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leoimj 's review for:
Paladin's Hope
by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sadly I didn't love this book like I have the others in this series! I'm disappointed but I think it just boils down to a couple simple issues.
Still love this world and its characters and will be getting the 4th book ASAP! The world building with the Gnoles was the highlight of this book for me, such an interesting fantasy race. Also the epilogue!! seeing the couples from the previous instalment's and then that cliff hanger, absolutely left me fiending for the rest of the series.
The issue stems from this book being so short, much shorter than the last two in the series at only 250 pages there isn't much space to build a relationship. After the last book which was epic in scale and the first which was very slow burn at times this one doesn't have as much to work with. Piper and Galen have an instant attraction but there isn't much time left for pining. I didn't find their relationship believable, it very much could have done with more development and just more in universe time to let moments settle. The whole story happens over only a couple of days and downtime was very much needed I think.
This is also evident in other things, the plot hook of a murder mystery is solved way too quickly and some time spent tracking the killer or even more time in his house before his nefarious intent becomes obvious would have greatly helped with the plot. Might have even worked better if one of their companions had been targeted- If Thomas had trapped Earstrip in the basement and his disappearance had tipped them off. More time with Thomas's captive would also have helped with her rescue later, she feels like a chekhov's gun that wasn't properly established before going off.
After Paladins strength, which had an amazing plot alongside its romance, this felt like a step back. Like a short story rather than a stand alone novel.
I have since learned that lots of the lore with the "ancients" is from other T. Kingfisher books (which have been added to my TBR) but only judging from my experience of this book the lore is a little basic and falls into the trope usually in video games. The long forgotten civilisation that left incomprehensible machines you now must fight behind.
Really hope the next book picks up and Marguerite gets the epic love she deserves.
Still love this world and its characters and will be getting the 4th book ASAP! The world building with the Gnoles was the highlight of this book for me, such an interesting fantasy race. Also the epilogue!! seeing the couples from the previous instalment's and then that cliff hanger, absolutely left me fiending for the rest of the series.
The issue stems from this book being so short, much shorter than the last two in the series at only 250 pages there isn't much space to build a relationship. After the last book which was epic in scale and the first which was very slow burn at times this one doesn't have as much to work with. Piper and Galen have an instant attraction but there isn't much time left for pining. I didn't find their relationship believable, it very much could have done with more development and just more in universe time to let moments settle. The whole story happens over only a couple of days and downtime was very much needed I think.
This is also evident in other things, the plot hook of a murder mystery is solved way too quickly and some time spent tracking the killer or even more time in his house before his nefarious intent becomes obvious would have greatly helped with the plot. Might have even worked better if one of their companions had been targeted- If Thomas had trapped Earstrip in the basement and his disappearance had tipped them off. More time with Thomas's captive would also have helped with her rescue later, she feels like a chekhov's gun that wasn't properly established before going off.
After Paladins strength, which had an amazing plot alongside its romance, this felt like a step back. Like a short story rather than a stand alone novel.
I have since learned that lots of the lore with the "ancients" is from other T. Kingfisher books (which have been added to my TBR) but only judging from my experience of this book the lore is a little basic and falls into the trope usually in video games. The long forgotten civilisation that left incomprehensible machines you now must fight behind.
Really hope the next book picks up and Marguerite gets the epic love she deserves.