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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
2,5 stars
“Cage what you fear, and when it escapes it will consume you utterly.”
The Emperor's Knife is bold and ambitious, but I struggled to fully invest in the story. The story is vague and confusing and the plot is loose and unstructured, leading to a lack of urgency and emotional impact.
Despite intriguing characters and an interesting premise, the characters are weak and the frequent and choppy PoV shifts makes it hard to connect with the narrative or care about the characters' struggles. The relationships and romantic subplots, which have the potential to be compelling, fall flat because the writing doesn't sufficiently convey the emotions the characters are experiencing.
That being said, there’s a unique quality to this story that stands out in a positive way. The writing is strong, with some excellent metaphors. The premise is interesting, the concepts are unique and the world and magic system is captivating. The political machinations are also well-done. However, in all these aspects, there’s something incomplete and lacking in depth.
Overall, there’s something missing in this story, despite its creativity. The Emperor's Knife has potential, and I can see where the author wanted to go with the story, but it ultimately fails to be engaging and immersive.
“Her father had told her that a person who can live in the desert can live anywhere—fight anywhere. These flowers looked delicate, but they must be strong, to survive here. Indomitable.”
“Cage what you fear, and when it escapes it will consume you utterly.”
The Emperor's Knife is bold and ambitious, but I struggled to fully invest in the story. The story is vague and confusing and the plot is loose and unstructured, leading to a lack of urgency and emotional impact.
Despite intriguing characters and an interesting premise, the characters are weak and the frequent and choppy PoV shifts makes it hard to connect with the narrative or care about the characters' struggles. The relationships and romantic subplots, which have the potential to be compelling, fall flat because the writing doesn't sufficiently convey the emotions the characters are experiencing.
That being said, there’s a unique quality to this story that stands out in a positive way. The writing is strong, with some excellent metaphors. The premise is interesting, the concepts are unique and the world and magic system is captivating. The political machinations are also well-done. However, in all these aspects, there’s something incomplete and lacking in depth.
Overall, there’s something missing in this story, despite its creativity. The Emperor's Knife has potential, and I can see where the author wanted to go with the story, but it ultimately fails to be engaging and immersive.
“Her father had told her that a person who can live in the desert can live anywhere—fight anywhere. These flowers looked delicate, but they must be strong, to survive here. Indomitable.”
I struggled getting into this book as the narrator was a little fast or maybe I merely wasn't feeling it. About 35% of the way in, after multiple putdown/pickups, the book took off. Per lots of searches along Dr. Google, apparently Mazarkis Williams is a pseudonym but whomever they are as long as they keep putting out works that make me feel like THIS, I don't care if we never find out their identify. Characters I hated were the good guy, the untrustworthy wench got her just desserts, oh *chef's kiss* this book was amazing.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I didn't know this author when I got this book. I might have gotten it as a free download, I'm not sure. I was pleasantly surprised -- I tend not to have high expectations for free books. But the characters, the story, and the writing are strong. And not your ordinary fantasy story. If you enjoy fantasy, but are looking for a change, a change of setting, characters, situations, and motivations, you'll enjoy this.
The story concept is interesting. I haven't read a story like this before. It made it unpredictable, which kept the suspense high.
As the story continued to complicate, I got a little confused about who was on whose side, but that's probably because I read in bits -- reading too many books at once will cause that -- and sometimes I lost the thread. I became uncertain of Tuvaini's allegiance, but I think I was supposed to be. At first it seemed he was on the prince's side, then expressed loyalty to the emperor. Then he was after the emperor's mother and the emperor's throne himself. I was always on Mesema's side myself. I love her character. Strong, even when she's afraid, she did the best she could.
And Eyul is a great character. Killing the two assassins while blind, with help from a voice, which he couldn't identify or place, impressive. He's an honorable assassin, and I love that gray area for the character.
Then people started dying! I thought Sarmin was dead for a moment, which was upsetting, as I had hopes for him coming out on top at the end. But Eyul killed Amalya because she had the pattern! Grr, I hate when the good characters die. Eyul's doing his assassin's job as always, killing her because it's the law. I thought he'd changed, though.
Sarmin's control over the pattern was exciting but also frustrating. I wanted him to do more, and I couldn't see what he intended to do. In the end, things began to make sense as people's loyalties became clear, and things came together quickly. I will definitely be reading the sequel.
I didn't know this author when I got this book. I might have gotten it as a free download, I'm not sure. I was pleasantly surprised -- I tend not to have high expectations for free books. But the characters, the story, and the writing are strong. And not your ordinary fantasy story. If you enjoy fantasy, but are looking for a change, a change of setting, characters, situations, and motivations, you'll enjoy this.
The story concept is interesting. I haven't read a story like this before. It made it unpredictable, which kept the suspense high.
Spoiler
The mystery was fascinating as it evolved and developed. The twist with Sarmin seeing through another's eyes was unexpected -- it seems he gave himself the pattern and changed things. Many unanswered questions kept me reading. Very well done.As the story continued to complicate, I got a little confused about who was on whose side, but that's probably because I read in bits -- reading too many books at once will cause that -- and sometimes I lost the thread. I became uncertain of Tuvaini's allegiance, but I think I was supposed to be. At first it seemed he was on the prince's side, then expressed loyalty to the emperor. Then he was after the emperor's mother and the emperor's throne himself. I was always on Mesema's side myself. I love her character. Strong, even when she's afraid, she did the best she could.
And Eyul is a great character. Killing the two assassins while blind, with help from a voice, which he couldn't identify or place, impressive. He's an honorable assassin, and I love that gray area for the character.
Then people started dying! I thought Sarmin was dead for a moment, which was upsetting, as I had hopes for him coming out on top at the end. But Eyul killed Amalya because she had the pattern! Grr, I hate when the good characters die. Eyul's doing his assassin's job as always, killing her because it's the law. I thought he'd changed, though.
Sarmin's control over the pattern was exciting but also frustrating. I wanted him to do more, and I couldn't see what he intended to do.
A plague that strikes folks seemingly at random is at the heart of the tale in The Emperor's Knife. This plague covers the victim in odd, geometric designs that slowly cover the body. At some point, the victim becomes a mindless automaton, attacking people for some unknown purpose.
The novel alternates view points amongst a variety of characters: the emperor who secretly has the plague, his prince brother hidden and imprisoned as the emperor's heir, a chieftan's daughter chose to wed the price, the emperor's "knife" (his personal assassin), and others as well.
The book is well-written, the character's are fleshed out and believable, and the world is interesting and unique. Yet for some reason, the characters didn't resonate with me. I simply didn't care what happened to them.
Do I think it's the fault of the author? No. I do believe Williams is a talented writer and has created a fine debut novel. Just like meeting a new person, sometimes a reader and a book just don't click.
The novel alternates view points amongst a variety of characters: the emperor who secretly has the plague, his prince brother hidden and imprisoned as the emperor's heir, a chieftan's daughter chose to wed the price, the emperor's "knife" (his personal assassin), and others as well.
The book is well-written, the character's are fleshed out and believable, and the world is interesting and unique. Yet for some reason, the characters didn't resonate with me. I simply didn't care what happened to them.
Do I think it's the fault of the author? No. I do believe Williams is a talented writer and has created a fine debut novel. Just like meeting a new person, sometimes a reader and a book just don't click.
Good but a little confusing in places with information seemingly popping up from nowhere. However I'm interested in the story and I have the whole trilogy so I will be continuing soon.
I’ve wanted to pick this book up ever since I first saw the cover-art. I don’t know why, but I tend to like cover arts that fall into the ‘hooded man’ category. The Painted (Warded in the USA) Man by Peter V. Brett, The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks, The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller, Low Town: The Straight Razor Cure by Daniel Polansky and Assassin’s Creed 2 are examples of that, and it seems, for however long we’re around, there’ll always be at least one hooded man cover on a novel in the bookshop, or on your bookshelf. Did I mention, there’s another thing that everything in the category has in common – they’re all really enjoyable, and fun to read/play. So, would this be the case with The Emperor’s Knife?
I’m pleased to say that yes, yes it was. The Emperor’s Knife, despite its flaws, I found to be a really enthralling read, and I can safely say that I will be eagerly looking forward to Book Two of the trilogy.
There. I’ve said it. But, in order to make this a ‘proper’ review, I have to write more than just that. So, you’re probably wondering what the heck The Emperor’s Knife is about. Well, let me tell you. Or rather, let Goodreads tell you, because I’m lazy:
There is a cancer at the heart of the mighty Cerani Empire: a plague that attacks young and old, rich and poor alike, marking each victim with a fragment of a greater pattern. Anyone showing the marks is put to death. That is Emperor Beyon’s law . . .
But now the pattern is reaching closer to the palace than ever before. In a hidden room, a forgotten prince has grown from child to man, and as the empire sickens, Sarmin, the emperor’s only surviving brother, is remembered. He awaits the bride his mother has chosen: a chieftain’s daughter from the northern plains.
Mesema travels from her homeland, an offering for the empire’s favour. She is a Windreader, used to riding free across the grasslands, not posing and primping in rare silks. She finds the Imperial Court’s protocols stifling, but she doesn’t take long to realise the politicking and intrigues are not a game, but deadly earnest.
Eyul is burdened both by years and by the horrors he has carried out in service to the throne. At his emperor’s command he bears the emperor’s Knife to the desert in search of a cure for the pattern-markings.
As long-planned conspiracies boil over into open violence and rebellion, the enemy moves toward victory. Now only three people stand in his way: a lost prince, a world-weary killer, and a young girl from the steppes who once saw a path through a pattern, among the waving grasses.
Certainly ambitious for an author’s first novel, huh? I’d like to say that I was slightly cautious about reading The Emperor’s Knife before I actually did read it, but alas, that was not the case, I dived into the book with little more than the blurb to see my way through. And, after the first few pages, I wasn’t confused. I wasn’t wondering who these characters were and I wasn’t wondering what the hell was going on. Neither does Williams overload you with info-dumping, the bane of many fantasy authors.
The characters are certainly well developed, and intriguing enough to keep you reading along with the captivating plot, that although is unoriginal when you look at previous fantasy novels, is certainly enjoyable, and combined with a well-designed world that has obviously had a lot of thought put into it.
Unfortunately, not every novel is perfect, and you will often find the pacing a bit uneven, with parts (especially towards the end), where you are turning the pages desperately to find out what happens next, and other times where you aren’t turning the pages as fast as you should be, which is a letdown, but one that I’m not too fussed about.
The novel itself draws upon several Middle Eastern influences, which is something that I’ve not encountered in fantasy before, so Williams gets +1 on the originality front (if there are more fantasy novels that draw from Middle Eastern influences that I haven’t read yet, drop me a line – I’d love to read them). You can tell that the world has been carefully constructed with a lot of research put into it, especially when you look at the magic system.
If there’s something else that let the novel down, again a minor issue, is that the ‘big reveal’ wasn’t as good as it could have been, and people who’ve read this novel will probably share my thoughts on this thing. Also, there’s romance, lots and lots of romance in this novel, although don’t let that put you off from reading The Emperor’s Knife. Romance or not, you won’t want to be missing this. It contains several elements of a dark fantasy novel, yet at the same time it still feels like you’re reading an epic fantasy, a novel that could be fit into the same sort of genre as George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.
I’d also like to point out that although The Emperor’s Knife is technically part of a trilogy, aside from a few parts where Williams sets the scene for the rest of the novel, it could effectively be read as a standalone. However, my advice is, don’t read it as a standalone and buy the next book as soon as it comes out! For one, I can’t wait to read it, and if Williams sorts out the pacing in the next novel, it will be truly superb. I strongly recommend this novel to any fans of fantasy that are looking to try something new.
Verdict: 4.5/5
More Tower and Knife: The Emperor’s Knife, Knifesworn (Coming Soon)
Original Post: http://thefoundingfields.com/2011/12/the-emperors-knife-bane-of-kings/
I’m pleased to say that yes, yes it was. The Emperor’s Knife, despite its flaws, I found to be a really enthralling read, and I can safely say that I will be eagerly looking forward to Book Two of the trilogy.
There. I’ve said it. But, in order to make this a ‘proper’ review, I have to write more than just that. So, you’re probably wondering what the heck The Emperor’s Knife is about. Well, let me tell you. Or rather, let Goodreads tell you, because I’m lazy:
There is a cancer at the heart of the mighty Cerani Empire: a plague that attacks young and old, rich and poor alike, marking each victim with a fragment of a greater pattern. Anyone showing the marks is put to death. That is Emperor Beyon’s law . . .
But now the pattern is reaching closer to the palace than ever before. In a hidden room, a forgotten prince has grown from child to man, and as the empire sickens, Sarmin, the emperor’s only surviving brother, is remembered. He awaits the bride his mother has chosen: a chieftain’s daughter from the northern plains.
Mesema travels from her homeland, an offering for the empire’s favour. She is a Windreader, used to riding free across the grasslands, not posing and primping in rare silks. She finds the Imperial Court’s protocols stifling, but she doesn’t take long to realise the politicking and intrigues are not a game, but deadly earnest.
Eyul is burdened both by years and by the horrors he has carried out in service to the throne. At his emperor’s command he bears the emperor’s Knife to the desert in search of a cure for the pattern-markings.
As long-planned conspiracies boil over into open violence and rebellion, the enemy moves toward victory. Now only three people stand in his way: a lost prince, a world-weary killer, and a young girl from the steppes who once saw a path through a pattern, among the waving grasses.
Certainly ambitious for an author’s first novel, huh? I’d like to say that I was slightly cautious about reading The Emperor’s Knife before I actually did read it, but alas, that was not the case, I dived into the book with little more than the blurb to see my way through. And, after the first few pages, I wasn’t confused. I wasn’t wondering who these characters were and I wasn’t wondering what the hell was going on. Neither does Williams overload you with info-dumping, the bane of many fantasy authors.
The characters are certainly well developed, and intriguing enough to keep you reading along with the captivating plot, that although is unoriginal when you look at previous fantasy novels, is certainly enjoyable, and combined with a well-designed world that has obviously had a lot of thought put into it.
Unfortunately, not every novel is perfect, and you will often find the pacing a bit uneven, with parts (especially towards the end), where you are turning the pages desperately to find out what happens next, and other times where you aren’t turning the pages as fast as you should be, which is a letdown, but one that I’m not too fussed about.
The novel itself draws upon several Middle Eastern influences, which is something that I’ve not encountered in fantasy before, so Williams gets +1 on the originality front (if there are more fantasy novels that draw from Middle Eastern influences that I haven’t read yet, drop me a line – I’d love to read them). You can tell that the world has been carefully constructed with a lot of research put into it, especially when you look at the magic system.
If there’s something else that let the novel down, again a minor issue, is that the ‘big reveal’ wasn’t as good as it could have been, and people who’ve read this novel will probably share my thoughts on this thing. Also, there’s romance, lots and lots of romance in this novel, although don’t let that put you off from reading The Emperor’s Knife. Romance or not, you won’t want to be missing this. It contains several elements of a dark fantasy novel, yet at the same time it still feels like you’re reading an epic fantasy, a novel that could be fit into the same sort of genre as George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.
I’d also like to point out that although The Emperor’s Knife is technically part of a trilogy, aside from a few parts where Williams sets the scene for the rest of the novel, it could effectively be read as a standalone. However, my advice is, don’t read it as a standalone and buy the next book as soon as it comes out! For one, I can’t wait to read it, and if Williams sorts out the pacing in the next novel, it will be truly superb. I strongly recommend this novel to any fans of fantasy that are looking to try something new.
Verdict: 4.5/5
More Tower and Knife: The Emperor’s Knife, Knifesworn (Coming Soon)
Original Post: http://thefoundingfields.com/2011/12/the-emperors-knife-bane-of-kings/
This book isn't something I might normally pick up perusing the library or a bookstore but my first stop is always the new releases section and this just happened to be among those sitting on that shelf. I'm very glad that I did check it out and now I can't wait for the second installment!
I found the characters engaging and the plot kept me from putting it down.
I found the characters engaging and the plot kept me from putting it down.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF - no rating
So much going on, not enough of background to get me interested.
A prince who has spent most of his life in a tiny room because his older brother had the King killed so he could take his place. The prince was kept as a second option in case the new king didnt work out.
Geometric patterns appearing on peoples skin, no clue as to why.
I lost interest real quick.
So much going on, not enough of background to get me interested.
A prince who has spent most of his life in a tiny room because his older brother had the King killed so he could take his place. The prince was kept as a second option in case the new king didnt work out.
Geometric patterns appearing on peoples skin, no clue as to why.
I lost interest real quick.