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dozylocal's review
4.0
4.5 stars
Oh I loved the way this ended! Go, Tanis!
This series is coming into its own now. The foundations have been laid and now the characters can come into their own. It is a complex story so you do need to pay attention, but there are some wonderful personalities. Looking forward to the next one!
Oh I loved the way this ended! Go, Tanis!
This series is coming into its own now. The foundations have been laid and now the characters can come into their own. It is a complex story so you do need to pay attention, but there are some wonderful personalities. Looking forward to the next one!
bloomis427's review
4.0
This is not the most inventive or creative fantasy, and its definitely not literary. The story is also very compelling, but I feel like the author could share some more knowledge ahead of time, so the reveals... are well revealing. The majority of the ones we do have the relevant knowledge ahead of time, end up being fairly predictable. This is more a reflection on the series as a whole thus far and less about this individual book.
However, Tanis's arc is perfect (including the reveals) and Tanis (and another character important to his arc) are quickly becoming some of my all time favorite characters. Up there with Nynaeve from WOT, Arya from ASOIAF, and Misake from Sword of Kaigen. And a host of Malazan characters. They are perfect.
However, Tanis's arc is perfect (including the reveals) and Tanis (and another character important to his arc) are quickly becoming some of my all time favorite characters. Up there with Nynaeve from WOT, Arya from ASOIAF, and Misake from Sword of Kaigen. And a host of Malazan characters. They are perfect.
sarahthuotte's review
5.0
This series is above and beyond. All the paths intersect somewhere and I can't gush about this series enough. It is a work of art.
max_booth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ablotial's review
5.0
Definitely the best book in the series (so far at least), although I was worried in the first few hours of listening because suddenly a bunch of new characters were introduced that I didn't care about (yet) and their stories didn't seem to fit in with the rest. I wanted to get back to Ian, and Tannis, and and and...
But this book had many twists and turns, and not so predictable. Still had a lot of the same editing annoyances as the previous two, but I guess I'm getting used to it because it bothered me less (though I still noticed). And the characters from the beginning did eventually become useful and interesting, it just took a while. But once it got going, it really god going! I wish I had more time in the day to devote to continuing my progress through this book.
Even my two year old got addicted to this one. I listened to it in the car during our commute (yes, I know there are some not-appropriate-for-kids scenes in this one, but I promise that he doesn't understand yet). But any time it wasn't on he would yell at me "I want talking mommy!" until I turned the audiobook back on. One day my phone battery was dead and I tried to replace it with talk radio, but he would not have it. "no, other talking mommy! phone talking!" I fear what will happen when the series is over and I change narrators!
Ian (Ean?!) pisses me off though. He's really bad at thinking about things from other people's perspective, let's his own rash feelings get in the way of things. Doesn't let people explain their motivations. Drives me nuts. Actually I guess they are all kind of like that to some extent - it fuels a lot of the conflicts and misunderstandings that move the book forward. But it's annoying... if people just told their thoughts in the first place, or let others explain ... *sigh*
I immediately started book 4 upon finishing this one.
But this book had many twists and turns, and not so predictable. Still had a lot of the same editing annoyances as the previous two, but I guess I'm getting used to it because it bothered me less (though I still noticed). And the characters from the beginning did eventually become useful and interesting, it just took a while. But once it got going, it really god going! I wish I had more time in the day to devote to continuing my progress through this book.
Even my two year old got addicted to this one. I listened to it in the car during our commute (yes, I know there are some not-appropriate-for-kids scenes in this one, but I promise that he doesn't understand yet). But any time it wasn't on he would yell at me "I want talking mommy!" until I turned the audiobook back on. One day my phone battery was dead and I tried to replace it with talk radio, but he would not have it. "no, other talking mommy! phone talking!" I fear what will happen when the series is over and I change narrators!
Ian (Ean?!) pisses me off though. He's really bad at thinking about things from other people's perspective, let's his own rash feelings get in the way of things. Doesn't let people explain their motivations. Drives me nuts. Actually I guess they are all kind of like that to some extent - it fuels a lot of the conflicts and misunderstandings that move the book forward. But it's annoying... if people just told their thoughts in the first place, or let others explain ... *sigh*
I immediately started book 4 upon finishing this one.
webby's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anthonybfair's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
gregg's review
3.0
The romance levels went way up in this one. I don't really like to read romance so some of this got a little much for me. The characters are progressing in some ways while maintaining what makes you like them from the start of the series. Tanis and Pelas and their relationship is one that is sort of odd really to me. Then he meets Nadia and that's another couple that seems to instantly form. Tanis is one of the most interesting but bewildering characters so far. Ean's love fro Isabelle is one of the ones that really takes this in that romance overload direction along with Trell and Alyneri.
Learning more about Patterning and how the power system works is interesting. They don't have unlimited power and if they use to much power they will have to deal with the consequences. This is a rather complex system that will be hopefully explored more going forward. This is my second read of this one and somethings I still loved to read while somethings I couldn't wait to get through. This is a series that is keeping me entertained and engaged though. The best books for me are the ones where I wish I could live in that world and this is world she has created is one I want to visit again.
Learning more about Patterning and how the power system works is interesting. They don't have unlimited power and if they use to much power they will have to deal with the consequences. This is a rather complex system that will be hopefully explored more going forward. This is my second read of this one and somethings I still loved to read while somethings I couldn't wait to get through. This is a series that is keeping me entertained and engaged though. The best books for me are the ones where I wish I could live in that world and this is world she has created is one I want to visit again.
rickard's review
2.0
tl;dr? I'll save you the hassle: Everyone gets raped.
I mean, come on. What does "Fantasy" mean to you? In my fantasies there is wonder and delight. Apparently in Ms. McPhail's fantasies everyone gets raped. And sure, you can't have resolution without some conflict before it, but damn, way to use a sledge hammer instead of some delicate chisel work. Can we stop this trend now, please? Or at least file this under "torture porn" so I know better.
Oh, and here's a tip: Book 4 starts with a "where we left off" just like the others, so if you skip this one you'll be missing some context, but maybe that's a better option than trying to get through this novel.
I mean, come on. What does "Fantasy" mean to you? In my fantasies there is wonder and delight. Apparently in Ms. McPhail's fantasies everyone gets raped. And sure, you can't have resolution without some conflict before it, but damn, way to use a sledge hammer instead of some delicate chisel work. Can we stop this trend now, please? Or at least file this under "torture porn" so I know better.
Oh, and here's a tip: Book 4 starts with a "where we left off" just like the others, so if you skip this one you'll be missing some context, but maybe that's a better option than trying to get through this novel.
ancabsgod's review
3.0
I really don't understand the glowing reviews for this book, it was overlong, badly paced, and the series is still highly derivative. honestly, I feel like I'm being generous at 3 stars.
Every main character has ALL the powers, the twists are extremely predictable (I saw Tanis' parentage coming last book), the magic system is very vague and that is used to keep adding deus ex machina powers and abilities to get characters out of trouble.
Further, the main characters all have +5 Plot Armor, which removes any tension from their conflicts.
Every character falls in love after 30 seconds, and then never shuts up about it...it's ridiculous.
The worst offender is Alyneri, who has now been ~~~OMG in love~~~ with two main characters, and who exists for no other reason than to wait for/pine after/worry over the male leads, or to be captured so one of them can rescue her. I honestly started skipping/skimming her sections in this book, and as far as I can tell I missed nothing of consequence.
Not sure if I'll be getting the next book.
Every main character has ALL the powers, the twists are extremely predictable (I saw Tanis' parentage coming last book), the magic system is very vague and that is used to keep adding deus ex machina powers and abilities to get characters out of trouble.
Further, the main characters all have +5 Plot Armor, which removes any tension from their conflicts.
Every character falls in love after 30 seconds, and then never shuts up about it...it's ridiculous.
The worst offender is Alyneri, who has now been ~~~OMG in love~~~ with two main characters, and who exists for no other reason than to wait for/pine after/worry over the male leads, or to be captured so one of them can rescue her. I honestly started skipping/skimming her sections in this book, and as far as I can tell I missed nothing of consequence.
Not sure if I'll be getting the next book.