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lexms's review against another edition
2.0
Quality seems like it dropped tenfold.
Inconsistencies between books, reused plot, and characters bogged down from melodramatic and straight up annoying romance. The focus really missed the mark this time around.
Inconsistencies between books, reused plot, and characters bogged down from melodramatic and straight up annoying romance. The focus really missed the mark this time around.
peterkeep's review against another edition
5.0
This is easily the best book of this series so far. It escalates things without spiraling out of control, it puts characters in new situations, and adds some new dimensions to the plot with some small twists and turns.
It feels like a merger of the best parts of the previous two books: it takes all of the military stuff from the first and combines it with the political scheming from the second, and ends up with a really well-rounded story. I missed the square formations and military training while I was reading the second book, and so I was really happy to see them playing a larger role in the story again. The nice part is that this didn't sacrifice the new plot lines from the second book.
Again, best book of the series.
It feels like a merger of the best parts of the previous two books: it takes all of the military stuff from the first and combines it with the political scheming from the second, and ends up with a really well-rounded story. I missed the square formations and military training while I was reading the second book, and so I was really happy to see them playing a larger role in the story again. The nice part is that this didn't sacrifice the new plot lines from the second book.
Again, best book of the series.
songwind's review
4.0
(Fair warning, I listened to this in audio, as I did book 2. I don't remember how to spell any of the made up names, so if I get them wrong, please forgive me.)
I wasn't sure what to expect of this book after the major shift in tone between books 1 and 2. What we get is a nice blend of the two approaches.
Winter is back with the army, continuing her rise through the ranks as Volnik's protege and go-to. This gives us a lot more army life and battle perspective, like book 1. Marcus, on the other hand, remains in Vordun city with the queen, offering the single actor and small-group dynamic that largely defined book 2.
Wexler continues to take cues from the French Revolution, with ersatz Robespierre, Marisk, consolidating power and beginning his own Reign of Terror.
The switch in focus back and forth between Marcus & Racinia's struggles with Marisk and the Black Church, and Winter & Janos' campaign on the battlefield keeps things interesting and moving forward.
Richard Poe does another excellent job as narrator.
I wasn't sure what to expect of this book after the major shift in tone between books 1 and 2. What we get is a nice blend of the two approaches.
Winter is back with the army, continuing her rise through the ranks as Volnik's protege and go-to. This gives us a lot more army life and battle perspective, like book 1. Marcus, on the other hand, remains in Vordun city with the queen, offering the single actor and small-group dynamic that largely defined book 2.
Wexler continues to take cues from the French Revolution, with ersatz Robespierre, Marisk, consolidating power and beginning his own Reign of Terror.
The switch in focus back and forth between Marcus & Racinia's struggles with Marisk and the Black Church, and Winter & Janos' campaign on the battlefield keeps things interesting and moving forward.
Richard Poe does another excellent job as narrator.
geraardds's review
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Holy SMOKES!!! I've been enjoying this series since I started it, but this one could easily be my favourite of the series this far. Where to begin? The book was long, but it's length was needed given how much content was within its pages. There was tons of drama, romance, action, and powerful characters. This is yet another fantasy book where the women are the heroes. The absolutely EPIC final fight was handled by the ladies, and a heavy emphasis on the women's battalion led by Winter. Hers was easily my favourite storyline, but sometimes it was a toss-up between her and Raesinia's story. The magic was much stronger in this story that allowed the plot to thicken. The ending was stellar and had me quickly searching for the next book. I honestly can't recommend this series enough for fans of military fantasy and fantasy in general. Go pick it up ASAP!
tani's review
5.0
I am completely in love with this series. I will admit that right from the start. I love all of the amazing women that Django Wexler writes in his books. I love the complex moral situations. I love the magic of demons, and I love the creepy power of the Penitent Damned. I love the battles and the strategy and how I can follow it with just as much interest as I do the characters. I love Winter and Raesinia and Cyte and Abby and Jane and even Marcus (most of the time). I love the way that these books pull me in and never let me go. I am completely biased when it comes to these books. Which is probably all you need to know about my opinion, to be completely honest.
metalandteacups's review
3.0
I've notice that the style this entire series is written in is all very similar. Wexler always leads with a large build up of political intrigue, followed by fast paced battles.
inkandscholar's review
5.0
A solid ending to a wonderful book. It felt less cohesive and purposefully structured than the previous two, but the last two hundred pages or so really tied it all together. I can't wait to see where the story will lead with so many gloriously complex characters to journey forth with.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
Hmm *reading the review of book 2* It seems I have the same issues with this one as I had with book 2. There I wanted it to be all war and camp, and yes the good parts here were war and camp. That is what he does best.
The parts with Winter were the best parts. She were leading the troops, marching, camping, dealing with issues since they now have the Girl's Own company and that brings out a lot of tensions. There are skirmishes and battles along the way. Winter is growing in her boots as she is a colonel now, and everyone still thinks she is a man! Well some know. But her parts were the good parts.
Then there is Marcus, I really do like Marcus, but the capital is so boring! And he spends all his time protecting the queen, and Raes is so boring! So yes her parts are boring too. I just do not seem to care about the capital, running around or the politics there. Even if I really like Marcus. I want him out there fighting!
It's a good book, but I still wish it was back to its roots. Here more and more drama shows up, and I wish for what it was before, military fantasy. Good times. Marching in the mud for miles, battle tactics, gods I am weird, I want that here, while in other books I'd love the capital stuff. But hey, he just did it so well in book 1.
But I will keep on reading since it's an interesting series, but book 4 looks to be less about war. Noooo!
The parts with Winter were the best parts. She were leading the troops, marching, camping, dealing with issues since they now have the Girl's Own company and that brings out a lot of tensions. There are skirmishes and battles along the way. Winter is growing in her boots as she is a colonel now, and everyone still thinks she is a man! Well some know. But her parts were the good parts.
Then there is Marcus, I really do like Marcus, but the capital is so boring! And he spends all his time protecting the queen, and Raes is so boring! So yes her parts are boring too. I just do not seem to care about the capital, running around or the politics there. Even if I really like Marcus. I want him out there fighting!
It's a good book, but I still wish it was back to its roots. Here more and more drama shows up, and I wish for what it was before, military fantasy. Good times. Marching in the mud for miles, battle tactics, gods I am weird, I want that here, while in other books I'd love the capital stuff. But hey, he just did it so well in book 1.
But I will keep on reading since it's an interesting series, but book 4 looks to be less about war. Noooo!