Reviews

Transformation by Carol Berg

trin's review

5.0

I loved this. I am shocked and delighted by how much I loved this. It’s an original world combined with all the pleasures of a really slashy bit of fanfic. There are slavefic and wingfic elements, and demons and destiny, and it all sounds really cheesy, but like really good fic, it transcends these clichés. The relationship between Aleksander and Seyonne is beautifully developed: they begin as master and slave, and we get to see the whole process of Aleksander gaining maturity and compassion, and Seyonne regaining himself. Plus there’s a really thrilling quest-y adventure, and an intensely exciting climactic battle in which…well, it would spoil it to say, but know that I made a very loud squeeing noise. Even without actually being slash, this book is the slasher’s dream come true. I only hope the next two volumes in the trilogy are half as good.

auto_kinson's review

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Easy read. Fast-paced. Not amazing plot wise, very slight emotional pulls until end. Hard hitting ending.
Not sure if I'd recommend it to anyone but very happy I read it. 

bookdelope1's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

aliceboule's review

4.0

I actually really liked Transformation . I happened to fall on it randomly and decided to read it (without checking goodreads, which is something I NEVER do) simply because I was looking for an easy read. This book was not easy. It deals with sensitive material, but in a brilliant way. The character arc is incredible and the world-building sophisticated. Some things are never explained, but this book is part of a series so maybe the other ones will answer my questions. Yes, some things are unrealistic, but the book is epic fantasy so I wasn't expecting realism.

It's a good read, full of magic and personal growth. I will read the others!

mary_soon_lee's review

5.0

This is the first book in Carol Berg's "Rai-Kirah" fantasy trilogy, and I loved reading it. The first-person narrator, the slave Seyonne, is very likable. His plight, his interactions with Aleksander (especially these), the writing style, the secondary characters, the setting, the fantasy elements are all very well done. As it happens, I read this book on the heels of another fantasy book featuring powerful demons that I found distinctly underwhelming ("The Warded Man" by Peter V. Brett"). Suffice it to say that I found Berg's demons both formidable and frightening. I had high hopes for this book, having enjoyed Berg's more recent novels, but it exceeded my expectations. Highly entertaining. Highly recommended. (I do have one gripe. The book deserves better cover art.)

mamap's review

4.0

a very intense read. carol berg is never easy - we join the life of a slave who gets beat up - a lot - as he finds the savior of the world may lie in the eyes of the prince who owns and mistreats him. an interesting study in human emotion and asks what you would be willing to give up and what oaths would you be true to regardless of circumstances. would he be the person he was at the end without his previous harsh experiences? not easy at all.

rachachisaur's review

adventurous challenging mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is how you do a redemption arc! And we love a character that, despite being the underdog and the victim of many circumstances and betrayals, still reflects on his own shortcomings and mistakes and their role in his present circumstances. 

Love the magic and the world so much. Very creative and unique.

siavahda's review

5.0

I have no memory of reading this the first time (back in 2012???) but reading it in 2023, it blew me away. The complexity of the character dynamics, especially the relationship that develops between the MC and the prince he serves! And as much as I can see why other readers wanted that relationship to turn into a romance - I wouldn't have been upset if it had, myself - it's really, REALLY great to see two men get to have this intense, life-changing friendship with each other. It's so rare to see stories featuring really deep platonic love between men!

A few (tiny) details here and there in the worldbuilding and so on were a little rough, but honestly, for the character and relationship work Berg's pulled off here, I'd forgive FAR worse flaws.

I would never have expected a book this dark - the depiction of slavery is unflinching and brutal - to hook me so hard, but it was almost impossible to put down. There's just something about Seyonne's voice (the book is written in first-person) that makes you lose track of time and keep turning pages LONG after you should have gone to bed.

I can't wait to get to the rest of the trilogy!

book_pal31's review

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

kylek's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

While I never really got used to the writing style, it still 100% held my interested and loved the political maneuvering that Zander would pull off. The world building was also very interesting and I was here for all of it.