ryanteston'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
garbutch's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook version of this.
Most of the first part of the book is just "people are stricken with grief" and that permeated so much of the rest of it as well. Many others have already brought up pacing issues and I mostly agree. A lot of that is why it took me so long to finish the book. On the flip side, it made it easier to just pick up the book again where I left off and not have to worry about forgetting a bunch of details, because frankly there weren't a lot of new ones to hang onto that I'd forgotten about.
I also take umbrage with how queerbaiting this and the previous book were. I can appreciate being able to show wholesome best friendships between the two main characters but even in terms of that, there wasn't a whole lot new or subverting to the status quo in terms of how they showed platonic affection to each other, either.
Another problem I have is with the fact that the book ended with Gar having martyred himself for his kingdom. It isn't the WORST of problems because it seemed to fall in line with his character and wasn't something that came out of the blue. We knew for a while leading up to the end that one of the main characters would die, though we thought it would be Asher. Emotionally I'm not that fussed. He died, whatever. I didn't cry or feel betrayed about it. And if they had made anything gay cannon, I'd definitely be more upset about his death, for sure.
My problem with it lies because through the whole duology, the narration and characters always explicitly referred to him with derogatory terms for disabled people. The book pretty clearly categorized him as a disabled person. (Because of his lack of magic, which was not typical for those of his origins.) His excuses for allowing himself to die were things like having "broken" promises that he had entirely intended to keep but were beyond his control. Things about not "usurping" the crown from his younger sister (who literally was murdered - beyond his control). Things about breaking promises he didn't have the option to keep because he was being extorted by evil forces threatening to kill a whole kingdom of marginalized peoples.
Essentially we had a disabled character killed and not forgiven for any of those things until after he died, only prompted really because of his death. That's pretty hecked up?
I recognize that in most plots, lacking forgiveness or greater perspective or maturity is supposed to be part of what holds the plot together. But frankly I am tired of it. I find it exhausting and it makes the characters less likeable.
All that said, I still enjoyed the book. I did complete it. I do love the concept, and prophecies and heroic fantasy are my favourite. If there were more options for me to choose from for this kind of thing, I might not rate this so highly. But frankly, I want Goodreads to recommend me more books like this.
I also personally think a lot of the issues with the writing can be blamed on the editing. There was a lot of good work in this book that really could have been given better justice, if only editors had asked that some scenes be a little more condensed, maybe.
Most of the first part of the book is just "people are stricken with grief" and that permeated so much of the rest of it as well. Many others have already brought up pacing issues and I mostly agree. A lot of that is why it took me so long to finish the book. On the flip side, it made it easier to just pick up the book again where I left off and not have to worry about forgetting a bunch of details, because frankly there weren't a lot of new ones to hang onto that I'd forgotten about.
I also take umbrage with how queerbaiting this and the previous book were. I can appreciate being able to show wholesome best friendships between the two main characters but even in terms of that, there wasn't a whole lot new or subverting to the status quo in terms of how they showed platonic affection to each other, either.
Another problem I have is with the fact that the book ended with Gar having martyred himself for his kingdom. It isn't the WORST of problems because it seemed to fall in line with his character and wasn't something that came out of the blue. We knew for a while leading up to the end that one of the main characters would die, though we thought it would be Asher. Emotionally I'm not that fussed. He died, whatever. I didn't cry or feel betrayed about it. And if they had made anything gay cannon, I'd definitely be more upset about his death, for sure.
My problem with it lies because through the whole duology, the narration and characters always explicitly referred to him with derogatory terms for disabled people. The book pretty clearly categorized him as a disabled person. (Because of his lack of magic, which was not typical for those of his origins.) His excuses for allowing himself to die were things like having "broken" promises that he had entirely intended to keep but were beyond his control. Things about not "usurping" the crown from his younger sister (who literally was murdered - beyond his control). Things about breaking promises he didn't have the option to keep because he was being extorted by evil forces threatening to kill a whole kingdom of marginalized peoples.
Essentially we had a disabled character killed and not forgiven for any of those things until after he died, only prompted really because of his death. That's pretty hecked up?
I recognize that in most plots, lacking forgiveness or greater perspective or maturity is supposed to be part of what holds the plot together. But frankly I am tired of it. I find it exhausting and it makes the characters less likeable.
All that said, I still enjoyed the book. I did complete it. I do love the concept, and prophecies and heroic fantasy are my favourite. If there were more options for me to choose from for this kind of thing, I might not rate this so highly. But frankly, I want Goodreads to recommend me more books like this.
I also personally think a lot of the issues with the writing can be blamed on the editing. There was a lot of good work in this book that really could have been given better justice, if only editors had asked that some scenes be a little more condensed, maybe.
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, War, Death of parent, and Confinement
Moderate: Blood and Torture
Minor: Excrement
wdbuck01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rowdya22's review against another edition
4.0
A rather abrupt ending to an excellent story. Best of all it leaves room for more to come.
tannik03's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
megawhoppingcosmicbookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
em_ka_'s review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
infinitelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I was really looking forward to reading this one especially after how much I loved the first book but actually found this one to be disappointing. The writing style is as good as ever but I found it a trial to get through. I really didn't like how some of the plot went and some of the actions of the characters to the point where I rushed the last 200 pages just to finish it. I might choose to come back to it one day and reread in the hopes I change my mind.