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A review by shanaqui
The Warden by Daniel M. Ford
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I had a really good time with Daniel M. Ford's The Warden. The components are fairly familiar: cocky new graduate is dispatched to a place she believes is below her station and capabilities, becomes part of the community there, and quickly discovers that there are dangers aplenty that require her skills. Aelis looks down a little on the community, and stands upon her dignity, but in part that's what she's been taught to do -- and she makes up for it with hard graft, never failing in her duty to put her skills and her life on the line for the people she must, as Warden, protect. She's impatient at times, but ultimately she does her best by her responsibilities, and that wins you a lot.
I did find that one aspect of the plot -- Aelis kind of dropping a subject that was actually really important -- wasn't well handled and didn't really make sense. It's explained later, but I felt somewhat blindsided by the explanation; I think it needed a little more foreshadowing.
Stylistically, I could have done with a bit less of Aelis talking to herself, and the flashbacks didn't always feel smooth; it was obviously being used to fill in the world, character and background info needed, but sometimes felt a touch clunky. Aelis' relationship with Maurenia could have done with some fleshing out, too, but I really feel like I'm nitpicking here. I had fun, I loved Tun and Aelis' scenes with him, and I think the types and bounds of magic that Aelis can wield (and which exist in general) are interesting. Obviously we have much to learn about the history of the world, and Aelis has a heck of a job left to do.
I'm definitely eager to read Necrobane. I'm even going to try and break my usual mould and read it right away!
I did find that one aspect of the plot -- Aelis kind of dropping a subject that was actually really important -- wasn't well handled and didn't really make sense. It's explained later, but I felt somewhat blindsided by the explanation; I think it needed a little more foreshadowing.
Stylistically, I could have done with a bit less of Aelis talking to herself, and the flashbacks didn't always feel smooth; it was obviously being used to fill in the world, character and background info needed, but sometimes felt a touch clunky. Aelis' relationship with Maurenia could have done with some fleshing out, too, but I really feel like I'm nitpicking here. I had fun, I loved Tun and Aelis' scenes with him, and I think the types and bounds of magic that Aelis can wield (and which exist in general) are interesting. Obviously we have much to learn about the history of the world, and Aelis has a heck of a job left to do.
I'm definitely eager to read Necrobane. I'm even going to try and break my usual mould and read it right away!