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4.0
This is one of those books I have profoundly mixed feelings about. On one hand, it had one of the best beginnings I’ve read in a while. Gil’s dry wit and general outlook made for a refreshing POV and turned several clichéd fantasy tropes on their heads so quickly that I couldn’t help but fall in love. The infusion of satire and subtle, barbed social commentary was very reminiscent of my initial reading of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and everything about Gil’s opening chapter made me want to keep turning the pages.
Unfortunately, as the novel progressed and grew more serious in plot, my interest began to wane. Gil (understandably) lost his sense of humor as his search for a missing relative continued, and those things that set him apart from typical fantasy heroes (most notably his sexuality), began to wear like a giant chip on his shoulder rather than a cavalier suit of armor.
But Gil’s story is not the only one in the book. There was also Archeth, a half-breed alien left behind in this world when the remainder of her race departed; and Egar, the leader of a Mongol-like tribe of herdsmen. I found Archeth’s arc infinitely more enjoyable than Egar’s, and enjoyed her far more as a character, though she was never as interesting to me as Gil.
And it was all I could do not to skip over Egar’s chapters, most of which he spends in a self-absorbed haze. Egar was, to me, an idiot, more concerned about which tribal hussy he’d be sleeping with than returning the favor of a god (who he knows to be a god) who has just saved his sorry ass from an attempted assassination.
But, more interesting than either of these two, and perhaps moreso that Gil, are the mysterious Aldrain (also called dwenda,) an ancient race intent on retaking their homelands from the humans who have encroached upon it. With an ability to manipulate time and profound supernatural powers, they are a curious and intriguing race. Seethlaw’s interactions with Gil were particularly fascinating, especially in regards to Gil’s reaction to them. There is a particularly moving section about the affects alternate timelines are having on Gil, and I would love to see these “grey places” explored in more detail.
The major disappointment came in the handling of its climax—the showdown between a united Gil, Archet and Egar against Seethlaw and a small force of dwenda. After setting everything in motion, the author abruptly chooses to ship over the climax, talk about how it was perceived years later, then go back and actually show the readers what happened. It is an abrupt and unsettling change of pace that completely killed the narrative flow. Once we have shifted gears yet again, the climax flows smoothly. However, I was hoping for more in the final showdown between Gil and Seethlaw.
Still, in the closing pages Morgan did much to prepare for the next installment, and I am fully along for the ride. There is a twist here involving the stereotypical fantasy “prophecy,” something I cringed at when initially delivered to Gil early in his search for his cousin. But Morgan has done something truly interesting with where that prophecy is going.
And I feel as though all that has happened in this novel is only the opening salvo in a much grander war.
Unfortunately, as the novel progressed and grew more serious in plot, my interest began to wane. Gil (understandably) lost his sense of humor as his search for a missing relative continued, and those things that set him apart from typical fantasy heroes (most notably his sexuality), began to wear like a giant chip on his shoulder rather than a cavalier suit of armor.
But Gil’s story is not the only one in the book. There was also Archeth, a half-breed alien left behind in this world when the remainder of her race departed; and Egar, the leader of a Mongol-like tribe of herdsmen. I found Archeth’s arc infinitely more enjoyable than Egar’s, and enjoyed her far more as a character, though she was never as interesting to me as Gil.
And it was all I could do not to skip over Egar’s chapters, most of which he spends in a self-absorbed haze. Egar was, to me, an idiot, more concerned about which tribal hussy he’d be sleeping with than returning the favor of a god (who he knows to be a god) who has just saved his sorry ass from an attempted assassination.
But, more interesting than either of these two, and perhaps moreso that Gil, are the mysterious Aldrain (also called dwenda,) an ancient race intent on retaking their homelands from the humans who have encroached upon it. With an ability to manipulate time and profound supernatural powers, they are a curious and intriguing race. Seethlaw’s interactions with Gil were particularly fascinating, especially in regards to Gil’s reaction to them. There is a particularly moving section about the affects alternate timelines are having on Gil, and I would love to see these “grey places” explored in more detail.
The major disappointment came in the handling of its climax—the showdown between a united Gil, Archet and Egar against Seethlaw and a small force of dwenda. After setting everything in motion, the author abruptly chooses to ship over the climax, talk about how it was perceived years later, then go back and actually show the readers what happened. It is an abrupt and unsettling change of pace that completely killed the narrative flow. Once we have shifted gears yet again, the climax flows smoothly. However, I was hoping for more in the final showdown between Gil and Seethlaw.
Still, in the closing pages Morgan did much to prepare for the next installment, and I am fully along for the ride. There is a twist here involving the stereotypical fantasy “prophecy,” something I cringed at when initially delivered to Gil early in his search for his cousin. But Morgan has done something truly interesting with where that prophecy is going.
And I feel as though all that has happened in this novel is only the opening salvo in a much grander war.
subparcupcake's review
DNF (did not finish).
I made it to about 50% before I finally gave up. There is nothing wrong with this book really.. It just didn't capture my interest. I can understand why lots of people like it, it just wasn't for me. I never connected to the characters or the story or the world. I had to force myself to pick it up and read some of it, and eventually it was just a distasteful chore I had to force myself through. There are too many books I want to read out there for me to waste time on one I don't want to read.
I made it to about 50% before I finally gave up. There is nothing wrong with this book really.. It just didn't capture my interest. I can understand why lots of people like it, it just wasn't for me. I never connected to the characters or the story or the world. I had to force myself to pick it up and read some of it, and eventually it was just a distasteful chore I had to force myself through. There are too many books I want to read out there for me to waste time on one I don't want to read.
songwind's review
5.0
The best words for this book have to be "viceral" and "earthy." Despite the fantasy subject matter, the world feels very present and real. There are no archetypal, bigger than life characters. Everyone feels very human (or realistically non-human I guess?) The choice to cast older, retired, cynical soldiers as the main characters rather than the usual hero-types works well. In keeping with its tone, descriptions are also very present and contain a lot of sensation. Sex, combat, survival all leave you feeling a bit sullied, a bit mussed.
The story itself is very enjoyable. The escalation of the conflict is steady, starting off with seemingly mundane concerns and resulting in something truly frightening.
Simon Vance was perfect as the narrator, at least as far as Ringil is concerned.
The story itself is very enjoyable. The escalation of the conflict is steady, starting off with seemingly mundane concerns and resulting in something truly frightening.
Simon Vance was perfect as the narrator, at least as far as Ringil is concerned.
theoguinto's review
2.0
Not the biggest fan. I like fantasy/sci-fi but I can only handle so many new terms being thrown at me before I start to feel alienated.
Also, I didn't really get why Ringil and Seethlaw just started fucking but I may have missed that? It kinda just came out of nowhere.
Plus the whole different dimension thing was very weird then they suddenly were at war with the dwenda and are seemingly capable of hurting them when they had such a hard time even fighting Seethlaw earlier in the book.
Again, I may have missed the precise reasons for those above but there was just too much going on with the three PoVs and fantasy terms.
I had a hard time following along after Ringil met Seethlaw, Egar is saved from being murdered by his brothers, and Archeth attacks the people who were arresting the crazy lady.
Also, I didn't really get why Ringil and Seethlaw just started fucking but I may have missed that? It kinda just came out of nowhere.
Plus the whole different dimension thing was very weird then they suddenly were at war with the dwenda and are seemingly capable of hurting them when they had such a hard time even fighting Seethlaw earlier in the book.
Again, I may have missed the precise reasons for those above but there was just too much going on with the three PoVs and fantasy terms.
I had a hard time following along after Ringil met Seethlaw, Egar is saved from being murdered by his brothers, and Archeth attacks the people who were arresting the crazy lady.
emeraldzak's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tricapra's review
4.0
My enjoyment of this book slowly crept up on me without warning. I will definitely be reading more Morgan in the future. I saw people complain about flat characterization but I really liked the cast and thought it was refreshing that a black woman and a gay man had prominent, powerful roles in a fantasy novel. They all came across as deeply flawed individuals who handled the aftermath of a war. Plus, the sex scenes were some of the least creepy I've ever read, so hooray for that.