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ngreads's review
4.0
The thing that attracted me to this book was one solid idea on the back cover: an elf that wasn't a tree-hugger.
Of course, there were still the classic elves in the book, but as far as creating a character that was an elf and yet hated the forest with a burning passion was entertaining to read about, to say the least. It was also quite easy to read, had quite a few original ideas throughout the story that I have actually gone back and reread because of how happy they made me. It was a very likeable story, the characters were likeable a memorable, and it was difficult to put down.
Though this book is not among the best I've ever read, I found it enjoyable and fun to read, and one that I would recommend to people interested in checking out the military fantasy subgenre.
Of course, there were still the classic elves in the book, but as far as creating a character that was an elf and yet hated the forest with a burning passion was entertaining to read about, to say the least. It was also quite easy to read, had quite a few original ideas throughout the story that I have actually gone back and reread because of how happy they made me. It was a very likeable story, the characters were likeable a memorable, and it was difficult to put down.
Though this book is not among the best I've ever read, I found it enjoyable and fun to read, and one that I would recommend to people interested in checking out the military fantasy subgenre.
wildfaeriecaps's review
3.0
I read reviews of this book shortly after I started reading it. That was possibly a mistake. The reviews were.. overall.. not good. I picked this book up for $1 at the library used book store. It's pretty, what can I say? So there I was, reading this book, thinking to myself: this is pretty good. It's not amazing - I wouldn't call it The Best Book I've Ever Read. But it was compelling and I wanted to read more. Thanks to those reviews, I had a sense of "okay, when is it going to start sucking?" constantly nagging me while I read. It never happened. This book was good. The end. Nothing terrible about it at all. In fact, I intend to read the next book in the series just as soon as I can get my hands on it.
blodeuedd's review
4.0
I do like good old fantasy, rich worlds with complex histories, that is what world building is about. This was good fantasy.
The book begins and we learn that the former Governoner of Elfkyna was murdered, but a decorated officer named Konowa. But the governor was working for the dreaded Shadow Monarch, still there was a price to be paid. The Iron Elves were sent away and he was sent to the forest. He is not a normal elf, he was born with the dark mark and he does not care for trees. That is what the Iron Elves are, outcasts.
But something is happening and the Iron Elves stand again and he is called out from the forest. He is to lead them and find the red star, perhaps with that they can gain some power to fight the wicked witch of the North.
Konowa, well he angry, bit of a bastard sometimes, hates those trees and not a nice guy really. You would think, he would do anything for his Iron elves and he hates the Shadow Monarch and what she has done to him. You grow to like him, and bit by bit there are other sides of him. He is more than he seem to be. This is also shown when he meets Visyna. A tiny bit of romance that is not shown but that I want.
Some called this military fantasy, and that fits. The author know about military history and he uses that knowledge. He knows what he is writing about, and makes it enjoyable.
There is a great deal of fighting, and talking. A strange book that I well was rather neutral about at first. Then suddenly I was at page 150 and I could not stop reading. It had grabbed me and I had not known when and where. I wanted more so I finished it quickly without too many breaks in between. Good fantasy can do that.
This is a book that I would recommend to fantasy fans, for others, well I fear the military aspects could be a bit dry. I enjoyed it but perhaps this sort of fantasy is not for everyone.
But he has created a great world where the Human empire has spread out by the means of imperial forces and they have conquered the elves, orcs, the elfkynan and the dwarves. The world is ruled by men, and they see the rest of the races as a bit lesser. There are rebellions of course, and the elves, they only cares for their trees. I am happy that I have the next book so that i can see what will happen, The Shadow Monarch is out to rule the world, and the rest of the world really need to put their differences aside to win this fight.
The book begins and we learn that the former Governoner of Elfkyna was murdered, but a decorated officer named Konowa. But the governor was working for the dreaded Shadow Monarch, still there was a price to be paid. The Iron Elves were sent away and he was sent to the forest. He is not a normal elf, he was born with the dark mark and he does not care for trees. That is what the Iron Elves are, outcasts.
But something is happening and the Iron Elves stand again and he is called out from the forest. He is to lead them and find the red star, perhaps with that they can gain some power to fight the wicked witch of the North.
Konowa, well he angry, bit of a bastard sometimes, hates those trees and not a nice guy really. You would think, he would do anything for his Iron elves and he hates the Shadow Monarch and what she has done to him. You grow to like him, and bit by bit there are other sides of him. He is more than he seem to be. This is also shown when he meets Visyna. A tiny bit of romance that is not shown but that I want.
Some called this military fantasy, and that fits. The author know about military history and he uses that knowledge. He knows what he is writing about, and makes it enjoyable.
There is a great deal of fighting, and talking. A strange book that I well was rather neutral about at first. Then suddenly I was at page 150 and I could not stop reading. It had grabbed me and I had not known when and where. I wanted more so I finished it quickly without too many breaks in between. Good fantasy can do that.
This is a book that I would recommend to fantasy fans, for others, well I fear the military aspects could be a bit dry. I enjoyed it but perhaps this sort of fantasy is not for everyone.
But he has created a great world where the Human empire has spread out by the means of imperial forces and they have conquered the elves, orcs, the elfkynan and the dwarves. The world is ruled by men, and they see the rest of the races as a bit lesser. There are rebellions of course, and the elves, they only cares for their trees. I am happy that I have the next book so that i can see what will happen, The Shadow Monarch is out to rule the world, and the rest of the world really need to put their differences aside to win this fight.
catrink's review
4.0
It is difficult at best to find a good fantasy story that doesn't run the genre into the ground. This one has elves, magic and battles, but Evans has a quite refreshing different take on things. Enjoy - that is all I will say :-)
rikkumae's review
3.0
This book.was okay. It had some interesting details that I'd like to know more about but thus book kinda feels like it goes on and on with not alot of answers, totally understand this is his first book hoping second is better!
lskywalker918's review against another edition
5.0
This is exactly what I was looking for in a flintlock fantasy. Muskets mixed with magic. When you think of elves, you think of the brilliant Legolas with a glorious bow. However, Konowa is no such elf as he holds a musket and march his soldiers into battle. I enjoyed the actions. Each time I open the book, I was sucked in for a few chapters.
Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
christinajl_gb's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this one, a bit like Sharpe with iron elves, elves, dwarves, wizards and witches!! I loved the drunk pelican, Wobbly!!!
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
1.0
"My Patience is at an end before this conversation started"
Yeah, I agree with the main character - my patience is now at an end before anything 'real' happens.
ACT i = Introduce Main Character - show struggle with his past - show other characters dislike of him and/or disbelief that he is who he says he is - and travel ... a long time ... to get to the next place only to ... travel a long time again -
The character has a cool name and the novel has an interesting concept, but I grow weary and tired from Fantasy novels that have 5-10 pages of action, followed by 90 pages of walking and talking to fill up space - is the 100K word count so difficult to achieve, we have to wander and reflect for pages at a time before we get to the meat of the story and the purpose of the characters?
CONCEPT = great idea and, as I said, I liked the Main Character that everyone else in the book seemed to hate - but the story itself, the dialog and the 'movement' was lackluster and therefore, this goes into the 25% complete pile to be read no more ....
Yeah, I agree with the main character - my patience is now at an end before anything 'real' happens.
ACT i = Introduce Main Character - show struggle with his past - show other characters dislike of him and/or disbelief that he is who he says he is - and travel ... a long time ... to get to the next place only to ... travel a long time again -
The character has a cool name and the novel has an interesting concept, but I grow weary and tired from Fantasy novels that have 5-10 pages of action, followed by 90 pages of walking and talking to fill up space - is the 100K word count so difficult to achieve, we have to wander and reflect for pages at a time before we get to the meat of the story and the purpose of the characters?
CONCEPT = great idea and, as I said, I liked the Main Character that everyone else in the book seemed to hate - but the story itself, the dialog and the 'movement' was lackluster and therefore, this goes into the 25% complete pile to be read no more ....