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theeclecticreview's review against another edition
3.0
"This great war of our time has indeed been terrible, and I am still struck with its horrors, waking up in the night sweating."
Kevin Hearne, author of The Iron Druid Chronicles gives us a tale told by Fintan, Bard of the Poet Goddess Kaelin. A fleet of Bone Giants, tall, thin people with bone armor on their torsos and arms, is on its way to kill anyone in their path to find the unknown Seventh Kenning, a form of magic given to a blessed few. People blessed with kennings are charged with defending their homes at any means against the giants who are invading their land. Kennings include moving the earth, building and destroying walls, moving water, talking to animals, communicating by roots and stems, and taking on the voices and likenesses of others to inform the masses of what is to come.
See my complete review at The Eclectic Review
Kevin Hearne, author of The Iron Druid Chronicles gives us a tale told by Fintan, Bard of the Poet Goddess Kaelin. A fleet of Bone Giants, tall, thin people with bone armor on their torsos and arms, is on its way to kill anyone in their path to find the unknown Seventh Kenning, a form of magic given to a blessed few. People blessed with kennings are charged with defending their homes at any means against the giants who are invading their land. Kennings include moving the earth, building and destroying walls, moving water, talking to animals, communicating by roots and stems, and taking on the voices and likenesses of others to inform the masses of what is to come.
See my complete review at The Eclectic Review
ndbell80's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.25
I really enjoyed this book! The setting is really interesting and I LOVE the magic system. The storytelling style is really interesting as well as the bard is telling stories that make up the bulk of the book, but there's a storyline unfurling in the bard's present-day timeline as well. I really like all the characters. I think that they feel really real, and there are a lot of funny lines that don't take you out of the moment. There are some really beautiful moments in the book, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
kandra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sarawsch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ghostnayto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mugwumpun's review against another edition
4.0
Took some time to get into the pace of storytelling, but really enjoyed this book and finished within a few days of starting. I cannot tell if the writing is objectively good but I definitely enjoyed the just-enough explanation of the systems of magic, and the almost excessively descriptive trains of internal thought. I feel I am more blank inside. The characters were engaging and realized, the only complaint maybe that they were all 'good', in the sense that they were all very dutiful except for one... Regardless, I look forward to the next one in the series.
bookish_emily's review against another edition
5.0
A Plague of Giants is the first installment in an epic fantasy series set in a complex world of natural magic. Each country possesses a "kenning," which is magical ability within a particular type - earth, air, fire, water, etc. Hence the "seven kennings" of the series title. This novel begins with a previously unknown race invading a country in the known world and spreading wholesale slaughter in their wake. Fintan, a bard whose kenning gives him perfect recall and the ability to project his voice, has come to this ravaged nation to tell the story of how the invasion unfolded and what has been going on in the other countries as a result.
He tells the story from the viewpoints of a host of different individuals from throughout the realm, giving the novel a range of narration styles. It is fun for readers to dive into each character and learn more about their countries, kennings, and personalities, as well as discerning their role in the larger saga. With a well-built world and an endless opportunity for great characters, the Seven Kennings series is sure to be a hit with fantasy fans!
He tells the story from the viewpoints of a host of different individuals from throughout the realm, giving the novel a range of narration styles. It is fun for readers to dive into each character and learn more about their countries, kennings, and personalities, as well as discerning their role in the larger saga. With a well-built world and an endless opportunity for great characters, the Seven Kennings series is sure to be a hit with fantasy fans!
vashnii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
fakestginger's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and, though I was dubious at first, really came to enjoy the method of storytelling.
I will say that it definitely took longer for me to get really interested in the story, told the way it was, because it’s hard to find attachment to characters you only hear from for a few pages before being pulled out of their world and into someone else’s.
I also found the ending to not be particularly powerful, though that isn’t the worst thing because this is a series. Looking forward to the next one already!
I will say that it definitely took longer for me to get really interested in the story, told the way it was, because it’s hard to find attachment to characters you only hear from for a few pages before being pulled out of their world and into someone else’s.
I also found the ending to not be particularly powerful, though that isn’t the worst thing because this is a series. Looking forward to the next one already!