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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I absolutely adored this book! I loved the characters and became so entranced in the epic journey, the worlds and creatures, and the different characters. I found all of the characters to be likeable, and enjoyed the comedic aspect as well. I also really enjoyed the incorporation of the gods and their involvement in the prophecy, which was unexpected. I cannot wait for the 2nd book to come out!
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Mathias and Aaslo have grown up best friends, brothers in everything but blood. When they learn that Mathias is the subject of a prophecy that only he can save the world, he is excited to get the quest started. Naturally, Aaslo won't let him go on his own. They set out from their village to fulfill the prophecy.
Sounds like dozens of other fantasy stories, right? But what happens if the script gets flipped, and things don't go according to plan. I don't want to give away exactly what happens, but I loved this book! I need the next one in my hands right now, please!
Mathias and Aaslo have grown up best friends, brothers in everything but blood. When they learn that Mathias is the subject of a prophecy that only he can save the world, he is excited to get the quest started. Naturally, Aaslo won't let him go on his own. They set out from their village to fulfill the prophecy.
Sounds like dozens of other fantasy stories, right? But what happens if the script gets flipped, and things don't go according to plan. I don't want to give away exactly what happens, but I loved this book! I need the next one in my hands right now, please!
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
This was a fun read. The plot was a little grim, but had good forward motion. While it clearly ended with a cliff hanger, the book was complete on its own. So I don’t feel the need to have to read the next one, though the writing was good enough that I might.
I enjoyed the interplay of the gods’ perspective alternating with the mortals experience.
I enjoyed the interplay of the gods’ perspective alternating with the mortals experience.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not entirely satisfied with the level of character development. Sometimes it feels like they are 2D—hitting their places in the plot line but not quite feeling it. Yet in others, the story telling flows a little more naturally. I’m still intrigued by the overall story line, however, and the sidekick as hero—perversion of prophecy. Gotta’ love the “choose your own adventure” aspect as well.
The cover blurb for Fate of the Fallen tells you “Not all stories have happy endings.” In case you had any doubt what that signifies, Chapter 2 establishes Mathias as the only hero in millions of prophecies who has but one single hope of saving the world . . . and then Chapter 3 unceremoniously kills said hero dead.
Yeah, Kel Kade is not fooling around here.
Without saying too much more about the plot, this is a story that explores what happens after the hero dies, the prophecy fails, and the entire realm gives up hope. Seriously, those who don’t flee out of selfish desires choose to stand by and watch the world die. All that stands against the end of the world is Aaslo, an out-of-his-element forester who may be going insane, arguing with the voice of his best friend – whose disembodied head he carries with him in a burlap sack.
This is a dark, morbidly humorous story, full of equal parts pain and madness, sorrow and anger. Aaslo is the very definition of a hero, an ordinary man who accepts the burden of responsibility and stands up against impossible odds, all in honor of friendship. He is a good man, one who accumulates followers and allies wherever he goes – including a pair of hapless thieves (they were a blast), an impetuous barmaid (I’d hoped for more of her, to be honest), an idiot horse (truly memorable), and a long-suffering noble (I liked him). There’s also a woman who’s a reaper, a collector of souls, who observes the story, but that’s enough said about her.
Fate of the Fallen is one of those books that leaves you wondering what it’s all about and where it can possibly be headed. It teases so many epic fantasy tropes, and then it either denies them or subverts them. It’s not a perfect book, but it’s a fun read. I have some nagging suspicions about a hidden cheat or prophecy escape clause, but I really hope Kade won’t go there – especially after that kick-ass ending where heroism, sacrifice, and foolish choices lead to something surprisingly monstrous.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2019/10/17/book-review-fate-of-the-fallen-by-kel-kade/
Yeah, Kel Kade is not fooling around here.
Without saying too much more about the plot, this is a story that explores what happens after the hero dies, the prophecy fails, and the entire realm gives up hope. Seriously, those who don’t flee out of selfish desires choose to stand by and watch the world die. All that stands against the end of the world is Aaslo, an out-of-his-element forester who may be going insane, arguing with the voice of his best friend – whose disembodied head he carries with him in a burlap sack.
This is a dark, morbidly humorous story, full of equal parts pain and madness, sorrow and anger. Aaslo is the very definition of a hero, an ordinary man who accepts the burden of responsibility and stands up against impossible odds, all in honor of friendship. He is a good man, one who accumulates followers and allies wherever he goes – including a pair of hapless thieves (they were a blast), an impetuous barmaid (I’d hoped for more of her, to be honest), an idiot horse (truly memorable), and a long-suffering noble (I liked him). There’s also a woman who’s a reaper, a collector of souls, who observes the story, but that’s enough said about her.
Fate of the Fallen is one of those books that leaves you wondering what it’s all about and where it can possibly be headed. It teases so many epic fantasy tropes, and then it either denies them or subverts them. It’s not a perfect book, but it’s a fun read. I have some nagging suspicions about a hidden cheat or prophecy escape clause, but I really hope Kade won’t go there – especially after that kick-ass ending where heroism, sacrifice, and foolish choices lead to something surprisingly monstrous.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2019/10/17/book-review-fate-of-the-fallen-by-kel-kade/