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booksandladders's review
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @ 13%
I really wanted to like this one. It had such a good premise and reminded me a lot of [b:A Book of Spirits and Thieves|22571365|A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves, #1)|Morgan Rhodes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429026765s/22571365.jpg|42037808] so I was immediately intrigued. However, there was WAY too much dialogue. To the point that it detracted from the story. Instead of vivid descriptions of a fantasy land, I was given characters talking about random locations. There were some things that didn't need to be said but rather shown to the reader so they could be transported to this magical world rather than watching a conversation between two people.
I'm really sad that this one wasn't better but since I had started skimming the dialogue at around 10%, I decided to put it down once I finished that chapter. Lots of potential but a pretty poor execution in my opinion.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
DNF @ 13%
I really wanted to like this one. It had such a good premise and reminded me a lot of [b:A Book of Spirits and Thieves|22571365|A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves, #1)|Morgan Rhodes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429026765s/22571365.jpg|42037808] so I was immediately intrigued. However, there was WAY too much dialogue. To the point that it detracted from the story. Instead of vivid descriptions of a fantasy land, I was given characters talking about random locations. There were some things that didn't need to be said but rather shown to the reader so they could be transported to this magical world rather than watching a conversation between two people.
I'm really sad that this one wasn't better but since I had started skimming the dialogue at around 10%, I decided to put it down once I finished that chapter. Lots of potential but a pretty poor execution in my opinion.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
mreadsbooksnfics's review against another edition
3.0
I was given an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
In The Shadow of the Dragon King holds an interesting idea. The world is in trouble and needs a hero. It's a rather common trope used in literature and movies. In fact, the archetypes read directly into the idea of the hero's journey. This debut novel follows David who's called to be a hero and save a world he's never seen or heard of. Sounds promising, right?
Mostly right. This book holds an interesting premise with the fantasy world running parallel to modern day. However, I don't feel like I was given enough of FenHallow. I felt like it was a lot of talking about going places and things happening instead of actions. The talking could be a little much at times. I wanted more action, but it was still rather interesting.
I finished this book in about a day and it held my interest. I've read my fair share of fantasy and this has all the makings of a unique story. Like I mentioned, less dialogue would have helped. It fell flat when there was too much talking and not a lot happening. I have hope for the other novels in the series to become more action-packed. Also, the novel contains a rather impressive word choice. Overall, three stars for a decent read.
In The Shadow of the Dragon King holds an interesting idea. The world is in trouble and needs a hero. It's a rather common trope used in literature and movies. In fact, the archetypes read directly into the idea of the hero's journey. This debut novel follows David who's called to be a hero and save a world he's never seen or heard of. Sounds promising, right?
Mostly right. This book holds an interesting premise with the fantasy world running parallel to modern day. However, I don't feel like I was given enough of FenHallow. I felt like it was a lot of talking about going places and things happening instead of actions. The talking could be a little much at times. I wanted more action, but it was still rather interesting.
I finished this book in about a day and it held my interest. I've read my fair share of fantasy and this has all the makings of a unique story. Like I mentioned, less dialogue would have helped. It fell flat when there was too much talking and not a lot happening. I have hope for the other novels in the series to become more action-packed. Also, the novel contains a rather impressive word choice. Overall, three stars for a decent read.
literallyjane's review against another edition
DNF 10%
I felt like I was on Xanax while reading this. Numb, dull, gray. And come to think of it, the characters might have been on Xanax too. Reactions which would warrant proper freak-outs were glossed over if not downright abandoned. Descriptions were shallow, observations were obtuse, and characters weren't easy to remember. I had to give up after I felt like my eyes were on autopilot.
I felt like I was on Xanax while reading this. Numb, dull, gray. And come to think of it, the characters might have been on Xanax too. Reactions which would warrant proper freak-outs were glossed over if not downright abandoned. Descriptions were shallow, observations were obtuse, and characters weren't easy to remember. I had to give up after I felt like my eyes were on autopilot.
jamiebooksandladders's review
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @ 13%
I really wanted to like this one. It had such a good premise and reminded me a lot of [b:A Book of Spirits and Thieves|22571365|A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves, #1)|Morgan Rhodes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429026765s/22571365.jpg|42037808] so I was immediately intrigued. However, there was WAY too much dialogue. To the point that it detracted from the story. Instead of vivid descriptions of a fantasy land, I was given characters talking about random locations. There were some things that didn't need to be said but rather shown to the reader so they could be transported to this magical world rather than watching a conversation between two people.
I'm really sad that this one wasn't better but since I had started skimming the dialogue at around 10%, I decided to put it down once I finished that chapter. Lots of potential but a pretty poor execution in my opinion.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
DNF @ 13%
I really wanted to like this one. It had such a good premise and reminded me a lot of [b:A Book of Spirits and Thieves|22571365|A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves, #1)|Morgan Rhodes|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429026765s/22571365.jpg|42037808] so I was immediately intrigued. However, there was WAY too much dialogue. To the point that it detracted from the story. Instead of vivid descriptions of a fantasy land, I was given characters talking about random locations. There were some things that didn't need to be said but rather shown to the reader so they could be transported to this magical world rather than watching a conversation between two people.
I'm really sad that this one wasn't better but since I had started skimming the dialogue at around 10%, I decided to put it down once I finished that chapter. Lots of potential but a pretty poor execution in my opinion.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
literallyjane's review
DNF 10%
I felt like I was on Xanax while reading this. Numb, dull, gray. And come to think of it, the characters might have been on Xanax too. Reactions which would warrant proper freak-outs were glossed over if not downright abandoned. Descriptions were shallow, observations were obtuse, and characters weren't easy to remember. I had to give up after I felt like my eyes were on autopilot.
I felt like I was on Xanax while reading this. Numb, dull, gray. And come to think of it, the characters might have been on Xanax too. Reactions which would warrant proper freak-outs were glossed over if not downright abandoned. Descriptions were shallow, observations were obtuse, and characters weren't easy to remember. I had to give up after I felt like my eyes were on autopilot.
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