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goonerette's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
danreadsitall's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
I am a big fan for Sébastien de Castell''s Greatcoats. Swashbuckling, justice, cutting lines, what's not to love? But this time we are not following Falco, but the King's Crucible, Estevar Valejan Duerisi Borros in "Crucible of Chaos." An investigator of the supernatural, or at least the possibility of the supernatural.
After receiving a letter from his long term correspondence, the head of the abbey at the most holy place in the land. Except most of the gods are dead...and there is a knight telling him not to go to Isola Sombra, because of the demons. Another small issue, the wound he took in a duel that he could have refused. But he is armed with his mind, a capable assistant, and a great ass named Imperious (he is a very good mule) to uncover what is going on at this abbey.
Reasons to read:
-Folks up to date with the workings of the setting are in for a treat
-The swagger of a nearly dead investigator
-Again, a great ass
-Banter
-A trial
-I'm just very happy with this one
Cons:
-It's going to hurt a bit
After receiving a letter from his long term correspondence, the head of the abbey at the most holy place in the land. Except most of the gods are dead...and there is a knight telling him not to go to Isola Sombra, because of the demons. Another small issue, the wound he took in a duel that he could have refused. But he is armed with his mind, a capable assistant, and a great ass named Imperious (he is a very good mule) to uncover what is going on at this abbey.
Reasons to read:
-Folks up to date with the workings of the setting are in for a treat
-The swagger of a nearly dead investigator
-Again, a great ass
-Banter
-A trial
-I'm just very happy with this one
Cons:
-It's going to hurt a bit
brianv's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
leafandlore's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This one was really entertaining and the mystery did keep me guessing. It was much slower paced than the other Greatcoat novels and was written in third person which I'm not used to from De Castell. Estevar was an excellent addition to our cast of Greatcoats; he felt unique and very much his own person while still being cohesive with the others we've met in the previous books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Animal cruelty
The mule, Imperious, lives but like all the characters he does go through some traumatic events. However, descriptions of his suffering are not extremely graphic and he's fine in the end. One character repeatedly makes lewd comments and threatens to rape another character. He does not act on these threats and it becomes apparent he's all talk.blankpagepanic's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
victoriacampbell28's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
leeleet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I love the Greatcoats and this is a great start to another series in this amazing world. It’s so full of excitement, heart, tragedy, love, violence and just so much emotion. I already have the next installment and I can’t wait to start it.
bentheoverlordsbooks's review
4.0
De Castells sequel prequel that was fantastic but didnt reach the heights of the Greatcoats. I love the new characters, especially Estabar, and honestly this felt like a 5 star for the first part (nearly cried at ch5) but it sadly never hit those heights later on. I found the mystery cool, however its pacing meant some of the reveals (which I guessed) didn't land as much. That being said, I loved being back in this world and seeing the aftermath of book 4, and look forward to seeing where the new series goes (which I will be starting immediately). Also Joe Jameson continues to be just one of my fav narrators of all time, so please do the audiobook if you can.
scottish_kat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0