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silverwings95's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
grimdarkgrip'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
4.0
mspilesofpaper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Gaius Cassius Calvus is a Legate - the special force of the Albastine's military that can use the dead (Attendants) as weapons by commanding them through ancient rites. Forced into early retirement through a received injury, and dealing with survivor's guilt, Gaius struggles as a civilian. Until he is called upon to examine the death of one of Albastine's senators. Quickly, it is revealed that it wasn't suicide like everyone thought but murder and the weapon was an Attendant. Gaius sets out to investigate who killed the senator and discovers a conspiracy that could threaten the entire city if successful. Sworn to defend the Republic and its People with his life, Gaius is quickly drawn into the conspiracy and it might truly cost him his life.
Let's start with the world-building: the book's description compares it/mentions Sanderson's Mistborn novels and oh dear ... The Pale City fell rather flat. The overall world-building is basically "Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt as one state in a fantasy setting and with necromancy", which would have been cool because you can do a lot with necromancy. It just fell flat for me because a) the world-building is info dumping through Gaius' inner monologue, which I hate as a tool to introduce your reader into your world, and b) it feels incomplete. I always got the feeling that something is missing in the world-building. It feels very superficial at times and partly contradicting. The contradictions might be done on purpose to create plot points in the following two books. Given the fact that the story itself is a murder mystery/detective story that spans around 30 hours, it might explain why parts felt so superficial because the story is very fast-paced. I can understand why there's an urgency to the murder mystery due to the conspiracy but I wish the author would have used 50 pages more to be in-depth with chapters. Also: the use of Ancient Roman and Ancient Egypt as a base ends up with points like: coffee, fireworks, denarii, phoenix statues, ... -- which raises the question if the story plays on Earth/an alternative version.
Concerning the characters: Gaius is black, short and built like a boxer (though he lacks physical prowess as it wasn't part of his education), which is very different from the average white 6", dark-haired male lead who's built like a bodybuilder with chiselled muscles and a jawline to cut through butter. It's a nice change and I wished I could continue with positive aspects about him but the man is stupid. Yes, he's described as intelligent and gets offered multiple times a job in the government but technically, he's stupid. He charges into everything (including the questioning of the murder suspects) and isn't even subtle about it. It got rather quickly on my nerves. Thankfully, he only survives because a) he's clearly favoured by luck and b) his enemies are just as stupid (and by far too arrogant). Unfortunately, the side characters are just flat and underdeveloped. There are a total of five named female characters (three major side characters and two minor side characters); the rest are men. The three major side characters are the villain, the ex-wife, and the potential love interest and their importance is pretty much in this order. The ex-wife and the potential love interest only appear if they can help the hero in a way, which I found icky as they don't really have an agenda otherwise. The potential love interest gets a bit more story at the end but it's still rather superficial then. A general issue of all characters: their ages. Aside from two old characters, the author never mentions the characters' names. They feel very adult but Amazon categories the book as 15 - 18 (aka YA), so it's rather confusing.
The writing style feels a bit stilted as well and I think it might be a side effect of getting the plot into a specific amount of pages. My university essays can suffer from a similar effect if I have to shorten them to be within a word limit.
Let's start with the world-building: the book's description compares it/mentions Sanderson's Mistborn novels and oh dear ... The Pale City fell rather flat. The overall world-building is basically "Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt as one state in a fantasy setting and with necromancy", which would have been cool because you can do a lot with necromancy. It just fell flat for me because a) the world-building is info dumping through Gaius' inner monologue, which I hate as a tool to introduce your reader into your world, and b) it feels incomplete. I always got the feeling that something is missing in the world-building. It feels very superficial at times and partly contradicting. The contradictions might be done on purpose to create plot points in the following two books. Given the fact that the story itself is a murder mystery/detective story that spans around 30 hours, it might explain why parts felt so superficial because the story is very fast-paced. I can understand why there's an urgency to the murder mystery due to the conspiracy but I wish the author would have used 50 pages more to be in-depth with chapters. Also: the use of Ancient Roman and Ancient Egypt as a base ends up with points like: coffee, fireworks, denarii, phoenix statues, ... -- which raises the question if the story plays on Earth/an alternative version.
Concerning the characters: Gaius is black, short and built like a boxer (though he lacks physical prowess as it wasn't part of his education), which is very different from the average white 6", dark-haired male lead who's built like a bodybuilder with chiselled muscles and a jawline to cut through butter. It's a nice change and I wished I could continue with positive aspects about him but the man is stupid. Yes, he's described as intelligent and gets offered multiple times a job in the government but technically, he's stupid. He charges into everything (including the questioning of the murder suspects) and isn't even subtle about it. It got rather quickly on my nerves. Thankfully, he only survives because a) he's clearly favoured by luck and b) his enemies are just as stupid (and by far too arrogant). Unfortunately, the side characters are just flat and underdeveloped. There are a total of five named female characters (three major side characters and two minor side characters); the rest are men. The three major side characters are the villain, the ex-wife, and the potential love interest and their importance is pretty much in this order. The ex-wife and the potential love interest only appear if they can help the hero in a way, which I found icky as they don't really have an agenda otherwise. The potential love interest gets a bit more story at the end but it's still rather superficial then. A general issue of all characters: their ages. Aside from two old characters, the author never mentions the characters' names. They feel very adult but Amazon categories the book as 15 - 18 (aka YA), so it's rather confusing.
The writing style feels a bit stilted as well and I think it might be a side effect of getting the plot into a specific amount of pages. My university essays can suffer from a similar effect if I have to shorten them to be within a word limit.
ethanzo's review
5.0
I had been in a bit of a reading slump lately, so after having followed Marshall J. Moore, for quite some time, I finally decided I had to read his work, and that was one of the best decisions I could have made. From the first chapter, I was fully invested in the world he created. I loved the dynamics of morality, spirituality, and loyalty seen throughout the book, and I felt like I could truly immerse myself in the clearly well researched and developed world of the book. Everything about this book felt intentional and offered a unique perspective on what it means to live and die and to protect and serve the ideals an individual upholds. Cassius was such a refreshing main character, making it easy to follow along with him narratively and root for him against the impossible odds and challenges he faced. I found myself not only in love with Cassius as a main character but with the entirety of the cast. The villains were believable, and the conflict was gripping. The pacing of the story was perfect, in my opinion, and I loved the direction the narrative went. I loved the personal conflicts Cassius faced just as much as the main conflict and found myself questioning what I would do in his situation. The magic system was so well done, and I think the representation it brought to the story was extremely refreshing and done expertly. Any expectations I had going into the book were shattered in the best way possible, and I am more than ecstatic to continue on with the other books in the trilogy. I just know that when I finish them, I'll be so distraught, I already love these characters so much, and I know I'll miss them immensely. Please, if you are able, pick up this book. It really solidified my love of epic fantasy, and I couldn't recommend it enough.
tobius_z's review
5.0
This book was amazing! The story is really good and it has so many twists that I did NOT see coming!
I almost gave this book a 4.5 stars because there were some plot points revealed in the middle of the book that I thought was a little weak. However, towards the end when some crazy stuff went down with a crazy twist that shocked me, it absolutely revived it for me to where I could happily give it a 5 stars. I cannot wait to read the next book. In fact, I'm about to start reading the second one as soon as I finish this review... which is right now!
I almost gave this book a 4.5 stars because there were some plot points revealed in the middle of the book that I thought was a little weak. However, towards the end when some crazy stuff went down with a crazy twist that shocked me, it absolutely revived it for me to where I could happily give it a 5 stars. I cannot wait to read the next book. In fact, I'm about to start reading the second one as soon as I finish this review... which is right now!
eimzon23's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sueread2030's review
4.0
If the movie I Robot was set in a fantasy world of magic, politics and culture, then it would be this book
first, let me say how refreshing it was to read a fantasy book that has a Male protagonist as the lead and from his sole POV.
not only that, but all the Female leads supporting him were as strong
add to that Cassius was not your typical six foot plus, white, broad shouldered hero. He is described as having dark skin, short height with a somewhat fit body.
The Albastians have used the Ayu'li's Rite of Rising to resurrect, somehow, their dead and change them into Attendants, a zombi-like servents who do not feel or think just serve. So when a murder of a senate shock the Republic because it was done by an Attendant, all eyes goes to the Legates who control them.
In his search for the truth, Cassius reveals a conspiracy that is befalling and could bring the downfall of the Republic
The book is filled with different cultural refrences of ancient Egypt, the Exodus, slavery and West-East conflict.
You also notice that there are many allusions to Shakespeareane names and stories
our Hero is called Gaius Cassius - who happens to be the one recording the muder of Julius Ceasar - investigating the murder of the Senate called Julius
One other thing I liked about the book was the subtle world building. It is not heavy as in other fantasy books that leaves you confused or takes the majority of the book
as a matter of fact it draws a lot from our world
However, I had some minor issues while reading
1- you never get to know the ages of the characters. they are certainly not teens.
2- because of certain scenes of sexual implications and violence, I do not know if it is supposed to be YA. maybe highr YA? Like suitable from ages 16 and above?
3- There are many indications and words used in our world that would suggest that this world is Earth at some point. for example, they drink coffee, their money is denarii (like Dinar) , have phoenix stautes, and use phrases such as "son of a bitch"
but it is not clear in the book
Finally, the book is part of a trilogy but you can read it as a standalone as it ends without a cliffhanger
also, although there are elements of romance here and there, this should not be read as a romance fantasy.
first, let me say how refreshing it was to read a fantasy book that has a Male protagonist as the lead and from his sole POV.
not only that, but all the Female leads supporting him were as strong
add to that Cassius was not your typical six foot plus, white, broad shouldered hero. He is described as having dark skin, short height with a somewhat fit body.
The Albastians have used the Ayu'li's Rite of Rising to resurrect, somehow, their dead and change them into Attendants, a zombi-like servents who do not feel or think just serve. So when a murder of a senate shock the Republic because it was done by an Attendant, all eyes goes to the Legates who control them.
In his search for the truth, Cassius reveals a conspiracy that is befalling and could bring the downfall of the Republic
The book is filled with different cultural refrences of ancient Egypt, the Exodus, slavery and West-East conflict.
You also notice that there are many allusions to Shakespeareane names and stories
our Hero is called Gaius Cassius - who happens to be the one recording the muder of Julius Ceasar - investigating the murder of the Senate called Julius
One other thing I liked about the book was the subtle world building. It is not heavy as in other fantasy books that leaves you confused or takes the majority of the book
as a matter of fact it draws a lot from our world
However, I had some minor issues while reading
1- you never get to know the ages of the characters. they are certainly not teens.
2- because of certain scenes of sexual implications and violence, I do not know if it is supposed to be YA. maybe highr YA? Like suitable from ages 16 and above?
3- There are many indications and words used in our world that would suggest that this world is Earth at some point. for example, they drink coffee, their money is denarii (like Dinar) , have phoenix stautes, and use phrases such as "son of a bitch"
but it is not clear in the book
Finally, the book is part of a trilogy but you can read it as a standalone as it ends without a cliffhanger
also, although there are elements of romance here and there, this should not be read as a romance fantasy.
serareadthat's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.0
cookie_reads's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
grumpybakerjames's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0