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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going 4* because it's a debut, and because I mostly enjoyed the overall story. It's hard to break new ground in fantasy these days, but Stewart has.
I feared we were in for a classic "It's so unFAIR!" Plucky Girl story, and indeed we were, but all is forgiven because very early on she's all, "well, I'm going to have to DEAL with this!"
Jovis is on the edge of too-capable, but Stewart wisely reins him in. Lin is suspiciously successful at the things she tries, but I'll let it go. Mephi is excellent, and could develop into something as cool as Steven Brust's Loiosh. Phalue and Ranami - we are not shown why they have not split up yet, and their relationship just isn't credible.
In reading SF/F, I enjoy explanations, and I don't care if they are plausible as long as the author has made the effort. I wanted more of that from this book (and there are hints that we might get in in later volumes, so OK). Yes, of course I willl explain.
The magic. Hmm. It presents Lin with interesting challenges, but I needed some handwaving about why practitioners can just "reach in" with no lasting harm to the target. What gives a practitioner that skill? Shard #4 of the standard set? Why do they have to take the shard from the skull? If using the shard drains the original owner, is it distance-independent? (Quantum mechanics in fantasy, yay!) Is it shieldable?
Was it five, six times that a key character sustains an arm or shoulder wound and just casually deals with it one-handed (including at least one with stitches)? Lookit, have you ever tried to put on even a band-aid one-handed? And I note no leg wounds, because that would limit mobility.
2/3 of the way in, Dad Lin's all "hmm, bummer"(shrugs) and moves on. This may have been a broad hint for later, so OK.
And finally the key reveals for Bayar and Lin. Those few of you as old as me will maybe remember MAD Magazine's Don Martin, and even his famous story "National Gorilla-Suit Day," in which This reminded me of that.
I still enjoyed it and I will read #2.
I feared we were in for a classic "It's so unFAIR!" Plucky Girl story, and indeed we were, but all is forgiven because very early on she's all, "well, I'm going to have to DEAL with this!"
Jovis is on the edge of too-capable, but Stewart wisely reins him in. Lin is suspiciously successful at the things she tries, but I'll let it go. Mephi is excellent, and could develop into something as cool as Steven Brust's Loiosh. Phalue and Ranami - we are not shown why they have not split up yet, and their relationship just isn't credible.
In reading SF/F, I enjoy explanations, and I don't care if they are plausible as long as the author has made the effort. I wanted more of that from this book (and there are hints that we might get in in later volumes, so OK). Yes, of course I willl explain.
The magic. Hmm. It presents Lin with interesting challenges, but I needed some handwaving about why practitioners can just "reach in" with no lasting harm to the target. What gives a practitioner that skill? Shard #4 of the standard set? Why do they have to take the shard from the skull? If using the shard drains the original owner, is it distance-independent? (Quantum mechanics in fantasy, yay!) Is it shieldable?
Was it five, six times that a key character sustains an arm or shoulder wound and just casually deals with it one-handed (including at least one with stitches)? Lookit, have you ever tried to put on even a band-aid one-handed? And I note no leg wounds, because that would limit mobility.
2/3 of the way in, Dad
Spoiler
takes out Numeen and his family.And finally the key reveals for Bayar and Lin. Those few of you as old as me will maybe remember MAD Magazine's Don Martin, and even his famous story "National Gorilla-Suit Day," in which
Spoiler
most of the gorilla suits unzip to reveal an actual, angry gorilla inside.I still enjoyed it and I will read #2.
ciara__reads'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
4.25
amber_h86's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
haleymurkin97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.25
marcellemml's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
POV = ponto de vista
Tem muito ponto de vista demais (tô enfatizando), mas o curioso é que gostei de todos. Pode ser um pouco frustrante pra quem não goste de um POV específico porque a autora tende a terminar os capítulos com ganchos, mas pra mim ficou bem equilibrado porque a frustração com a curiosidade tendo que ser mantida era confortada em reencontrar um personagem cujo POV me interessava.
A autora utiliza os diversos POV para mostrar o governo principal, ou seja, como o Imperador age, para mostrar como os jogos e disputa de poder funcionam em lugares mais distantes, e como a população à margem sobrevive. Há diferenças de narrativas nesses POV, alguns são em primeira, outros em terceira pessoa, e cada personagem tem sua voz e personalidade bem estabelecidos. Inclusive só tenho elogios pra forma como a autora faz a ambientação. A edição brasileira tem 400 páginas, mas não demorei muito pra entender o objetivo da trama. Acho que pela complexidade de ter diversos POV, porém, não tem vários acontecimentos impactantes, e pode parecer que não tem nada acontecendo, mas pro meu entendimento, esse primeiro livro funciona como "entrada" para o segundo livro. Isso foi o que me incomodou um pouco, pois queria mais aprofundamento dessa sociedade, mas não quer dizer que não recomendo o livro, pelo contrário, pois a autora acerta muito em outros pontos que autores veteranos teriam dificuldade. Espero que a Gutenberg não demore a trazer, e nem tem muita desculpa pra isso, pois a trilogia está completa.
Tem muito ponto de vista demais (tô enfatizando), mas o curioso é que gostei de todos. Pode ser um pouco frustrante pra quem não goste de um POV específico porque a autora tende a terminar os capítulos com ganchos, mas pra mim ficou bem equilibrado porque a frustração com a curiosidade tendo que ser mantida era confortada em reencontrar um personagem cujo POV me interessava.
A autora utiliza os diversos POV para mostrar o governo principal, ou seja, como o Imperador age, para mostrar como os jogos e disputa de poder funcionam em lugares mais distantes, e como a população à margem sobrevive. Há diferenças de narrativas nesses POV, alguns são em primeira, outros em terceira pessoa, e cada personagem tem sua voz e personalidade bem estabelecidos. Inclusive só tenho elogios pra forma como a autora faz a ambientação. A edição brasileira tem 400 páginas, mas não demorei muito pra entender o objetivo da trama. Acho que pela complexidade de ter diversos POV, porém, não tem vários acontecimentos impactantes, e pode parecer que não tem nada acontecendo, mas pro meu entendimento, esse primeiro livro funciona como "entrada" para o segundo livro. Isso foi o que me incomodou um pouco, pois queria mais aprofundamento dessa sociedade, mas não quer dizer que não recomendo o livro, pelo contrário, pois a autora acerta muito em outros pontos que autores veteranos teriam dificuldade. Espero que a Gutenberg não demore a trazer, e nem tem muita desculpa pra isso, pois a trilogia está completa.
brookevol's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ktread07's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Interesting storyline and concept, but I felt the story dragged out a bit until halfway through. Intriguing enough that I'll be picking up book 2.
kiaradewulf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5