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theogb451's review
3.0
Probably more of a 3.5 star book but 4 stars on Good Reads is 'I Really Liked It' and I'm not sure I liked it that much. Still an interesting book with very strong characters. The writing style was a bit odd at times and I'm not 100% convinced that Weeks uses the physics of colours correctly. One could argue, "but, magic!" however in most respects there is clearly thought given to light in terms of physics so it's hard to really just let it settle. Towards the end of the novel the point is made about how there might be *some* leakage of a certain type of light so maybe that works.
In any case, the story is a good one and cleverly layered.
In any case, the story is a good one and cleverly layered.
paytontseibert's review against another edition
2.0
Listen - the magic system is cool, unique, fun to read about and the storyline is pretty good! Evil twin trope, attempts at strong female leads, cool world building and very visually intriguing.
Y'all. We will go from chapters of good content to just a whole chapter of off-base, odd, nipple-talk or misogynistic discussion of women. His female best friend dies in the first couple of chapters and it's not until after she's gone that he begins hyper-sexualizing her? Kinda weird. Often, I would chalk it up to being in the head of a teenage boy, but it was super weird timing when it would happen, all throughout. I was NEVER ready. Good story - weird side tangents. That's all folks.
Y'all. We will go from chapters of good content to just a whole chapter of off-base, odd, nipple-talk or misogynistic discussion of women. His female best friend dies in the first couple of chapters and it's not until after she's gone that he begins hyper-sexualizing her? Kinda weird. Often, I would chalk it up to being in the head of a teenage boy, but it was super weird timing when it would happen, all throughout. I was NEVER ready. Good story - weird side tangents. That's all folks.
sunscour's review against another edition
4.0
Good for a book one. Loved the color magic and all of the "moral" confusion.
Listened to this one, very well done....
Listened to this one, very well done....
spacejerky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.0
flowerhatprincess's review
5.0
This is one of the most creative magic systems I've ever read about. I'm sure you're aware of the color system, but Brent pushes it further by letting the magic overlap letting characters control multiple colors and it effects each person uniquely. The magic Luxen can be used for anything you can think of constructing buildings cannons, shields, walls, bridges, swords, boats etc. But using this magic does have a downside- it slowly kills the caster and changes their body starting with the color of their eyes and eventually their skin and potentially restructuring their bodies.
The cast of characters was vast, but it was easy to keep up with the characters and how they related to each other. Each character had a strong voice and story. I actually found myself not liking the main protagonast very much at the beginning but as he develops through the story and becomes more confident about who he is and what he wants to accomplish he really becomes a force to be reckoned with. I also think that Weeks did a fantastic job exploring emotions through this book. At times this book was surprisingly dark which left me feeling conflicted about some of the main characters, really getting me to think about what would drive these characters to do some of the things they're doing.
The world is absolutely stunning, huge, and I can tell we haven't even scratched the surface of all the places we aree to visit in this world filled with thick forests, seas galor, and deserts that stretch as far as the eye can see. Weeks was creative with the modes of transportation there is almost no walking in this book, it's great! That being said, I would have loved a drawing of the boat that they use throughout the book, I found the description of it a little confusing and never had too clear of an image in my head when I imagined the beast.
It goes at a breakneck speed, and it also helps that most chapter are only a few pages. I found myself flying through ten chapters at a time and not evening feeling like I'd comitted that much time. It's easy to understand. I didn't find myself stuck on a chapter trying to force myself through boring political strategies but instead found them in short little bursts throughout the book. Overall, I really enjoyed the direction this book took, it feels like it's off to a really strong start for the epic saga.
The cast of characters was vast, but it was easy to keep up with the characters and how they related to each other. Each character had a strong voice and story. I actually found myself not liking the main protagonast very much at the beginning but as he develops through the story and becomes more confident about who he is and what he wants to accomplish he really becomes a force to be reckoned with. I also think that Weeks did a fantastic job exploring emotions through this book. At times this book was surprisingly dark which left me feeling conflicted about some of the main characters, really getting me to think about what would drive these characters to do some of the things they're doing.
The world is absolutely stunning, huge, and I can tell we haven't even scratched the surface of all the places we aree to visit in this world filled with thick forests, seas galor, and deserts that stretch as far as the eye can see. Weeks was creative with the modes of transportation there is almost no walking in this book, it's great! That being said, I would have loved a drawing of the boat that they use throughout the book, I found the description of it a little confusing and never had too clear of an image in my head when I imagined the beast.
It goes at a breakneck speed, and it also helps that most chapter are only a few pages. I found myself flying through ten chapters at a time and not evening feeling like I'd comitted that much time. It's easy to understand. I didn't find myself stuck on a chapter trying to force myself through boring political strategies but instead found them in short little bursts throughout the book. Overall, I really enjoyed the direction this book took, it feels like it's off to a really strong start for the epic saga.
meghb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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? Yes
5.0
A very intense ride from beginning to end. I loved the changing narrators (even if it made me more anxious!) and I love that the characters are all flawed in some way. Loved the magic, and the way various concepts were explained across the different narrations. And Kudos to Brent Weeks for not only mentioning menstruation, but depicting it fairly accurately also.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape
jessicacragg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
cleothegreat's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
really wanted to go lower on this but wanted to pay respects to the plot and magic system of the world because honestly? baller. having the words ‘her great sagging breasts’ be a descriptor for an npcish councilwoman was not. nor were the other immature innuendos/scenes featuring blatant over-sexualization of women when it really wasn’t necessary - the storyline suffered for it imo
the luxin was rad as were the plot twists but it’s safe to say i won’t be reading the rest of the series
really wanted to go lower on this but wanted to pay respects to the plot and magic system of the world because honestly? baller. having the words ‘her great sagging breasts’ be a descriptor for an npcish councilwoman was not. nor were the other immature innuendos/scenes featuring blatant over-sexualization of women when it really wasn’t necessary - the storyline suffered for it imo
the luxin was rad as were the plot twists but it’s safe to say i won’t be reading the rest of the series
pinkapricorn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
calbowen's review against another edition
1.0
UNFINISHED - no comment on the book, as I only read 33% - but in one third, I couldn't find myself a way to care about any characters or the plot ....