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max_booth's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
dozylocal's review
5.0
THIS IS NOT THE LAST BOOK
It is the last AVAILABLE book. The series isn't finished.
I'm not so sure how I feel about this turn of affairs...
Regarding the book itself, I really enjoyed it. The characters are really evolving and so is "the world" in which they operate. There are surprises around every corner and it feels like things are building up to an unexpected reveal.
It is the last AVAILABLE book. The series isn't finished.
I'm not so sure how I feel about this turn of affairs...
Regarding the book itself, I really enjoyed it. The characters are really evolving and so is "the world" in which they operate. There are surprises around every corner and it feels like things are building up to an unexpected reveal.
bloomis427's review
4.0
VERY LIGHT spoilers ahead- nothing concrete, just refers to something in the abstract that hints at a spoiler):
All that I talked about in my review of Paths of Alir still holds true, reveals don't always feel that revealing as there wasn't prior knowledge shared or much build up.
My biggest critique though is that the story, like the significant majority of epic fantasy, feels stretched thin and as if it's trying to do too much. This could be a personal preference, but while I truly love epic fantasy with hosts of characters, perspectives, cultures, etc., I strongly prefer series that start off epic and on a wide scale and then slowly bring the threads together over the course of the whole series. I don't really prefer new story threads and new main characters in the 4th or 5th book of a series (and definitely don't want new magic systems, worlds, and the apparent main villain introduced).
That said, while I kinda resent a new "villian" being introduced (though it seems much more complicated than that), the related characters development for some of the relevant other characters to this development (which happened over the course of the series) was delightfully unexpected and definitely not common in fantasy.
I'm saddened by the author's passing and, while it looks like more work will be published, I worry that it won't be as developed as her prior work or, even more saddening, that the series won't actually be wrapped up (as I don't think she had finished writing even drafts of the WHOLE series).
All that I talked about in my review of Paths of Alir still holds true, reveals don't always feel that revealing as there wasn't prior knowledge shared or much build up.
My biggest critique though is that the story, like the significant majority of epic fantasy, feels stretched thin and as if it's trying to do too much. This could be a personal preference, but while I truly love epic fantasy with hosts of characters, perspectives, cultures, etc., I strongly prefer series that start off epic and on a wide scale and then slowly bring the threads together over the course of the whole series. I don't really prefer new story threads and new main characters in the 4th or 5th book of a series (and definitely don't want new magic systems, worlds, and the apparent main villain introduced).
That said, while I kinda resent a new "villian" being introduced (though it seems much more complicated than that), the related characters development for some of the relevant other characters to this development (which happened over the course of the series) was delightfully unexpected and definitely not common in fantasy.
I'm saddened by the author's passing and, while it looks like more work will be published, I worry that it won't be as developed as her prior work or, even more saddening, that the series won't actually be wrapped up (as I don't think she had finished writing even drafts of the WHOLE series).
sarahthuotte's review
5.0
This is such a sprawling, amazing series and I can't wait for the next book!
portialamotte's review
5.0
I honestly don't know if i can adequately express how much I adore this series. It has everything you could possibly want: beautiful world building, rich characters that come to life right off the page, romance (such a bonus for me) etc etc. I've been devouring these books one after another and I am so attached to these characters. This installment exceeded my expectations and waiting for the next is going to be painful. McPhail is a genius, and you should read these books. That is all.
dovijoel's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
webby's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
gregg's review
3.0
The pattern of this story continues to be entertaining. The depth, complexity and actions of the characters grow with each book. Nothing really major happened this book but can't say that the things were minor in anyway either. No major character has yet lost their life but have come rather close only to be saved at the last moment. Sort of thought this was annoying a little bit but then the characters are also getting abused quite a bit and then come back for more. The world was explored more and learned a little about some other countries which I was wondering why have this in there but as you continue reading it makes a little more sense. Some characters and things that happened from last book aren't really in this one and that left me wondering what happened with them. Now with this one we are left with cliffhangers that I hope will be resolved in the next book. This book was rather long but it didn't feel that long to me. Trying to write about so many characters and do them justice is a challenge in itself. Now will just have to wait until the next book comes out.
havenkarma's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
4.5
marktimmony's review
5.0
This series is sooooooooooooooo good.
Seriously, if you are a fan of Robert Jordan or Brandon Sanderson, or if you cry quietly to yourself that there will be no more Wheel of Time novels, then check out Melissa McPhail.
If you are not reading these books, and you miss the 'epicness' that was Jordan's hallmark, then you are missing out.
Do yourself a favour and get on this series now.
Seriously, if you are a fan of Robert Jordan or Brandon Sanderson, or if you cry quietly to yourself that there will be no more Wheel of Time novels, then check out Melissa McPhail.
If you are not reading these books, and you miss the 'epicness' that was Jordan's hallmark, then you are missing out.
Do yourself a favour and get on this series now.
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