with a bit more umph but the main characters coming together gives the book the cohesion it needs. I am really enjoying how the story winds together. I expect the main characters will split up very soon in the third book but that is how it needs to be.
Other than the story trying to find it's own, I think the priest's character development (ie power) is done with a bit of a heavy hand but I will take it since it was so well written in the first book. So much action. I love it.
Great second book. I am looking forward to the third (hurry up and ship amazon!).
Other than the story trying to find it's own, I think the priest's character development (ie power) is done with a bit of a heavy hand but I will take it since it was so well written in the first book. So much action. I love it.
Great second book. I am looking forward to the third (hurry up and ship amazon!).
brandonharwood's review against another edition
5.0
Not as good as the first in the series (Briar King). Keyes does kill more characters, which is pleasing; unfortunately, the book is too long and acts more as filler to get to the climax of the series.
tsilverman's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as compelling as the first one, but the adventure continues!
jlsigman's review against another edition
5.0
The pieces start to come together nicely here. You still wonder what horrors remain.
mw2k's review against another edition
4.0
More of the same really, but a few fantasy tropes are beginning to creep in to his work. Characters are beginning to do stupid things because the plot dictates they have to. And it's a cycle of "get caught, miraculously free ourselves, get caught again, oh look we're free!" That does get old.
Despite of this, the series remains compelling and Keyes' world-building is superb.
All up - entertaining material that lacks the first book's freshness.
Despite of this, the series remains compelling and Keyes' world-building is superb.
All up - entertaining material that lacks the first book's freshness.