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chrisb913's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am incredibly shocked this was a debut novel. The way Gwynne had me gripped to the edge of my seat as I devoured this story. I had heard there was slow pacing and that is factual. But I could not put this book down. The character work for me was phenomenal. The way he incorporated so many povs into this story, yet still was able to seamlessly weave the narrative between them and progress the overarching plot between so many different subplot going on. If this was his first novel, and everything gets better from here? I cannot wait to continue on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and Torture
btaylorg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I dislike giving ratings now because depending on my mood and who you are it could go lower or higher. But a friend was curious my thoughts on this book so here they are.
It was a fine book. It trode well known and worn literary roads. People complain about tropes, but they are tropes for a reason. When done well, tropes work. I did not find myself hating the obvious tropes in fact I found them to be moderately to well written.
Where this novel shines is in the action scenes. There is a certain visceral nature to the scenes, As the author describes the sword, shield, and spear combat, there is a balance in very specific combat descriptions and the frenzied nature of a battle.
Now to the negatives.
I felt there were too many point of view characters. I found myself annoyed that I was intrested in one story and then forced to jump to another that I just did not care about. I understand why that was the case given what needed to be shown in order for the book to make sense. But still that was a bit rough for me.
Also consider yourself warned. This novel has a very slow start. It does pick up. But be prepared to go though a large part of the novel before it gets more engaging.
Overall it was a enjoyable read. From what I understood this was the author's first novel so I'm giving him a little leeway. Many great authors make less then stellar, if not tired, first entries to thier series but then follow up with something truly engaging and special (I'm looking at you Pierce Brown and your Red Rising series) but this novel did what it needed. It got me engaged and had me enter a warlike fantasy world inside its pages. It may not be for everyone but I will continue the series. Excited to see Swords and spears clash with giants and gods.
It was a fine book. It trode well known and worn literary roads. People complain about tropes, but they are tropes for a reason. When done well, tropes work. I did not find myself hating the obvious tropes in fact I found them to be moderately to well written.
Where this novel shines is in the action scenes. There is a certain visceral nature to the scenes, As the author describes the sword, shield, and spear combat, there is a balance in very specific combat descriptions and the frenzied nature of a battle.
Now to the negatives.
I felt there were too many point of view characters. I found myself annoyed that I was intrested in one story and then forced to jump to another that I just did not care about. I understand why that was the case given what needed to be shown in order for the book to make sense. But still that was a bit rough for me.
Also consider yourself warned. This novel has a very slow start. It does pick up. But be prepared to go though a large part of the novel before it gets more engaging.
Overall it was a enjoyable read. From what I understood this was the author's first novel so I'm giving him a little leeway. Many great authors make less then stellar, if not tired, first entries to thier series but then follow up with something truly engaging and special (I'm looking at you Pierce Brown and your Red Rising series) but this novel did what it needed. It got me engaged and had me enter a warlike fantasy world inside its pages. It may not be for everyone but I will continue the series. Excited to see Swords and spears clash with giants and gods.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and War
happyknitter2020's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely loved it. My first John Gwynne book, become attached to the characters, developed an ecomap of each group, so could keep up with the POVs as they developed & listened to the audio book to reflect on what I had read. Thiscreally helped me get through the first half, after this I felt I was in their world.
So many people that I cared for died so quickly without preparing.
So many people that I cared for died so quickly without preparing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
ashleykhoffman's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Now this is a war fantasy. Some authors try to write war, but every character comes out relatively unscathed, but this is dark and twisty and heartbreaking. There are a LOT of characters and places, and for a first book in a series, I think a lot of them were unnecessary and just made this slower to get through. I had to take notes to make sure I was even kind of following earlier parts of the book. It does seem like the series will be much easier to follow in subsequent books, but be aware if you're a mood reader that this one takes focus and determination to plow through the world building. But the end is worth it and I'm excited for book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Grief
hails2dabails's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, and Alcohol
kmack79's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Even the brave will fall"
There are humans, draighs, giants, wyrm, wolven, and a talking bird.
The world building was good and the magic system I feel is just the beginning in this book.
The black sun is gaining its ascendency and there are going to be far larger problems to come than this war. The prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust
Corban is a young warrior who is learning to protect and serve under King Brenin. He finds a wolven who he raises from a pup that now has grown and is his protective companion. He is the main character in this book so you definitely root for him.
Veradis is a very skilled swordsmen who is in the High prince Nathair's warband. He seems like a cool character. Seems like a Jamie Lanister type except isnt so cocky. ; )
Nathair- the High Prince, doesn't agree with his father (High King Aquilus) to summon his fellow kings to council.
The book reminded me of Game of thrones in many ways. Its violent. Don't get too comfortable with characters they may die!
There are humans, draighs, giants, wyrm, wolven, and a talking bird.
The world building was good and the magic system I feel is just the beginning in this book.
The black sun is gaining its ascendency and there are going to be far larger problems to come than this war. The prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust
Corban is a young warrior who is learning to protect and serve under King Brenin. He finds a wolven who he raises from a pup that now has grown and is his protective companion. He is the main character in this book so you definitely root for him.
Veradis is a very skilled swordsmen who is in the High prince Nathair's warband. He seems like a cool character. Seems like a Jamie Lanister type except isnt so cocky. ; )
Nathair- the High Prince, doesn't agree with his father (High King Aquilus) to summon his fellow kings to council.
The book reminded me of Game of thrones in many ways. Its violent. Don't get too comfortable with characters they may die!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
lejones1785's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of characters and storylines to keep track of. I loved every minute of it. It's like game of thrones without bad language and nakiness. I had a hard time putting this book down because I was so invested in the characters and the stories. My only complaint is to be prepared for a cliffhanger. I can't wait to start the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Violence, and War
moosereads1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely adored this book! It was definitely a slower pace, but honestly I feel like that was a bit necessary to accommodate the intense world building that Gwynne provides. The book made me laugh, cry, and held me on the edge of my seat through it all. I can’t wait to start the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
grunks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
xta_07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is John Gwynne’s incredibly ambitions debut novel, and Oh Boy, this story was a doozy. The first half of it did feel a bit disjointed as Gwynne sets up everyone on the board. Plus he doesn’t do any hand-holding of any kind. You are dropped into the middle of a world, and you need to pay attention and strap in. Because once he gets going he doesn’t stop!
Bandits and Mythical creatures have started to awaken and harass our characters that live in the Banished lands. Heralding the prophesied god war. Essentially this will be a battle of good vs evil, and the characters we follow are beginning to choose what side they will end up on.
I actually enjoyed most of the beginning chapters in this book, I found Corban’s chapters almost cozy in a weird way. Plus no-one writes a battle scene quite like this author, once the action starts it doesn’t stop. I highly enjoyed this read, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
Bandits and Mythical creatures have started to awaken and harass our characters that live in the Banished lands. Heralding the prophesied god war. Essentially this will be a battle of good vs evil, and the characters we follow are beginning to choose what side they will end up on.
I actually enjoyed most of the beginning chapters in this book, I found Corban’s chapters almost cozy in a weird way. Plus no-one writes a battle scene quite like this author, once the action starts it doesn’t stop. I highly enjoyed this read, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, and War
Minor: Alcoholism