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paradoxically's review
5.0
I love these books. This series. There is just something so utterly compelling about it, even if you have to wait years for the next book to come out or even if everything is pretty damned confusing and you don't quite get it, but enough that you enjoy it anyway. It's confusing because, yes, the wait time between books can be long (though much faster now, it seems), and if you don't reread the books, you're going to forget whole chunks of important information (or at least I did, aha). It's also high fantasy. You're going to get a new, confusing world with lots of made up words that yes, you will need to know. Situations and people and the politics of it all is complex and layered and I love it.
Enough that I am abusing run-ons with large amounts of glee.
These are definitely not stand alone books. You can't take a new reader and pitch them head first into book five because they're not going to understand a thing. Or they will, but it will only be half of the picture, which would be a shame.
Like I said, I was confused at first because it has been a while since I've read the last book, but I picked it up again pretty quickly. Jame is a character that is both prickly and deadpan, and it's hard to describe what makes her so likeable other than the fact that she is. Likeable. She's strong, with a good head on her shoulders, and I find it kind of hilarious how she always gets into these situations and scrapes and somehow always manages to land on her feet. I find it even more hilarious how everyone else expects this of her; are, in fact, resigned to it.
Tori is growing as a character himself and it's about damned time (is pretty much all I can say about that, aha). I like him. I really, really do. I think he's a complex character that wavers between being strong and weak, but is trying his best. I'm pretty much rooting for him all the way as long as he gets his head out of his ass.
I thought the book was a brilliant addition to the series, even if, in retrospect, not so much has been done to advance the main plot line. Though I don't mind this either because I find the book compelling enough in its own right to make up for it. I don't think it's a series for everyone because it can be a bit slow at times, and the plot does meander a bit, but it's a rich world with complex characters more than makes up for this. 5 stars.
Enough that I am abusing run-ons with large amounts of glee.
These are definitely not stand alone books. You can't take a new reader and pitch them head first into book five because they're not going to understand a thing. Or they will, but it will only be half of the picture, which would be a shame.
Like I said, I was confused at first because it has been a while since I've read the last book, but I picked it up again pretty quickly. Jame is a character that is both prickly and deadpan, and it's hard to describe what makes her so likeable other than the fact that she is. Likeable. She's strong, with a good head on her shoulders, and I find it kind of hilarious how she always gets into these situations and scrapes and somehow always manages to land on her feet. I find it even more hilarious how everyone else expects this of her; are, in fact, resigned to it.
Tori is growing as a character himself and it's about damned time (is pretty much all I can say about that, aha). I like him. I really, really do. I think he's a complex character that wavers between being strong and weak, but is trying his best. I'm pretty much rooting for him all the way as long as he gets his head out of his ass.
I thought the book was a brilliant addition to the series, even if, in retrospect, not so much has been done to advance the main plot line. Though I don't mind this either because I find the book compelling enough in its own right to make up for it. I don't think it's a series for everyone because it can be a bit slow at times, and the plot does meander a bit, but it's a rich world with complex characters more than makes up for this. 5 stars.
especbooks's review
5.0
This is such a rich, full universe, complex in every way. I did not realize how much had stuck with me, even with these volumes that I had not read so many times as the first two.
Some may be disturbed by the harsh realism presented in this tale of intrigue, where so much rests within the grey. Friend and foe are not so clear, and neither is the honorable path, and social mores differ from our own, but Hodgell stays true to the universe she has masterfully created and engages the reader in this intricately woven tale where right and wrong may not be easily determined but great fiction is always clear.
I am eager to finish the next volume,[b:Honor's Paradox|10830207|Honor's Paradox (Kencyrath, #6)|P.C. Hodgell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328001051s/10830207.jpg|15744193], so I can move on to the newest installment,[b:The Sea of Time|13547210|The Sea of Time|P.C. Hodgell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391700976s/13547210.jpg|19112348].
Some may be disturbed by the harsh realism presented in this tale of intrigue, where so much rests within the grey. Friend and foe are not so clear, and neither is the honorable path, and social mores differ from our own, but Hodgell stays true to the universe she has masterfully created and engages the reader in this intricately woven tale where right and wrong may not be easily determined but great fiction is always clear.
I am eager to finish the next volume,[b:Honor's Paradox|10830207|Honor's Paradox (Kencyrath, #6)|P.C. Hodgell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328001051s/10830207.jpg|15744193], so I can move on to the newest installment,[b:The Sea of Time|13547210|The Sea of Time|P.C. Hodgell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1391700976s/13547210.jpg|19112348].
collegecate's review
4.0
So good to get back to this series! Much of the material here is briefly described in the [b:Blood and Ivory: A Tapestry|69174|Blood and Ivory A Tapestry (Kencyrath)|P.C. Hodgell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388545546s/69174.jpg|1281032] collection.
cindywho's review
3.0
It's always been an odd series. Dark and with lots of details that can be hard to remember along with strange flashes of humor. Jame continues her time as a cadet, dealing with ghosts, other cadets and pets. The library didn't have it, so it was my first ebook purchase ever.
assaphmehr's review
5.0
I've recently decided to re-read this excellent epic fantasy cycle, and review as I go.
What to Expect
Bound in Blood sees Jame continuing her military education in the randon college of Tentir, as well as increasing involvement with the Merikit hill-tribes and the native forces on the Kencyrath's adopted world. Some of the mysteries that were painfully obvious to readers who have been following the books diligently are becoming clearer to the characters, and they in turn are growing up towards their inevitable final role in what would one day be a climatic resolution to this epic cycle. If you've read so far in the series you probably like Hodgell's style, but if you haven't this isn't the place to jump in.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. I love the tantalising glimpses into Jame's past, and the slowly-building tension around her. One can't help but feel immersed in the story, love Jame's vibrancy, and wish to learn more.
What to be aware of
This is book 5 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at [b:God Stalk|69169|God Stalk (Kencyrath, #1)|P.C. Hodgell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1287523762s/69169.jpg|1281031] if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Bound in Blood sees Jame continuing her military education in the randon college of Tentir, as well as increasing involvement with the Merikit hill-tribes and the native forces on the Kencyrath's adopted world. Some of the mysteries that were painfully obvious to readers who have been following the books diligently are becoming clearer to the characters, and they in turn are growing up towards their inevitable final role in what would one day be a climatic resolution to this epic cycle. If you've read so far in the series you probably like Hodgell's style, but if you haven't this isn't the place to jump in.
What I liked
Hodgell's story-telling and world-building are top-notch, her story pacing is excellent, and she balances light and dark themes perfectly. I love the tantalising glimpses into Jame's past, and the slowly-building tension around her. One can't help but feel immersed in the story, love Jame's vibrancy, and wish to learn more.
What to be aware of
This is book 5 of a long running series (over 35 years, so far). You really need to start at [b:God Stalk|69169|God Stalk (Kencyrath, #1)|P.C. Hodgell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1287523762s/69169.jpg|1281031] if you're to have any chance of understanding what is going on. The series, as I understand it, is still not complete (though I imagine that wouldn't stop any GRRM fans).
Summary
A highly recommended series. This is epic fantasy done right, with perfect balance of light and dark, and excellent, slowly-building pacing. If you love fantasy, I strongly suggest you add God Stalk to your TBR pile.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
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