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fortunatesam52's review
adventurous
dark
slow-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? Yes
3.5
beaktastic's review against another edition
4.0
Another great book from Peter V. Brett, who is clearly a very skilled and talented writer and world builder/developer.
The Daylight War picks up where The Desert Spear left off. Both Jardir and Arlen have faced and killed a coreling prince, a mind demon, and learned that come the next Waning of the moon, the nighttime war is about to change, and get a whole lot worse. And so they have a month to prepare their respective sides and prepare to face a now more organised and cohesive coreling army. If the different factions and sides of humans can stop fighting amongst themselves to do so...
Once again, Brett begins the book by taking us back to the past of a character we had already met but come to hate, this time Jardir's first wife and high priestess, Inevera. But unlike the previous book, Inevera's tale is spread out a little more throughout the book which I liked more than it being in one big dump at the beginning. I liked Inevera's tale. It wasn't as long as Jardir's origin story or quite as complicated or involved, as it didn't need to do as much setting for Krasia, but it did make me understand and come to respect Inevera, and even like her more than I did previously. It humanised her a lot more.
I liked the development of most of the characters, particularly Rojer, Amanvah and Sikvah, but also smaller characters like Wonda and Gared. I still dislike Renna, but that might just be me. Leesha is becoming more annoying and idiotic I feel as the book progressed, and Arlen has become a bit more annoying as well with his huge personality change in this book but it is a nice development for his character.
This book is a lot more focused on political intrigue and struggles between different people and factions, rather than against the corelings, which makes sense considering the title of the book and what it means/represents. There was not as much of an actual war between the Thesans and Krasians but you could feel the tension throughout. This book was much more about the people in charge and their attempts to organise their people and one-up each other to gain the upper hand. I enjoyed it, but I do know some people may not like all the political intrigue as opposed to the more coreling-based drama.
Don't get me wrong though, the Corelings still play their part and have become a more menacing threat as they start to become more organised under the mind demons, and become a very serious opponent when Waning comes... and it can surely only get even worse in the next book.
And what an ending! AHHH!
Peter V. Brett, please release the next book now!
Overall, a great book and continuation of the series.
The Daylight War picks up where The Desert Spear left off. Both Jardir and Arlen have faced and killed a coreling prince, a mind demon, and learned that come the next Waning of the moon, the nighttime war is about to change, and get a whole lot worse. And so they have a month to prepare their respective sides and prepare to face a now more organised and cohesive coreling army. If the different factions and sides of humans can stop fighting amongst themselves to do so...
Once again, Brett begins the book by taking us back to the past of a character we had already met but come to hate, this time Jardir's first wife and high priestess, Inevera. But unlike the previous book, Inevera's tale is spread out a little more throughout the book which I liked more than it being in one big dump at the beginning. I liked Inevera's tale. It wasn't as long as Jardir's origin story or quite as complicated or involved, as it didn't need to do as much setting for Krasia, but it did make me understand and come to respect Inevera, and even like her more than I did previously. It humanised her a lot more.
I liked the development of most of the characters, particularly Rojer, Amanvah and Sikvah, but also smaller characters like Wonda and Gared. I still dislike Renna, but that might just be me. Leesha is becoming more annoying and idiotic I feel as the book progressed, and Arlen has become a bit more annoying as well with his huge personality change in this book but it is a nice development for his character.
This book is a lot more focused on political intrigue and struggles between different people and factions, rather than against the corelings, which makes sense considering the title of the book and what it means/represents. There was not as much of an actual war between the Thesans and Krasians but you could feel the tension throughout. This book was much more about the people in charge and their attempts to organise their people and one-up each other to gain the upper hand. I enjoyed it, but I do know some people may not like all the political intrigue as opposed to the more coreling-based drama.
Don't get me wrong though, the Corelings still play their part and have become a more menacing threat as they start to become more organised under the mind demons, and become a very serious opponent when Waning comes... and it can surely only get even worse in the next book.
And what an ending! AHHH!
Peter V. Brett, please release the next book now!
Overall, a great book and continuation of the series.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Third in The Demon Cycle fantasy revolving around Arlen Bales, a man who refuses to allow demons to take any man.
My Take
Sure, it's a lot of pages with plenty of space to tell a story, and there is so much story that Brett tells. This particular one brings us up-to-date on what's happening in Deliverer's Hollow while Leesha is off with Jardir and what Arlen Bales and his Promised are doing, but it's primary concern is in filling us in on Inevera's story and how she brings Jardir into prominence. There's the infighting amongst everyone: Jardir versus his people and Inervera; Leesha and the people who accompany her on her visit with Jardir and the return; Rojer's wedding and its myriad issues that slap up against whose loyalty goes where and the strictures of the Evejah; the clash of rulers in Cutter's Hollow; and, the politics that crash against everyone and everything at every level.
Keep track of the date/time at the start of various chapters. It will help you keep track of when you are in the story as well as act as a countdown to battle.
It's interesting that Brett uses our notions of Middle Eastern culture and Islam to paint the bad guys, and how often their culture is used in this way. It does make me think of how easily it could be turned around the other way, for no culture is without its wrongs. Part of me wants to say that the culture in which I was raised would find them wrong, but in truth, there are aspects of the West and the Middle East that I find wrong and right. You could claim the dama'ting was wrong, and yet likening it to a nunnery with sexual freedom would also be accurate with more honesty existing in the dama'ting.
In many ways, I think of The Daylight War as a bridge. It's filling us in on the characters, tidying up what has occurred in the past two installments, and setting us up for the battle to come.
The Story
A world where none dare the night, but ward any possible entrance to living space, storage shed, barn, field, or business against the demons which attack nightly. The people of this world have lost so much, but Arlen Bales has learned spells of protection, of attack, and he is spreading his knowledge to all he can reach.
Inevera is called by the dice into the Dama'ting, possibly to be their next leader. If she can survive the wrath of those Betrothed and Brides who see her as inferior. She will grow to become a manipulative little bitch, relying upon the dice for her every move.
The Characters
Inevera is the youngest child of Manvah, the basketweaver, and her drunken husband, Kasaad. She undergoes the Hannu Pash in the prologue. Soli is her older brother who has just achieved the black robes of a full dal'Sharum. He is also push'ting, gay.
Ahmann Jardir is the leader of the Krasian people, holding the Spear of Kaji. He was Arlen's best friend before he betrayed him in Desert Spear. Inevera is his First Wife, Jiwah Ka, and Damajah, but he has asked Leesha to marry him. Kajivah is his rather stupid mother.
Jayan, physically strong, and Asome, mentally strong, are Jardir's first sons. His heirs. Amanvah is the first daughter and Inevera's heir.
The Brides of Everam, the Dama'ting
The dama'tings' initial purpose is to heal, to poison, and to use hora magic. Girls new to the Dama'ting are called Betrothed; as they move up in skill, they become nie'dama'ting, and then Brides. Kenevah is the Damaji'ting, the First Bride, the head of the Dama'ting when Inevera first joins. Qeva is her daughter; Melan is Qeva's daughter; Asavi is Melan's pillow friend. Enkido was a great warrior, but now he is a eunuch in the service of the dama'ting.
Abban is khaffit and crippled after his mishap in the Maze back in Desert Spear, but he is still a valued friend to Jardir. He has done well for himself as a merchant. Shamavah is Abban's First Wife. Master Qeran is a brilliant drillmaster, but since he lost his leg, he loses himself in drink. And he hates all khaffit. Fahki and Shusten are Abban's disrespectful sons. Jamere is his nephew and totally corrupt.
Hasik Ahmann is now bodyguard to the Skarum Ka, a vicious, sadistic sociopath who destroys or rapes anyone he can catch. Dama Khevat is in charge of a boy's potential for the Sharum. Dama Baden is a push'ting dama, a lord. Cashiv is Dama Baden's kai'Sharum and Soli's ajin'pal, the warrior tethered to him, who fought by his side his first night in the Maze. Dama Ashan is personal dama to Jardir, and his heir is Asukaji, who is pillow friends with Asome, his cousin, who marries Askukaji's sister, Ashia, so that the men may have children. Highly respected by Jardir, Dama Aleverak's heir is Maji. Krisha is a rival basketmaker whose goods are shoddy.
Arlen Bales has been called the Deliverer; he is the Painted Man, the Warded Man, known as Par'chin among the Krasians, tattooed with wards of protection against the demons he battles. Renna Tanner is the girl he fled all those years ago; he went back to Tibbet's Brook to claim her. Twilight Dancer is his demon-fighting horse; Promise is the untrainable horse Renna chooses for her own from Jon Stallion's stock, the man who raises and trains the wild Angierian mustangs that fight so well. Nik is his son; Glyn is his wife.
Deliverer's Hollow
Darsy Cutter is an Herb Gatherer minding Leesha's house while she's gone. The town is known for its cutters, lumbermen, who harvest the trees. Those who fought that first battle include Jow, Evin, Linder, and Ande Cutter; Yon Gray and his kin; Tomm Wedge and his sons; Samm Saw; and, Dug and Merrem Butcher, who were real butchers before the battle. Smitt is the innkeeper and Town Speaker; his wife Stefny is a preachy thing until Renna finds the key.
With Count Thamos sent by his brother Duke Rhinebeck of Angiers (their mother, Araine, the Duchess Mum is the real power) with his Wooden Soldiers and supplies, they've gone back to being Cutter's Hollow (see Desert Spear for the battle that occurred there). Lord Arther is Thamos' servant. Squire Gamon is captain of the count's guard. Lord Jasin Goldentone is the "duke's Herald and nephew to Lord Janson, first minister of Angiers". Tender Hayes is the High Inquisitor taking Tender Jona's place. Vika is Jona's worried wife. Child Franq is Hayes' self-righteous little aide.
Kendall is a fiddler who can charm demons with her music. Hary Roller is teaching a number of fiddlers how to charm the demons.
Leesha Paper's return to the Hollow
Leesha Paper is the Herb Gatherer who went off with Jardir. She's also Arlen's friend. Her price of acceptance is becoming the duchess' Royal Gatherer or see someone put above her. Erny and that slut Elona are her parents. Gared Cutter was to have been Leesha's intended; now he's Baron of Cutter's Hollow and General of the Cutters (hollow, since he is already the leader of the Cutters). Wonda is her protector and becomes a bow-woman for the duchy.
Rojer Inn is a master fiddler, a Jongleur, easily able to charm demons and kill them with his playing, and he's gone off with Leesha Paper. Amanvah and Sikvah---daughter and niece of Jardir---marry him; he's willing for the particular power they bring.
Kaval is the Sharum who leads the Krasian guard that accompanies Leesha back to the Hollow. He and Coliv were two of the men who tried to murder Arlen.
Krasian culture
Everam is the god of the Krasians. The Maze is a deadly game to hone warriors' skills. A khaffit is the lowest of the Krasian people. Sharusahk is a type of hand-to-hand self defense; sharukin is a position. Sharik Hora is a temple of heroes' bones where boys with the greatest potential go for training. Hannu Pash is an event when Krasian children learn what their future holds: the nine-year-old girls have one chance while the boys have several years to learn. The Evejah and the Evejah'ting are the bibles of the Krasians. The first is the general version while the second is written especially for the Dama'ting. Hora magic uses demon bones. The Sharum Ka is the leader of the Krasians. Sharum are Krasian warriors; soon there will be Sharum'ting, women warriors. Sharak Ka is the great battle to come; the Shar'Dama Ka is Jirdar, the Deliverer. The first one was Kaji, their greatest leader. Alagai are demons. Jiwah Sen are sister-wives. "Waxing" and "waning" are phases of the moon the Krasians use to count time. Dama are lords (and clerics??); they are higher in the hierarchy than dama'ting. The Andrah is something like a minister; I think he's second "heir". Chin are what the Krasians call the Thesans. A zahven could be a brother or rival.
Thesan culture
The Creator is their name for God, and the Canon is their bible. Gatherers are healers who use herbs and well respected. A hedge warder is one who is self-taught in creating protective wards against the demons. A Tender is their version of a priest.
The Demons
Corelings are one name for the demons who rise up from the Core of the world to feed on humans. Field, stone, rock, flame, mind, mimic, and wood are only a few of the demon types who attack. The Royal Consort is the current demon mated to the Queen; he holds his position through guile and trickery.
The Cover
The cover is RED. In a swirl of silks edged in gold, Amanvah comes to a stop, kneeling on the floor, bejeweled, veiled, in her pillow dancing silks, and holding her hora dice, for this is merely the beginning of true war.
I'm guessing that the title actually refers to The Daylight War being waged between the Krasians and the Thesans. All humans, and more interested in power and territory than actual protection.
My Take
Sure, it's a lot of pages with plenty of space to tell a story, and there is so much story that Brett tells. This particular one brings us up-to-date on what's happening in Deliverer's Hollow while Leesha is off with Jardir and what Arlen Bales and his Promised are doing, but it's primary concern is in filling us in on Inevera's story and how she brings Jardir into prominence. There's the infighting amongst everyone: Jardir versus his people and Inervera; Leesha and the people who accompany her on her visit with Jardir and the return; Rojer's wedding and its myriad issues that slap up against whose loyalty goes where and the strictures of the Evejah; the clash of rulers in Cutter's Hollow; and, the politics that crash against everyone and everything at every level.
Keep track of the date/time at the start of various chapters. It will help you keep track of when you are in the story as well as act as a countdown to battle.
It's interesting that Brett uses our notions of Middle Eastern culture and Islam to paint the bad guys, and how often their culture is used in this way. It does make me think of how easily it could be turned around the other way, for no culture is without its wrongs. Part of me wants to say that the culture in which I was raised would find them wrong, but in truth, there are aspects of the West and the Middle East that I find wrong and right. You could claim the dama'ting was wrong, and yet likening it to a nunnery with sexual freedom would also be accurate with more honesty existing in the dama'ting.
In many ways, I think of The Daylight War as a bridge. It's filling us in on the characters, tidying up what has occurred in the past two installments, and setting us up for the battle to come.
The Story
A world where none dare the night, but ward any possible entrance to living space, storage shed, barn, field, or business against the demons which attack nightly. The people of this world have lost so much, but Arlen Bales has learned spells of protection, of attack, and he is spreading his knowledge to all he can reach.
Inevera is called by the dice into the Dama'ting, possibly to be their next leader. If she can survive the wrath of those Betrothed and Brides who see her as inferior. She will grow to become a manipulative little bitch, relying upon the dice for her every move.
The Characters
Inevera is the youngest child of Manvah, the basketweaver, and her drunken husband, Kasaad. She undergoes the Hannu Pash in the prologue. Soli is her older brother who has just achieved the black robes of a full dal'Sharum. He is also push'ting, gay.
Ahmann Jardir is the leader of the Krasian people, holding the Spear of Kaji. He was Arlen's best friend before he betrayed him in Desert Spear. Inevera is his First Wife, Jiwah Ka, and Damajah, but he has asked Leesha to marry him. Kajivah is his rather stupid mother.
Jayan, physically strong, and Asome, mentally strong, are Jardir's first sons. His heirs. Amanvah is the first daughter and Inevera's heir.
The Brides of Everam, the Dama'ting
The dama'tings' initial purpose is to heal, to poison, and to use hora magic. Girls new to the Dama'ting are called Betrothed; as they move up in skill, they become nie'dama'ting, and then Brides. Kenevah is the Damaji'ting, the First Bride, the head of the Dama'ting when Inevera first joins. Qeva is her daughter; Melan is Qeva's daughter; Asavi is Melan's pillow friend. Enkido was a great warrior, but now he is a eunuch in the service of the dama'ting.
Abban is khaffit and crippled after his mishap in the Maze back in Desert Spear, but he is still a valued friend to Jardir. He has done well for himself as a merchant. Shamavah is Abban's First Wife. Master Qeran is a brilliant drillmaster, but since he lost his leg, he loses himself in drink. And he hates all khaffit. Fahki and Shusten are Abban's disrespectful sons. Jamere is his nephew and totally corrupt.
Hasik Ahmann is now bodyguard to the Skarum Ka, a vicious, sadistic sociopath who destroys or rapes anyone he can catch. Dama Khevat is in charge of a boy's potential for the Sharum. Dama Baden is a push'ting dama, a lord. Cashiv is Dama Baden's kai'Sharum and Soli's ajin'pal, the warrior tethered to him, who fought by his side his first night in the Maze. Dama Ashan is personal dama to Jardir, and his heir is Asukaji, who is pillow friends with Asome, his cousin, who marries Askukaji's sister, Ashia, so that the men may have children. Highly respected by Jardir, Dama Aleverak's heir is Maji. Krisha is a rival basketmaker whose goods are shoddy.
Arlen Bales has been called the Deliverer; he is the Painted Man, the Warded Man, known as Par'chin among the Krasians, tattooed with wards of protection against the demons he battles. Renna Tanner is the girl he fled all those years ago; he went back to Tibbet's Brook to claim her. Twilight Dancer is his demon-fighting horse; Promise is the untrainable horse Renna chooses for her own from Jon Stallion's stock, the man who raises and trains the wild Angierian mustangs that fight so well. Nik is his son; Glyn is his wife.
Deliverer's Hollow
Darsy Cutter is an Herb Gatherer minding Leesha's house while she's gone. The town is known for its cutters, lumbermen, who harvest the trees. Those who fought that first battle include Jow, Evin, Linder, and Ande Cutter; Yon Gray and his kin; Tomm Wedge and his sons; Samm Saw; and, Dug and Merrem Butcher, who were real butchers before the battle. Smitt is the innkeeper and Town Speaker; his wife Stefny is a preachy thing until Renna finds the key.
With Count Thamos sent by his brother Duke Rhinebeck of Angiers (their mother, Araine, the Duchess Mum is the real power) with his Wooden Soldiers and supplies, they've gone back to being Cutter's Hollow (see Desert Spear for the battle that occurred there). Lord Arther is Thamos' servant. Squire Gamon is captain of the count's guard. Lord Jasin Goldentone is the "duke's Herald and nephew to Lord Janson, first minister of Angiers". Tender Hayes is the High Inquisitor taking Tender Jona's place. Vika is Jona's worried wife. Child Franq is Hayes' self-righteous little aide.
Kendall is a fiddler who can charm demons with her music. Hary Roller is teaching a number of fiddlers how to charm the demons.
Leesha Paper's return to the Hollow
Leesha Paper is the Herb Gatherer who went off with Jardir. She's also Arlen's friend. Her price of acceptance is becoming the duchess' Royal Gatherer or see someone put above her. Erny and that slut Elona are her parents. Gared Cutter was to have been Leesha's intended; now he's Baron of Cutter's Hollow and General of the Cutters (hollow, since he is already the leader of the Cutters). Wonda is her protector and becomes a bow-woman for the duchy.
Rojer Inn is a master fiddler, a Jongleur, easily able to charm demons and kill them with his playing, and he's gone off with Leesha Paper. Amanvah and Sikvah---daughter and niece of Jardir---marry him; he's willing for the particular power they bring.
Kaval is the Sharum who leads the Krasian guard that accompanies Leesha back to the Hollow. He and Coliv were two of the men who tried to murder Arlen.
Krasian culture
Everam is the god of the Krasians. The Maze is a deadly game to hone warriors' skills. A khaffit is the lowest of the Krasian people. Sharusahk is a type of hand-to-hand self defense; sharukin is a position. Sharik Hora is a temple of heroes' bones where boys with the greatest potential go for training. Hannu Pash is an event when Krasian children learn what their future holds: the nine-year-old girls have one chance while the boys have several years to learn. The Evejah and the Evejah'ting are the bibles of the Krasians. The first is the general version while the second is written especially for the Dama'ting. Hora magic uses demon bones. The Sharum Ka is the leader of the Krasians. Sharum are Krasian warriors; soon there will be Sharum'ting, women warriors. Sharak Ka is the great battle to come; the Shar'Dama Ka is Jirdar, the Deliverer. The first one was Kaji, their greatest leader. Alagai are demons. Jiwah Sen are sister-wives. "Waxing" and "waning" are phases of the moon the Krasians use to count time. Dama are lords (and clerics??); they are higher in the hierarchy than dama'ting. The Andrah is something like a minister; I think he's second "heir". Chin are what the Krasians call the Thesans. A zahven could be a brother or rival.
Thesan culture
The Creator is their name for God, and the Canon is their bible. Gatherers are healers who use herbs and well respected. A hedge warder is one who is self-taught in creating protective wards against the demons. A Tender is their version of a priest.
The Demons
Corelings are one name for the demons who rise up from the Core of the world to feed on humans. Field, stone, rock, flame, mind, mimic, and wood are only a few of the demon types who attack. The Royal Consort is the current demon mated to the Queen; he holds his position through guile and trickery.
The Cover
The cover is RED. In a swirl of silks edged in gold, Amanvah comes to a stop, kneeling on the floor, bejeweled, veiled, in her pillow dancing silks, and holding her hora dice, for this is merely the beginning of true war.
I'm guessing that the title actually refers to The Daylight War being waged between the Krasians and the Thesans. All humans, and more interested in power and territory than actual protection.
lotak's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
aceinit's review against another edition
5.0
A review in (very) brief:
I knew that That Thing That Happened On the Last Page would eventually happen. It had to happen. But, damn it, even though I am not a fan of the Krasians as a whole, Jardir and Inevera are by far the most interesting characters in the series. If we really have to go about killing main characters in epic There Can Be Only One battles to the death, let's start with Renna Tanner. Inevera would wipe the floor with her. It would be awesome.
Not Jardir. Even though he may not be dead. Even though if he is dead the unholy shitstorm that's going to erupt because of it will be fucking epic to behold.
I liked Jardir, dammit. I liked him way more than Arlen (blasphemy, I'm sure, but truth). I...
I need to know what becomes of this.
And what kind of insanity Inevera is going to unleash now that Arlen has hurt/killed her beloved.
Now. Not in 1-2 years when book 4 comes out.
Now. Pretty please?
A more coherent review to follow, but that's the immediate impression.
psoglav's review against another edition
3.0
UKUPNA OCENA (overall rating) ★★★ 3 stars
Radnja (story) ★★★
Ideja (plot idea) ★★★★
Okruženje (setting) ★★★
Pripovedanje (writing style) ★★★
Likovi (characters) ★★★✫
Pozitivno (pros) - Last 25% of the book is great, and Arlen's fight with mind demons is much better described than Jardir's. Interesting development of Arlen's powers.
Negativno (cons) - First part of the book focuses on Inevera's life and it only retells some events from her point of view which is not so interesting. 75% of the book is artificially prolonged and focused on relations between main characters instead on war with demons (Arlen and Renna, Leesha and Thamos, Roger and his brides...). Aura reading power of both main characters seems out of place. And of course the end of the book is a typical cliffhanger...
Radnja (story) ★★★
Ideja (plot idea) ★★★★
Okruženje (setting) ★★★
Pripovedanje (writing style) ★★★
Likovi (characters) ★★★✫
Pozitivno (pros) - Last 25% of the book is great, and Arlen's fight with mind demons is much better described than Jardir's. Interesting development of Arlen's powers.
Negativno (cons) - First part of the book focuses on Inevera's life and it only retells some events from her point of view which is not so interesting. 75% of the book is artificially prolonged and focused on relations between main characters instead on war with demons (Arlen and Renna, Leesha and Thamos, Roger and his brides...). Aura reading power of both main characters seems out of place. And of course the end of the book is a typical cliffhanger...
mrbear's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was... actually quite good!
There's a lot of little things that frustrate me about this series, and this book in particular (such as the vomit inducing dialoge between Arlen and Renna), but when you take a step back it's not hard to notice that the story here is actually quite well told. What I think this series does lack is precisely the "Game of Thrones" style of worldbuilding. As someone who doesnt particularly like GRRM's series, I must admit that it does a good job of bringing an entire world, rather than simply subsets, to life by having a vast array of characters. In this series, the world is basically two halves, with external cities and towns included but not very relevant to the main plotline (at least not in terms of characters). This detracts from the worldbuilding somewhat, since the impressive detail with which Brett paints the two main cultures is overshadowed by questions about why the other parts of the world are not also a part of the story, with their own story to tell.
I have other minor complaints, which I think are probably more just personal frustrations with the style than actual flaws in the book. This volume makes me want to recommend this series to fellow readers of the fantasy genre - there are setbacks in the series, but ultimately the story is impressive, unique, and very much worth reading.
There's a lot of little things that frustrate me about this series, and this book in particular (such as the vomit inducing dialoge between Arlen and Renna), but when you take a step back it's not hard to notice that the story here is actually quite well told. What I think this series does lack is precisely the "Game of Thrones" style of worldbuilding. As someone who doesnt particularly like GRRM's series, I must admit that it does a good job of bringing an entire world, rather than simply subsets, to life by having a vast array of characters. In this series, the world is basically two halves, with external cities and towns included but not very relevant to the main plotline (at least not in terms of characters). This detracts from the worldbuilding somewhat, since the impressive detail with which Brett paints the two main cultures is overshadowed by questions about why the other parts of the world are not also a part of the story, with their own story to tell.
I have other minor complaints, which I think are probably more just personal frustrations with the style than actual flaws in the book. This volume makes me want to recommend this series to fellow readers of the fantasy genre - there are setbacks in the series, but ultimately the story is impressive, unique, and very much worth reading.
subparcupcake's review against another edition
4.0
This is book 3 of 5 expected in the series, and it definitely shows. I loved Painted Man and Desert Spear. But this one? It didn't do nearly as well with me. It seemed to have suffered from the curse of the middle of a series. Slow slow slow... Lots of words and bouncing around, but not much actual progress. And then the ending.. Thankfully cliffhangers don't fill me with rage... If they do happen to fill you with rage? Don't read this yet. Wait for the next book to come out. This ends in a huge cliffhanger. You've been warned.
Despite the slowness I still enjoyed it. I'm still really digging the series as a whole and I'm still really looking forward to reading more. 3.5 stars rounded to 4 because I'm nice like that.
Despite the slowness I still enjoyed it. I'm still really digging the series as a whole and I'm still really looking forward to reading more. 3.5 stars rounded to 4 because I'm nice like that.