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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Not really my taste. The writing style doesn’t elevate the story which isn’t great because the plot and characters aren’t spectacular. There are only three characters the story follows (Keras, Reia, and Dawn) and all of them are wildly one-dimensional which made the relationships start to get bland and repetitive even halfway through the story. Not to say the book was outright bad, there was just nothing I found that was special about it.
I will say that I think I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t the first Andrew Rowe book I’d read. It says at the beginning that you don’t have to read his other stuff to read this, which is technically true from a plot standpoint, but there are a LOT (a few times per chapter) of references to other stories that I imagine would be far more meaningful if you actually understood them. To be clear, the references weren’t necessarily confusing, but since it was my first time through I just felt disconnected from the main character (Keras) because so much of his background has to do with people and events I knew nothing about.
I still have Sufficiently Advanced Magic on my tbr so I’ll use that to determine if I continue with Rowe.
I was turned toward him because of the “progression fantasy” niche that he writes. The description of that sub-genre seems over stated after reading this, but it’s only a one-book sample. It’s not bad enough to deter me but it still may be a while before I jump in again.
I will say that I think I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t the first Andrew Rowe book I’d read. It says at the beginning that you don’t have to read his other stuff to read this, which is technically true from a plot standpoint, but there are a LOT (a few times per chapter) of references to other stories that I imagine would be far more meaningful if you actually understood them. To be clear, the references weren’t necessarily confusing, but since it was my first time through I just felt disconnected from the main character (Keras) because so much of his background has to do with people and events I knew nothing about.
I still have Sufficiently Advanced Magic on my tbr so I’ll use that to determine if I continue with Rowe.
I was turned toward him because of the “progression fantasy” niche that he writes. The description of that sub-genre seems over stated after reading this, but it’s only a one-book sample. It’s not bad enough to deter me but it still may be a while before I jump in again.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A fun lit-RPG adjacent book that both embraces and parodies the tropes of rpgs like Legend of Zelda. Doesn't require that you've read any of Andrew Rowe's other stuff. I enjoyed the characters and the tongue in cheek way it engaged with rpg classics like mysterious temples, magic swords, and monsters that apparently have nothing better to do than sit around in the same place waiting to be slaughtered by adventurers.
The magic system stuff is a little bit less dauntingly complex than Sufficiently Advanced magic, but still very much hard magic.
As with Andrew Rowe's other stuff, I felt that the biggest weakness was the dialogue, and in particular the combat dialogue. Get ready for a *lot* of banter.
The magic system stuff is a little bit less dauntingly complex than Sufficiently Advanced magic, but still very much hard magic.
As with Andrew Rowe's other stuff, I felt that the biggest weakness was the dialogue, and in particular the combat dialogue. Get ready for a *lot* of banter.
Frustratingly simplistic. The main character (hell, all of the characters) have a child's idea of morality, and it makes things drag on and on. This is an adult book?
I've read all of the books in this series. Loved some of them, and the world is really fascinating, but the characters have always been a detriment and they become more painful to read every new book i pick up. They're like children, with their 'oo boy, i love fighting. this is so much fun!' light hearted attitude vs. their uber serious 'i must forsake all benefit to myself because someone across the world coughed a little bit and there is the slightest chance in the world i might have caused that cough. The pain! The shame!'. I was rolling my eyes at least half of the time while reading this.
There would be points where you would hear conversations like:
- You won! You get a boon for winning (great! what will this be?)
- You can choose a magic you've always wanted, or heal a pain that has bothered you for years that no one has been able to heal! (ah. so that kind of boon. let's see what stupid reason he'll come up with to refuse this)
I almost quit the book entirely based on his response to that situation.
I've read all of the books in this series. Loved some of them, and the world is really fascinating, but the characters have always been a detriment and they become more painful to read every new book i pick up. They're like children, with their 'oo boy, i love fighting. this is so much fun!' light hearted attitude vs. their uber serious 'i must forsake all benefit to myself because someone across the world coughed a little bit and there is the slightest chance in the world i might have caused that cough. The pain! The shame!'. I was rolling my eyes at least half of the time while reading this.
There would be points where you would hear conversations like:
- You won! You get a boon for winning (great! what will this be?)
- You can choose a magic you've always wanted, or heal a pain that has bothered you for years that no one has been able to heal! (ah. so that kind of boon. let's see what stupid reason he'll come up with to refuse this)
I almost quit the book entirely based on his response to that situation.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a great story, loved it!
My only qualm is the dissonance between Keras personality as he was described in previous books and in this one.
Also his reluctance to hurt enemies, even when he is in danger.
My only qualm is the dissonance between Keras personality as he was described in previous books and in this one.
Also his reluctance to hurt enemies, even when he is in danger.
So this book was fun.....to a point. The battle scenes were the best part and Keras is still a fave but some of his decisions in this book were a little...ridiculous (i.e.-the boon). I have not read the War of Broken Mirrors (YET) but I expected a bit more depth for Keras. For me, being in his head was a lot like being in Corin's head (minus the extensive and very detailed explanation of the magic system). We shall see how the next books go!
All the characters were interesting and I thought it was great