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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Generally disappointed by this chapter of the series. I will reserve further judgment until I pair it with book 3 which I expect to make up for all the disappointments of this chapter.
Vaelin Al Sorna returns from the Alpiran Empire, no longer the Battle Sword of King Janus, who has died. King Janus' son, Malcius, now rules the United Realm, but war looms on the horizon. Something very dark is stirring in the universe. Vaelin renounces his position in the Sixth Order. When the Volarian Empire invades, the destruction and death are beyond count. Vaelin returns from the North Tower where he was appointed Tower Lord, raising an army along the way, uniting factions of the United Realm, the Eordah and the Seohadl, who had never made peace before. Malcius had been murdered by Brother Frentis, a former companion to Vaelin, now controlled by a fanatical assassin. During the assassination, Frentis is wounded which leads to his escape from the mind control of the assassin, allowing him to kill her. Lady Lyrna, heir apparent to the throne of the United Realm is terribly burned by the assassin, but manages to escape. She is caught by a Volarian slaver, but their ship is sunk and Lyrna escapes to the Meldenean Islands. She raises a navy to attack the Volarians. Meanwhile, a siege has been laid to the city of Alltor and Vaelin's companion, Reva, is charged with Alltor's defense. As all these groups move toward Alltor, the stage is set for the final confrontation between the United Realm and the darkness emerging from Volaria. How will I survive until the next book comes out?
If I could give this novel ten stars I would. Book one in the series was great, but Tower Lord surpasses all my wildest expectations. It was one of those rare books I simply couldn't put down... literally whatever else I had to do I resented it because it took me away from Vaelin's world... and not just his...
I loved how the POV kept shifting between the various characters to merge all the storylines in the end ... even ifwhere are Frentis and Master Sollis?
I can't wait to start on book three and am already depressed it's the last in the series...
I loved how the POV kept shifting between the various characters to merge all the storylines in the end ... even if
I can't wait to start on book three and am already depressed it's the last in the series...
Very gooid Fantasy fiction. looking forward to reading the third book!!
Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan is a strong follow up to his debut novel Blood Song. He changes things up in this edition as it is written in a multi POV style but this to me was very well done and did not detract from the story being told. You will find the continuing stories of both Vaelin al Sorna, Frentis and Lyrna (who was only a minor character) from Blood Song along with new character Reva in rotating chapters as they each follow their paths. Each section of the book also starts with an extended journal entry from Verniers. The book comes with lots of action, good character studies and a great edge of your seat ending that will have you eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in the series.
5 stars for a truly enjoyable read. You will want to read this one!!!
5 stars for a truly enjoyable read. You will want to read this one!!!
I did something with this book which I haven't done in a long time.
I stayed up until 130am to read it because it was *that good*. Ryan introduces new characters in this episode as well as multiple viewpoints. If I'm honest I could have done without the multiple viewpoints but it did help drive the story forwards and as a reader is nice getting an idea of what all the different characters are thinking about the same event. A fair amount of time has passed between the first novel and this one, so battles have been fought, friends lost etc.
Ryan writes his female characters quite well, they aren't too tropey, and they do get their say throughout the novel which I appreciate. The men are generally more progressive than most you see in novels of this type so I did enjoy that. My only grip is that the title of the book only makes sense halfway through and then you're thinking Ohhhh and then because of all the new characters it's a bit like well....the story isn't just about him anymore....
I stayed up until 130am to read it because it was *that good*. Ryan introduces new characters in this episode as well as multiple viewpoints. If I'm honest I could have done without the multiple viewpoints but it did help drive the story forwards and as a reader is nice getting an idea of what all the different characters are thinking about the same event. A fair amount of time has passed between the first novel and this one, so battles have been fought, friends lost etc.
Ryan writes his female characters quite well, they aren't too tropey, and they do get their say throughout the novel which I appreciate. The men are generally more progressive than most you see in novels of this type so I did enjoy that. My only grip is that the title of the book only makes sense halfway through and then you're thinking Ohhhh and then because of all the new characters it's a bit like well....the story isn't just about him anymore....
adventurous
medium-paced
Starts out slow but gets really good by the end.
Sometimes, I find that the sequels to books aren't as good as the first. Usually happens in trilogies, to be honest, since the first is for setting up the plot and the second to get through to the final battle. However, this one was a lucky one where I liked it just as much, perhaps more, than the first.
Unlike the first, this has multiple POVs. This time, we don't have Vaelin telling us the story alone. Which was good, because I don't know if I could have read a whole book of Vaelin again, especially with how minor a role I felt he played in this book.
There were four main POVs in this book. Vaelin, Frentis, Lyrna, and Reva. Frentis and Vaelin were, probably, my least favorite; they were just pushing the plot forward for me, but they weren't bad. They just didn't interest me as much as Lyrna and Reva's.
Vaelin's POV follows him from where we basically left him at the end of [b:Blood Song|13569581|Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1)|Anthony Ryan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421573407s/13569581.jpg|19148922], as he comes back to his old kingdom to take over where he had left off, only with a new king. Of course, things don't go exactly as he planned it with giving up a life of fighting.
Frentis's POV is far more different. In [b:Blood Song|13569581|Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1)|Anthony Ryan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421573407s/13569581.jpg|19148922], he was a relatively minor character. It didn't matter too much what happened with him, but in this, he was really brought out. Through the years Vaelin was imprisoned, he had a rough life, becoming a slave and bought for fights. However, he gets roped into something far bigger with his new mistress.
Lyrna was also a minor character in the first book. But, thanks to this, God did I love her. The whole portion of her story line was to show her growth. She's a strong character and wickedly smart. The only thing I wish didn't happen isthat her looks weren't ruined in the name of making her strong and all that in the face of men. It's terribly cliched. Still, I can't wait for more of her in the next book.
However much I love Lyrna, I'm not sure if I love her or Reva more. Reva is a new character in this book. She's a bit messed up with a complicated past and an even more complicated family, and a perfect warrior. No sort of court etiquette for her.Plus she's a lesbian! I can't get enough of lesbian fighting women, who also look damn good in feminine clothing. So, kudos to you, Anthony Ryan, for making her a bit different and not playing up her sexuality until the very end of the book.
I think the only complaint I have for this book is that it was a bit long. Some things could have been cut out and the book wouldn't have lost anything, but that's all. Now I'm looking forward to my library getting the third book in so I can finish this up!
Unlike the first, this has multiple POVs. This time, we don't have Vaelin telling us the story alone. Which was good, because I don't know if I could have read a whole book of Vaelin again, especially with how minor a role I felt he played in this book.
There were four main POVs in this book. Vaelin, Frentis, Lyrna, and Reva. Frentis and Vaelin were, probably, my least favorite; they were just pushing the plot forward for me, but they weren't bad. They just didn't interest me as much as Lyrna and Reva's.
Vaelin's POV follows him from where we basically left him at the end of [b:Blood Song|13569581|Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1)|Anthony Ryan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421573407s/13569581.jpg|19148922], as he comes back to his old kingdom to take over where he had left off, only with a new king. Of course, things don't go exactly as he planned it with giving up a life of fighting.
Frentis's POV is far more different. In [b:Blood Song|13569581|Blood Song (Raven's Shadow, #1)|Anthony Ryan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421573407s/13569581.jpg|19148922], he was a relatively minor character. It didn't matter too much what happened with him, but in this, he was really brought out. Through the years Vaelin was imprisoned, he had a rough life, becoming a slave and bought for fights. However, he gets roped into something far bigger with his new mistress.
Lyrna was also a minor character in the first book. But, thanks to this, God did I love her. The whole portion of her story line was to show her growth. She's a strong character and wickedly smart. The only thing I wish didn't happen is
However much I love Lyrna, I'm not sure if I love her or Reva more. Reva is a new character in this book. She's a bit messed up with a complicated past and an even more complicated family, and a perfect warrior. No sort of court etiquette for her.
I think the only complaint I have for this book is that it was a bit long. Some things could have been cut out and the book wouldn't have lost anything, but that's all. Now I'm looking forward to my library getting the third book in so I can finish this up!