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A review by midrel
The Lady by K.V. Johansen
5.0
The Leopard was great even if it had a bit of an awkward start, but The Lady was such a nice, enjoyable read from the very beginning to the very end! Zora's chapters were probably the least engaging aspect of the story at certain points because of how her fragmented mind and soul was written, which made sometimes for awkward reading, even if it also made it interesting in its own way.
For those who might be confused, as Gods of Nabban has been listed in some places as Marakand #3, this title effectively and satisfyingly concludes the story that started with The Leopard. Then again, I think these books are actually best experienced as one series, starting from Blackdog, then The Leopard, then The Lady and then Gods of Nabban and whatever might (hopefully) follow. I know the author has said reading Blackdog is not necessary to read The Leopard and so on, but I sincerely think it'd be a mistake, owing to the sheer amount of references and characters used here and introduced there.
Anyway, I digress.
Truly, I honestly can't overstate how much I enjoyed this book. The story was not at all what I expected when I first read the blurb of The Leopard, but thats only works for the better, as far as I am concerned. I still think the title's a bit of a misnomer but thats such a minor gripe.
I loved how new and old came together in Marakand#1 and #2, and how the author continued to elaborate on the world she first showed us with Blackdog. I loved the deft manner in which she handled characterisation. Every character felt solid and compelling, no walking super-powered tropes, or walking cardboards, everyone with strengths and weaknesses and their coloured view of the world, from old favourites like Holla-Sayan or Ivah, to Ahjvar and Ghu, and the few devils and demons we meet along the way.
So truly, I would urge everyone to give the books a chance. Even if for some the amount of descriptions verge on the long-winded, its all well-worth it in the end, and even along the way.
For those who might be confused, as Gods of Nabban has been listed in some places as Marakand #3, this title effectively and satisfyingly concludes the story that started with The Leopard. Then again, I think these books are actually best experienced as one series, starting from Blackdog, then The Leopard, then The Lady and then Gods of Nabban and whatever might (hopefully) follow. I know the author has said reading Blackdog is not necessary to read The Leopard and so on, but I sincerely think it'd be a mistake, owing to the sheer amount of references and characters used here and introduced there.
Anyway, I digress.
Truly, I honestly can't overstate how much I enjoyed this book. The story was not at all what I expected when I first read the blurb of The Leopard, but thats only works for the better, as far as I am concerned. I still think the title's a bit of a misnomer but thats such a minor gripe.
I loved how new and old came together in Marakand#1 and #2, and how the author continued to elaborate on the world she first showed us with Blackdog. I loved the deft manner in which she handled characterisation. Every character felt solid and compelling, no walking super-powered tropes, or walking cardboards, everyone with strengths and weaknesses and their coloured view of the world, from old favourites like Holla-Sayan or Ivah, to Ahjvar and Ghu, and the few devils and demons we meet along the way.
So truly, I would urge everyone to give the books a chance. Even if for some the amount of descriptions verge on the long-winded, its all well-worth it in the end, and even along the way.