A review by 2treads
A Dark Queen Rises by Ashok K. Banker
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Banker continues his lush and vivid adventure across the Burnt Empire, bringing new characters unto the field, fighting for peace and moving parties into place to sweep across the land to assert control and subjugate.
As with Upon a Burning Throne, Jarsun has not let his greed for power subside and has now swayed new apostles to his war. But there are forces massing in order to maintain balance in the empire.
With rich descriptive prose, the landscape and different kingdoms' political and monarchical systems are introduced further expanding on the world. Banker has drawn upon the respect for balance that is weaved into the Hindu way of life, the acknowledgement of the power that lies within the natural world, and the forces that will ensure that whenever the natural order is askew, equilibrium will be attained.
My only gripe with how this story unfolded was the fact that the women were too much in the background, considering the title. Banker focused too much on the male warrior prowess, penchant for violence, and lineage. I believe a retelling is a tool that can be used to subvert and upend the very patriarchal tone that exists in so many epics. He missed the opportunity to do that with this book.
And he spent too much time relaying their stories of strength and conquest, using repetition that did nothing to advance the plot.
His love of using multiple character viewpoints for the same scenes dragged the reading experience and his penchant for using animals and women to show the unmatched strength and benevolence of his male characters grated.
The intricate political machinations, consolidating of power and states, strategic movements and placement of players on the board was entertaining and satisfying.
Characters that are wily, devious, and excel at playing mind games are my favourite to read; Banker does well with crafting them and the ways they are willing to use anyone to seize and secure power. But villains with no brain capacity and daddy issues, who show no iota of self-actualization and -acceptance are so dull to read.
The first book in the series was done really well, if a bit long-winded, but now I wonder what was missed because the story pulled me under.
As with Upon a Burning Throne, Jarsun has not let his greed for power subside and has now swayed new apostles to his war. But there are forces massing in order to maintain balance in the empire.
With rich descriptive prose, the landscape and different kingdoms' political and monarchical systems are introduced further expanding on the world. Banker has drawn upon the respect for balance that is weaved into the Hindu way of life, the acknowledgement of the power that lies within the natural world, and the forces that will ensure that whenever the natural order is askew, equilibrium will be attained.
My only gripe with how this story unfolded was the fact that the women were too much in the background, considering the title. Banker focused too much on the male warrior prowess, penchant for violence, and lineage. I believe a retelling is a tool that can be used to subvert and upend the very patriarchal tone that exists in so many epics. He missed the opportunity to do that with this book.
And he spent too much time relaying their stories of strength and conquest, using repetition that did nothing to advance the plot.
His love of using multiple character viewpoints for the same scenes dragged the reading experience and his penchant for using animals and women to show the unmatched strength and benevolence of his male characters grated.
The intricate political machinations, consolidating of power and states, strategic movements and placement of players on the board was entertaining and satisfying.
Characters that are wily, devious, and excel at playing mind games are my favourite to read; Banker does well with crafting them and the ways they are willing to use anyone to seize and secure power. But villains with no brain capacity and daddy issues, who show no iota of self-actualization and -acceptance are so dull to read.
The first book in the series was done really well, if a bit long-winded, but now I wonder what was missed because the story pulled me under.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Violence, Murder, and Confinement