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mrpaulyman's review against another edition
4.0
Unique and interesting take on magic, a good beginning to what I hope is a great series.
shandyt's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Lots of fun in a Brandon Sanderson-style magic system, with a more adult tone and complex, interesting characters.
Kip and Gavin are both compelling protagonists; particularly Gavin. Normally I shy away from god-king ubermensch male protagonists, but although Gavin ticks some of those boxes, he remains human, fallible, and relatable. I've been thinking about why I've enjoyed Gavin so much, when other super-powerful protags like Rand Al'Thor were grating to me, and have decided that a lot of it comes down to the way the author handles the character's flaws. For example, Rand's flaws are mostly external. The world expects much of him, demands much of him, and why won't those stinking Aes Sedai just be nice to him? Meanwhile, Gavin is a man who commands and expects adoration in much the same way, but suffers from sometimes crushing anxiety, who has had to sacrifice his ideals and work within the system with the hand he was given, whose secrets could tear the world apart. When it comes down to it, he's just a lot more interesting than Rand. He's a protagonist, but is he a "good guy?" It's hard to say—and I like that. He reminds me favorably of Dalinor from Stormlight Archives.
As for Kip, his constant self-deprecation is a little jarring at first, particularly when listening to the audiobook, and grates a bit after a while. However, it's nice to read about a protagonist who has a sense of humor about his situation. He's not like many young fantasy protagonists—he's overweight, cowardly, and awkward, and he knows it. And, particularly refreshing, he's not white (regardless of what some fanartists would have you believe). In fact, most of the characters are dark-skinned or mixed, with only one major protagonist explicitly described to be pale. I appreciated the diversity, as well as the way the author didn't shy away from describing the advantages and disadvantages certain skin tones provided magical drafters.
Not everything about this book was perfect, of course. Others have brought up the author's issues with writing women, and his tendency to fall back on silly interjections like "oops", which I think are fair. A lengthy diversion about periods was pretty interesting, not something you see every day, but the "man shoulders" thing was a bit... eh. Personally, I'd have liked another 2-3 hours (I listened to the audiobook) for some deeper explorations of the events of the last third of the book. Some things felt like they got skimmed over, or were poorly-explained. More time in the Chromeria would also have been nice, before we got yanked out to Big Plot Stuff, though I expect I'll get to see that in the later books.
On to The Blinding Knife!
Kip and Gavin are both compelling protagonists; particularly Gavin. Normally I shy away from god-king ubermensch male protagonists, but although Gavin ticks some of those boxes, he remains human, fallible, and relatable. I've been thinking about why I've enjoyed Gavin so much, when other super-powerful protags like Rand Al'Thor were grating to me, and have decided that a lot of it comes down to the way the author handles the character's flaws. For example, Rand's flaws are mostly external. The world expects much of him, demands much of him, and why won't those stinking Aes Sedai just be nice to him? Meanwhile, Gavin is a man who commands and expects adoration in much the same way, but suffers from sometimes crushing anxiety, who has had to sacrifice his ideals and work within the system with the hand he was given, whose secrets could tear the world apart. When it comes down to it, he's just a lot more interesting than Rand. He's a protagonist, but is he a "good guy?" It's hard to say—and I like that. He reminds me favorably of Dalinor from Stormlight Archives.
As for Kip, his constant self-deprecation is a little jarring at first, particularly when listening to the audiobook, and grates a bit after a while. However, it's nice to read about a protagonist who has a sense of humor about his situation. He's not like many young fantasy protagonists—he's overweight, cowardly, and awkward, and he knows it. And, particularly refreshing, he's not white (regardless of what some fanartists would have you believe). In fact, most of the characters are dark-skinned or mixed, with only one major protagonist explicitly described to be pale. I appreciated the diversity, as well as the way the author didn't shy away from describing the advantages and disadvantages certain skin tones provided magical drafters.
Not everything about this book was perfect, of course. Others have brought up the author's issues with writing women, and his tendency to fall back on silly interjections like "oops", which I think are fair. A lengthy diversion about periods was pretty interesting, not something you see every day, but the "man shoulders" thing was a bit... eh. Personally, I'd have liked another 2-3 hours (I listened to the audiobook) for some deeper explorations of the events of the last third of the book. Some things felt like they got skimmed over, or were poorly-explained. More time in the Chromeria would also have been nice, before we got yanked out to Big Plot Stuff, though I expect I'll get to see that in the later books.
On to The Blinding Knife!
Spoiler
GAVIN, NOOOOOO!!jackpep's review against another edition
3.0
One of the cooler magic systems I've ever read, which is good because there's a lot of magic happening throughout the book. The amazing thing is that the system is explained well enough to be plausible and since it's awesome, it doesn't get boring for me.
However, I didn’t find the characters interesting at all—the main protagonist especially was so flat it was hard to get through.
However, I didn’t find the characters interesting at all—the main protagonist especially was so flat it was hard to get through.
aeckel's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Did not care for some of the attitudes towards women but otherwise the story was engaging
joyce_a's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
jackgonzalez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
rynetry's review against another edition
3.0
This is such a tough book to rate. The story is great, the magic system, the world, etc is all wonderful. BUT. Sometimes it feels like you're reading a book written by the inner thoughts of a 15 year old boy. The author can't mention a female character without some strange aside that sexualizes or just plainly makes it weird.
The journey is probably worth the speed bumps, and I'm hoping as the series goes on an editor had a word, but yeah. Reader beware.
The journey is probably worth the speed bumps, and I'm hoping as the series goes on an editor had a word, but yeah. Reader beware.
blazeofredfiree's review against another edition
3.0
Overall a very original and interesting fantasy, although there were a few elements I dislked.
- The action was always really nicely written and engaging, particularly whenever the magic system was involved
- One of the best parts of the book was the world building: the magic system was really interesting to read about as well as versatile and developed.
- The characters were also complex and well developed although I really didn't like the protagonist, sorry Kip I know you mean well but I found you quite insufferable. You're also a mass murderer and don't seem to care all that much.
- It felt like there was something missing?? I just struggled to engage with it, though that might be entirely me instead of the book
- The plot was quite engaging though, lots of betrayal and drama and I'm intrigued as to where it will go, might read the others at some point
- The action was always really nicely written and engaging, particularly whenever the magic system was involved
- One of the best parts of the book was the world building: the magic system was really interesting to read about as well as versatile and developed.
- The characters were also complex and well developed although I really didn't like the protagonist, sorry Kip I know you mean well but I found you quite insufferable. You're also a mass murderer and don't seem to care all that much.
- It felt like there was something missing?? I just struggled to engage with it, though that might be entirely me instead of the book
- The plot was quite engaging though, lots of betrayal and drama and I'm intrigued as to where it will go, might read the others at some point