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justgeekingby's review
4.0
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
Content warnings:
By the Pact starts out with the events that the synopsis tell us about; Kamira and Veelk uncovering the secret that the demon Veranesh is alive. It’s an action packed start to the book, and things cool down for the next ten percent as Maciejewska takes a step back to introduce other players and locations. I was worried that this was going to be one of those books where there were too many moving parts, however, everything quickly begins to move into place and neatly connect. That’s when the action picks back up again, and it doesn’t really stop from then on. I wouldn’t say that By the Pact is a fast-paced novel though. Everything felt as though it moved evenly, and there were times of rest intermingled with moments of action.
The dynamic between Kamira and Veelk is easily one of my favourite things about this book. It’s great to see a friendship between a woman and a man that has zero indication, or intention, of becoming a romance. Not that there’s anything wrong with friendships that do develop into relationships, I love those books too, but it’s also nice when you get ones where authors remember that the opposite sex can actually just be friends (and without one of them being gay). The banter between them is on point and gave me lots of giggles while reading By the Pact.
Overall there is a great mix of characters, and I liked that there were particularly a wide range of grey characters. There are layers upon layers in this book, and it’s great to see a protagonist who’s has no qualms about getting her hands dirty. Too often I find that fantasy authors hold on to the Tolkien style of fantasy where their characters must be good and true, only killing when they have no choice or to slay evil. Kamira and Veelk are pragmatists; the world they live in is one where survival depends on what you’re willing to do. You don’t let someone who attacked you go with a stern talking to or a slap on the wrist because they will come back with their buddies and try again. It was refreshingly realistic.
Maciejewska is very good at drip feeding us information about the characters pasts to keep the mystery and intrigue going. We know that Kamira used to be a high mage, and gradually we learn bit by bit why she left her studies. It’s the same for other characters, who I won’t name for spoiler reasons, who at first glance seem very obviously one thing and as we learn more about their story we begin to realise that there’s something else going on.
The world building is interesting and fun, with two types of magic users (high mages and arcanists) facing off against each other until one of them used a power play tactic to win. They then used politics to ensure that everything went their way. Kamira and Veelk have stumbled upon what that power play was and while that gives them power it also puts a huge target on their back. Add demons from another plane of existence and things get even messier. I was impressed with how many ways Maciejewska connected all the different players to each other. It’s what I loved about fantasy books like this, and Maciejewska has done an excellent job of creating a web of intrigue in By the Pact.
This is book one of the Pacts Arcane or Otherwise series, a name which I now find extremely fitting upon completing By the Pact. It’s a good start to a series, offering a full story that felt completed while also leaving just enough unanswered questions to draw readers in for book two. This is an intriguing new fantasy series that you do not want to miss, and I’m definitely going to be checking it out further.
For more of my reviews please visit my blog!
Content warnings:
Spoiler
There is a lot of blood, death, violence and some gore in this book. There is also a war that takes place off page, with a few flashbacks, however, the devastation and consequences are seen throughout the book. While there are no scenes of sexual assault there are references to it. A race of people suffer withdrawal from a form of magic, and it is very similar to drug withdrawal. There are numerous cases of prejudice towards people of other races, classes, and professions/factions.By the Pact starts out with the events that the synopsis tell us about; Kamira and Veelk uncovering the secret that the demon Veranesh is alive. It’s an action packed start to the book, and things cool down for the next ten percent as Maciejewska takes a step back to introduce other players and locations. I was worried that this was going to be one of those books where there were too many moving parts, however, everything quickly begins to move into place and neatly connect. That’s when the action picks back up again, and it doesn’t really stop from then on. I wouldn’t say that By the Pact is a fast-paced novel though. Everything felt as though it moved evenly, and there were times of rest intermingled with moments of action.
The dynamic between Kamira and Veelk is easily one of my favourite things about this book. It’s great to see a friendship between a woman and a man that has zero indication, or intention, of becoming a romance. Not that there’s anything wrong with friendships that do develop into relationships, I love those books too, but it’s also nice when you get ones where authors remember that the opposite sex can actually just be friends (and without one of them being gay). The banter between them is on point and gave me lots of giggles while reading By the Pact.
Overall there is a great mix of characters, and I liked that there were particularly a wide range of grey characters. There are layers upon layers in this book, and it’s great to see a protagonist who’s has no qualms about getting her hands dirty. Too often I find that fantasy authors hold on to the Tolkien style of fantasy where their characters must be good and true, only killing when they have no choice or to slay evil. Kamira and Veelk are pragmatists; the world they live in is one where survival depends on what you’re willing to do. You don’t let someone who attacked you go with a stern talking to or a slap on the wrist because they will come back with their buddies and try again. It was refreshingly realistic.
Maciejewska is very good at drip feeding us information about the characters pasts to keep the mystery and intrigue going. We know that Kamira used to be a high mage, and gradually we learn bit by bit why she left her studies. It’s the same for other characters, who I won’t name for spoiler reasons, who at first glance seem very obviously one thing and as we learn more about their story we begin to realise that there’s something else going on.
The world building is interesting and fun, with two types of magic users (high mages and arcanists) facing off against each other until one of them used a power play tactic to win. They then used politics to ensure that everything went their way. Kamira and Veelk have stumbled upon what that power play was and while that gives them power it also puts a huge target on their back. Add demons from another plane of existence and things get even messier. I was impressed with how many ways Maciejewska connected all the different players to each other. It’s what I loved about fantasy books like this, and Maciejewska has done an excellent job of creating a web of intrigue in By the Pact.
This is book one of the Pacts Arcane or Otherwise series, a name which I now find extremely fitting upon completing By the Pact. It’s a good start to a series, offering a full story that felt completed while also leaving just enough unanswered questions to draw readers in for book two. This is an intriguing new fantasy series that you do not want to miss, and I’m definitely going to be checking it out further.
For more of my reviews please visit my blog!
iwona_mag's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
This book was on my "to be read" pile for ages and I am so glad I finally pick it up. It is very well written fantasy book and a great start of a series. As a debiut novel it is rising the bar high and I love, that it is from an indie author. As this proves that you don't need a bug publisher behind you to be successful. I just hope, the word will spread, and more people will pick up novels and stories by Joanna.
Important part while reading, is to bear in mind it is only 1/4 of the story, and stil stakes are not so high in the first novel. Kamira and Veelk are great as a due, and I need to know more about their bond! At the same time, plot is not focused only on them, but there is a larger picture, with a lot of players in the mix. There is a lot of secrets, a lot to gain or loose (in the end) and with all the demonic powers in the game, I've got a lot of hopes for the full series.
Would recommend to all book lovers, that like strange fantasy lands with diverse magic systems and are not afraid to dive into a longer series.
Important part while reading, is to bear in mind it is only 1/4 of the story, and stil stakes are not so high in the first novel. Kamira and Veelk are great as a due, and I need to know more about their bond! At the same time, plot is not focused only on them, but there is a larger picture, with a lot of players in the mix. There is a lot of secrets, a lot to gain or loose (in the end) and with all the demonic powers in the game, I've got a lot of hopes for the full series.
Would recommend to all book lovers, that like strange fantasy lands with diverse magic systems and are not afraid to dive into a longer series.
clarissagosling's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Brilliant! So many twists and turns and love the snarky characters and relationships
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