dragontomes2000's review
4.0
This book was fantastic. Definitely a great way to start off my new reading year. The first book in this trilogy was everything I needed and more. There was so much great world building, character development, and action. This book is largely Russian inspired and it is quite prevalent, which I thought was a nice touch. The world of Anuskaya is huge and even though we don't visit every location the author does an amazing job describing to you the scope of this world. The cast of characters was amazing!! You pretty much follow three perspectives, Nikandr, the prince of Khalakovo, Atiana, a Vostroman princess and arranged fiance to Nikandr, and lastly Rehada, a motherless woman who has an interesting relationship with Nikandr. Each of their stories are widely different however the larger plotline is still at the center. I never once felt lost or confused about which perspective I was reading from.
My only tiny minuscule issue with this book was the magic system. At sometimes it can be very confusing because it revolves around spirits and each spirit has a corresponding name, unless you are so in tune with reading, the book doesn't really explain said spirit is this. You kInd of figure it out as you go. Which is fine for me but for others it might not so that is why I docked a star (more half a star but alas goodreads doesn't allow that).
In conclusion this book was such a fantastic start and thankfully I have the entire trilogy on hand so I can keep reading!!
P.S. Sorry if there are any typos or this review seems all over. I am writing this from my phone.
My only tiny minuscule issue with this book was the magic system. At sometimes it can be very confusing because it revolves around spirits and each spirit has a corresponding name, unless you are so in tune with reading, the book doesn't really explain said spirit is this. You kInd of figure it out as you go. Which is fine for me but for others it might not so that is why I docked a star (more half a star but alas goodreads doesn't allow that).
In conclusion this book was such a fantastic start and thankfully I have the entire trilogy on hand so I can keep reading!!
P.S. Sorry if there are any typos or this review seems all over. I am writing this from my phone.
majkia's review against another edition
3.0
Steampunk with lots of air and sea ship confrontations as well as a pretty complex magical sort of world.
I listened to this and found it a bit hard to follow. Wasn't that happy with the reader, whose voice seldom got beyond a rather humdrum sort of sound.
I listened to this and found it a bit hard to follow. Wasn't that happy with the reader, whose voice seldom got beyond a rather humdrum sort of sound.
wes919's review against another edition
3.0
This books had the potential to be a great story. Instead, it could not rise above mediocrity because of the author's unpolished style.
teholtheonly's review against another edition
4.0
Nice fantasy with a Russian bent and loved the arabic and Sanskrit names for the elementals too.Felt a bit slow in the middle but since it a debut novel and things can only improve.Looking forward to the future installments .last year and this year have been great for fantasy from Saladin's Arabic inspired Thrones to this one authors are exploring different cultures rather than the usual eurocentric fantasy milieu.
bookishbellee's review against another edition
4.0
I really do like this but because my nook is being dumb and restarted I wasn't able to finish it...
lididi's review against another edition
4.0
Beaulieu created an immensely huge and fantastical world where ships fly between high-perched eyries and are flown by a what I would describe as a religious sect called the Aramahn that connects with the spirit world to manipulate the elements.
The world is being ravaged by a mysterious disease known as the wasting that is affecting both the population and their crops. Everyone is struggling and fighting for food and health.
In the midst of this, we find a political tension between the Aramahn and the "Landed," those that prefer to trust in the Ancients but need the powers of the Aramahn to travel from island to island. A sect has formed off the Aramahn, called the Maharraht, that believe that the Landed should be cut off from their powers and even destroyed for the abuse they've wielded.
All three are searching for a boy, Nasim, who seems to be a link. He could either stop the blight or he could rip the world as it is known apart.
This is an epic and beautiful story. The depth and growth of the main characters is astounding and a joy to watch. I only wish that more was explained (though that would have made it even longer and I felt some parts were unnecessary). Many "terms" were used that weren't known and never explained. But I was able to get the gist of it and enjoyed it every step of the way.
The world is being ravaged by a mysterious disease known as the wasting that is affecting both the population and their crops. Everyone is struggling and fighting for food and health.
In the midst of this, we find a political tension between the Aramahn and the "Landed," those that prefer to trust in the Ancients but need the powers of the Aramahn to travel from island to island. A sect has formed off the Aramahn, called the Maharraht, that believe that the Landed should be cut off from their powers and even destroyed for the abuse they've wielded.
All three are searching for a boy, Nasim, who seems to be a link. He could either stop the blight or he could rip the world as it is known apart.
This is an epic and beautiful story. The depth and growth of the main characters is astounding and a joy to watch. I only wish that more was explained (though that would have made it even longer and I felt some parts were unnecessary). Many "terms" were used that weren't known and never explained. But I was able to get the gist of it and enjoyed it every step of the way.
pip94's review against another edition
4.0
Full review: https://thelittlebookowl.com/2019/07/12/the-winds-of-khalakovo-bradley-beaulieu/
bnsfly's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kristamccracken's review against another edition
2.0
A slow start that never really delivered. The complex political/fantasy world being developed had a tendency to bog down the plot.
bookishblissandbeauty's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because I recently read Beaulieu's newest novel. I like this but this is a huge book & I kept stepping away from it & getting the characters confused. After reading this I think Beaulieu has a knack for creating interesting female characters which I really appreciate!