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ayoung720's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the best, most-refreshingly unique fantasy stories that I've read in a long time. The Rage of Dragons is a fast-paced story that still manages to build out a well-developed world, really cool magic/power system, and characters who grip your attention with every move they make. While I am a huge fan of slow-burn fantasy world building a la Brandon Sanderson, the pacing of this story kept me hooked from beginning to end, reminding me a lot of another favorite author, John Gwynne. Can't wait to start book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Genocide, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Gore
Moderate: Torture and Slavery
Minor: Vomit, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
This book has been seriously hyped and, for a debut, it's great. I just didn't love it like several other people did.
The beginning was rough. I mean, the prologue was great; we got a queen who was borderline tyrannical, and we got to see some dragons. But the main story actually starts a couple of hundred years after the prologue, it follows a teenaged boy named Tau, and it has little to do with dragons. That's where my problems with the book began. And they lasted quite a while.
Tau's entire story is about revenge. Something horrible happened, and Tau swore to kill the people responsible. And that was his motivation for the rest of the novel. He trained like you wouldn't believe so that he could become strong enough. And while I get the single-minded focus, it made Tau... not very likable. Revenge was all he could think about, and he didn't seem to care about anything or anyone else. Not to mention, he made so many stupid decisions throughout the novel, even before he went revenge-crazy. In fact, he was even partly responsible for the event that he's seeking revenge for.
It took a long time for me to stop being annoying with Tau, and honestly, I'm still iffy about him. Though I will applaud his determination. We'll see how he does in the next book; if he finally starts using his brain.
I also thought there were some holes in the world-building. A large part of the world is based around the war between the Omehi, Tau's people, and the natives of the land they arrive on 200 years ago. The war hasn't stopped since then, and we know very little about why. Why are they fighting? Was there an attempt at peace? Who attacked first? How have the Omehi managed to sustain a never-ending war? I needed more answers, especially to care about the Omehi, who seem to be the bad guys with all their talk of the natives being "savages."
The class system between the Omehi was better developed, though lacking in nuance at first. I liked the magic system as well. And the fighting was very well-written, which I had to mention because 80% of the novel is fighting and training. It so that, when Tau becomes unstoppable, the reader believes it.
I also really liked the ending. The final 100 or so pages gave me a lot of what I'd felt had been previously missing from the book. Though I was a little tired of all the fight scenes by them.
Overall, the book gradually got better for me in almost every aspect. The world was clearer, the protagonist more likable, the writing got better (in the beginning, it was more telling than showing), and the story got more interesting. And I think the sequel could be great because I could see the author grow as the novel went on.
Finally, the novel may not have lived up to the hype for me, but I still liked it, and I think it's worth checking out. Especially since mine is more of an unpopular opinion.
This book has been seriously hyped and, for a debut, it's great. I just didn't love it like several other people did.
The beginning was rough. I mean, the prologue was great; we got a queen who was borderline tyrannical, and we got to see some dragons. But the main story actually starts a couple of hundred years after the prologue, it follows a teenaged boy named Tau, and it has little to do with dragons. That's where my problems with the book began. And they lasted quite a while.
Tau's entire story is about revenge. Something horrible happened, and Tau swore to kill the people responsible. And that was his motivation for the rest of the novel. He trained like you wouldn't believe so that he could become strong enough. And while I get the single-minded focus, it made Tau... not very likable. Revenge was all he could think about, and he didn't seem to care about anything or anyone else. Not to mention, he made so many stupid decisions throughout the novel, even before he went revenge-crazy. In fact, he was even partly responsible for the event that he's seeking revenge for.
It took a long time for me to stop being annoying with Tau, and honestly, I'm still iffy about him. Though I will applaud his determination. We'll see how he does in the next book; if he finally starts using his brain.
I also thought there were some holes in the world-building. A large part of the world is based around the war between the Omehi, Tau's people, and the natives of the land they arrive on 200 years ago. The war hasn't stopped since then, and we know very little about why. Why are they fighting? Was there an attempt at peace? Who attacked first? How have the Omehi managed to sustain a never-ending war? I needed more answers, especially to care about the Omehi, who seem to be the bad guys with all their talk of the natives being "savages."
The class system between the Omehi was better developed, though lacking in nuance at first. I liked the magic system as well. And the fighting was very well-written, which I had to mention because 80% of the novel is fighting and training. It so that, when Tau becomes unstoppable, the reader believes it.
I also really liked the ending. The final 100 or so pages gave me a lot of what I'd felt had been previously missing from the book. Though I was a little tired of all the fight scenes by them.
Overall, the book gradually got better for me in almost every aspect. The world was clearer, the protagonist more likable, the writing got better (in the beginning, it was more telling than showing), and the story got more interesting. And I think the sequel could be great because I could see the author grow as the novel went on.
Finally, the novel may not have lived up to the hype for me, but I still liked it, and I think it's worth checking out. Especially since mine is more of an unpopular opinion.
enieeee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't think the title of this book is accurate. Its not really about dragons, the dragons just play a minor role in the book
The MC has to be one of the most annoying characters I've read.
I loved Zuri but I hated how her character was written, such a strong powerful woman and she was downplayed
Overall it was a good book, would definitely continue the series
The MC has to be one of the most annoying characters I've read.
I loved Zuri but I hated how her character was written, such a strong powerful woman and she was downplayed
Overall it was a good book, would definitely continue the series
emislostinabook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meant2breading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
“To defend against failure, every day must be hard. Every day must strengthen you. For it’s in the crucible of hard days that potential becomes power.”
“In the path of revenge, one risks losing themselves”.
If followed my traditional rating system which considers setting, ending, development of all characters, etc. this likely would have been a 4-4.5 star rating from me. However, this book made me throw all of that out of the window. Could the book have benefited from more side character development, physical dragon appearances, and execution of the matriarchy? Sure. Do I care? Surprisingly not in the slightest! Winter truly delivered an adrenaline rush and a story of REVENGE 😈 start to finish. The many fighting scenes, violence and gore and all, were outstanding. I’ve never read anything like them and was anxiously flipping each page. Reading this felt like I dry scooped pre workout (I don’t) and PRd my compound lifts all week long. Even when Tau was running his mouth and acting reckless, I was STILL rooting for him! Now when I strength train and my legs are burning something fierce, I’ll be thinking about Tau fighting in real time and the demons in Ishiogo. ⚔️ I’m so down for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual assault
phyllica_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
* Audio with physical companion review *
Narrator: 5+ stars. Fantastic job. Prentice Onayemi brought this story to life.
Story: 4.75 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars
The Rage of Dragons is a gut-wrenching, African-inspired story filled with non-stop action, a diverse cast of characters, and an unquenchable thirst for revenge.
From the exceptional performance of the narrator to the gripping story being told, I found this book so hard to put down. So much so, that I almost read it in one sitting. These characters are put through and endless battle with no sign of reprieve.
It does have pieces of what lovers of this genre would expect in an epic fantasy, however, Evan Winter has managed to create a story unlike any I have read.
I have had these books on my shelf for FAR TOO LONG and I am so happy I decided now was a good time to experience this amazing journey.
Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to reach for book two, The Fires of Vengeance, from my bookshelf and dive back in.
Narrator: 5+ stars. Fantastic job. Prentice Onayemi brought this story to life.
Story: 4.75 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars
The Rage of Dragons is a gut-wrenching, African-inspired story filled with non-stop action, a diverse cast of characters, and an unquenchable thirst for revenge.
From the exceptional performance of the narrator to the gripping story being told, I found this book so hard to put down. So much so, that I almost read it in one sitting. These characters are put through and endless battle with no sign of reprieve.
It does have pieces of what lovers of this genre would expect in an epic fantasy, however, Evan Winter has managed to create a story unlike any I have read.
I have had these books on my shelf for FAR TOO LONG and I am so happy I decided now was a good time to experience this amazing journey.
Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to reach for book two, The Fires of Vengeance, from my bookshelf and dive back in.
nini_reads26's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
squiresa54's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5