Reviews

The Councillor by E.J. Beaton

izzyarc's review

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

mysana's review

Darker than I’m in the mood for atm

ciraabi's review

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

trilbynorton's review

3.0

Lysande Prior is an unusual fantasy protagonist: a dedicated scholar more at home in a library than on a battlefield. Unfortunately, the world she inhabits is almost cartoonishly simple. Here's your beefy warrior from the frozen north. There's your harsh warrior queen from the deadly jungles.

anastasiaeleni's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

My only hang up with this book, is that you couldn’t tell what the transition was between present tense or Lysande’s memories. 

Otherwise this book was BRILLIANT. I wish there were more books like this. I’m very excited for the sequel!

cg07's review

4.0

read

hellcat042's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

nastja_m's review

4.0

This is a beautifully written book.
Interesting characters, solid plot and world-building.
The main character is layered and complex, really held my attention.
The pacing did get a bit too slow at times, but that's likely a me problem.
One small issue:

Spoiler

Although Derset's betrayal made total sense, I found the sexual relationship between him and Lysande forced and unnecessary, especially because it felt like Lysande was kind of detached from the whole thing. She needs a warm body, he's available, but she's so busy playing politics, she misses the snake in her bed... I get it. But I would've much preferred a surrogate father-daughter dynamic, the betrayal would've hit harder if he had actually gotten emotionally close, rather than just being there, all submissive and placating. Luca was intriguing, though, which I appreciated.

All in all, a promising start to a fantasy series.

picechu's review

5.0

Lysande: becomes power-hungry and ruthlessly seizes the throne
Me, tearing up: that’s my baby

cozy_reading_times's review

4.0

The Councillor is a very interesting book and was, at least to me, compulsively readable.
It's also gloriously queer.

While I didn't have the easiest time getting into it, the book captured me the moment the city rulers entered the scene. They were all extremely likeable and their interactions were great. Very dramatic, yes, but also much fun to watch.

The only issue I had was the protagonist, Lysande. She gets increasingly unhinged and power hungry throughout the book. And she's so ignorant of it.
It's not like the author is unaware of what she's doing, Lysande's arc is very much intentional. It's just not my favourite.
But that's OK.
It was still alot of fun to read and very fascinating.