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linz's review
3.0
The Ukinhan Wilds is an action-packed adventure story, filled with battles and fantastical creatures.
With a myriad of characters - so many that it's hard to keep track at times - it was definitely character-driven.
Kylac, the main character, was a mystery to me. When we first meet him, he's written as a young boy seeking passage on a ship, slinking around the shipyard, and the way the harbormaster spoke to him, you'd imagine he was a young orphan in need of guidance. But within a chapter, it's discovered that that's just a mask, and while he's still young (16, I think?), his tone, voice, and expertise don't fit a teenager, even one in a fantasy, at all. He's way too overpowered, a better fighter than the king's elite, and usually the smartest in the room.
I think I might have liked this book more if I'd liked Kylac a little more than I did, but as it was, he was too overpowered and infallible to be relatable or likeable. And speaking of unlikeable characters, the princess in need of saving was so unlikeable that I almost didn't care if she was rescued or not.
All that being said, however, the story was interesting, and though it was slow at times, it was generally well-paced. If you're a fan of fantasy adventures, I'd recommend giving it a try.
With a myriad of characters - so many that it's hard to keep track at times - it was definitely character-driven.
Kylac, the main character, was a mystery to me. When we first meet him, he's written as a young boy seeking passage on a ship, slinking around the shipyard, and the way the harbormaster spoke to him, you'd imagine he was a young orphan in need of guidance. But within a chapter, it's discovered that that's just a mask, and while he's still young (16, I think?), his tone, voice, and expertise don't fit a teenager, even one in a fantasy, at all. He's way too overpowered, a better fighter than the king's elite, and usually the smartest in the room.
I think I might have liked this book more if I'd liked Kylac a little more than I did, but as it was, he was too overpowered and infallible to be relatable or likeable. And speaking of unlikeable characters, the princess in need of saving was so unlikeable that I almost didn't care if she was rescued or not.
All that being said, however, the story was interesting, and though it was slow at times, it was generally well-paced. If you're a fan of fantasy adventures, I'd recommend giving it a try.
its_justine's review
4.0
* SPFBO5 Read *
RATING: 3.5/5
Well, the entirety of this book is one wild expedition, fraught with horrors and peril at every. Single. Turn. A thrilling tale of adventure, treachery, and courage, The Ukinhan Wilds delivers us from the throes of a hungry sea, to shattered shores, to humid swamps, to labyrinthine caves, and more, in order to deliver a kidnapped princess back to her father. However, there's a consistent feeling that nothing is as it seems, which unravels into a larger underlying plot line that awaits further discovery. Populated by a large cast of diverse characters - some you love, and some you hate - this story focuses quite a bit on character dynamics, most of which were interesting to watch unfold. Kylac, the main character, is overly-powered, yet conflicted, which I always find to be a fine balance. Solid writing, vividly painted landscapes, and truly terrifying baddies, this story was an unexpected and welcome treat.
While I enjoyed my precarious trek through the wilds, at times there was a bit of meandering that threatened to pull me from the story, finding myself growing weary and wishing for more monsters. Don't get me wrong, there are monsters aplenty, and each more horrifying than the last. I also felt somewhat of a disconnect with Kylac, and later learned that the author dedicated another entire series to his adventures. There were a few aspects of his character that I found distracting or questionable, and maybe being acquainted with his history would've better equipped me for this. A shocking ending leaves this series open to a whole new set of nail-biting wanderings, and I'm looking forward to seeing what trouble Kylac finds himself in next.
RATING: 3.5/5
Well, the entirety of this book is one wild expedition, fraught with horrors and peril at every. Single. Turn. A thrilling tale of adventure, treachery, and courage, The Ukinhan Wilds delivers us from the throes of a hungry sea, to shattered shores, to humid swamps, to labyrinthine caves, and more, in order to deliver a kidnapped princess back to her father. However, there's a consistent feeling that nothing is as it seems, which unravels into a larger underlying plot line that awaits further discovery. Populated by a large cast of diverse characters - some you love, and some you hate - this story focuses quite a bit on character dynamics, most of which were interesting to watch unfold. Kylac, the main character, is overly-powered, yet conflicted, which I always find to be a fine balance. Solid writing, vividly painted landscapes, and truly terrifying baddies, this story was an unexpected and welcome treat.
While I enjoyed my precarious trek through the wilds, at times there was a bit of meandering that threatened to pull me from the story, finding myself growing weary and wishing for more monsters. Don't get me wrong, there are monsters aplenty, and each more horrifying than the last. I also felt somewhat of a disconnect with Kylac, and later learned that the author dedicated another entire series to his adventures. There were a few aspects of his character that I found distracting or questionable, and maybe being acquainted with his history would've better equipped me for this. A shocking ending leaves this series open to a whole new set of nail-biting wanderings, and I'm looking forward to seeing what trouble Kylac finds himself in next.
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