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hgshaw96's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
3.5
Great adventure fantasy book however pacing was a little off towards the end
sapphiremarie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
catya's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
3.0
Originally published as four novellas, The Copper Promise retains an episodic feel. There is an overall story arc but each stage of their adventure feels slightly partitioned. It's a good, fun read, even with the pacing niggles. There are dragons, near-death experiences, lost magic and plots aplenty.
It’s more about the adventures than character development. There are little glimpses into the inner turmoil beyond their facades, but they could have been fleshed out so much more. I hesitate to call it a romance, but when someone announces they feel a certain way about another, you would have hoped to have some sort of build-up. Instead, there's just not-so-subtle comments about their appearance. Maybe adventurers just have repressed emotions that they find difficult to share.
Having said that I loved the brood army and their slow transition from killing machines to individuals. I would have read a whole book from their perspective. There are some lovely little observations about words in their chapters, a few of which are echoed in Frith’s. Words are powerful things, they give us identity and power, if chosen wisely.
I did like the characters by the end, it was small things that endeared them to me but also their loyalty and friendship, despite them not showing it emotionally. Their actions speak louder than their words.
Review copy provided by publisher.
It’s more about the adventures than character development. There are little glimpses into the inner turmoil beyond their facades, but they could have been fleshed out so much more. I hesitate to call it a romance, but when someone announces they feel a certain way about another, you would have hoped to have some sort of build-up. Instead, there's just not-so-subtle comments about their appearance. Maybe adventurers just have repressed emotions that they find difficult to share.
Having said that I loved the brood army and their slow transition from killing machines to individuals. I would have read a whole book from their perspective. There are some lovely little observations about words in their chapters, a few of which are echoed in Frith’s. Words are powerful things, they give us identity and power, if chosen wisely.
I did like the characters by the end, it was small things that endeared them to me but also their loyalty and friendship, despite them not showing it emotionally. Their actions speak louder than their words.
Review copy provided by publisher.
nikasbooklounge's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
craftygiant's review against another edition
4.0
Came for the dragon, stayed for the Copper Cat.
Not gonna lie, I loved this book. I really enjoyed the characters even when I didn't like them ( looking at you, Frith) and the female characters made it for me. Wydrin is probably the protagonist I've been waiting for; smart, talented, and wonderfully un-ladylike. A female protagonist who doesn't have to be beautiful or modest, who knows her worth and isn't afraid to show it.
Of course it doesn't hurt that a dragon features heavily!
Not gonna lie, I loved this book. I really enjoyed the characters even when I didn't like them ( looking at you, Frith) and the female characters made it for me. Wydrin is probably the protagonist I've been waiting for; smart, talented, and wonderfully un-ladylike. A female protagonist who doesn't have to be beautiful or modest, who knows her worth and isn't afraid to show it.
Of course it doesn't hurt that a dragon features heavily!
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
By Loki, do you not all get tired of me saying "I expected more." Well, I bloody did!
Now it was good, but never ventured into amazing, never rose above good. Good is good of course, but even good books have cool moments. Well this one did not have. So it turned into one of those, yes I enjoyed it, it was good, I could even recommend it but I will not read more. I am happy to leave it like this. Sometimes a good book is just that, good.
It was about 3 people. A Lord who had been tortured and wanted revenge. A woman thief. A knight who had been kicked out from his company and now is a sell sword. Those last two help the lord find something, and by finding it something bad gets unleashed. So now they gotta fight that too.
Magic, death, demon, dragon, war, freaky women soldiers. Evil guys. All in all a fun ride that ended and could have ended just like that. Sure there would have been a few loose end, but it could have been a stand alone so I will treat it like that and not look back.
Now it was good, but never ventured into amazing, never rose above good. Good is good of course, but even good books have cool moments. Well this one did not have. So it turned into one of those, yes I enjoyed it, it was good, I could even recommend it but I will not read more. I am happy to leave it like this. Sometimes a good book is just that, good.
It was about 3 people. A Lord who had been tortured and wanted revenge. A woman thief. A knight who had been kicked out from his company and now is a sell sword. Those last two help the lord find something, and by finding it something bad gets unleashed. So now they gotta fight that too.
Magic, death, demon, dragon, war, freaky women soldiers. Evil guys. All in all a fun ride that ended and could have ended just like that. Sure there would have been a few loose end, but it could have been a stand alone so I will treat it like that and not look back.
fantasyfunk's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I had known that this story was originally 4 novellas before reading it. Looking back, I can see the different parts, but I think not making that division clear ended up harming this collection as a whole rather than helping it. I would have had much different expectations for character development and pacing, for example.
That being said, this was a fun sword and sorcery read. It didn't shock and awe but it was solid all the way through with a great cast and a fast moving, enjoyable story. Definitely a recommend if you're looking for a comfy teddy bear of a read, usually what I'm looking for if I've been on a string of duds. I'll be moving on to 2 and 3 as soon as I get them ordered from Book Depository to match my UK cover for Book 1. =)
That being said, this was a fun sword and sorcery read. It didn't shock and awe but it was solid all the way through with a great cast and a fast moving, enjoyable story. Definitely a recommend if you're looking for a comfy teddy bear of a read, usually what I'm looking for if I've been on a string of duds. I'll be moving on to 2 and 3 as soon as I get them ordered from Book Depository to match my UK cover for Book 1. =)
bookybrookey's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t know how this book has such a mediocre Goodreads rating when it was so absolutely epic!
This was possibly the fastest paced book I’ve ever read but that doesn’t mean it lacked depth. There was always some action and travel and I was never bored. The characters were great (especially Windryn who was sassy but without any of the narcissism some strong fantasy females have).
The writing was also really great and I know Jen Williams is going to be a new favourite. I ordered the rest of this trilogy before I was halfway through this one and have my eye on her other series at my local library. Her descriptions made everything so vivid in my mind and I felt present in all the crazy battles going on.
I’m so excited to see what the rest of the series has in store ❤️
This was possibly the fastest paced book I’ve ever read but that doesn’t mean it lacked depth. There was always some action and travel and I was never bored. The characters were great (especially Windryn who was sassy but without any of the narcissism some strong fantasy females have).
The writing was also really great and I know Jen Williams is going to be a new favourite. I ordered the rest of this trilogy before I was halfway through this one and have my eye on her other series at my local library. Her descriptions made everything so vivid in my mind and I felt present in all the crazy battles going on.
I’m so excited to see what the rest of the series has in store ❤️