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dromwald's review against another edition
4.0
The rating says it all really. I thoroughly enjoyed this series. There is nothing revolutionary about the story but that hardly matters; what it does it does very well. The characters are well fleshed out and I genuinely cared about them and found them interesting - even the villains (Only one character was really annoying but I suspect that is because she reminded me of someone I know!). The story I found well-paced, exciting and the world was well developed and captured my imagination. I look forward to reading more by the author.
goonerette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
5.0
What an epic conclusion to the series!
I just finished with this book a few minutes ago - and am still fully in awe.
All plotlines get wrapped up neatly, but there is enough space left open to leave you with some of your own conclusions.
As in the first two books I especially love the character development! They are all very real and believable and different shades of grey. I especially enjoyed the female characters, which was a nice surprise, as they are so often either damsels in distress, or coldhearted killers. In here these were perfectly balanced, and a joy to read.
I actually couldn't say whose POV is my favorite - I never wanted any POV to end, they were all equally interesting and great characters to follow.
The way Austin-King waeves all those lives together, starting with many single strings and braiding them into one strong rope is incredible! When you start this series, you have no idea at all, what all this different people and things might have in common. But the farther you progress, the more "I get it now!" moments you will have.
The second strenght of the book (or rather the whole series) is how fluently it is written. You start to read, and when you look on the clock the next time, you realise it is hours after your bedtime, and you devoured half the book in one long go. There are no longwinded or unneccesarry scenes at all.
Be warned that this series gets darker and grimmer from the end of book one - but it never felt like a gorefest, but fit snuggly into the worldbuilding. Quite some important characters will die, so your adrenaline will spike when your favorite characters are in dangerous situations.
This third book caused all kinds of reactions. Some shocked intakes of breath (and only a slight pounding in the ears reminded me I should actually start breathing again now...), sometimes I was so happy I sat on the couch clapping and grinning like a slightly retarted seal, and at other times I got suckerpunched in the feels. It really was an emotional rollercoaster, and I can only recommend it heartily to anyone who likes fantasy! This has become one of my favorite series very quickly.
I just finished with this book a few minutes ago - and am still fully in awe.
All plotlines get wrapped up neatly, but there is enough space left open to leave you with some of your own conclusions.
As in the first two books I especially love the character development! They are all very real and believable and different shades of grey. I especially enjoyed the female characters, which was a nice surprise, as they are so often either damsels in distress, or coldhearted killers. In here these were perfectly balanced, and a joy to read.
I actually couldn't say whose POV is my favorite - I never wanted any POV to end, they were all equally interesting and great characters to follow.
The way Austin-King waeves all those lives together, starting with many single strings and braiding them into one strong rope is incredible! When you start this series, you have no idea at all, what all this different people and things might have in common. But the farther you progress, the more "I get it now!" moments you will have.
The second strenght of the book (or rather the whole series) is how fluently it is written. You start to read, and when you look on the clock the next time, you realise it is hours after your bedtime, and you devoured half the book in one long go. There are no longwinded or unneccesarry scenes at all.
Be warned that this series gets darker and grimmer from the end of book one - but it never felt like a gorefest, but fit snuggly into the worldbuilding. Quite some important characters will die, so your adrenaline will spike when your favorite characters are in dangerous situations.
This third book caused all kinds of reactions. Some shocked intakes of breath (and only a slight pounding in the ears reminded me I should actually start breathing again now...), sometimes I was so happy I sat on the couch clapping and grinning like a slightly retarted seal, and at other times I got suckerpunched in the feels. It really was an emotional rollercoaster, and I can only recommend it heartily to anyone who likes fantasy! This has become one of my favorite series very quickly.
selinadragonair's review
4.0
A fitting and satisfying ending to the Riven Wyrde Saga!
I enjoyed all the different POVs and characters and how their paths came together in the end. The depiction of all the darker parts were really well done. Especially considerig how much bloodshed is involved. It made me realise again how desensitised we readers are and how difficult it is - for an author - to write about war and killing in a way it's realistic enough to still reach to the readers.
The Riven Wyrde did a great job with that and has a good mix of world building, story lines and characters.
I enjoyed all the different POVs and characters and how their paths came together in the end. The depiction of all the darker parts were really well done. Especially considerig how much bloodshed is involved. It made me realise again how desensitised we readers are and how difficult it is - for an author - to write about war and killing in a way it's realistic enough to still reach to the readers.
The Riven Wyrde did a great job with that and has a good mix of world building, story lines and characters.
grmatthews's review against another edition
5.0
For a trilogy especially, the ending is vital. How do you wrap up every thread, every character arc into something satisfying ... and then leave a thread or two dangling, just out of reach, just in case there is time to go back to the world. Maybe for a short story or two... or a whole new book.
Well, you could look at this book for how to do it well.
The different characters, even some of the secondary ones you haven't met for a while, get some form of resolution - for good or ill. There is something satisfying in all of them, whether it is sweet, bitter-sweet or just plain old cold revenge.
It's a good trilogy, I've read them all and am ready for more.
Well, you could look at this book for how to do it well.
The different characters, even some of the secondary ones you haven't met for a while, get some form of resolution - for good or ill. There is something satisfying in all of them, whether it is sweet, bitter-sweet or just plain old cold revenge.
It's a good trilogy, I've read them all and am ready for more.
kartiknarayanan's review
4.0
Read the full review at my site https://wp.me/p89tYT-iW
Happy endings only happen in faerie tales, Gavin. In life you need to work for any ending you can get. The happy ones always seem to take their price in tears. Yours or those of another, the price must always be paid.
Introduction
‘The Riven Wyrde Saga’, authored by Graham Austin-King, is his first fantasy series. This saga is a trilogy consisting of ‘Fae – The Wild Hunt’, ‘Fae – The Realm of Twilight’ and ‘Fae – The Sins of the Wyrde’.
The premise of this series is, on the surface, straightforward. The fae (elves, fairies etc.) are real but have been locked off in their own dimension for millennia since they enslaved humanity. And now, they are coming back to exact their revenge on the world. At the same time, pseudo-vikings invade pseudo-england . There are many complex issues addressed here – domestic abuse, rape, religion poverty, power to name a few. Each of these issues have their own threads which intertwine with the main story line.
Recommendation
I recommend ‘The Riven Wyrde Saga’ to fantasy readers. This series has good character arcs, brutal action and a unique take on the fae. It does not shy away from addressing complex issues either.
‘The RIven Wyrde Saga’ has an ensemble cast of characters, each of whom is integral to the story line. Nominally, there are a couple of male characters, Kloss and Devin who could fit in the standard fantasy alpha male mold. But Graham Austin-King has taken the series beyond these two characters. There are strong male and female characters, each of whom could lead a series on their own. Most of them have fully developed character arcs too. Graham Austin-King is great at developing characters (see my review of ‘Faithless‘) and this series is no exception.
Read the full review at my site https://wp.me/p89tYT-iW
Happy endings only happen in faerie tales, Gavin. In life you need to work for any ending you can get. The happy ones always seem to take their price in tears. Yours or those of another, the price must always be paid.
Introduction
‘The Riven Wyrde Saga’, authored by Graham Austin-King, is his first fantasy series. This saga is a trilogy consisting of ‘Fae – The Wild Hunt’, ‘Fae – The Realm of Twilight’ and ‘Fae – The Sins of the Wyrde’.
The premise of this series is, on the surface, straightforward. The fae (elves, fairies etc.) are real but have been locked off in their own dimension for millennia since they enslaved humanity. And now, they are coming back to exact their revenge on the world. At the same time, pseudo-vikings invade pseudo-england . There are many complex issues addressed here – domestic abuse, rape, religion poverty, power to name a few. Each of these issues have their own threads which intertwine with the main story line.
Recommendation
I recommend ‘The Riven Wyrde Saga’ to fantasy readers. This series has good character arcs, brutal action and a unique take on the fae. It does not shy away from addressing complex issues either.
‘The RIven Wyrde Saga’ has an ensemble cast of characters, each of whom is integral to the story line. Nominally, there are a couple of male characters, Kloss and Devin who could fit in the standard fantasy alpha male mold. But Graham Austin-King has taken the series beyond these two characters. There are strong male and female characters, each of whom could lead a series on their own. Most of them have fully developed character arcs too. Graham Austin-King is great at developing characters (see my review of ‘Faithless‘) and this series is no exception.
Read the full review at my site https://wp.me/p89tYT-iW
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