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veraann's review against another edition
4.0
While I do enjoy the books in this series that are part of the main story line, I find it hard to continue getting to know new characters and caring about them. It's great to have this full world and having seen the history unfold. It's great knowing the references at this point and having read what happened when it happened. Very interesting to see how the generations have passed and the way history is now seen. The end of this series is coming very close now and I'm interested to see how this all comes together. 4 books away from that now.
While I don't mind some of how this book ended, and some of the deaths and how they were done. I did find it unbelievable how some characters were acting in some of the end scenes of the book. Miranda as a particular example, I didn't feel like what seems to be hesitations in battle fit her character. While I felt that way, her end did make sense that it was a surprise attack and too brutal to get help in time.
While I don't mind some of how this book ended, and some of the deaths and how they were done. I did find it unbelievable how some characters were acting in some of the end scenes of the book. Miranda as a particular example, I didn't feel like what seems to be hesitations in battle fit her character. While I felt that way, her end did make sense that it was a surprise attack and too brutal to get help in time.
subparcupcake's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not quite sure how to review this... I gave it three stars, but that's only because I'm extremely generous. It wasn't bad. It wasn't poorly written... It was just old. Talk about beating a dead horse! The world is in peril again? Oh my god! Demons are invading? Who would have guessed! Because that's a totally new scenario, nothing like that has ever happened before... But seriously. I love Mr. Feist, love him I tell you. He was one of my first fantasy authors, and he holds a very fond place in my heart. But you know what I would really enjoy? I would LOVE it if he moved on.. Created a new world, and new story. Midkemia is done, has been done for a long time. It's time to let it go.
All of that aside, it wasn't bad really. There was quite a lot of setup, and it moved pretty damn slow for the first 2/3 of the story. The ending picked up, but I wouldn't say I was on the edge of my seat. I'll read the next in the series, but I'm not dying to find out what happens. I'll just read it because I'm OCD like that and don't want to leave the series unfinished.
The good? It was well written. Several new characters were introduced, and they were well developed. Old characters were the same as ever, but it was still nice to see them again. And even though there was a lot I didn't remember from the other 86 trillion books set in Midkemia prior to this, I didn't really feel lost. I didn't feel completely sure of events they were referencing sometimes, but it could have been worse.
Overall... Two and a half (barely!) stars.
All of that aside, it wasn't bad really. There was quite a lot of setup, and it moved pretty damn slow for the first 2/3 of the story. The ending picked up, but I wouldn't say I was on the edge of my seat. I'll read the next in the series, but I'm not dying to find out what happens. I'll just read it because I'm OCD like that and don't want to leave the series unfinished.
The good? It was well written. Several new characters were introduced, and they were well developed. Old characters were the same as ever, but it was still nice to see them again. And even though there was a lot I didn't remember from the other 86 trillion books set in Midkemia prior to this, I didn't really feel lost. I didn't feel completely sure of events they were referencing sometimes, but it could have been worse.
Overall... Two and a half (barely!) stars.
ellyrarg's review against another edition
2.0
Well, did NOT expect that rather dramatic ending. I didn’t realise that so much was on the line, but obvs it had to be. Poor pug.
Found this one tricky to get into (too many new people too quick) and honestly, more elves, worst evil ever faced (again), worse demons just felt like an old, well worn plot path. No character growth, no real development. I feel like we’re all being strung along, so another book can be churned out for profit.
Hated the way Miranda was always described with her faults (women’s faults seem to be too rash, too quick to rage. She’s literally never painted in a positive light. Men’s faults, when they’re deemed to have any, are generally only vanity/arrogance).
Also, the objectification of women’s bodies is getting really really old. Women are almost always described by their attractiveness and bodily features. Men are tall/short or slim/well muscled. Their attractiveness due to their physical aspects is never commented on. Also, where are the male whores?
It’s frustrating that the only women of any power are Mara, Miranda and the Elf Queen (even then the elf queens power is rarely commented on, despite her leading a people. Instead there’s always a prelude to Tomas’ power). Sandreena might be a lady of power, but at every opportunity we’re reminded she was once a whore, that she’s beautiful and feels hard done by when she’s been objectified, and again, we get a run down of her faults. Blah.
So much patriarchy. So gross. Not sure I even want to continue reading this series :(
Found this one tricky to get into (too many new people too quick) and honestly, more elves, worst evil ever faced (again), worse demons just felt like an old, well worn plot path. No character growth, no real development. I feel like we’re all being strung along, so another book can be churned out for profit.
Hated the way Miranda was always described with her faults (women’s faults seem to be too rash, too quick to rage. She’s literally never painted in a positive light. Men’s faults, when they’re deemed to have any, are generally only vanity/arrogance).
Also, the objectification of women’s bodies is getting really really old. Women are almost always described by their attractiveness and bodily features. Men are tall/short or slim/well muscled. Their attractiveness due to their physical aspects is never commented on. Also, where are the male whores?
It’s frustrating that the only women of any power are Mara, Miranda and the Elf Queen (even then the elf queens power is rarely commented on, despite her leading a people. Instead there’s always a prelude to Tomas’ power). Sandreena might be a lady of power, but at every opportunity we’re reminded she was once a whore, that she’s beautiful and feels hard done by when she’s been objectified, and again, we get a run down of her faults. Blah.
So much patriarchy. So gross. Not sure I even want to continue reading this series :(
kenlaan's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, the worst book of the series so far, and I'm 27 books in.
How do you follow up [b:Wrath of a Mad God|1196299|Wrath of a Mad God (The Darkwar Saga, #3)|Raymond E. Feist|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407104915l/1196299._SY75_.jpg|1184368], one of the most consequential books in a (at the time) 26 book series? Allow ten years to pass between novels, focus on new, uninteresting characters for 1/2 of the book before bringing the established protagonists into the story, and make almost the entire book setup for the next novel.
I'm really surprised this wasn't a one-star review for me, but enough interesting things happened near the end that I didn't end up strongly disliking it, just being pretty disappointed in it.
Honestly, however this series ends up (I have 4 books to go), I will be happy with my time with it, but this is two books in a row that have been quite a disappointment.
How do you follow up [b:Wrath of a Mad God|1196299|Wrath of a Mad God (The Darkwar Saga, #3)|Raymond E. Feist|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407104915l/1196299._SY75_.jpg|1184368], one of the most consequential books in a (at the time) 26 book series? Allow ten years to pass between novels, focus on new, uninteresting characters for 1/2 of the book before bringing the established protagonists into the story, and make almost the entire book setup for the next novel.
I'm really surprised this wasn't a one-star review for me, but enough interesting things happened near the end that I didn't end up strongly disliking it, just being pretty disappointed in it.
Honestly, however this series ends up (I have 4 books to go), I will be happy with my time with it, but this is two books in a row that have been quite a disappointment.
ayla_derammelaere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rossdent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
jesssika's review against another edition
4.0
This story begins with Amirantha ��������� a Warlock who can summon demons - summoning a demon that breaks his control and with the help of his ���������son��������� Brandos they conquer it and get paid by a local leader for their work. Such is what they do apparently to villages in order to make a living. Next the story moves onto a temple where an apparently beautiful woman named Sandreena is trying to meditate but fails instead because she is thinking of many things along with her past and then doesn���������t succeed. She has issues with men from being a whore as a youth and then sold and eventually found by a man with redeeming qualities who becomes her father figure and the only man she trusts without reservations. She is inturn requested to be seen by Father Bishop Creegan who tells her where she goes next for journey to protect those who can���������t protect themselves ��������� which is the task of the order in which she is a part of. Next we get into the part of the story with Alyston (a ranger of Natal) who by chance sees an Elf going into their other world and thus he seeks advice from some befriended goblins (King Dolgan). From there the story slowly begins to intertwine together where all these once solitary roads come together. The Elves move from where they were to where they once lived because of a demon legion who is killing them and they need refuge. Then and oracle and others come together to fight this battle. You are enthralled in a story that began as individual ones that intertwine to become one large one.
The story is full of magic magical beings wonders and adventure. It is decently written. At first I didn���������t really like that with each chapter you were strewn to another persons��������� story without knowing how it would relate. They all seemed to be individual stories thrown together. However as the story progresses you find that the first chapters were like a good telling of back history that help you to understand the story as it moved on. While at the beginning it seemed slow monotonous; once you get through it you have a better understanding and appreciation for the story.
The story is full of magic magical beings wonders and adventure. It is decently written. At first I didn���������t really like that with each chapter you were strewn to another persons��������� story without knowing how it would relate. They all seemed to be individual stories thrown together. However as the story progresses you find that the first chapters were like a good telling of back history that help you to understand the story as it moved on. While at the beginning it seemed slow monotonous; once you get through it you have a better understanding and appreciation for the story.
kahawa's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounded up.
Lots of names and world building details, presented in dialogues, but not much action and adventure. Guess I'll keep going because I want to finish the series.
Lots of names and world building details, presented in dialogues, but not much action and adventure. Guess I'll keep going because I want to finish the series.