This was a LOT of book- and I’m not talking about the page count. The first third was taken up with Rin’s childhood and training which I thoroughly enThis was a LOT of book- and I’m not talking about the page count. The first third was taken up with Rin’s childhood and training which I thoroughly enjoyed. You can’t really ‘ enjoy’ what follows because it’s very dark. I found the middle section hardest because it’s only in the final third that it all came together and made a more complete picture. I honestly feel I couldn’t have given it less than 5 stars,while feeling pretty troubled and unsettled by it....more
So good to pick up where the first law trilogy left off, with the next generation. This is trademark Abercrombie and a highly entertaining read. I *onSo good to pick up where the first law trilogy left off, with the next generation. This is trademark Abercrombie and a highly entertaining read. I *only* gave this 4 stars because I think my tastes have changed since the First Law series was published. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
Well this has gone from let alone dnf and more couldn’t get into it at all- to a 4.5 star read. Yes the beginning is confusing. Then there is the schoWell this has gone from let alone dnf and more couldn’t get into it at all- to a 4.5 star read. Yes the beginning is confusing. Then there is the school and it gets interesting. Then just when I was starting to get a bit restless withthe story, BAM! And the rest of the story wasn’t what I expected at all! Well played, Kristoff, you blind-sided me!...more
No way this was ever going to be less than 5 stars! Totally , literally, figuratively insane! There is a publication called the DSM - Diagnostic and SNo way this was ever going to be less than 5 stars! Totally , literally, figuratively insane! There is a publication called the DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders used by clinicians and therapists. The cast of this novel must read similarly! We have kleptomaniac, pyromaniacs, schizophrenics, all types of phobics, paranoia, delusional states, narcissism, sociopaths, dysmorphics, doppelgängers, and that's just the ones I've heard of! I actually looked them up to find out if these were made up or not -(they weren't!). So what happens when you take these conditions and combine them in a Grimdark fantasy novel? Pure genius! Loved the characters. Obviously hugely flawed, the lot of them. Loved the world building, loved the concept for the AfterDeath and man-made gods. what a trip! The lovechild of Joe Abercrombie's First Law and the Library of Mount Char. Recommended....more
4.5 nearly 5 stars. This was excellent- full of surprises. I've had this on my kindle for a long time and I'm kicking myself now for having waited so 4.5 nearly 5 stars. This was excellent- full of surprises. I've had this on my kindle for a long time and I'm kicking myself now for having waited so long. It's grim, it's dark, its fantastical. The world building is great and so are some of the creatures who inhabit it :Carrion, worm men, mammoths, lizard monkeys, winged horses... there are many tribes and peoples coming from regions like the Moon Forest or across the Rune Wastes. A prophecy, an infant prince whisked from danger, cults of sun and moon worshippers, serial killers, and a great plot that just barely comes to fruition by the end of the book, ready for the next. Recommended for all fantasy lovers....more
This was great. The only reason I knocked a star off is because it was terribly confusing to start with. If the first is anything to go by, this serieThis was great. The only reason I knocked a star off is because it was terribly confusing to start with. If the first is anything to go by, this series does not seem to have become dated in the same way a lot of fantasy has with the passing of the decades....more
Technically speaking I didn't finish this, only getting half way through, but I. Am shelving it as read because it's as read as it's ever going to be Technically speaking I didn't finish this, only getting half way through, but I. Am shelving it as read because it's as read as it's ever going to be and I deserve to call it read for labouring through that much of it....more
4.5 rounded up. Fast paced and action packed, this book is quite short and well worth reading. It is dark and grim but this doesn't bog you down. Inte4.5 rounded up. Fast paced and action packed, this book is quite short and well worth reading. It is dark and grim but this doesn't bog you down. Interesting characters and an interesting world. I enjoyed the way Arki, our main protagonist became more and more entangled with the troop and how he develops and changes over the course of the book.I will definitely be reading the next in the series....more
There was quite a bit to like but also quite a bit annoyed me. I probably won't continue the trilogy. It was fast paced and action led but there was tThere was quite a bit to like but also quite a bit annoyed me. I probably won't continue the trilogy. It was fast paced and action led but there was too much angst and 'life is empty'. I struggled to finish and it failed to maintain my interest....more
Loved this- again. This is the re read before The Wheel of Osheim. It is through this book that I discovered Mark Lawrence. I read this and the next iLoved this- again. This is the re read before The Wheel of Osheim. It is through this book that I discovered Mark Lawrence. I read this and the next in the series (that I will be re reading next!) before tackling the Broken Empire. While the Broken Empire was also a fabulous read, for my money, I still prefer the Red Queen books. Jalan and Snorri are such fantastic protagonists. And this book was soooo funny. I mean laugh out loud funny. Straight on to the Liars Key. I wouldn't normally read a series back to back but as its a re read, I'm allowed. Also, The Wheel of Osheim is burning a hole in my kindle, waiting to be read. And I can't wait much longer : all the 5 star reviews are already coming in for it and I don't want to come across any inadvertent spoilers.
If you haven't read this series, and you're a fantasy fan, you need to read this! I promise it's worth all the hype....more
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