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A review by andra_mihaela_s
Röta by Siri Pettersen
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wil begin by thanking NetGalley and Arctis Books for the opportunity to read "The Rot".
After finishing this book, I'm happy to say my decision to dive deep into this series is set in stone! I LOVED what Siri Pettersen did in this second installment, and i'm eager to read more from her!
Back to the book...compared to "Odin's child", "The Rot" is very much a book about lost people...about blind people. We see Hirka in a new world, the human world, and get to experience with the a sense of permanent confusion, distrust and anger mixed with fear,as she tries to find a home.
The author learned a lot from the first novel, and managed to develop Hirka naturarely into a capable, still flawed young woman,that is a pleasure to follow. Unlike the first book, in which she's pulled along by the current, here, she dictates the flow.She felt compelling, beleivable, her confusion,fear and sorrow were ours, and most importantly, she felt real.
"The Rot", thankfully, got rid of the problematic stereotypes, and instead had only strong and memorable characters. We see just enough of everyone's motifs to side with or against them, we understand or reject reasons and pretty much judge the situation for ourselves.
I really enjoyed how Rime evolved into a desperate man, a young leader lost between duty and his heart. He was a sane man appearing insane to everyone else. His fire-like spirit and quick and angry approach to situations put him in a spot of isolation...a great job!; for it would be exactly what would happen to someone in his position with his problems.
As much as I complained about Urd from the first book, here Graal and Naiell take the cake!! ^_^
I did not know what to think about them 'till the last minute! Loved that for me! :)))
Stefan, Allegra and the forgotten were nicely done in my opinion, and highlighted a real situation that could play out if you're put up against someone like Graal and his charm.In addition, Stefan really caught my eye..mostly because i don't think his role was as clear cut as the author would have wanted it to be...but still...really interesting character.
On the opposite, Damayanti was kind of dissapointing me...she wasn't as cunning as I expected her to be, but in the same time still retained a lot of her connection to Graal...this is kind of funny in my opinion...she gave Rime the easy way in, but still lived....strange...maybe in book 3 we find out more.
I'm also sorry about Lindri's situation..hope it gets better, and for Svarteld...it's not fair! Rime better make amends for that one! >..<
As for the atmosphere,...it felt like a rainy day...my equivalent for confusion and loneliness. Hope someone out there agrees...-_-
When it comes to the plot, world building and magic system...all of them got developed and better explained! I cannot wait to see what Hirka will do about the blind, and how Rime will manage his position in the council...if at all...>..> I also have a feeling Graal has his own plans and the Ym is not safe from the deadborn.
Finally, the religious aspect of the story, along with the political one, were the only 2 that still leave me wanting for more information/explanation. I would really like a big flashback with the thousand year myth and how everything came to be this way. It would greatly benefit the series as a whole.
Don't get me wrong, this book does a splendid job of expanding on the building blocks of the first volume; it's way more complex in terms of plot, character motifs and personalities, objectives and world development.
Since last time I recommended this series to beginners and mythology fans.This time I will add thirst for a well developed fantasy world with young protagonists a level above many MCs out there.
You will get myths, truths, illusions about imortality and divinity and the sad and lonely life without an end, power and greed...overall..a nice mix for everyone! ^^
I cannot wait to continue this trilogy, and I hope "The Might" is even better! Hirka is such a compelling MC with lots of facets still to show us, as well as Rime.
Let the political games begin! muahahaha! ^_^
After finishing this book, I'm happy to say my decision to dive deep into this series is set in stone! I LOVED what Siri Pettersen did in this second installment, and i'm eager to read more from her!
Back to the book...compared to "Odin's child", "The Rot" is very much a book about lost people...about blind people. We see Hirka in a new world, the human world, and get to experience with the a sense of permanent confusion, distrust and anger mixed with fear,as she tries to find a home.
The author learned a lot from the first novel, and managed to develop Hirka naturarely into a capable, still flawed young woman,that is a pleasure to follow. Unlike the first book, in which she's pulled along by the current, here, she dictates the flow.She felt compelling, beleivable, her confusion,fear and sorrow were ours, and most importantly, she felt real.
"The Rot", thankfully, got rid of the problematic stereotypes, and instead had only strong and memorable characters. We see just enough of everyone's motifs to side with or against them, we understand or reject reasons and pretty much judge the situation for ourselves.
I really enjoyed how Rime evolved into a desperate man, a young leader lost between duty and his heart. He was a sane man appearing insane to everyone else. His fire-like spirit and quick and angry approach to situations put him in a spot of isolation...a great job!; for it would be exactly what would happen to someone in his position with his problems.
As much as I complained about Urd from the first book, here Graal and Naiell take the cake!! ^_^
I did not know what to think about them 'till the last minute! Loved that for me! :)))
Stefan, Allegra and the forgotten were nicely done in my opinion, and highlighted a real situation that could play out if you're put up against someone like Graal and his charm.In addition, Stefan really caught my eye..mostly because i don't think his role was as clear cut as the author would have wanted it to be...but still...really interesting character.
On the opposite, Damayanti was kind of dissapointing me...she wasn't as cunning as I expected her to be, but in the same time still retained a lot of her connection to Graal...this is kind of funny in my opinion...she gave Rime the easy way in, but still lived....strange...maybe in book 3 we find out more.
I'm also sorry about Lindri's situation..hope it gets better, and for Svarteld...it's not fair! Rime better make amends for that one! >..<
As for the atmosphere,...it felt like a rainy day...my equivalent for confusion and loneliness. Hope someone out there agrees...-_-
When it comes to the plot, world building and magic system...all of them got developed and better explained! I cannot wait to see what Hirka will do about the blind, and how Rime will manage his position in the council...if at all...>..> I also have a feeling Graal has his own plans and the Ym is not safe from the deadborn.
Finally, the religious aspect of the story, along with the political one, were the only 2 that still leave me wanting for more information/explanation. I would really like a big flashback with the thousand year myth and how everything came to be this way. It would greatly benefit the series as a whole.
Don't get me wrong, this book does a splendid job of expanding on the building blocks of the first volume; it's way more complex in terms of plot, character motifs and personalities, objectives and world development.
Since last time I recommended this series to beginners and mythology fans.This time I will add thirst for a well developed fantasy world with young protagonists a level above many MCs out there.
You will get myths, truths, illusions about imortality and divinity and the sad and lonely life without an end, power and greed...overall..a nice mix for everyone! ^^
I cannot wait to continue this trilogy, and I hope "The Might" is even better! Hirka is such a compelling MC with lots of facets still to show us, as well as Rime.
Let the political games begin! muahahaha! ^_^
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death