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mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
Smoke in the Glass begins with a simple concept, exploring what it means to be immortal in four different cultures, each of which is socially and geographically isolated from the others. What we have here are four lands with different historical influences (including Norse and Aztec), separated from one another by unscalable mountains, impassable seas, and things like noxious marshes.
Three of these lands are connected by the story of a visitor who came to them hundreds of years ago, bestowing upon the people the gift (or curse) of immortality. That immortality is random, something for which you cannot breed or train, and the only way to know you’re immortal is to die . . . and return . . . often in terror and agony. As for the fourth land? They were visited much later, and their gift was not immortality but the hope of prophecy.
Immortality is often a dangerous thing, a storytelling trope that backs the author into a corner and drains the story of any significant tension or mystery, but Chris Humphreys averts that by opening the story with the assassination of an immortal. You see, even immortals can die, so long as their heads are removed and their bodies destroyed – and in that order. Right away, we know we’re reading something different, even moreso once we understand that while immortals may be respected as Kings or worshiped as Gods, they are also lonely, squabbling, tired humans.
There are three main narrative points-of-view here. The first is Ferros, a common soldier who is slain by archers in the first chapter, and who discovers that in gaining immortality he stands to lose everything that has ever mattered to him. The second is Atisha, favored of the immortal Intitepe, and mother of the sexless/intersex child who embodies the hope of prophecy . . . who must die to ensure their father's continued reign. Last is Luck, the hunchbacked immortal of the Norse-influenced tribes who is the first to suspect that somebody is hunting immortals. Of the three, I waxed and waned in my appreciation for Ferros, although the way his arc leads the book into its climax is fantastic. Atisha I was fascinated by, with her sisters in the City of Women a highlight of the story, but I suspect her role will grow in the next book. Luck, the unusual hero with the almost archetypal heroic quest, was definitely my favorite.
Smoke in the Glass is a difficult book to get into. There’s a lot thrown at the reader, and it takes a while before we can begin to glimpse how and why it is all destined to come together. Once it begins to click into place, though, the story sucks you in and races along, demanding you devour just one more chapter before stopping . . . and one more after that, since it would be a shame to stop now. It was that rare book where I honestly couldn’t see the end, where I had no idea how those threads would pull together, which made the climax – cliffhanger that it is, with surprise character gut-punch that it carries – all the more appreciated.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2019/09/30/book-review-smoke-in-the-glass-by-chris-humphreys/
Three of these lands are connected by the story of a visitor who came to them hundreds of years ago, bestowing upon the people the gift (or curse) of immortality. That immortality is random, something for which you cannot breed or train, and the only way to know you’re immortal is to die . . . and return . . . often in terror and agony. As for the fourth land? They were visited much later, and their gift was not immortality but the hope of prophecy.
Immortality is often a dangerous thing, a storytelling trope that backs the author into a corner and drains the story of any significant tension or mystery, but Chris Humphreys averts that by opening the story with the assassination of an immortal. You see, even immortals can die, so long as their heads are removed and their bodies destroyed – and in that order. Right away, we know we’re reading something different, even moreso once we understand that while immortals may be respected as Kings or worshiped as Gods, they are also lonely, squabbling, tired humans.
There are three main narrative points-of-view here. The first is Ferros, a common soldier who is slain by archers in the first chapter, and who discovers that in gaining immortality he stands to lose everything that has ever mattered to him. The second is Atisha, favored of the immortal Intitepe, and mother of the sexless/intersex child who embodies the hope of prophecy . . . who must die to ensure their father's continued reign. Last is Luck, the hunchbacked immortal of the Norse-influenced tribes who is the first to suspect that somebody is hunting immortals. Of the three, I waxed and waned in my appreciation for Ferros, although the way his arc leads the book into its climax is fantastic. Atisha I was fascinated by, with her sisters in the City of Women a highlight of the story, but I suspect her role will grow in the next book. Luck, the unusual hero with the almost archetypal heroic quest, was definitely my favorite.
Smoke in the Glass is a difficult book to get into. There’s a lot thrown at the reader, and it takes a while before we can begin to glimpse how and why it is all destined to come together. Once it begins to click into place, though, the story sucks you in and races along, demanding you devour just one more chapter before stopping . . . and one more after that, since it would be a shame to stop now. It was that rare book where I honestly couldn’t see the end, where I had no idea how those threads would pull together, which made the climax – cliffhanger that it is, with surprise character gut-punch that it carries – all the more appreciated.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2019/09/30/book-review-smoke-in-the-glass-by-chris-humphreys/
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this , it’s the first traditional old school fantasty I’ve read in a long time and I need to read more now ! Great characters, great plot, full of action and emotion. Amazing world building, rich world of interesting characters
A great read
Trigger warning - rape and non consent
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
A great read
Trigger warning - rape and non consent
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I was very happy to read again a classic fantasy, it was the first in a long time and I really enjoyed.
The world building is amazing, the characters are fleshed out, and the plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The world building is amazing, the characters are fleshed out, and the plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
somecharm's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my giddy aunt.
Chris Humphreys has practically exploded and provided us with a new trilogy to grab onto with both hands.
Smoke in the Glass is a nice new trilogy to read and a nice new author for me.
Four lands, three heroes, one war.
A really nice way to sum up what the story is about. I don't know about other readers but I love a Dramatis Personae as long as its organised and makes sense - this book has an organised Dramatis Personae.
I also love a prologue that isn't a prologue that is a prologue. I know that probably makes absolutely no sense to anyone but me - but! Smoke in the Glass has a really nice prologue that isn't that is. It breaks down the history of the world into nice manageable chunks with each individual chunk of information having a really solid breakdown about each instance of immortality.
I really loved how Chris Humphreys wrote the occurrence of immortality. How it happened in the beginning, its purpose and how it progressed to where it is now. A gift to some and a curse to others.
The first of our three heroes we meet is Ferros - a soldier from a small town whose only wish is to serve the empire.
The second - Luck, an immortal god misshapen but wise.
The third - Atisha, a new mother, afraid but strong for her child.
The style of writing in this book had a good flow with a smooth transition between points of view between the three main characters and a number of the sub-characters. I find sometimes that the transition between points of view is lacklustre but I'm really pleased to say that Chris' was seamless.
I liked the splits in the worlds and the description of how their worlds work. There was throughout the book a sense of historical background particularly in the ways and mannerisms of those in Midgarth - almost mythological or Norse.
I highly recommend Smoke in the Glass and I can't wait to read the next book.
Chris Humphreys has practically exploded and provided us with a new trilogy to grab onto with both hands.
Smoke in the Glass is a nice new trilogy to read and a nice new author for me.
Four lands, three heroes, one war.
A really nice way to sum up what the story is about. I don't know about other readers but I love a Dramatis Personae as long as its organised and makes sense - this book has an organised Dramatis Personae.
I also love a prologue that isn't a prologue that is a prologue. I know that probably makes absolutely no sense to anyone but me - but! Smoke in the Glass has a really nice prologue that isn't that is. It breaks down the history of the world into nice manageable chunks with each individual chunk of information having a really solid breakdown about each instance of immortality.
I really loved how Chris Humphreys wrote the occurrence of immortality. How it happened in the beginning, its purpose and how it progressed to where it is now. A gift to some and a curse to others.
The first of our three heroes we meet is Ferros - a soldier from a small town whose only wish is to serve the empire.
The second - Luck, an immortal god misshapen but wise.
The third - Atisha, a new mother, afraid but strong for her child.
The style of writing in this book had a good flow with a smooth transition between points of view between the three main characters and a number of the sub-characters. I find sometimes that the transition between points of view is lacklustre but I'm really pleased to say that Chris' was seamless.
I liked the splits in the worlds and the description of how their worlds work. There was throughout the book a sense of historical background particularly in the ways and mannerisms of those in Midgarth - almost mythological or Norse.
I highly recommend Smoke in the Glass and I can't wait to read the next book.
jjcrafts's review
DNF @18%
A heavily mythical adult fantasy but I didn't get on with the writing which was very traditional and not my prefered style to read.
A heavily mythical adult fantasy but I didn't get on with the writing which was very traditional and not my prefered style to read.
dreximgirl's review against another edition
2.0
I am sad to say I found this rather boring. The worlds were confusing and the characters pretty unengaging. Nothing really happened and I felt the pacing was off throughout the whole thing. Wasn't a fan of the writing style either I'm afraid. Not one for me.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I was very happy to read again a classic fantasy, it was the first in a long time and I really enjoyed.
The world building is amazing, the characters are fleshed out, and the plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The world building is amazing, the characters are fleshed out, and the plot is engaging and entertaining.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
nietzschesghost's review against another edition
4.0
Smoke in the Glass is the first in the historical fantasy series Immortals' Blood by bestselling author Chris Humphreys, and what a pleasant surprise it was. The writing style takes a little time to adjust and familiarise yourself with, but after the opening chapters, the pages flew by as the flow improved. This is more of a slow burn read than anything pacy and this works beautifully giving the author time to build an impressive, immersive and intricate world and a cast that come alive on the page. There are some unexpected surprises throughout and the plot is well constructed and highly entertaining.
This very much reads like a classic adult fantasy, but be warned there is rape/nonconsensual sex involved which is rather uncomfortable but treated sensitively. Full of myth, excitement, action and touching emotional scenes, it shows Humphreys is one master storyteller to keep an eye on. The attention to detail makes the world a wondrous place to explore and everything has been so well thought through. The ending has me yearning for more and I simply can't wait for the second instalment. Many thanks to Gollancz for an ARC.
This very much reads like a classic adult fantasy, but be warned there is rape/nonconsensual sex involved which is rather uncomfortable but treated sensitively. Full of myth, excitement, action and touching emotional scenes, it shows Humphreys is one master storyteller to keep an eye on. The attention to detail makes the world a wondrous place to explore and everything has been so well thought through. The ending has me yearning for more and I simply can't wait for the second instalment. Many thanks to Gollancz for an ARC.
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