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birdkeeperklink's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. There was humor, but it also got pretty dark at times. The traitor's identity totally caught me by surprise.
Also, while the ending was a touch bittersweet, it seemed appropriate.
Also, while the ending was a touch bittersweet, it seemed appropriate.
hotsake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I had such an unbelievable blast reading this book. I absolutely loved this book, the classic story, and the wide array of characters.
dandelionking's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hrtlss_grl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and War
dominish_books's review against another edition
4.0
This was a rare reread as I picked up the graphic audio having initially read the book over twenty years ago. This was one of my gateways to fantasy, as one of the very first fantasy books I read, so it has that element of nostalgia to it for me. It’s an older book and definitely has a classic fantasy feel to it. Some elements of it are a bit cheesy and there’s definitely a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour, although I don’t think that’s overdone, giving a nice balance to it.
Overall, I found this reread very enjoyable, and maybe it scores higher for me because of nostalgia, but I also I really enjoyed the audio, which gave me a completely different experience this time around.
Overall, I found this reread very enjoyable, and maybe it scores higher for me because of nostalgia, but I also I really enjoyed the audio, which gave me a completely different experience this time around.
nipomuki's review against another edition
3.0
I did like the beginning and the end. As a whole I was not quite satisfied with the story. It seemed patched together, and while the tropes were generally ones I like, they did not come together in a way I could believe. I felt that there were many inconsistencies, internal and external dialogue that did not convince me.
I had a hard time with the relationships and the character arcs. I was entertained, but it was longish for something I was only partly on board for.
To give an example: the family dynamics in the royal family were just weird. Wouldn’t a second son in a place as dangerous as the Forest Kingdom be valued?
The hero seemed more whiny than fun to me, and again and again I felt like I was in the wrong kind of fantasy - maybe because I am not a young boy but a women in her fifties.
And while the royals talk a lot about their guilt of leading people to their deaths, it seemed like lip service most of the time.
If you want to read about
- young people growing into heroes and leaders, often against their own wishes
- about realistic battles against impossible odds where you deeply care about what happens to the participants - commoner and noble alike
then read The Wheel Of Time.
If you want to read about a unicorn best friend, read (or better: listen to) The Lightening Struck Heart, which is m/m romantic fantasy, hilarious and sweet at the same time.
The narration of the audio book was good, but some of the voices chosen by the narrator seemed at odds with the text.
I had a hard time with the relationships and the character arcs. I was entertained, but it was longish for something I was only partly on board for.
To give an example: the family dynamics in the royal family were just weird. Wouldn’t a second son in a place as dangerous as the Forest Kingdom be valued?
The hero seemed more whiny than fun to me, and again and again I felt like I was in the wrong kind of fantasy - maybe because I am not a young boy but a women in her fifties.
And while the royals talk a lot about their guilt of leading people to their deaths, it seemed like lip service most of the time.
If you want to read about
- young people growing into heroes and leaders, often against their own wishes
- about realistic battles against impossible odds where you deeply care about what happens to the participants - commoner and noble alike
then read The Wheel Of Time.
If you want to read about a unicorn best friend, read (or better: listen to) The Lightening Struck Heart, which is m/m romantic fantasy, hilarious and sweet at the same time.
The narration of the audio book was good, but some of the voices chosen by the narrator seemed at odds with the text.
laci's review against another edition
4.0
When the book started, I was a bit worried it'd just be a collection of jokes and trope subversions. There was plenty of that, but also much more.
The plot with its grand finale was pretty bland and standard, but the getting there was nice - a wannabe "Hero" prince going on quests, then losing his illusions, then going on quests because he always honored his duties. The characters were likable.
If you've read enough fantasy and want a book that'll mix up the "tried and true" patterns in new and refreshing ways, with bits of humour, a friendly dragon, a fearful unicorn, and a second son as the main protagonist (which is rare in itself), you won't go wrong with this one.
The plot with its grand finale was pretty bland and standard, but the getting there was nice - a wannabe "Hero" prince going on quests, then losing his illusions, then going on quests because he always honored his duties. The characters were likable.
If you've read enough fantasy and want a book that'll mix up the "tried and true" patterns in new and refreshing ways, with bits of humour, a friendly dragon, a fearful unicorn, and a second son as the main protagonist (which is rare in itself), you won't go wrong with this one.
wishanem's review against another edition
2.0
At first this seemed like a humorous take on the most clich�� of Fantasy tropes. I liked it a lot. A Prince is sent off to slay a dragon, mostly in hopes that he will get killed and remove himself from the line of Royal succession. He rides a sarcastic and cowardly unicorn, and faces danger with wit and practicality.
Within a few chapters, the humor has become more sparse. The fighting is increasingly detailed and more gory. Things get serious. The story never stops flirting with stereotypes, though, which leaves it a bit odd. Uneven. The long section of Medieval court politicking is the slowest and least enjoyable part of the story.
The last third of the book is nearly unrelentingly serious. There are intense examinations of bitterness, betrayal, a sour unrequited love, and a few flavors of disappointment. At times there are deep ideas, but ultimately the climax of the story plays out in the most shallow and predictable way it possibly could. There's a twist which was telegraphed halfway through, and the payoff at the end just isn't very satisfying.
Within a few chapters, the humor has become more sparse. The fighting is increasingly detailed and more gory. Things get serious. The story never stops flirting with stereotypes, though, which leaves it a bit odd. Uneven. The long section of Medieval court politicking is the slowest and least enjoyable part of the story.
The last third of the book is nearly unrelentingly serious. There are intense examinations of bitterness, betrayal, a sour unrequited love, and a few flavors of disappointment. At times there are deep ideas, but ultimately the climax of the story plays out in the most shallow and predictable way it possibly could. There's a twist which was telegraphed halfway through, and the payoff at the end just isn't very satisfying.
mellanella's review against another edition
2.0
It's OK - I didn't think it was particularly well-written, and the narrative wasn't very tight in places (some parts felt like "oh, by the way..." add-ons). The characters weren't really well developed with the exception of Rupert, who did exhibit depth as the story went on. Overall, I'd give the book a C+, because I did end up finishing it and didn't feel like it was a complete waste of time.