ladyofbooks's review
2.0
My first DNF for the year. This just dragged. I had high hopes for the book but it was long, drawn out, and I just flat did not care about the characters. I'm sorry,but this series is done for me. :(
pemdas97's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rachel_from_cambridge's review
3.0
If I had started with this book I don't think I would have continued with the series given the size of each of the books. And that would of been a mistake, because they get much more exciting.
I found this enjoyable, but a bit slow, however the series overall (and the tie-in City series) is excellent.
I found this enjoyable, but a bit slow, however the series overall (and the tie-in City series) is excellent.
tearexmama's review
5.0
I reread it once a year. One of those books who's cover called to me over and over before I finally broke down and bought it.
hausofrhetorika's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
No había leído algo así antes, aunque tampoco es que haya leído mucha fantasía épica. No es lectura sencilla. Su trama es intricada, compleja, y exige bastante atención. Puede que a mucha gente le recuerde a Song of Ice and Fire. A pesar de que a veces me costó un poco entender la trama, fue gracias a les personajes que terminé por enamorarme de esta saga. Ahí es donde brilla aún más esta novela; les personajes tienen voces propias y motivaciones muy profundas.
No es para audiencias impacientes, eso sí.
No es para audiencias impacientes, eso sí.
akoyfish's review
2.0
I'm sorry. I know that there are folks who love this book series, but I'm hundred of pages in and I still have no idea what is happening. And I don't really care to find out??? I like some mystery but I need something concrete to go on here.
agathag's review
adventurous
challenging
slow-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
5.0
ruineleint's review
4.0
This book ends really strongly. For readers like me who are reading the entire Essalieyan series, this book might feel a bit jarring after Hidden City due to the total change in setting, but things definitely get better after the midway point.
This book is about the people living to the south of the Empire depicted in Hidden City. Its a very different culture, with clans and families, a strongly patriarchal system, harems etc. This can be a bit of an adjustment for readers as instead of the very overt agency exercised by women in the Empire, we see how they use more subtle measures to exert some influence, though I think its still clear that they have nowhere near the power and influence they might have had in the empire.
This book is about the one young woman as she is growing up and the terrifying political conspiracy she finds herself at the centre of. There are multiple elements here - internal political intrigue, darker storylines that relate directly to the Hidden City storyline, larger scale politics involving both the south and the empire, as well as smaller, more personal stories that are the hallmark of Michelle West's writing
Overall, this book shows how West is able to maintain and continue a gigantic plotline over multiple huge books while continuing to craft political intrigue and character dynamics with the utmost skill
This book is about the people living to the south of the Empire depicted in Hidden City. Its a very different culture, with clans and families, a strongly patriarchal system, harems etc. This can be a bit of an adjustment for readers as instead of the very overt agency exercised by women in the Empire, we see how they use more subtle measures to exert some influence, though I think its still clear that they have nowhere near the power and influence they might have had in the empire.
This book is about the one young woman as she is growing up and the terrifying political conspiracy she finds herself at the centre of. There are multiple elements here - internal political intrigue, darker storylines that relate directly to the Hidden City storyline, larger scale politics involving both the south and the empire, as well as smaller, more personal stories that are the hallmark of Michelle West's writing
Overall, this book shows how West is able to maintain and continue a gigantic plotline over multiple huge books while continuing to craft political intrigue and character dynamics with the utmost skill
sagali's review
3.0
Highly highly recommend it. This is high fantasy at its best. And if you like strong female characters (and I don't mean only the sword wielding kind), this book had them galore.
However, I found the pacing very slow and the Dominion and it's habitants hard to relate to. My problem is that I started with reading the House Wars series first 3 books which focus on Jewel Aterafin and the city of Averalaan.
While reading a Broken Crown, I am only waiting for my favourite character Jewel to appear.
However, I found the pacing very slow and the Dominion and it's habitants hard to relate to. My problem is that I started with reading the House Wars series first 3 books which focus on Jewel Aterafin and the city of Averalaan.
While reading a Broken Crown, I am only waiting for my favourite character Jewel to appear.
laurla's review
"this is not a game."
"oh, but it is. because it is war. and men of power play at war as if it were a game that requires everything they can give it."
"oh, but it is. because it is war. and men of power play at war as if it were a game that requires everything they can give it."