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A review by papapete24
Blades of the Old Empire: The Majat Code, Book 1 by Anna Kashina
2.0
Blades of the Old Empire is a fantasy novel that falls somewhere in aim near Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. There are classic coming-of-age elements with characters coming to terms with nascent gifts. The draw and highlight of the series from the cover and the author's comments seems to be the elite soldiers in the society-- the Majat. In particular Kara, the book cover Diamond Majat, and her male counterpart Mai are both equal parts beautiful and lethal. It is odd, given their clear appeal, that their perspective is rarely given. Ms. Kashina has chosen to have the action viewed from other characters' perspectives. So, the coming-of-age characters spend their time watching them, remarking on their beauty and importance, blushing, and bumbling along. It's possible that getting the Majat perspective would be too humanizing and Ms. Kashina was going for the Pale Rider Clint Eastwood approach. Part of their appeal is in the mystery of the character. The writing generally has ups and downs. Hearts seem to take independent action...they quiver, waver, and steel themselves. Adjectives get repeated with 'heady' being a common descriptor.
I enjoyed many of the elements of Ms. Kashina's world, and it has a lot of potential that is partially inefficiently used. For example, the plot early is weighed down by conflict without consequence; fights almost as filler. At the same time, the larger plot unfurls too quickly. The potential political intrigue is pushed too quickly with motives/villains made too black and white. Bad guys want to tell good guys their ingenious, devious plans. The gifts of the support characters to (soon to be very powerful) Prince Kyth should be given time to blossom, particularly in the case of Alder, the prince's foster brother and love interest of the spirit of the woods. There is sizable lore and mythology to unveil and that can take time ...and some restraint with characters.
Overall, I liked my time in this fantasy world even if it has unfulfilled potential.
I enjoyed many of the elements of Ms. Kashina's world, and it has a lot of potential that is partially inefficiently used. For example, the plot early is weighed down by conflict without consequence; fights almost as filler. At the same time, the larger plot unfurls too quickly. The potential political intrigue is pushed too quickly with motives/villains made too black and white. Bad guys want to tell good guys their ingenious, devious plans. The gifts of the support characters to (soon to be very powerful) Prince Kyth should be given time to blossom, particularly in the case of Alder, the prince's foster brother and love interest of the spirit of the woods. There is sizable lore and mythology to unveil and that can take time ...and some restraint with characters.
Overall, I liked my time in this fantasy world even if it has unfulfilled potential.