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nordiccowgirl's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
alwaysbooking's review against another edition
5.0
See my buddy review with Danielle at Alwaysbooking.wordpress.com
Isoka is one of those characters you just love to hate, I can’t say I rooted for her the whole way through the book. There may have been times that I may have wished for her demise. However, I think that is what makes this book s interesting, that you actually may not like the protagonist and all of her choices. I loved the world building, I could always feel myself in the world. Every creepy thing that this author threw at you was real and in front of me. The attention to detail and the thought that went into how this ship may or may not be working and what creatures would be attracted to it was interesting. The class system on the ship was another interesting factor, I really enjoyed all those characters almost a young Pirates of the Caribbean but not quite. As per usual I really got attached to the side characters and want more of their back stories than the main character but that’s always my fault and not the author’s. I am really looking forward to the second book, I cannot wait for it. It will be a preorder for me that’s for sure!
Isoka is one of those characters you just love to hate, I can’t say I rooted for her the whole way through the book. There may have been times that I may have wished for her demise. However, I think that is what makes this book s interesting, that you actually may not like the protagonist and all of her choices. I loved the world building, I could always feel myself in the world. Every creepy thing that this author threw at you was real and in front of me. The attention to detail and the thought that went into how this ship may or may not be working and what creatures would be attracted to it was interesting. The class system on the ship was another interesting factor, I really enjoyed all those characters almost a young Pirates of the Caribbean but not quite. As per usual I really got attached to the side characters and want more of their back stories than the main character but that’s always my fault and not the author’s. I am really looking forward to the second book, I cannot wait for it. It will be a preorder for me that’s for sure!
antivancrowe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Character 4| Setting 5| Plot 3.5| Writing 3.5| Enjoyability 4
Overall Rating: 4
I didn't really know what to expect with this book, I knew it was queer and fantasy and I was like hey I love gay fantasy books. It's my preferred book!
Isoka is a person I would avoid if I ever met her. She's cruel and no nonsense. I'm glad she doesn't stay that way. She is a person who changes for the better and I'm happy for her. Shes a survivor and she'll do what she has to. I get it, but sometimes you don't need to be that callous. I was proud how much she changed in the end.
I thought Soliton was interesting, I was hoping for a little more ghosty stuff to happen on the GHOST SHIP, but nothing too ghosty happened. Listen, I love old JRPGs and they had a ghost ship in them a lot of the time, my favorite part was going on the ghosts ships. I love that shit.
I hope we get more of that vibe in the future books. Maybe we will and maybe we won't.
This is definitely action packed so it's super easy to get into. It was fun! I loved it!
Overall Rating: 4
I didn't really know what to expect with this book, I knew it was queer and fantasy and I was like hey I love gay fantasy books. It's my preferred book!
Isoka is a person I would avoid if I ever met her. She's cruel and no nonsense. I'm glad she doesn't stay that way. She is a person who changes for the better and I'm happy for her. Shes a survivor and she'll do what she has to. I get it, but sometimes you don't need to be that callous. I was proud how much she changed in the end.
I thought Soliton was interesting, I was hoping for a little more ghosty stuff to happen on the GHOST SHIP, but nothing too ghosty happened. Listen, I love old JRPGs and they had a ghost ship in them a lot of the time, my favorite part was going on the ghosts ships. I love that shit.
I hope we get more of that vibe in the future books. Maybe we will and maybe we won't.
This is definitely action packed so it's super easy to get into. It was fun! I loved it!
tinynavajo's review against another edition
3.0
Out of the frying pan and into the boiler with Isoka. She is a Melos adept, meaning she can draw fully on Melos, the Well of Combat. She is taken from her home and her ability to protect her sister with one task, take the Soliton, the ghost ship, and bring it back to Kahnzoka, or her sister's life is forfeit.
Once on the ship, Isoka learns there is more going on that she originally thought and if she has any desire to get off this ship and back to her sister, she has to do what she has always done; hurt those around her.
Once on the ship, Isoka learns there is more going on that she originally thought and if she has any desire to get off this ship and back to her sister, she has to do what she has always done; hurt those around her.
tessa_313's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the book! The first couple chapters threw a little to much information at me for my liking but after like chapter 5 the book really started to get good. The ending was amazing. Overall, would recommend for any age group 12+.
tani's review against another edition
5.0
I think Django Wexler is officially one of my favorite authors. I loved his Shadow Campaigns series. And now, having hesitated over reading this book because I was cautious of the YA label, I find that I completely loved it!
The book features Isoka, a former street child who's worked her way up to the status of ward boss through virtue of her adept abilities in the Well of Melos (aka combat magic) and her own ruthless. She's a hard character to like, especially at first. As I mentioned, she's ruthless. Her past has given her a brutal practicality that can be hard to empathize with at times. However, she really grew on me as the story progressed. She's a character with someone to protect, which is a trope I really like. I also really enjoyed the relationships that she develops throughout the book, especially with Meroe, one of the other main characters. And speaking of Meroe, she is also fantastic. She's such a strong and principled character, and I loved her to little bits.
Another aspect I really liked was the action. There are lots of fights throughout the book, and I thought Wexler did a great job with all of them. Each fight has a different issue, often focusing around Isoka learning a new way of using her powers, which is a kind of gradual change that I really enjoy. All of the fights are very urgent as well, with characters living and dying based on the results. It could have been really repetitive, but I actually enjoyed it a lot.
The final thing that really stood out to me about this book was the pace of events. Although I found the beginning a touch slow because I was having trouble connecting to Isoka, once things started rolling, I felt like they really started rolling. I read most of the book in two big gulps, not wanting to put it down, even when my brain didn't really want to compute words any longer. Things go wrong often, and the characters are left to just do the best that they're able.
If there's one area that I thought could use some improvement, it was the magic system. Although the magic system is pretty neat, the details of everything remain fairly sketchy throughout the story, partially because the characters themselves just don't really know. Basically, there are different wells of magic, which focus on different areas, like fire or combat. The level of proficiency a person has with their well is just a matter of luck of the draw, and it seems like a large number of people have no magic at all. I really hope that the next book delves more into the details of this, especially the well of Eddica. There's definitely a lot left to be learned, and I'm really looking forward to getting into it.
The book features Isoka, a former street child who's worked her way up to the status of ward boss through virtue of her adept abilities in the Well of Melos (aka combat magic) and her own ruthless. She's a hard character to like, especially at first. As I mentioned, she's ruthless. Her past has given her a brutal practicality that can be hard to empathize with at times. However, she really grew on me as the story progressed. She's a character with someone to protect, which is a trope I really like. I also really enjoyed the relationships that she develops throughout the book, especially with Meroe, one of the other main characters. And speaking of Meroe, she is also fantastic. She's such a strong and principled character, and I loved her to little bits.
Another aspect I really liked was the action. There are lots of fights throughout the book, and I thought Wexler did a great job with all of them. Each fight has a different issue, often focusing around Isoka learning a new way of using her powers, which is a kind of gradual change that I really enjoy. All of the fights are very urgent as well, with characters living and dying based on the results. It could have been really repetitive, but I actually enjoyed it a lot.
The final thing that really stood out to me about this book was the pace of events. Although I found the beginning a touch slow because I was having trouble connecting to Isoka, once things started rolling, I felt like they really started rolling. I read most of the book in two big gulps, not wanting to put it down, even when my brain didn't really want to compute words any longer. Things go wrong often, and the characters are left to just do the best that they're able.
If there's one area that I thought could use some improvement, it was the magic system. Although the magic system is pretty neat, the details of everything remain fairly sketchy throughout the story, partially because the characters themselves just don't really know. Basically, there are different wells of magic, which focus on different areas, like fire or combat. The level of proficiency a person has with their well is just a matter of luck of the draw, and it seems like a large number of people have no magic at all. I really hope that the next book delves more into the details of this, especially the well of Eddica. There's definitely a lot left to be learned, and I'm really looking forward to getting into it.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one, what a great way to start the year. With something good!
Isoka is not a nice person, she is a gang enforcer. She kills without remorse, she'd kill her best friend to save her sister, but then Isoka does not have friends. But still, she is great reading about.
I felt like the book did not start off any YAish, when she gets to the ship it gets a bit more YAish, but not that much. Not angsty, silly romance, silly drama, ok sorry YA, but so many have these issues! It feels strong and it stands on its own. No need to label it.
The story is great. She is sent to a creepy ship that comes to collect people of a certain age with powers, and they are given as tribute, cos else bad things happen. And the ship is untouchable, and no one knows anything about it.
What a creepy ship, why does it collect people with power? Who sails it? Why are there creepy things attacking?
We do learn a bit, but not enough. I need answers! I need book 2 at once.
Great book, quite the thrilling ride. Wexler does not disappoint.
Isoka is not a nice person, she is a gang enforcer. She kills without remorse, she'd kill her best friend to save her sister, but then Isoka does not have friends. But still, she is great reading about.
I felt like the book did not start off any YAish, when she gets to the ship it gets a bit more YAish, but not that much. Not angsty, silly romance, silly drama, ok sorry YA, but so many have these issues! It feels strong and it stands on its own. No need to label it.
The story is great. She is sent to a creepy ship that comes to collect people of a certain age with powers, and they are given as tribute, cos else bad things happen. And the ship is untouchable, and no one knows anything about it.
What a creepy ship, why does it collect people with power? Who sails it? Why are there creepy things attacking?
We do learn a bit, but not enough. I need answers! I need book 2 at once.
Great book, quite the thrilling ride. Wexler does not disappoint.