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ogreart's review
4.0
Some of the tropes were a little too pat, but overall this was a well written adventure tale. I liked the way Kohanek worked several heist stories into this. The use of flashback worked well. I am pretty sure there is more to the storyteller that we have been told. Looking forward to the continuation of the story in the next book of the trilogy.
akerbos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
elemsr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
i liked the "old fantasy" vibes and the multiple povs/storylines that were connected in the end. it was also funny. what I didn't like was the subtle misogyny.
do recommend
do recommend
goatsinspace's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
The first installment of the Fate of Wizardoms series by Jeffrey L. Kohanek, this is set in a realm where wizards reign as gods and rulers. The narrative follows an unlikely band of heroes: a thief, an acrobat, a troubled dwarf, and a seasoned storyteller. Their mission is to assassinate a wizard lord—a seemingly insurmountable task.
Brought to life through the wonderful narration of Travis Baldree in the audiobook rendition, "Eye of Obscurance" is a charming and humorous tale that feels like a D&D game. The characters sparkle with wit and humor, drawing readers into their escapades with charm and wit and with complex and often sad backstories.
Cliché looms with Jace's preoccupation with certain thoughts about women; I definitely rolled my eyes a few times. However, amidst the familiar tropes, the narrative's distinctive voice and vibrant characters manage to carve out a place of their own.
This is an engaging introduction to the Fate of Wizardoms series and I highly recommend the audiobook. Kohanek's writing style, coupled with a group of underdog heroes, set the stage for an adventure that, while not groundbreaking, promises an entertaining journey for those who enjoy dungeons and dragons.
Brought to life through the wonderful narration of Travis Baldree in the audiobook rendition, "Eye of Obscurance" is a charming and humorous tale that feels like a D&D game. The characters sparkle with wit and humor, drawing readers into their escapades with charm and wit and with complex and often sad backstories.
Cliché looms with Jace's preoccupation with certain thoughts about women; I definitely rolled my eyes a few times. However, amidst the familiar tropes, the narrative's distinctive voice and vibrant characters manage to carve out a place of their own.
This is an engaging introduction to the Fate of Wizardoms series and I highly recommend the audiobook. Kohanek's writing style, coupled with a group of underdog heroes, set the stage for an adventure that, while not groundbreaking, promises an entertaining journey for those who enjoy dungeons and dragons.
sheska_meroba's review
I received of copy of this entire trilogy on ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
Unfortunately this is far too high fantasy for me, I didn’t find it very engaging, not for
Unfortunately this is far too high fantasy for me, I didn’t find it very engaging, not for
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
Eye of Obscurance by Kohanek was a nice surprise! I don't even remember why I got it, but when I finally got around to it I had no idea what I was getting into. The very first scene had me a bit wary, fearing this would be a very generic "evil wizard" story, but luckily it was more than that, and a few chapters in I was enjoying myself a lot!
This isn't a very deep it dark book mostly, but rather a fast paced and fun romp. Two thieves meeting when trying to steal the same thing set in motion a new direction to what either of them expected.
One is a young woman going her way on a mysterious quest of her own.
The other a male master thief who enjoys practical jokes, likes to look at curvy women and make inappropriate jokes. In a balance that worked for me and didn't make him obnoxious. And tye best thing for me? No romance whatsoever so far.
We also get a traveling menagerie, a story teller, a magic university (though we spend little time there), and other tropes I luckily always liked.
However there's some bits breaking that mold, like the princess and her female bodyguard being best friends.
The world starts out a bit basic, but it does grow over the course of the story, and I presume will get even more depth on later books in the series.
All in all a really entertaining story that kept me glued to the pages all the way though!
This isn't a very deep it dark book mostly, but rather a fast paced and fun romp. Two thieves meeting when trying to steal the same thing set in motion a new direction to what either of them expected.
One is a young woman going her way on a mysterious quest of her own.
The other a male master thief who enjoys practical jokes, likes to look at curvy women and make inappropriate jokes. In a balance that worked for me and didn't make him obnoxious. And tye best thing for me? No romance whatsoever so far.
We also get a traveling menagerie, a story teller, a magic university (though we spend little time there), and other tropes I luckily always liked.
However there's some bits breaking that mold, like the princess and her female bodyguard being best friends.
The world starts out a bit basic, but it does grow over the course of the story, and I presume will get even more depth on later books in the series.
All in all a really entertaining story that kept me glued to the pages all the way though!
arshdhawan's review
5.0
An underrated masterpiece
Cover is cool. Thumbs up to cover artist
Audiobook is amazing. Amazing voices and all loved the experience
Plot and way of writing is also amazing. It binds and follows the right pace however we follow so many different people in such a short book that one may confuse... Number of people/plots could be reduced. It need not be so many people, the story could also work out with lesser number or explore some people later... But that's the only thing I had problem with
4.5/5 wonderful experience... Will surely read other books in the series
Cover is cool. Thumbs up to cover artist
Audiobook is amazing. Amazing voices and all loved the experience
Plot and way of writing is also amazing. It binds and follows the right pace however we follow so many different people in such a short book that one may confuse... Number of people/plots could be reduced. It need not be so many people, the story could also work out with lesser number or explore some people later... But that's the only thing I had problem with
4.5/5 wonderful experience... Will surely read other books in the series
nclcaitlin's review
3.25
A clever thief, a determined acrobat, and a troubled dwarf are joined by an old storyteller as they attempt the impossible: Assassinate a wizard lord. Their slim hope relies on an enchanted amulet, the Eye of Obscurance. These unwitting pawns are embroiled in a contest of wizards. The stakes: The fate of the world.
The characters were definitely the highlight of the story, and Baldree really brings them alive through his audio narration. With such a unique cast of characters fairy ring a revenge-bound acrobat, a dwarf who wields forgotten magic, a storyteller who is more than he appears, and a wizard princess with no kingdom, the amount of hijinks they get up to is limitless.
Ultimately, the humour stood out to me most, and I’m hoping future books will shed light on the magic system, world, and hierarchy more and this felt lacking.
The characters were definitely the highlight of the story, and Baldree really brings them alive through his audio narration. With such a unique cast of characters fairy ring a revenge-bound acrobat, a dwarf who wields forgotten magic, a storyteller who is more than he appears, and a wizard princess with no kingdom, the amount of hijinks they get up to is limitless.
Ultimately, the humour stood out to me most, and I’m hoping future books will shed light on the magic system, world, and hierarchy more and this felt lacking.
davidgreenwriter's review
4.0
A rollicking fun adventure.
On his Goodreads page, the author describes this book, the start of the Fate of Wizardoms, as like the MCU of fantasy reading and I couldn't think of a better analogy.
Filled with tropes we fantasy fans love, Kohanek takes time twisting and tweaking them to suit his world. The action is thick and fast, as is the humour. Comedy is always subjective, particularly in fantasy, but I'm happy to say it worked for me on the whole. Every now and then, some dialogue exchanges fell a little flat or felt forced, but that's to be expected - those lines I could see others loving.
A refreshing and fast-paced read, I've already got books two and three ready to go on my Kindle.
On his Goodreads page, the author describes this book, the start of the Fate of Wizardoms, as like the MCU of fantasy reading and I couldn't think of a better analogy.
Filled with tropes we fantasy fans love, Kohanek takes time twisting and tweaking them to suit his world. The action is thick and fast, as is the humour. Comedy is always subjective, particularly in fantasy, but I'm happy to say it worked for me on the whole. Every now and then, some dialogue exchanges fell a little flat or felt forced, but that's to be expected - those lines I could see others loving.
A refreshing and fast-paced read, I've already got books two and three ready to go on my Kindle.
bookish_satty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This really was a pleasant surprise to be honest. I went into it with low expectations but by the end I really fell in love with the characters especially Rhoa and Jace. Will definitely continue this series. In my opinion the prologue as well as the final battle chapters were the best. Loved the scenes describing magical battles.