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A review by explikator
The Spider's War by Daniel Abraham
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
2500 pages later "Coin and Dagger" concludes with a logical, emotional and satisfying ending. It was perfectly plotted and is worlds away from your standard fantasy lore. Why is this series so little known? I'd rate this work over anything I've read from Robin Hobb or Brandon Sanderson.
The first book is the weakest link in the chain, the last one is the best. Abraham starts as a pupil to George R.R. Martin, but develops his own style throughout the series.
For anyone who wants Fantasy to use its potential, you're at the right place - things are different in Altea. Yes, you have twelve humanoid races, but only three or four are relevant. Yes, you have a dragon, but this one is of a special kind. There's war, but no too bloody battle scenes, there's love, but no awkward sex scenes and there's - as main ingredient - character development.
But: There's almost no magic, no demonical villain, no Chosen One and no legendary heroes. Instead we grow with the protagonists and watch - especially with Cithrin and Geder - the most complex character arcs in Fantasy that I've read for a very long time.
Abraham writes very convincing dialogue and monologue. He holds his rhythm throughout the series - something a "gardener" like Mr. Martin could never achieve. Especially in "The Spider's War" there's poetic wisdom in the things we witness in the interactions of the protagonists with themselves and a rapidly changing world.
That said I felt like things could be better described and explained. There's no magic in this universe and there's no magic in the words used to present it to us. It feels like this world was created with even bigger concepts in mind, until Abraham had the idea to the "Coin"-part of the books.
Though, if you have the time for a long journey and the patience for a slow beginning, "Coin and Dagger" is worth a try. Or you start your Abraham with "Age of Ash", which is written more artfully and elegant as the "Coin and Dagger", but which only is starting its trajectory right now.
The first book is the weakest link in the chain, the last one is the best. Abraham starts as a pupil to George R.R. Martin, but develops his own style throughout the series.
For anyone who wants Fantasy to use its potential, you're at the right place - things are different in Altea. Yes, you have twelve humanoid races, but only three or four are relevant. Yes, you have a dragon, but this one is of a special kind. There's war, but no too bloody battle scenes, there's love, but no awkward sex scenes and there's - as main ingredient - character development.
But: There's almost no magic, no demonical villain, no Chosen One and no legendary heroes. Instead we grow with the protagonists and watch - especially with Cithrin and Geder - the most complex character arcs in Fantasy that I've read for a very long time.
Abraham writes very convincing dialogue and monologue. He holds his rhythm throughout the series - something a "gardener" like Mr. Martin could never achieve. Especially in "The Spider's War" there's poetic wisdom in the things we witness in the interactions of the protagonists with themselves and a rapidly changing world.
That said I felt like things could be better described and explained. There's no magic in this universe and there's no magic in the words used to present it to us. It feels like this world was created with even bigger concepts in mind, until Abraham had the idea to the "Coin"-part of the books.
Though, if you have the time for a long journey and the patience for a slow beginning, "Coin and Dagger" is worth a try. Or you start your Abraham with "Age of Ash", which is written more artfully and elegant as the "Coin and Dagger", but which only is starting its trajectory right now.