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x_naerwen_x's review
1.0
1. A lot of sexism in this one, considering it's only 300 pages long.
Some examples:
The main character is for some reason very surprised to discover that the attack on his lord's mansion is actually led by a woman.
The only female character of note is one of the four shapeshifting monsters, and she is (of course) the one who gets killed.
2. Mediocre writing, lots of typos.
3. Magadon. Why would he join Cale and his merry band? Why is he willing to die with them? He has some sort of history with Riven, but is it really enough?
4. The first half of the book is slow-going and rather predictable. The ending was interesting, but it is not enough to redeem this book.
Some examples:
"You never leave enemies alive behind you. Never. You'd see that if you stopped thinking like a woman".
"We'll track Cale and Riven for a few days. Once we've located the globe, we kill them and take it. <...> We'll need to invovlve a few more men".
"I know just the woman", said Azriim with a smile.
Vraggen <...> wasn't sure this was woman's work.
The main character is for some reason very surprised to discover that the attack on his lord's mansion is actually led by a woman.
The only female character of note is one of the four shapeshifting monsters, and she is (of course) the one who gets killed.
2. Mediocre writing, lots of typos.
3. Magadon. Why would he join Cale and his merry band? Why is he willing to die with them? He has some sort of history with Riven, but is it really enough?
4. The first half of the book is slow-going and rather predictable. The ending was interesting, but it is not enough to redeem this book.
sil_the_lobster's review against another edition
1.0
This is a book I’d been so very much wanted to like. I’m not familiar with the Forgotten Realms universe but I’ve read enough fantasy to be able to grasp it, I think. Plus, I’ve read Kemp’s “Lord of the Sith” and loved every bit of it. The idea of a killer/mercenary/assassin-turned-butler/whatever instantly appealed to me and I started the book all excited—then it dragged on and on and I just couldn’t get into it. I gave up around 40% or so and I don’t think I’ll pick it up again to finish it.
Sad, really. 1 star out of 5.
Sad, really. 1 star out of 5.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
3.0
Meh - I like the action and the flow and movement - I did feel that some of the events was to illistrate that, yes, the author knew the D&D rules, but overall it was a good read - BUT - my biggest issue is the ending - I know that this is the first of a trilogy, but the point of a trilogy is that you read a good book about a character or characters and WANT to read more - not have to - I have already made the commitment to read the trilogy but I feel like this is going to be more of an overly extended story stretched out to cover three books instead of three well written books - also, note to any future writers and also a spoiler to those who have not read this book - you can't name the trilogy after a character and then kill him in book one - because I know that he is not really dead and will come back, and whatever shock you wanted, you won't get - that would be like Harry Potter diying when he got the stone in book one - not falling for it - not a waste of time .. yet - let us hope that book two is better.
sleepy_0wl's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
jeremiah_mccoy's review against another edition
1.0
This is an early novel for a the writer and you can tell. There are nice moments which make the book acceptable, but it very much felt like an incomplete story. I get it is part of a trilogy, but the story in the book should stand on it's own and this one does not have a conclusion. Also, I could not invest in the hero as his rambling, angst ridden, internal monologue drains any interest in him. I read this as part of a book club choice and I can't say I would recommend it. The best praise I can offer is, that it is not bad for a game tie in novel, but I tire of offering that proviso to game tie in novels.
bsalazar89's review
4.0
This was a fun adventure. Since returning to the role-playing game, the story definitely scratched an itch that I had for a tale from Faerun. I was having fun trying to figure out the classes that the characters would be and the name of the spells that were being cast.
fell4's review
2.0
Enjoyed reading this, it was pretty good, a quick read and I've missed the high fantasy genera. That said, I couldn't stop comparing it to other Forgotten Realms books I've read and it just isn't of the same caliber.
Also, I know this is a series, but the end of this book was not satisfying. The author had a really cool premise, but the reader didn't get to it until page 175 and since the book is only 300 pages, the main story, was told in the last half of the book which left the ending feeling rushed and unfinished, like I was waiting for a Part Two in the same book, not another book entirely.
Also, I know this is a series, but the end of this book was not satisfying. The author had a really cool premise, but the reader didn't get to it until page 175 and since the book is only 300 pages, the main story, was told in the last half of the book which left the ending feeling rushed and unfinished, like I was waiting for a Part Two in the same book, not another book entirely.
brokenfiction's review
4.0
It was my fault. I'd waited forever to pick this up. I regret that decision now. It's a tight, focused adventure with plenty of questionable morals to go around. The characters are multi-layered, and anytime you can work some who kills yet loves their dogs into a story, I'm good.
At least there are five more books already out so that I don't have to wait for more story.
At least there are five more books already out so that I don't have to wait for more story.
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