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kano1q84's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most fun books I've read in years. Don't let the world's worst book cover put you off. This was excellent.
topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Rarely have I seen such a well-written mash-up of science-fiction and fantasy. This is the first book in a series where actors in the real world take the parts of heroes in a fantasy world, ostensibly for entertainment purposes but really for power of those that pull the strings. The author describes this book as "...a piece of violent entertainment that is a meditation on violent entertainment." This is not a fantasy novel where you find the proverbial pig farmer's son who happens to be the long lost prince that rises up to become the world's most powerful magician and saves the day. It's an interesting and original concept, filled with violence and profanity as well as thought-provoking takes on the nature of power and ethics and political machinations. I think it can be read on several different levels and no doubt, different readers will come away with different experiences.
This one's been on my TBR list for quite some time as representative of fantasy's "new bread" authors (although not so new anymore). Methinks with authors like Rothfuss, Abercrombie, Sanderson, Lynch, Stover, and many others, we fantasy readers will be in fine shape for years to come.
This one's been on my TBR list for quite some time as representative of fantasy's "new bread" authors (although not so new anymore). Methinks with authors like Rothfuss, Abercrombie, Sanderson, Lynch, Stover, and many others, we fantasy readers will be in fine shape for years to come.
tarynwanderer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
feastofblaze's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.0
ekortunov's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Meeeh
slezy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sade's review against another edition
5.0
First off, cheers to Thomas Stacey for the recommendation.. This book is definitely going in as one of my absolute faves for 2017.
"I have lived every day of my life only to bring myself here to this moment and it has been worth every moment"
This author has written an epic love story that you're not even totally aware of until you're sucked in. This isn't hearts and roses strewn on the floor. This is like blood, guts, broken bones, severed limbs, bring down the gaddamn world kind of love story. Like your favourite epic love story ain't got nothing on this.
Like i said this isn't some quintessential love book. There's so much more than that happening. You're introduced to an eclectic range of characters from: Berne - this dude was bloody insane, like if you ever meet someone like this, just run!; To that snivelling, whinny piece of shit, poet boy. To Talan- God that woman could kick bloody ass. To Shanna/ Pallis- who really was a shit though. i mean, really, she was a shit. To gaddamn Hari / Caine - sigh* that man was beyond everything. he was damn amazing.
Read this book. You won't be disappointed!
qjbrown96's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
coris's review
Too grim (but take this as a recommendation, not a negative if you enjoy grimdark. It's not really for me though.)