Scan barcode
manglitter's review against another edition
3.0
That was a descent and easy read for an epic fantasy book. I liked the worldbuilding, the cultural aspects of each region we visited which also influenced the names of the characters. Tolkien's influence. We also have a great Villain with no mercy at all for his enemies but he was named Walter Thorn! It sounded more like a Jane Austen or Anthony Trollope's kind of character, I really felt bad for him.
I really hated the hero of the story who is named "Elliot"like "Elliott the dragon"! Anyway, I find him the worst, smart-ass, foolish and big mouth hero I've ever read about in a story. The book's title should have been "A Guy With a PLAN"! Oh my god, he was so irritating. I know it is a debut novel and I don't want to say too many bad things about this author's hard work which I really respect but I think that he is good at villains than at making heroes. Also, there was so much, so much repetitive and long explanations about things and mainly that freaking PLAN that we already understood! It was really tiresome. And let's not start with that company the author selected for him.
I hope that the author will do a better job in his future books and of course, I will read his next book.
I really hated the hero of the story who is named "Elliot"like "Elliott the dragon"! Anyway, I find him the worst, smart-ass, foolish and big mouth hero I've ever read about in a story. The book's title should have been "A Guy With a PLAN"! Oh my god, he was so irritating. I know it is a debut novel and I don't want to say too many bad things about this author's hard work which I really respect but I think that he is good at villains than at making heroes. Also, there was so much, so much repetitive and long explanations about things and mainly that freaking PLAN that we already understood! It was really tiresome. And let's not start with that company the author selected for him.
I hope that the author will do a better job in his future books and of course, I will read his next book.
sarkbordark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
There is a good base to this story, but the constant info dumps and simplistic prose were hard to get through. This is a translated work, so that may explain some of the deficiencies. There was a lot of people shouting or screaming their dialog, and there was sometimes pages of a single person's dialog. There was not motivation that or plan that was not explained to exhaustion. The end had some interesting ideas, but I won't be continuing on.
debyik's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There was a good plot and interesting characters, but the pacing felt off. At times it was super slow and other times felt rushed.
kurumipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Not for me. The writing style is all telling, not showing, and I struggled to care about the characters and read through page after page of exposition on the world’s battle and political history. It might read better in the original Greek, and reading the prequel may make these sections easier to follow. The world is very detailed, and the mythology seems interesting, but it feels like reading an overly detailed summary rather than actually experiencing the world and characters’ perspectives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Child death, Rape, Suicide, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Fire/Fire injury
cyriax's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
The narrator of the audiobook does a great job with this one. Unfortunately, there are faaaaar to many info dumps in this one for me. I could feel the author speaking through the book to tell me what I need to know instead of the characters showing me. This kept me from getting invested in the characters even though Elliot and some of his companions were interesting to me. There were some well done scenes that started to draw me in but then another info dump would start. It felt like this story would have benefited from a prequel story to provide the background for what happens in this one. I’m mildly interested in what I set up for the next book despite all this, but doubt I will continue.
andreab777's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
3.0
This world building here is strong, and I love the Greek mythological elements. However, it isn't the book for me as I didn't gel with the main protagonist Elliot. I am sure this will appeal to other readers, so give it a try.
diama373's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book/story. The story is very captivating, sometimes predictable, without losing its interest.
The characters are as well written as they are interesting.
The characters are as well written as they are interesting.
jlreadstoperpetuity's review against another edition
5.0
Read this a week ago, I am still in awe till posting of my review today
"The Return of the Knights" by Gregory Kontaxis is an enthralling tale that transports readers to a world of chivalry, honor, and epic adventures. Set in a medieval kingdom plagued by darkness and tyranny, this book is a gripping fusion of fantasy and historical fiction that will captivate readers from start to finish.
Kontaxis skillfully weaves a complex narrative filled with richly developed characters that come to life on the pages. The protagonists, a group of valiant knights, are flawed yet compelling, each with their own unique motivations and backstories. As the story unfolds, the author deftly explores the themes of redemption, loyalty, and sacrifice, immersing readers in an emotional journey that tugs at the heartstrings.
The world-building in "The Return of the Knights" is meticulous and vivid. Kontaxis's attention to detail transports readers to a realm where castles loom large, forests hold secrets, and battles are fought with sword and shield. The descriptions are so immersive that one can practically hear the clash of steel and smell the scent of pine as the characters traverse the kingdom.
What sets this book apart is the author's ability to balance action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and introspective depth. The battle scenes are expertly choreographed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, while the quieter moments provide a chance for the characters to grow and evolve. Kontaxis's prose is fluid and engaging, effortlessly driving the plot forward and creating a sense of urgency that compels readers to keep turning the pages.
"The Return of the Knights" is a true page-turner, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Kontaxis's storytelling prowess shines through as he masterfully builds suspense and delivers surprises that leave readers yearning for more. The pacing is impeccable, balancing exposition with action and ensuring that the story never loses momentum.
"The Return of the Knights" by Gregory Kontaxis is an enthralling tale that transports readers to a world of chivalry, honor, and epic adventures. Set in a medieval kingdom plagued by darkness and tyranny, this book is a gripping fusion of fantasy and historical fiction that will captivate readers from start to finish.
Kontaxis skillfully weaves a complex narrative filled with richly developed characters that come to life on the pages. The protagonists, a group of valiant knights, are flawed yet compelling, each with their own unique motivations and backstories. As the story unfolds, the author deftly explores the themes of redemption, loyalty, and sacrifice, immersing readers in an emotional journey that tugs at the heartstrings.
The world-building in "The Return of the Knights" is meticulous and vivid. Kontaxis's attention to detail transports readers to a realm where castles loom large, forests hold secrets, and battles are fought with sword and shield. The descriptions are so immersive that one can practically hear the clash of steel and smell the scent of pine as the characters traverse the kingdom.
What sets this book apart is the author's ability to balance action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and introspective depth. The battle scenes are expertly choreographed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, while the quieter moments provide a chance for the characters to grow and evolve. Kontaxis's prose is fluid and engaging, effortlessly driving the plot forward and creating a sense of urgency that compels readers to keep turning the pages.
"The Return of the Knights" is a true page-turner, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Kontaxis's storytelling prowess shines through as he masterfully builds suspense and delivers surprises that leave readers yearning for more. The pacing is impeccable, balancing exposition with action and ensuring that the story never loses momentum.
readtheblurb's review against another edition
4.0
The Return of the Knights is the first novel in an epic Greek inspired fantasy series, packed with high-stakes action, heroes, mythical creatures, epic battles and political intrigue. There’s enough there to keep you on your toes and have you tapping your fingers in anticipation for a sequel.
The Return of the Knights drops the reader straight into the midst of the action (just the way I like it), in an ongoing war and on the precipice of the end of Knightdorn. Walter leads a seemingly unstoppable army and has his eyes set on the Queen and throne. Unfortunately for Queen Sophie, her allies are in shortcoming and she hasn’t much to defend her kingdom. Hope seems lost. That is until Elliot, a mysterious boy, arrives, with a plan to defeat Walter and his army. Hard to imagine anyone trusting some random boy and his plans, that is until he shows to be a complete badass and potentially one of the last people to have ever been trained by a Knight. There’s a classic trope in there somewhere, but one I always love reading. Events quickly spiral into visceral violence and the kingdom stands on a constant knives edge, while Elliot does everything in his power to save it. Along the way, it becomes clear that Elliot is not all that he seems, as he uncovers secrets from his past.
Character wise I ended up liking a lot of the side characters more than Elliot. Normally I do prefer the boy to hero type, but I feel like Elliot still has some growing to do but could potentially grow a lot more on me in the sequels. His history and family secrets do hugely intrigue me. It was actually Selwyn and Eleanor that ended up being my favourites. Selwyn felt, in so many ways, an integral part of the book, managing to use his wits to sway people much more powerful than him, while also being a man of fearsome loyalty and likeability. Eleanor on the other hand starts out on a bit more of a quiet note, but ended up playing a role in pivotal moments throughout the book. Her back story also interested me a lot and I’m really looking forward to what’s in store for her in the coming books. I really enjoyed her character development and I have an inkling that this will continue strongly in the sequels.
The world-building in this novel stood in many ways. Gregory Kontaxis has clearly thought out his story and planned out every detail of his world. I love the mythological aspects, alongside the deep history and politics surrounding the world. I have a strong feeling this world will reveal some amazing secrets in the coming books. I will say at times, that the world-building was a lot to take in. Due to the deep world Gregory has created, it felt like I had to keep up with at times too many names, histories and places.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and most definitely highly recommend it, especially if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, mixed in with some Game of Thrones level political intrigue. Alongside this it showcased a strong cast of characters, visceral action and a deep fantasy world that will leave you wanting more.
The Return of the Knights drops the reader straight into the midst of the action (just the way I like it), in an ongoing war and on the precipice of the end of Knightdorn. Walter leads a seemingly unstoppable army and has his eyes set on the Queen and throne. Unfortunately for Queen Sophie, her allies are in shortcoming and she hasn’t much to defend her kingdom. Hope seems lost. That is until Elliot, a mysterious boy, arrives, with a plan to defeat Walter and his army. Hard to imagine anyone trusting some random boy and his plans, that is until he shows to be a complete badass and potentially one of the last people to have ever been trained by a Knight. There’s a classic trope in there somewhere, but one I always love reading. Events quickly spiral into visceral violence and the kingdom stands on a constant knives edge, while Elliot does everything in his power to save it. Along the way, it becomes clear that Elliot is not all that he seems, as he uncovers secrets from his past.
Character wise I ended up liking a lot of the side characters more than Elliot. Normally I do prefer the boy to hero type, but I feel like Elliot still has some growing to do but could potentially grow a lot more on me in the sequels. His history and family secrets do hugely intrigue me. It was actually Selwyn and Eleanor that ended up being my favourites. Selwyn felt, in so many ways, an integral part of the book, managing to use his wits to sway people much more powerful than him, while also being a man of fearsome loyalty and likeability. Eleanor on the other hand starts out on a bit more of a quiet note, but ended up playing a role in pivotal moments throughout the book. Her back story also interested me a lot and I’m really looking forward to what’s in store for her in the coming books. I really enjoyed her character development and I have an inkling that this will continue strongly in the sequels.
The world-building in this novel stood in many ways. Gregory Kontaxis has clearly thought out his story and planned out every detail of his world. I love the mythological aspects, alongside the deep history and politics surrounding the world. I have a strong feeling this world will reveal some amazing secrets in the coming books. I will say at times, that the world-building was a lot to take in. Due to the deep world Gregory has created, it felt like I had to keep up with at times too many names, histories and places.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and most definitely highly recommend it, especially if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, mixed in with some Game of Thrones level political intrigue. Alongside this it showcased a strong cast of characters, visceral action and a deep fantasy world that will leave you wanting more.
jmsimp3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0