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ubi_sunt's review
3.0
I've recently started playing D&D and I wanted to get into the Forgotten Realms lore. This was a really good book overall, although I felt like it dragged during the second half a bit. I was also confused at times with all the different factions and keeping them straight, but that's just as a (mostly) newcomer to the world. Going into too much explanation and backstory with each faction would likely be tiresome for the core fanbase. I could have looked on the Forgotten Realms wiki for explanations but I was afraid of spoilers.
ladyfives's review against another edition
5.0
"To what end? I have more to lose and nothing to gain. I'm not playing your games, succubus."
She leaned in close, baring her teeth before speaking in barely a hiss. "Then why are your toys all over my board?"
sometimes a family is made up of tiefling twins, a dragonborn, a maybe-runaway-prince, and a devil
I'm so glad I finally got to read this damn elusive book and look at everyone's baby photos. It was especially nice to see Havilar and Farideh being established - while I found the later books easy enough to jump into without previous knowledge, there was some comfort in this intro setting me on solid ground and saying, like, "Havilar is the reckless one. Farideh is the careful one. Havilar is so, so damn immature because she's 17 and childish and so here is all the evidence you'll ever need as to why she's your favourite later on, and more reason for her to be your favourite now."
and to see mehen actually being a dad but struggling with being a dad and i :''')))))) I'm so used to reading the twins in their mid-twenties that seeing them as kids and everyone around them being babies (BRIN) is so nice. It really shows how much subtle and steady development they go through.
and Lorcan's dialogue, of course, continues to be sick as all hell:
In there, that's where they torture devils. Ever hear a nightmare scream for mercy?
that's all, i love my family
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
4.0
I love each of these books more and more and Faridah especially.
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
5.0
I've always wanted to play a Tiefling warlock character, and this fulfilled my hankering for it even though I'm not currently in a group. As far as straight-up fiction goes, the characterization of Farideh and Havilar as sisters was amazing. I don't have any siblings to be fair, but this seemed realistic to me, but also like a depiction of the best kind of teen sibling relationship you can sometimes hope for. I thought I would only like one or the other of the twins and assumed it would be Farideh since she is kinda the centerpiece but I like both of them equally for different reasons. Brin, I'm kinda meh about honestly. I like Mehen as much as you can like any rigid overbearing father figure. I'm pretty confused about Lorcan at this point though. He's done nothing too evil, which made me think "oh he's supposed to be a lovable rogue kinda character" - especially the way they introduced him and portrayed Farideh's feelings toward him. But... then he kinda continues to be obstinate even when it isn't helping him? I keep waiting for him to either do something nice, or something evil and nothing. But I sorta pity him anyway (weird flex for a 'villain' but... he's pretty pathetic) because he's really bottom of the totem pole and constantly getting crapped on. I'm not sure either what his set of Toril 13 really gets him? Clearly not much yet. I'm waiting for more with him in the series because it doesn't come in this book.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
5.0
Brimstone Angels is a new set of characters in the Forgotten Realms world, if you need a break from the other guys for a breather - this story focuses on a pair of twin Tiefling sisters and their Dragonborn mentor / father-figure.
Now, if you have no idea what a Dragonborn or a Tiefling is in the D&D world, then do not read this book, because you will be lost trying to figure out the races in this novel, but if you do know them, then please read on.
The story follow twin sisters, as one becomes a fierce Glaive wielding warrior, and the other, a warlock that has paid a dear price. Because they have been turned out into the world, they do what the do best - travel and hunt, and these along with their Dragonborn Mentor become bounty hunters to survive.
That premise alone had me hooked, and I read the entire book going through the travelogue and excited to see what happens next. the author does a good job of writing female characters without making them frail and lithe, helpless women. Not only because they are Tiefling, as I am sure THAT helps a ton, but because they have been raised to live a hard life.
My only regret is starting the trilogy without the other two books, and now my wait begins for the next chapter in their saga. Well done and well written.
Now, if you have no idea what a Dragonborn or a Tiefling is in the D&D world, then do not read this book, because you will be lost trying to figure out the races in this novel, but if you do know them, then please read on.
The story follow twin sisters, as one becomes a fierce Glaive wielding warrior, and the other, a warlock that has paid a dear price. Because they have been turned out into the world, they do what the do best - travel and hunt, and these along with their Dragonborn Mentor become bounty hunters to survive.
That premise alone had me hooked, and I read the entire book going through the travelogue and excited to see what happens next. the author does a good job of writing female characters without making them frail and lithe, helpless women. Not only because they are Tiefling, as I am sure THAT helps a ton, but because they have been raised to live a hard life.
My only regret is starting the trilogy without the other two books, and now my wait begins for the next chapter in their saga. Well done and well written.
shane's review against another edition
4.0
I had thought this was the 2nd in a trilogy but it turns out there are a good many involving the teiflings, Farideh and Havilah. This is good news, especially since I've come to know and love these characters quite a lot. I'm a particular fan of dungeons and this one has, not only a great dungeon, but it houses a wonderful Library too. The teifling sisters and the rest of the party are becoming more and more real with each book I read. Plenty of magic and adventure, not to mention a good bit of romance too. I loved it. Very good read.
Recommended.
Recommended.
tlycomfort's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
fieldofhats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
This book succumbs to the pitfall that many Forgotten Realms novels do; too many unnecessary perspectives that take away from the good parts. The politics in this book are interesting to a point, but get really dull about halfway through. There isn’t much combat (thankfully), but when there is, it’s only so-so. The plot is okay, and developing the Nine Hells is a very interesting concept, but it didn’t quite fit here. If the goal was to develop the sixth layer, why not have Lorcan be the main character? He’s interesting enough and it could have been a lot of fun.
However, the character interactions and ventures of the main cast was phenomenal. The dynamic between Farideh and Havilar is fun, and their relationships with Mehen are interesting and often deep. The dialogue between Farideh and Lorcan is often well done, and the other minor characters are generally a welcome addition to a given scene. Seeing a warlock main character was also fun, and seeing that class develop first-hand is great since there aren’t many warlock-centered stories in the Forgotten Realms.
Although the characters were good, the boring plot and confusing and unnecessary politics ruined it for me. I can see the appeal, but it definitely wasn’t for me.
However, the character interactions and ventures of the main cast was phenomenal. The dynamic between Farideh and Havilar is fun, and their relationships with Mehen are interesting and often deep. The dialogue between Farideh and Lorcan is often well done, and the other minor characters are generally a welcome addition to a given scene. Seeing a warlock main character was also fun, and seeing that class develop first-hand is great since there aren’t many warlock-centered stories in the Forgotten Realms.
Although the characters were good, the boring plot and confusing and unnecessary politics ruined it for me. I can see the appeal, but it definitely wasn’t for me.
spinnerroweok's review against another edition
3.0
Fun book. I enjoyed it.
Reread. Still enjoyed it. Not as much as the first time.
Reread. Still enjoyed it. Not as much as the first time.
inamerata's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I picked this up on a whim and Erin M. Evans came in with a steel chair and now it's, like, permanently lodged in my brain. There's some small copy issues but I don't even really care. I'm living in 1 AB and my friends are NOT safe.