Scan barcode
beaktastic's review
3.0
A bit disappointing to be honest, and I'm not sure I could plow through the remaining 2 books in the trilogy.
The Emperor's Knife follows the stories of several people, tangled up in the complicated political machinations of the Nooria empire, as a strange Pattern continues to spread from person to person, threatening the empire itself. Prince Sarmin, brother and heir to the throne, remains locked in his tower room, a room he hasn't left in years, ever since the rest of his siblings were murdered to ensure Beyon's rise to the throne. Plotting and scheming brings Mesema from the Felting horse tribes to the capital to marry Sarmin, as it is believed Beyon is infected by the Pattern now as well. And what of this pattern? Where did it come from and what does it want? Eyul, the Emperor's Knife and chief assassin, goes on a quest to find out...
So, I really kind of struggled with this book. I'd read the blurb on here a while ago and thought it sounded interesting, so I downloaded it to my kindle when it was on sale a few months ago and finally got around to reading it. I thought, assassins, political intrigue and a strange pattern curse? Sounds right up my street.
The beginning was good enough, interesting. I liked Sarmin's back story and I enjoyed his madness that the isolation has brought, that he is a bit broken yet underneath there is this strength. Mesema was okay enough to read about, and I get that she was supposed to be key here, but I never really connected to her or felt invested in her story and I didn't get why Sarmin and Beyon were both falling head over heels for her.
I think my main problem was that it just so hard to keep going and follow this story. I felt that it jumped around a lot and that whilst things were explained, I thought that I still did not really get why some characters behaved the way they did or did certain things or just what was happening in general in the book. Most of my confusion lay in the description and explaining of the Pattern -
It also lacked much action and drama, particularly for a book that has an assassin for a main character. It was mostly just political manouevering and plotting, and what little action there was was just a side show to the rest. Quite boring.
Overall, I felt like it had great potential and a promising start, but it was just so hard to get through (this book took me like 3 weeks to read, much longer than usual) and follow. It didn't grab my attention and it was quite hard for me to carry on to the end. I don't think I'll be reading the other 2 books in the trilogy - unless someone tells me that they improve in quality dramatically.
The Emperor's Knife follows the stories of several people, tangled up in the complicated political machinations of the Nooria empire, as a strange Pattern continues to spread from person to person, threatening the empire itself. Prince Sarmin, brother and heir to the throne, remains locked in his tower room, a room he hasn't left in years, ever since the rest of his siblings were murdered to ensure Beyon's rise to the throne. Plotting and scheming brings Mesema from the Felting horse tribes to the capital to marry Sarmin, as it is believed Beyon is infected by the Pattern now as well. And what of this pattern? Where did it come from and what does it want? Eyul, the Emperor's Knife and chief assassin, goes on a quest to find out...
So, I really kind of struggled with this book. I'd read the blurb on here a while ago and thought it sounded interesting, so I downloaded it to my kindle when it was on sale a few months ago and finally got around to reading it. I thought, assassins, political intrigue and a strange pattern curse? Sounds right up my street.
The beginning was good enough, interesting. I liked Sarmin's back story and I enjoyed his madness that the isolation has brought, that he is a bit broken yet underneath there is this strength. Mesema was okay enough to read about, and I get that she was supposed to be key here, but I never really connected to her or felt invested in her story and I didn't get why Sarmin and Beyon were both falling head over heels for her.
I think my main problem was that it just so hard to keep going and follow this story. I felt that it jumped around a lot and that whilst things were explained, I thought that I still did not really get why some characters behaved the way they did or did certain things or just what was happening in general in the book. Most of my confusion lay in the description and explaining of the Pattern -
Spoiler
I just didn't quite get what was going on with it at times and it seemed to me as if it's abilities almost changed just to suit the authors purpose in the novel at times... And I didn't quite get the whole Helmar revelation thing or how it supposedly worked or what happened in that church in the desert at the very end... I just didn't get it... Although I did realise that the Hermit would be the Pattern Master from the get go pretty much.It also lacked much action and drama, particularly for a book that has an assassin for a main character. It was mostly just political manouevering and plotting, and what little action there was was just a side show to the rest. Quite boring.
Overall, I felt like it had great potential and a promising start, but it was just so hard to get through (this book took me like 3 weeks to read, much longer than usual) and follow. It didn't grab my attention and it was quite hard for me to carry on to the end. I don't think I'll be reading the other 2 books in the trilogy - unless someone tells me that they improve in quality dramatically.
mellhay's review
3.0
Fifteen years Sarmin has lived in the high tower room, after his brothers were killed. He receives a visit from his mother telling him she is sending for a Northern Felting woman as his bride. Then a visit from the vizier, Tuvaini, sounding as he is trying to win Prince Sarmin to his cause but decided Sarmin was mad. The few that know Sarmin is alive and hidden away are now turning to hoping he could lead the Empire, now that the King has the marks of the plague; marking him for death, by his law, or to become a Carrier for the Pattern Master, and bore no heir. As tradition, when the King is crowned his younger brothers are put to death by the Emperor's Knife, leaving one King and his son's when he has them as heir - no question or fights for the throne. But Sarmin was saved, foreseen by his mother and the Tower Mage as powerful and going to be needed.
This is going to be a tough review for me. Not for bad as I liked this read, but I wanted more through out the book. There were hints and mention of gods and the One God. I kind of wanted more information on the One God and Mogyrk church. I know the Cerani turned away from this belief, so not much remains or is known. but also a lot of insinuation through happenings and remarks regarding the pattern magic. I want to better understand it.
Yet I felt like always in suspense, wanting to know about the Patterns and meanings, or what each character had planned and who would prevail. Then most of all, who is the Pattern Master and his plans. I also wondered and worried about Sarmin and what he was capable to do and how to do it. There is so much underlying in the scenes and conversations to think on.
The story starts with a prologue of Sarmin witnessing the death of his younger brothers by the blade of the Emperor's Knife, from his tower room. Then we meet the people involved; Mesema, Eyul, King Beyon, Prince Sarmin, Tuvaini, the Empire Mother Nessaket, and a few others. We bring all the people together, each having their own POV and know or see different things of the Patterns or workings of. For the first 20-30 pages I was a little confused as we dive right in and the characters talk vague or double talk/cross each other, leaving me questioning their motives. But not much later I get clarity, of some understanding to what's going on and what they might be up to. I do suggest before starting the book to read the description completely. It will help let you know what you are diving head first into.
Then the story opened up and started to fit together in my mind. I started to realize the people who were playing the game and game against each other. Once I knew who to "trust" and what to expect from them, it started to make sense.
I liked the touches of the magic here. We got a touch of the Elemental Mages, neat. I liked the Patterned magic, although I'm still piecing the pieces together on Sarmin's half. And the knife, the Emperor's Knife... I wondered on it and the man with it, but I really liked it and the magic wound around it.
This is a very good start, debut into the fantasy genre for Mazarkis. I do look forward to continuing this trilogy to see what Mazarkis has in store for Sarmin and Mesema.
This is going to be a tough review for me. Not for bad as I liked this read, but I wanted more through out the book. There were hints and mention of gods and the One God. I kind of wanted more information on the One God and Mogyrk church. I know the Cerani turned away from this belief, so not much remains or is known. but also a lot of insinuation through happenings and remarks regarding the pattern magic. I want to better understand it.
Yet I felt like always in suspense, wanting to know about the Patterns and meanings, or what each character had planned and who would prevail. Then most of all, who is the Pattern Master and his plans. I also wondered and worried about Sarmin and what he was capable to do and how to do it. There is so much underlying in the scenes and conversations to think on.
The story starts with a prologue of Sarmin witnessing the death of his younger brothers by the blade of the Emperor's Knife, from his tower room. Then we meet the people involved; Mesema, Eyul, King Beyon, Prince Sarmin, Tuvaini, the Empire Mother Nessaket, and a few others. We bring all the people together, each having their own POV and know or see different things of the Patterns or workings of. For the first 20-30 pages I was a little confused as we dive right in and the characters talk vague or double talk/cross each other, leaving me questioning their motives. But not much later I get clarity, of some understanding to what's going on and what they might be up to. I do suggest before starting the book to read the description completely. It will help let you know what you are diving head first into.
Then the story opened up and started to fit together in my mind. I started to realize the people who were playing the game and game against each other. Once I knew who to "trust" and what to expect from them, it started to make sense.
I liked the touches of the magic here. We got a touch of the Elemental Mages, neat. I liked the Patterned magic, although I'm still piecing the pieces together on Sarmin's half. And the knife, the Emperor's Knife... I wondered on it and the man with it, but I really liked it and the magic wound around it.
This is a very good start, debut into the fantasy genre for Mazarkis. I do look forward to continuing this trilogy to see what Mazarkis has in store for Sarmin and Mesema.
callsigntinks's review against another edition
1.0
Never made it past chapter one. Really didnt grab me.
samstrong's review
4.0
So very close to perfection. If it had just been a little less vague about everything and hadn't ended quite so abruptly...
cseanread's review
Couldn't finish. I really tried to give it time to interest me, but I think it's a little too high fantasy for my tastes. Well written and certainly worth checking out, if that's your thing.
tiana_598's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
diaryofthebookdragon's review
3.0
Mazarkis Williams picked deserts and middle eastern inspired culture as a setting for his debut novel. It's a refreshing change from medieval based setting that most of fantasy authors use. Add to this two magic systems:
1) commanding one specific element (fire/stone/air..) by forming symbiotic relationship with elementals;
2) spell-casting by drawing intricate patterns on objects and hive-mind group behavior;
and we have a base for great fantasy book. I love a good unique magic in a book, and on this The Emperor's Knife did not disappoint me. My only regret is that there is almost no explanation how that magic actually works.
The story is told through four point of views:
• Prince Sarmin, locked in a tower from childhood;
• Eyul, royal assassin, whose honorary tittle Emperor's Knife is the name of the books also;
• Mesema, Sarmin's fiance from horse-riders tribe in norther planes;
• Tuvaini, the high vizier - emperor's chief adviser.
They all plot and scheme trying to fulfill their desires. Whether they yearn for freedom, forgiveness for past sins, love or power, each of them weaves another strand in a web of court intrigues that can have only one winner.
I usually love multiple viewpoints in a book because they offer us different perspective and view on plot, but in this case they only added to the general confusion. The descriptions jump from one character to the other randomly and sometimes just after one page or even paragraph of text. I think that it is better if writers stick to rule one chapter per character and to use multiple POVs in one chapter only when there is a culmination of plot.
If we disregard the POV confusion problems, I must admit that there is a good character development for all main and even some side-characters in a story. The only front where this failed is romance/love. There was a lot of sex happening, but I could not feel the love, affection or sometimes even motivation for it between characters, even where it should be. But I'm a girl, so maybe male readers won't even notice this.
'The Emperor's Knife' is an interesting start to a series and Mazarkis Williams is definitely a new promising fantasy writer. I only hope that point of view jumps will not be so sudden and quick in [b:Knife Sworn|13595011|Knife Sworn (Tower and Knife Trilogy, #2)|Mazarkis Williams|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1342535256s/13595011.jpg|19183544], next book in a trilogy. This book is next on my to-be-read list so I will find out soon enough. :)
This text is also posted on Amazon and my blog.
1) commanding one specific element (fire/stone/air..) by forming symbiotic relationship with elementals;
2) spell-casting by drawing intricate patterns on objects and hive-mind group behavior;
and we have a base for great fantasy book. I love a good unique magic in a book, and on this The Emperor's Knife did not disappoint me. My only regret is that there is almost no explanation how that magic actually works.
The story is told through four point of views:
• Prince Sarmin, locked in a tower from childhood;
• Eyul, royal assassin, whose honorary tittle Emperor's Knife is the name of the books also;
• Mesema, Sarmin's fiance from horse-riders tribe in norther planes;
• Tuvaini, the high vizier - emperor's chief adviser.
They all plot and scheme trying to fulfill their desires. Whether they yearn for freedom, forgiveness for past sins, love or power, each of them weaves another strand in a web of court intrigues that can have only one winner.
I usually love multiple viewpoints in a book because they offer us different perspective and view on plot, but in this case they only added to the general confusion. The descriptions jump from one character to the other randomly and sometimes just after one page or even paragraph of text. I think that it is better if writers stick to rule one chapter per character and to use multiple POVs in one chapter only when there is a culmination of plot.
If we disregard the POV confusion problems, I must admit that there is a good character development for all main and even some side-characters in a story. The only front where this failed is romance/love. There was a lot of sex happening, but I could not feel the love, affection or sometimes even motivation for it between characters, even where it should be. But I'm a girl, so maybe male readers won't even notice this.
'The Emperor's Knife' is an interesting start to a series and Mazarkis Williams is definitely a new promising fantasy writer. I only hope that point of view jumps will not be so sudden and quick in [b:Knife Sworn|13595011|Knife Sworn (Tower and Knife Trilogy, #2)|Mazarkis Williams|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1342535256s/13595011.jpg|19183544], next book in a trilogy. This book is next on my to-be-read list so I will find out soon enough. :)
This text is also posted on Amazon and my blog.
joliendelandsheer's review
3.0
Review first published on my blog The Fictional Reader
Like The Tiger and the Wolf, I felt “meh” about this book. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. I don’t have the need to finish the trilogy, but I already own the second book. Dilemma…
I think this book had a lot of potential, but I didn’t really like the execution of it. I was intrigued for several reasons: geometric patterns across the skin that make you do someone else’s bidding, an Emperor with a dead family, the Prince locked up and a Windreader. Those all sound so promising!
But instead, I felt like there was something off about this story. First, it seemed like I was watching the story unfold from a distance instead of being there with the characters. Second, while you’re reading, it feels like there are chunks of time missing. The characters develop but I think it was unrealistic. For example: Sarmin has spent almost his entire life locked up in his room without seeing anyone. And suddenly, he has the ability to stop the biggest threat his empire has ever faced? I don’t get it. The characters changed so suddenly, I couldn’t really follow anymore. The only character I could understand was the Knife. Third, I didn’t understand parts of the history or backstory. Why did all the brothers have to be killed? Why not Sarmin? Maybe I missed it or just forgot in the past month, but I couldn’t tell you if my life depended on it.
Like The Tiger and the Wolf, I felt “meh” about this book. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. I don’t have the need to finish the trilogy, but I already own the second book. Dilemma…
I think this book had a lot of potential, but I didn’t really like the execution of it. I was intrigued for several reasons: geometric patterns across the skin that make you do someone else’s bidding, an Emperor with a dead family, the Prince locked up and a Windreader. Those all sound so promising!
But instead, I felt like there was something off about this story. First, it seemed like I was watching the story unfold from a distance instead of being there with the characters. Second, while you’re reading, it feels like there are chunks of time missing. The characters develop but I think it was unrealistic. For example: Sarmin has spent almost his entire life locked up in his room without seeing anyone. And suddenly, he has the ability to stop the biggest threat his empire has ever faced? I don’t get it. The characters changed so suddenly, I couldn’t really follow anymore. The only character I could understand was the Knife. Third, I didn’t understand parts of the history or backstory. Why did all the brothers have to be killed? Why not Sarmin? Maybe I missed it or just forgot in the past month, but I couldn’t tell you if my life depended on it.
emiann2023's review
3.0
DNF.
I never got into the story. I just couldn't connect with Saizen? Idk. Just wasn't my cup of tea, though I wish it had been.
I never got into the story. I just couldn't connect with Saizen? Idk. Just wasn't my cup of tea, though I wish it had been.