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mferrante83's review
4.0
John Brown’s debut, and the first in a new series, is a blend of both classic fantasy tropes and more modern themes. With its unassuming boy hero it might be easy to write this off as a return to the farm hands and kitchen help of fantasy’s yesteryear but Brown, through delicate crafting of his world manages to avoid this potential pitfall creating something that, while it hearkens back the roots of classic fantasy, manages to become something slightly different.
The world of Servant of a Dark one is ruled by the mysterious and powerful Divines who ask for and wield the “fire” or life energy of their subjects in order to power their magic. We learn over the course of the novel that the Divines weren’t the only ones in charge and a multitude of conquered people are not necessarily satisfied with their rule. One such people, the Koramites, are a subjugated minority, servants to the powerful Mokkaddians who, in turn, serve the Divines. Tossed into this mix is a magical abomination and the machinations of unknown powers throwing one small corner of this world into near chaos.
Read on for more, though some minor spoilers may occur….
If the background of Brown’s world sounds a bit confusion then you’ll likely hit upon one of the novel’s slight weaknesses. The relationships between the various clans and peoples: Koramite, Mokkadian, Shoka, and Fir Noy is never quite clear (excepting the lesser place of Koramites of course) and even the glossary is not always helpful in this regard. Regardless a tenuous grasp of the various interrelationships between clans and people is certainly possible and even that much is enough to spot the tensions between these groups particularly the hatred and distrust the Fir Noy sow with regards to the Koramites.
The novel’s other main problem comes with pacing. Part of the trouble here lies with the number of characters who, while all interesting, make for a narrative that is spread rather thin by a desperate juggle of world-building and plot. Save for a few minor stumbles here and there Brown manages to pull this off quite nicely and, while the plot certain stalls in some sections, such as Argoth’s encounter with the Divine skir master which, while interesting, did little to serve the novel’s main conflict (at least initially), there is always something interesting and exciting going on.
Then again despite a large number of character viewpoints to follow along with each manages to create a sympathetic and well-drawn character. The sections from the monster Hunger’s point of view I found particularly enjoyable and it was great to get inside a villain’s, even if he was something of a henchman, head. Brown’s attention to character is the, in my opinion, the novel’s strongest quality. I mean the novel begins with a character, Talen, sitting sans pants calmly eating breakfast and waiting to enact revenge on the siblings who he believes stole his pants which is followed by a bit of madcap scene that reveals, with excitement, humor, and action precisely the kind of relationship this family has. That, as far as I’m concerned, is some excellent storytelling. While the split perspectives mean we never have a clear protagonist Talen, I think comes closest to the role of traditional fantasy hero. We learn early on that the way in which Talen perceives the world is not precisely correct and is even somewhat ignorant. While the reader comes around rather quickly to another way of thinking Talen’s glacial move towards that same point of view, while frustrating, is wholly believable.
Servant of a Dark God is, at times, a serious novel. It is a story full of heartbreak and sadness but it isn’t all doom and gloom. Brown manages to inject seeds of hope to much of his narrative, even in Hunger’s point of view, and frequently leaven’s the darkness with dashes of genuine humor that never feels forced. While it does take a while getting there Servant of a Dark God comes to a stellar conclusion with a climatic battle that, in the best possible way, leaves the reader and the characters with as many questions as answers. Servant of a Dark God’s flaws are slight and easily overlooked for what amounts to an exciting and well-realized debut novel that fans of fantasy are sure to enjoy. I will definitely be looking forward to future work by Mr. Brown.
The world of Servant of a Dark one is ruled by the mysterious and powerful Divines who ask for and wield the “fire” or life energy of their subjects in order to power their magic. We learn over the course of the novel that the Divines weren’t the only ones in charge and a multitude of conquered people are not necessarily satisfied with their rule. One such people, the Koramites, are a subjugated minority, servants to the powerful Mokkaddians who, in turn, serve the Divines. Tossed into this mix is a magical abomination and the machinations of unknown powers throwing one small corner of this world into near chaos.
Read on for more, though some minor spoilers may occur….
If the background of Brown’s world sounds a bit confusion then you’ll likely hit upon one of the novel’s slight weaknesses. The relationships between the various clans and peoples: Koramite, Mokkadian, Shoka, and Fir Noy is never quite clear (excepting the lesser place of Koramites of course) and even the glossary is not always helpful in this regard. Regardless a tenuous grasp of the various interrelationships between clans and people is certainly possible and even that much is enough to spot the tensions between these groups particularly the hatred and distrust the Fir Noy sow with regards to the Koramites.
The novel’s other main problem comes with pacing. Part of the trouble here lies with the number of characters who, while all interesting, make for a narrative that is spread rather thin by a desperate juggle of world-building and plot. Save for a few minor stumbles here and there Brown manages to pull this off quite nicely and, while the plot certain stalls in some sections, such as Argoth’s encounter with the Divine skir master which, while interesting, did little to serve the novel’s main conflict (at least initially), there is always something interesting and exciting going on.
Then again despite a large number of character viewpoints to follow along with each manages to create a sympathetic and well-drawn character. The sections from the monster Hunger’s point of view I found particularly enjoyable and it was great to get inside a villain’s, even if he was something of a henchman, head. Brown’s attention to character is the, in my opinion, the novel’s strongest quality. I mean the novel begins with a character, Talen, sitting sans pants calmly eating breakfast and waiting to enact revenge on the siblings who he believes stole his pants which is followed by a bit of madcap scene that reveals, with excitement, humor, and action precisely the kind of relationship this family has. That, as far as I’m concerned, is some excellent storytelling. While the split perspectives mean we never have a clear protagonist Talen, I think comes closest to the role of traditional fantasy hero. We learn early on that the way in which Talen perceives the world is not precisely correct and is even somewhat ignorant. While the reader comes around rather quickly to another way of thinking Talen’s glacial move towards that same point of view, while frustrating, is wholly believable.
Servant of a Dark God is, at times, a serious novel. It is a story full of heartbreak and sadness but it isn’t all doom and gloom. Brown manages to inject seeds of hope to much of his narrative, even in Hunger’s point of view, and frequently leaven’s the darkness with dashes of genuine humor that never feels forced. While it does take a while getting there Servant of a Dark God comes to a stellar conclusion with a climatic battle that, in the best possible way, leaves the reader and the characters with as many questions as answers. Servant of a Dark God’s flaws are slight and easily overlooked for what amounts to an exciting and well-realized debut novel that fans of fantasy are sure to enjoy. I will definitely be looking forward to future work by Mr. Brown.
gmvader's review
5.0
This book I thoroughly loved.
John Brown, which I’m fairly sure is his real name, does a masterful job of grabbing your brain and shoving it directly into the heads of each of his characters.
Add to that the fact that he has crafted a masterful story around a beautifully imagined world with great depth of culture and history and religion and it’s almost like it was written just for me.
He even gives us an evil minion point of view that didn’t annoy me (I’m almost always happier not having anything from the point of view of the evil minions). In fact the evil minion has a real and sensible motivation so that when you are in his head you are just as confused and obstructed and frustrated and sympathetic as he is.
That’s right Dan Brown succeeded in writing a book about black and white good versus evil while still making the evil not only sympathetic but also maybe not evil. (It makes sense when you read it.)
What I think I loved about this story is that it is one of morals. It is the morality of the heroes that sets them apart from others and in the end I believe that is how our world works as well. Ethics and morality is the core of what make us human. I think that much of fantasy has forgotten that. Betrayal and assassination and theft can all be justified if the stakes are saving the world. But what if it’s not the whole world at stake but just your family? Would you sacrifice all of your beliefs to save your family? Would you sacrifice one child if it meant saving several of them?
And more importantly, to me, he does it all without ever resorting to portraying (or even talking about) rape, and other despicable crimes. So many writers now seem to think that by adding those sins to the litany of horrors perpetrated by the antagonists – and sometimes the protagonists – of a story make it somehow grittier and raises the stakes. The greater challenge then is to write a gripping narrative that does not resort to that.
John Brown succeeds spectacularly at telling a story that will make you anxious and scared to read more. Because time after time, things just keep changing. Every time I thought things were about to start working out for the characters they would get worse until I was desperate to finish and almost afraid to at the same time.
If you can’t tell, I really enjoyed this book. I can’t imagine anyone not feeling the same way – this is the kind of story that everybody should be reading.
John Brown, which I’m fairly sure is his real name, does a masterful job of grabbing your brain and shoving it directly into the heads of each of his characters.
Add to that the fact that he has crafted a masterful story around a beautifully imagined world with great depth of culture and history and religion and it’s almost like it was written just for me.
He even gives us an evil minion point of view that didn’t annoy me (I’m almost always happier not having anything from the point of view of the evil minions). In fact the evil minion has a real and sensible motivation so that when you are in his head you are just as confused and obstructed and frustrated and sympathetic as he is.
That’s right Dan Brown succeeded in writing a book about black and white good versus evil while still making the evil not only sympathetic but also maybe not evil. (It makes sense when you read it.)
What I think I loved about this story is that it is one of morals. It is the morality of the heroes that sets them apart from others and in the end I believe that is how our world works as well. Ethics and morality is the core of what make us human. I think that much of fantasy has forgotten that. Betrayal and assassination and theft can all be justified if the stakes are saving the world. But what if it’s not the whole world at stake but just your family? Would you sacrifice all of your beliefs to save your family? Would you sacrifice one child if it meant saving several of them?
And more importantly, to me, he does it all without ever resorting to portraying (or even talking about) rape, and other despicable crimes. So many writers now seem to think that by adding those sins to the litany of horrors perpetrated by the antagonists – and sometimes the protagonists – of a story make it somehow grittier and raises the stakes. The greater challenge then is to write a gripping narrative that does not resort to that.
John Brown succeeds spectacularly at telling a story that will make you anxious and scared to read more. Because time after time, things just keep changing. Every time I thought things were about to start working out for the characters they would get worse until I was desperate to finish and almost afraid to at the same time.
If you can’t tell, I really enjoyed this book. I can’t imagine anyone not feeling the same way – this is the kind of story that everybody should be reading.
iamnotamerryman's review
No star rating since I didn't actually finish it. I thought the plot was interesting but didn't care for the writing style. I got halfway through and had no motivation to finish, so just skimmed the last couple of chapters.
cmbohn's review
This was just really confusing and did not encourage me to stick with it. Pass.
bydandii's review
4.0
An original setting, this is a little rough at first interpreting what was happening. Then it didn't move as fast in the middle as I felt it could and wanted, but this book delivers a setting that feels fresh. Engaging and managed to keep me from getting comfortable anticipating/guessing the end. A worthwhile read.
braydin's review
4.0
The beginnings of a new epic fantasy series by John Brown. I've wanted to read this for some time after seeing favorable reviews and just now have finally gotten around to it.
First with the good:
There was an interesting magic system that follows a very specific set of rules. Think Brandon Sanderson style. I much prefer this type of system to the more traditional hand-waving as it reinforces that actions have consequences and some interesting decisions usually arise as a result.
The action is confined to a relatively small geographical area. Sometimes in epic fantasy there is a bit of informational overload as you try to determine where things are in relation to eachother. By keeping the first installment of the series local you avoid some of that confusion.
There were a number of well drawn an interesting characters that made this a pleasure to read.
The was really a single element to me: Talen. As the main character in the story, Brown uses the initially oblivious Talen as a device to explain the magic of the world. However, the main problem I have is that Talen just wasn't very likable. I understand some of the reasons, as his obstinateness drives some of the tension of the story, but it is difficult to read a story with such a main character. By the end he comes around, but it can make for some awkward and sometimes infuriating reading along the way.
Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series as the goods outweigh the bads by quite a large margin.
First with the good:
There was an interesting magic system that follows a very specific set of rules. Think Brandon Sanderson style. I much prefer this type of system to the more traditional hand-waving as it reinforces that actions have consequences and some interesting decisions usually arise as a result.
The action is confined to a relatively small geographical area. Sometimes in epic fantasy there is a bit of informational overload as you try to determine where things are in relation to eachother. By keeping the first installment of the series local you avoid some of that confusion.
There were a number of well drawn an interesting characters that made this a pleasure to read.
The was really a single element to me: Talen. As the main character in the story, Brown uses the initially oblivious Talen as a device to explain the magic of the world. However, the main problem I have is that Talen just wasn't very likable. I understand some of the reasons, as his obstinateness drives some of the tension of the story, but it is difficult to read a story with such a main character. By the end he comes around, but it can make for some awkward and sometimes infuriating reading along the way.
Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series as the goods outweigh the bads by quite a large margin.
melerihaf's review
4.0
Apparently, this book is being re-edited and then re-released under the title Servant. I'm glad. This book has the potential to be fantastic. Right now it's very good. Some sections were excellent. But the editing was poor. Several times the author interrupted the story to go back and explain something that had happened years before. It felt jarring. But the story was compelling and the world was distinct. And this will sound silly, but I loved the names. I felt like the names gave the world a feel and a flavor and a history all its own. I'm excited to read the sequels someday.
brian's review
3.0
This was a bit of a slow book, but worth sticking with to the end.
Interesting characters (but quite a lot turning up at once, plus they all seem to use nicknames as well as real names, so it gets confusing sometimes).
The main character, Talen, just comes across as a whiny brat for most of the book but redeems himself in the last third.
The opposing factions seem to be done well, and you are soon rooting for the underdogs.
Interesting characters (but quite a lot turning up at once, plus they all seem to use nicknames as well as real names, so it gets confusing sometimes).
The main character, Talen, just comes across as a whiny brat for most of the book but redeems himself in the last third.
The opposing factions seem to be done well, and you are soon rooting for the underdogs.
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