Hamad's Reviews > Farilane

Nolyn ★★★★
Farilane ★★★ ½

I had mixed feelings about this entry; I really wanted to love it. Sullivan and his wife describe it as one of his best and favorite novels, but for me, it felt like one of his weaker works. While it remains a good and enjoyable story, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing throughout.

It’s evident that this book can't be fully appreciated without the context of the previous ones. You could read it standalone, but you'd miss many Easter eggs and spoil elements from earlier books. As the 18th novel in the series, it’s best enjoyed in order to grasp its full impact.

Farilane was an intriguing character; I have a soft spot for the nerdy scholar archetype, though I must admit she had her frustrating moments. I appreciated the way the plot and language evolved over time, which was a fresh perspective for me.

My main issue with the book lies in its pacing. While I generally enjoy Sullivan's plotting and am a fan of a good prophecy, the book felt slow at times, and the ending seemed rushed. It could have benefited from a more balanced progression.

The novel is relatively short, and I noticed that Esrahaddon is much longer. I’m hopeful that it will tie up the remaining loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.