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bunnyrabbit2's review against another edition
5.0
It's not often I read fantasy books as science fiction is more my thing but I really enjoyed this and will be moving straight onto the next two in the series. Really enjoyable and a very cool way to do magic.
fresh_water's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
crankyoldnerd's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic book. Great fantasy universe set up wonderfully and explored and kept me reading from start to finish in one sitting.
While it may have "magic" in it its a new interpretation of it that I've not seen anything of and its characters are very well written and you find yourself enthralled.
I got this series as part of a Kickstarter but would highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys well written action and intrigue filled fantasy adventures.
Great for all ages too. No uncomfortable discussions with tween readers about getting freaky that you want to introduce to the genre that is so prevalent I. Some of the more popular series (stackhouse, GoT, etc)
Can't wait to finish the next two in the series.
While it may have "magic" in it its a new interpretation of it that I've not seen anything of and its characters are very well written and you find yourself enthralled.
I got this series as part of a Kickstarter but would highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys well written action and intrigue filled fantasy adventures.
Great for all ages too. No uncomfortable discussions with tween readers about getting freaky that you want to introduce to the genre that is so prevalent I. Some of the more popular series (stackhouse, GoT, etc)
Can't wait to finish the next two in the series.
saintdoormatius's review against another edition
5.0
A real treat of a book, which leaves you desperate to start the next entry in this trilogy. Connolly treats his readers very well: he doesn't think we're stupid, doesn't over-explain, knows when to let actions speak volumes, and has complex female and male characters. In fact, he does that one thing that (mainly) horror writers know: any character can die. This makes the suspense in the book truly suspenseful, right up until the very last page.
I'm not a well-versed fantasy reader (more of a sci-fi buff), but some of the ideas he presents here are really compelling. The consequences for magic use are really fascinating, and make the inclusion of these "gifts" in this world not just useful but dangerous. And, I confess, but the touch of sci-fi elements (portals to other universes, mysterious aliens) really helped grab my attention, and is in no way out-of-sync with the tone.
If you have been looking for a page-turning, meaty, thoughtful read, I encourage you to check this one out. Then I dare you to NOT immediately start the second book in the series.
I'm not a well-versed fantasy reader (more of a sci-fi buff), but some of the ideas he presents here are really compelling. The consequences for magic use are really fascinating, and make the inclusion of these "gifts" in this world not just useful but dangerous. And, I confess, but the touch of sci-fi elements (portals to other universes, mysterious aliens) really helped grab my attention, and is in no way out-of-sync with the tone.
If you have been looking for a page-turning, meaty, thoughtful read, I encourage you to check this one out. Then I dare you to NOT immediately start the second book in the series.
chromatick's review
2.0
I came into this one as a fan of his previous Twenty Palaces series (and was bummed when they pulled the plug on them).
I fully expected to like this book. I wanted to like this book.
It was a chore to finish. The writing was borderline terrible. The characters were yawn inducing. The names for everything were ridiculous. If I had to read one more character swearing by using the words "Fire and Fury" I think I would have cried.
There are so many better books out there to read. I have no interest in reading the other two books in the trilogy.
I did like the cover art. :)
I fully expected to like this book. I wanted to like this book.
It was a chore to finish. The writing was borderline terrible. The characters were yawn inducing. The names for everything were ridiculous. If I had to read one more character swearing by using the words "Fire and Fury" I think I would have cried.
There are so many better books out there to read. I have no interest in reading the other two books in the trilogy.
I did like the cover art. :)
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
I really liked this one!
It has quite some tropes and predictable turns, but it has enough unique ideas to still keep my well entertained. It starts of with a feel like "classic" fantasy with a young prince who likes wine and songs and his friends more than actually training and learning.
They all have to flee the city soon - accompanied by a gruff weapons trainer. Not too long after they need to split up, and so we get different POVs traveling to different locations.
I enjoyed how some characters stay true to what I expected of them, while others grew out of their earlier behaviour. While it took me a bit longer to get hooked by some POVs than others by the end of the book I couldn't say what POV I wanted to know more about next!
The world started out pretty straight forward, but expanded over the course of the story. I especially liked to explore a hidden valley with all kinds of beasts and other mysteries to uncover!
The prose was smooth enough - and there is a brilliant audible version available.
I'll definitely pick up book two!
It has quite some tropes and predictable turns, but it has enough unique ideas to still keep my well entertained. It starts of with a feel like "classic" fantasy with a young prince who likes wine and songs and his friends more than actually training and learning.
They all have to flee the city soon - accompanied by a gruff weapons trainer. Not too long after they need to split up, and so we get different POVs traveling to different locations.
I enjoyed how some characters stay true to what I expected of them, while others grew out of their earlier behaviour. While it took me a bit longer to get hooked by some POVs than others by the end of the book I couldn't say what POV I wanted to know more about next!
The world started out pretty straight forward, but expanded over the course of the story. I especially liked to explore a hidden valley with all kinds of beasts and other mysteries to uncover!
The prose was smooth enough - and there is a brilliant audible version available.
I'll definitely pick up book two!
gizmoto16's review
5.0
This is the start of a really good fantasy series.
**Update: I originally gave this book 4 stars, but after finishing the whole series, I bumped it up to 5. As the books go on, the story continues to get better and better. Definitely give it a read.
**Update: I originally gave this book 4 stars, but after finishing the whole series, I bumped it up to 5. As the books go on, the story continues to get better and better. Definitely give it a read.
matosapa's review
2.0
I really wanted to give this a higher rating (I love his Twenty Palaces series) but there was nothing that really stood out for me. The major pro for me is that it is a defined trilogy. There are only three books in the series. In this day of unending book series it was a welcome relief to know there will be a nice wrap-up of everything.
I liked the plot, the main characters (he has a nice strong female character), and the magic system was interesting but nothing really stood out from other fantasy series.
I liked the plot, the main characters (he has a nice strong female character), and the magic system was interesting but nothing really stood out from other fantasy series.
sumayyah_t's review
4.0
**Acquired via humble Bundle**
The fading, respected soldier. The crown Prince who seems to be unfit to rule. The band of loyal, trustworthy friends who are also hostages, as they are the children of traitors. The young betrothed from another kingdom, to be married to the prince to an alliance. Magic.
At the beginning of a festival, a portal opens. Instead of the expected, honored guests, beasts pour out and attack. A small group lead by the soldier and the prince manage to escape. Death, destruction, and betrayal await them. Typical of epic fantasy but still enjoyable. 3.5 stars, with plans to read the rest of the trilogy as the ending is a major cliffhanger.
The fading, respected soldier. The crown Prince who seems to be unfit to rule. The band of loyal, trustworthy friends who are also hostages, as they are the children of traitors. The young betrothed from another kingdom, to be married to the prince to an alliance. Magic.
At the beginning of a festival, a portal opens. Instead of the expected, honored guests, beasts pour out and attack. A small group lead by the soldier and the prince manage to escape. Death, destruction, and betrayal await them. Typical of epic fantasy but still enjoyable. 3.5 stars, with plans to read the rest of the trilogy as the ending is a major cliffhanger.
paraic's review
5.0
An excellent start to this epic fantasy series. The world has a lovely texture without paragraphs of history, the characters are realistic without too much exposition and there is plenty left unexplained, as yet, to allow the reader to speculate and wonder.
I would heartily recommend this, together with Connolly's Twenty Palaces novels.
I would heartily recommend this, together with Connolly's Twenty Palaces novels.