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poonam's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
3.5
landrade4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
carlys987's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked where the plot went in this continuation, but the writing style grated on me just a bit. I'm interested in seeing where book three goes tho!
malignantcactus's review
3.0
Kind of like the opposite of Age of Myth for me? In that one Persephone was the standout character and here I'm just like "Cool."
And with Raithe in the last book I was like "Cool" and here he's the standout character for me?
Also Suri is still the best.
And with Raithe in the last book I was like "Cool" and here he's the standout character for me?
Also Suri is still the best.
bookish_emily's review against another edition
4.0
Age of Swords continues the action of the first book in the series, Age of Myth. Persephone, now the chief of her clan, must lead her people to safety after their village is destroyed by the Fhrey. Realizing that the Fhrey will no longer leave her people in peace, she must try to unite all the clans if they will have any chance of surviving the impending war.
The girl power in this book is great. I can't say much more about that without revealing spoilers, but the women in this story kick butt and it is terrific. Michael J. Sullivan has further developed characters that were more peripheral in the first book, which enhances the depth of the narrative and the overall world-building. The engaging action draws the reader through the story and leaves you ready for the next installment! Fantasy fans will enjoy this series, especially if they start at the beginning.
The girl power in this book is great. I can't say much more about that without revealing spoilers, but the women in this story kick butt and it is terrific. Michael J. Sullivan has further developed characters that were more peripheral in the first book, which enhances the depth of the narrative and the overall world-building. The engaging action draws the reader through the story and leaves you ready for the next installment! Fantasy fans will enjoy this series, especially if they start at the beginning.
actuallycandy's review
5.0
This book was intriguing enough to captivate me and captured my heart enough to break me at the same time.
It seriously has been a long time since a book has brought me to tears. It shows how good Michael J Sullivan is at making you care about the characters in his world.
Each character is unique with their own motives, plots and backgrounds that you can't help but root for your favourites. The author is talented in creating atmosphere for each kingdom as well. Careful thought was placed in creating each race and kingdom making it easy to follow and imagine.
But if you're a reader that primarily favours character development over plot, this series may disappoint you. This series is most definitely plot driven and the characters are there for the ride. But the characters are fleshed out enough for the reader to care about their outcomes.
Honestly the book contains so much that it cannot all be noted in a review to give it justice.
Just read it, you won't regret the journey.
5 ⭐
It seriously has been a long time since a book has brought me to tears. It shows how good Michael J Sullivan is at making you care about the characters in his world.
Each character is unique with their own motives, plots and backgrounds that you can't help but root for your favourites. The author is talented in creating atmosphere for each kingdom as well. Careful thought was placed in creating each race and kingdom making it easy to follow and imagine.
But if you're a reader that primarily favours character development over plot, this series may disappoint you. This series is most definitely plot driven and the characters are there for the ride. But the characters are fleshed out enough for the reader to care about their outcomes.
Honestly the book contains so much that it cannot all be noted in a review to give it justice.
Just read it, you won't regret the journey.
5 ⭐
willrefuge's review
3.0
This was a difficult book to review, as Michael J. Sullivan did many things well, he just waited a while to do them. I was disappointed overall, but the story is still a can’t-miss in my book, if only for how it bridges the gap between 1 and 3. Strong female characters step up to take center stage in this sequel to Age of Myth, making an enjoyable read into something more dynamic and inspiring. A greater perspective of the different races from men to Fhrey [elves] to Belgriclungreians [dwarves] (and even Grenmorians [giants]) helps give the novel scope, although it continues to lack any dwarf or giant or goblin POV—something I would love to see. However, early, uneven pacing and disappointing POV chapters instead ruin a sophomore effort that could’ve been great.
In addition, frequent sudden, great innovations only seem to cheapen their worth when they are repeated chapter after chapter. The most notable of these—the bow and arrow—goes on to be a major plot device. It’s akin to an author (or Assassin’s Creed) simply throwing in a historical figure just for the hell of it. Not to mention that the invention of the bow predates recorded history, including such things as bronze working, copper working, the wheel, wells, the dahl (and most other earthworks), any known writing system, the sword, pretty much any kind of non-nomadic existence and… well, you get the idea.
After early hiccups, the story really gets going in the second half of the book, in which the strong female leads step up in a big—and badass—way. And yet the conclusion feels cheap on many levels, though I’ll admit I am looking forward to the next installment. The inconsistency of the story and hollow nature of new character POVs in the first half had me abandon the book once or twice before ultimately picking it up again. Once I cleared the 200 (ish) page mark (with the exception of a few bits and pieces) the read became much more smooth and enjoyable.
So… I definitely didn’t love Age of Swords. I was so annoyed reading it that I actually gave up a couple times (yeah, okay, for like a day each), but it is interesting. And it is good. Just needs some work to ensure that the following four books don’t suffer the same shortcomings. Not that that matters, as MJS has already finished writing all the books.
In addition, frequent sudden, great innovations only seem to cheapen their worth when they are repeated chapter after chapter. The most notable of these—the bow and arrow—goes on to be a major plot device. It’s akin to an author (or Assassin’s Creed) simply throwing in a historical figure just for the hell of it. Not to mention that the invention of the bow predates recorded history, including such things as bronze working, copper working, the wheel, wells, the dahl (and most other earthworks), any known writing system, the sword, pretty much any kind of non-nomadic existence and… well, you get the idea.
After early hiccups, the story really gets going in the second half of the book, in which the strong female leads step up in a big—and badass—way. And yet the conclusion feels cheap on many levels, though I’ll admit I am looking forward to the next installment. The inconsistency of the story and hollow nature of new character POVs in the first half had me abandon the book once or twice before ultimately picking it up again. Once I cleared the 200 (ish) page mark (with the exception of a few bits and pieces) the read became much more smooth and enjoyable.
So… I definitely didn’t love Age of Swords. I was so annoyed reading it that I actually gave up a couple times (yeah, okay, for like a day each), but it is interesting. And it is good. Just needs some work to ensure that the following four books don’t suffer the same shortcomings. Not that that matters, as MJS has already finished writing all the books.
kaitlynmccready's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
krumanda's review
4.0
This book has not one but 6 extremely excellent female lead characters. 7 if you count a lesser character. What a joy to read badass, smart, brave women.