siddharthageorge's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mousie_books's review against another edition
3.0
Lysaer rouses his warhost against the fixed target of Alestron. Prescient knowledge of the cost of the siege causes Arithon to withdrawn his support and the Fellowship to entreat the s'Brydion to abandon their ancestral home. Bransian s'Brydion refuses, and instead, seeks to entangle Arithon in the war against his will.
I love the intricacy of the characters and the story threads of the series, and oddly, I enjoy these books more in retrospect, after finishing a book and pondering it, than while reading it. It's one of the more unique fantasy series. However, as a product of Arithon's pacifistic stance, the plots have been relying increasingly on Athera's mysteries. I respect his views and their necessity, but I've never really understood what is possible or permissible in the magic system of this world. When the characters are in the midst of daring or disrespectful acts, I'm just accepting it as part of the narration, but I don't really feel the drama. I enjoyed it in the past books where the story revolved around Arithon's cleverness or the tragedy of his fate. The writing is beautiful but slow. I definitely will be picking up the next book, but I need a breather first.
I love the intricacy of the characters and the story threads of the series, and oddly, I enjoy these books more in retrospect, after finishing a book and pondering it, than while reading it. It's one of the more unique fantasy series. However, as a product of Arithon's pacifistic stance, the plots have been relying increasingly on Athera's mysteries. I respect his views and their necessity, but I've never really understood what is possible or permissible in the magic system of this world. When the characters are in the midst of daring or disrespectful acts, I'm just accepting it as part of the narration, but I don't really feel the drama. I enjoyed it in the past books where the story revolved around Arithon's cleverness or the tragedy of his fate.
Spoiler
I have no idea why the Fellowship wants Glendien's pregnancy to be a secret. Obviously, Arithon will find it devastating, but I would imagine when he finds out later, he'll be even more... upset... not to mention, betrayed.majkia's review against another edition
5.0
This book represents all the things I love about reading a series as opposed to individual works. Change, based on learning, experience and exposure to events, the world deepening and revealing before unknown depths, the characters having to survive mistakes and the vagaries of plans gone awry because of things not understood or known, or simply because neither people nor plans are perfect.
Wonderful ending to this arc. Looking forward to finding out where in the universe the rest of the series goes I have no idea! And that’s brilliant.
Wonderful ending to this arc. Looking forward to finding out where in the universe the rest of the series goes I have no idea! And that’s brilliant.
katmarhan's review against another edition
5.0
The Alliance of Light arc in the War of Light and Shadow comes to a close in Stormed Fortress. The author clearly knows and loves her characters, with their strengths & their flaws--all the qualities that make each of them uniquely themselves. There is not a cardboard character in the bunch! The "secondary" characters develop with as much depth as the main characters, and each plays a critical role.
Many questions are answered and the story takes many unexpected twists and turns on its way to those answers. Yet searing questions remain.
At times, the complexity of the multi-layered story overwhelms my mind as the chord of the Paravian-wrought stones as Alestron or the star-song of Alithiel when drawn from its sheath.
Much to ponder as I await the final three books in this series.
Many questions are answered and the story takes many unexpected twists and turns on its way to those answers. Yet searing questions remain.
At times, the complexity of the multi-layered story overwhelms my mind as the chord of the Paravian-wrought stones as Alestron or the star-song of Alithiel when drawn from its sheath.
Much to ponder as I await the final three books in this series.
hypatian's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
shravank1996's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
varmint3's review
5.0
Lovely ending to the arc - wraps up so many secondary story lines (many in surprising ways), yet leaves me hungry for the finale! And beautiful writing...
chicagodave's review
5.0
Having read all of Janny's books, it's easy to come into a new one with very high expectations. The amazing thing about those expectations is that they are met every single time.
Stormed Fortress actually exceeds all expectations and it's clear that Janny is getting deeper into this epic tale and hitting her stride as a superior writer.
There are several critical revelations in this book as well as one scene that reveals a hope long sought after in the previous books.
The Wars of Light and Shadow is a very long series and the prose has always been dense and lyrical. Like the rest of the series, this book will not be read in a single sitting or even in two or three. But you don't want to rush through it because it's just that good. I actually read it and then immediately re-read it.
This is the end of the central arc and many loose ends are tied up. It remains, to me, one of the finest examples of epic fantasy anyone has ever written.
A few notes to add. This particular book will provide a view of friendship only a few other books have shown, namely the care of Samwise Gamgee for Frodo Baggins. The friendship of Lysaer and Sulfin Evand is extraordinary as is the friendship shown by Feylind and Arithon.
There is also a dragon, but unlike any dragon you've ever read about.
Stormed Fortress actually exceeds all expectations and it's clear that Janny is getting deeper into this epic tale and hitting her stride as a superior writer.
There are several critical revelations in this book as well as one scene that reveals a hope long sought after in the previous books.
The Wars of Light and Shadow is a very long series and the prose has always been dense and lyrical. Like the rest of the series, this book will not be read in a single sitting or even in two or three. But you don't want to rush through it because it's just that good. I actually read it and then immediately re-read it.
This is the end of the central arc and many loose ends are tied up. It remains, to me, one of the finest examples of epic fantasy anyone has ever written.
A few notes to add. This particular book will provide a view of friendship only a few other books have shown, namely the care of Samwise Gamgee for Frodo Baggins. The friendship of Lysaer and Sulfin Evand is extraordinary as is the friendship shown by Feylind and Arithon.
There is also a dragon, but unlike any dragon you've ever read about.
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