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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It is a bleak book, but I happen to like a bleak book. Only really docking because there were a few points where I felt as though words were only being used half correctly, as though the author were using a thesaurus when he should have just used the word that he wanted to use. I have also noticed a couple of grammatical errors, which probably wouldn't have stood out to me, had I not been drawn out of the story by the occasional misuse of a word.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- not narrated by who you'd think is the 'main' character which was interesting.
- surprisingly well written, especially for a debut novel.
- great world building and character development, easy to comprehend but not surface level.
- I really enjoyed this one, on the look out for the others in this series.
- surprisingly well written, especially for a debut novel.
- great world building and character development, easy to comprehend but not surface level.
- I really enjoyed this one, on the look out for the others in this series.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Okay so this book was not what I expected but in a good way, and while I wouldn't consider it overly similar to type of book I normally like, I enjoyed the story and I'm excited for book 2!
Overall, I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, I went into it with relatively low expectations, and it actually fell fairly short on things I tend to look for in a fantasy book. The world-building wasn't bad, but it could definitely have been developed further, the characters weren't as engaging and interesting as those in my favourite series, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It definitely felt like less intense fantasy than a lot of the books I'm used to, but still enjoyable. The legal system in the world was interesting to explore, set against a really engaging mystery plot that had a satisfying resolution and a great sequel set-up.
The plot on the whole was interesting and engaging, though a little slow in the first third. I would have also liked to see Helena's backstory actually play out in real time as opposed to just being a story told second hand. I think it would have made an interesting prologue. I think the tensions left over from the formation of the empire could have been used further to develop the world and flesh out the characters, but the foundation was there to build off as the series continues. I wasn't super interested in Vonvault's character for the first 1/3 of the book but I found him more interesting (if not necessarily likable) as the book continued. The way the story is told - as Helena's account of events since past - does a good job of creating intrigue.
I'm looking forward to getting my hands on book two, and I'm hoping that Swan explores the world in a little more depth as the series continues. I would like to learn more about the history of the Empire and see more of the impact that it's history had on the way characters understand each other. We got snippets of that in the first book with responses to Helena's last name, but I would like to see that expanded in the next book.
Overall, I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, I went into it with relatively low expectations, and it actually fell fairly short on things I tend to look for in a fantasy book. The world-building wasn't bad, but it could definitely have been developed further, the characters weren't as engaging and interesting as those in my favourite series, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It definitely felt like less intense fantasy than a lot of the books I'm used to, but still enjoyable. The legal system in the world was interesting to explore, set against a really engaging mystery plot that had a satisfying resolution and a great sequel set-up.
The plot on the whole was interesting and engaging, though a little slow in the first third. I would have also liked to see Helena's backstory actually play out in real time as opposed to just being a story told second hand. I think it would have made an interesting prologue. I think the tensions left over from the formation of the empire could have been used further to develop the world and flesh out the characters, but the foundation was there to build off as the series continues. I wasn't super interested in Vonvault's character for the first 1/3 of the book but I found him more interesting (if not necessarily likable) as the book continued. The way the story is told - as Helena's account of events since past - does a good job of creating intrigue.
I'm looking forward to getting my hands on book two, and I'm hoping that Swan explores the world in a little more depth as the series continues. I would like to learn more about the history of the Empire and see more of the impact that it's history had on the way characters understand each other. We got snippets of that in the first book with responses to Helena's last name, but I would like to see that expanded in the next book.
Definitely a good book, but it struggled to hold my attention.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I was gripped! This is a low, dark fantasy. It reminded me a lot of older Warhammer, it's very much a Dark Heresy plot (the retinue of an inquisitor of sorts) set in the Old World (late medieval Holy Roman Empire style setting where magic is forbidding and religious zealots stir unrest).
There were a few moments that felt a little rushed but I think they are as much the youth of our narrator as anything. I loved our characters and the mud-strewn world. I also loved that the stakes of the arc are made clear from page one. Planning to start book two pretty much right away!
There were a few moments that felt a little rushed but I think they are as much the youth of our narrator as anything. I loved our characters and the mud-strewn world. I also loved that the stakes of the arc are made clear from page one. Planning to start book two pretty much right away!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book absolutely FLEW by. From the beginning the plot surged off the starting blocks and didn’t let up until the final page. There was action, intrigue, fear-inducing magic, political machinations, and a murder mystery to boot. It also had my favorite type of villain to hate - religious zealots who are so overly confident I wanted to punch them in the face. I loved our small band of main characters, especially Vonvolt, and the CSI-SVU vibes of the murder investigation and legal drama.
I will say though that the actual main character Helena was kind of annoying. She’s supposed to be brave and from the streets, yet screams and cries at basically everything. After a while that got on my nerves. But what saved it is that the story is told from the perspective of an older Helena looking back, and the older Helena acknowledges her past naïveté and teenage angst. Also, Helena did have some character growth by the end.
All in all, I can’t wait to continue this series!
I will say though that the actual main character Helena was kind of annoying. She’s supposed to be brave and from the streets, yet screams and cries at basically everything. After a while that got on my nerves. But what saved it is that the story is told from the perspective of an older Helena looking back, and the older Helena acknowledges her past naïveté and teenage angst. Also, Helena did have some character growth by the end.
All in all, I can’t wait to continue this series!