A review by merc_birb
Master of One by Dani Bennett, Jaida Jones
2.0
DNF 60% - Preface by saying that this review relates to the audiobook edition. If I'd been reading a text-based edition, I might have had a higher possibility of finishing. I might come back to it when I'm in a place to focus on physical books again.
I really wanted to like this story. But... the narrator is NOT great for this book. It has gotten to the point where I'm forcing myself to listen to it. Most of the character voices would be indistinguishable from one another if the text didn't point out who was speaking. And while I understand that Shining Talon is supposed to fairly lacking in emotion, that doesn't mean he should sound like a robot. Also, her readings of the lines often seemed off for the context, the emotions coming off strangely.
My disappointment with the narrator aside, the story is... okay? Praise for the magic system, the mirror-craft magic is really cool and I haven't seen anything like it before. :D And the concept of the story is good, though the plot so far is kind of overdone with every sentai show or team-based comic in existence. First member found by magical guide, hunt for next member, fight some monsters, repeat. The antagonist is just generally, generically evil and that's the only reason given that they Must Be Stopped.
Actually, that's a bit of a gripe, too. Other than the sorcerers being sketchy-af (and I did listen far enough to find out where they get their powers and how horrible it is) WHY should I care about opposing the queen? There's no sense of urgency in the journey, no anticipation of reaching a goal. Even finding the next team member feels sort of routine.
The characters are fine, Rags is a true delight and I appreciate Inis's determination, but even they are very... two dimensional. Maybe it's because of the author trying to juggle an ensemble cast, maybe it's just my problems with the narration tainting my appraisal of the characters.
Overall, not the worst book I've set aside, but if I come back to it, it won't be via audiobook.
I really wanted to like this story. But... the narrator is NOT great for this book. It has gotten to the point where I'm forcing myself to listen to it. Most of the character voices would be indistinguishable from one another if the text didn't point out who was speaking. And while I understand that Shining Talon is supposed to fairly lacking in emotion, that doesn't mean he should sound like a robot. Also, her readings of the lines often seemed off for the context, the emotions coming off strangely.
My disappointment with the narrator aside, the story is... okay? Praise for the magic system, the mirror-craft magic is really cool and I haven't seen anything like it before. :D And the concept of the story is good, though the plot so far is kind of overdone with every sentai show or team-based comic in existence. First member found by magical guide, hunt for next member, fight some monsters, repeat. The antagonist is just generally, generically evil and that's the only reason given that they Must Be Stopped.
Actually, that's a bit of a gripe, too. Other than the sorcerers being sketchy-af (and I did listen far enough to find out where they get their powers and how horrible it is) WHY should I care about opposing the queen? There's no sense of urgency in the journey, no anticipation of reaching a goal. Even finding the next team member feels sort of routine.
The characters are fine, Rags is a true delight and I appreciate Inis's determination, but even they are very... two dimensional. Maybe it's because of the author trying to juggle an ensemble cast, maybe it's just my problems with the narration tainting my appraisal of the characters.
Overall, not the worst book I've set aside, but if I come back to it, it won't be via audiobook.