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This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/a-sorcery-of-thorns-margaret-rogerson-review/
I want to preface this by saying that I watched the tv adaptation first (and then found out about the books) and I loved it. The changes have definitely influenced my opinion on the first book in the series.
With that in mind, the first book was somewhat disappointing, and rather frustrating. I didn’t get very far—the first chapter—before elements of the book started irritating me. The first thing that struck me was the writing style. It didn’t sit well with me as it was clunky and awkward. The more I read, the more this became apparent as it was very descriptive but heavily focused on the room, the décor, rather than actually exposing plot or backstory. I’m not of the opinion that an info dump is a cardinal sin when it comes to exposition (as long as they don’t happen too often), but this just felt like description for the sake of description, if not for the sake of showing off historical knowledge. The first half of the book was especially slow to get through, as the descriptions of various rooms took up several paragraphs, and contained very specific knowledge that I had to stop and google several times within a single page, which did nothing to enhance my reading experience.
Another point of contention for me was the characters. Diana is supposed to be 33 whereas Matthew was 37 before being turned, yet they behave like impulsive teenagers. Whereas the side characters aren’t necessarily the most developed, even coming off as trope-y for this first installment.
• Diana is a very obstinate character. While she’s not exactly a Marie Sue, she does have this ‘I’m better than them’ idea about herself, when it comes to science vs magic but also herself vs other witches. She has no respect for them, and just comes off as incredibly arrogant;
• Matthew was infuriating. He, too, is arrogant, and so incredibly possessive of Diana which sends an unhealthy and even dangerous message. In this book, its chaulked up to him being really old, so he falls back on that excuse, but the man can clearly adapt to 21st century science, why not do the same for attitudes? The whole possessive vampire trope isn’t cute, and it should stop being a thing;
• Some of the side characters are also mean, even cruel in some cases. Gillian, for example, is just the high school mean girl. She never struck me as someone who cared for Diana as a person, not in the book at least, and she commits some questionable actions as a result. Whereas Diana’s aunts, Sarah and Em (but mostly Sarah), come off as controlling from the phone calls, and later as strangers trying to pass Diana off to Matthew because they can’t be bothered to deal with her.
Another detail that stuck out to me was Matthew and Diana’s dismissal of femininity. He doesn’t like it, or any décor associated with (which he does mentions to Hamish in the beginning of the book), whereas she has a very ‘I’m not like them and therefore better’ attitude, which is just tiring. For example, Diana and Matthew are having breakfast together early on and she says she was glad she hadn’t insisted on something more ladylike, referring to her sizeable portion of food. I realise it’s a throwaway comment in a book that’s over 500 pages, but the mentality really bothers me and shouldn’t be a selling point for a main character.
Now for the good points, because they’ve convinced me to read the rest of the trilogy. The book’s best feature is, in my opinion, its worldbuilding. It’s a new take on the vampire mythos, as well as the magic mythos in general. You see, in ADoW, there are 4 hominine species: Witches, Daemons, Vampires, and Humans and they are treated as such. The first three are creatures and they keep away from humans through laws established to hide them from the humans. There is a hierarchy to them, as well as one within each creature group, which is fascinating to delve into and I’m sure will be explored more in further books. But beyond the magic, genetics, evolutionary science, and biology are all brought in because there is a drive to understand what links all the species. In my years of reading similar books, I’ve rarely come across this blend of magic and science, so I am very excited to see where it goes. If I’m honest, I’ve never quite read a book that has this aspect of evolution when it comes to its magical creatures, for this alone I’d recommend reading the book.
Second positive aspect is the room for character development that both Matthew and Diana have. For all her faults, Diana doesn’t sit back and accept Matthew’s possessiveness, she challenges him at every turn, and puts her foot down when it’s too much for her—a welcome change from the usual possessive vampire trope. She even goes so far as to call him out on his behavior a few times, or—gasp—make plans herself without consulting him. Matthew does respond to this is a way that leaves me hopeful for later books. I hope to see more of that, and I also hope to see the two establishing a balanced relationship dynamic going forward.
Another positive, albeit frustrating, aspect was the existence of several of the side characters. The vampires that come in later are a breath of fresh air. Each has their own individual personality traits and they all bring something to the book, but serve as more than just a crutch for the main characters. Each backstory that was revealed in bits and pieces only made me want to know more about them. I would go so far as to say, I was sometimes more interested in the side characters than I was in Matthew and Diana, purely on the basis that the main pair slipped into a will-they-won’t-they phase for part of the book.
I know its a debut novel, and I did get used to the style eventually so it wasn't nearly as grating once I got used to it. And the lore! The lore is what really drew me in. The magic system and the history is captivating so I will be reading the sequel, if not the entire trilogy. I look forward to unravelling the mysteries behind the mythos and world building as much as Matthew and Diana want to.
I want to preface this by saying that I watched the tv adaptation first (and then found out about the books) and I loved it. The changes have definitely influenced my opinion on the first book in the series.
With that in mind, the first book was somewhat disappointing, and rather frustrating. I didn’t get very far—the first chapter—before elements of the book started irritating me. The first thing that struck me was the writing style. It didn’t sit well with me as it was clunky and awkward. The more I read, the more this became apparent as it was very descriptive but heavily focused on the room, the décor, rather than actually exposing plot or backstory. I’m not of the opinion that an info dump is a cardinal sin when it comes to exposition (as long as they don’t happen too often), but this just felt like description for the sake of description, if not for the sake of showing off historical knowledge. The first half of the book was especially slow to get through, as the descriptions of various rooms took up several paragraphs, and contained very specific knowledge that I had to stop and google several times within a single page, which did nothing to enhance my reading experience.
Another point of contention for me was the characters. Diana is supposed to be 33 whereas Matthew was 37 before being turned, yet they behave like impulsive teenagers. Whereas the side characters aren’t necessarily the most developed, even coming off as trope-y for this first installment.
• Diana is a very obstinate character. While she’s not exactly a Marie Sue, she does have this ‘I’m better than them’ idea about herself, when it comes to science vs magic but also herself vs other witches. She has no respect for them, and just comes off as incredibly arrogant;
• Matthew was infuriating. He, too, is arrogant, and so incredibly possessive of Diana which sends an unhealthy and even dangerous message. In this book, its chaulked up to him being really old, so he falls back on that excuse, but the man can clearly adapt to 21st century science, why not do the same for attitudes? The whole possessive vampire trope isn’t cute, and it should stop being a thing;
• Some of the side characters are also mean, even cruel in some cases. Gillian, for example, is just the high school mean girl. She never struck me as someone who cared for Diana as a person, not in the book at least, and she commits some questionable actions as a result. Whereas Diana’s aunts, Sarah and Em (but mostly Sarah), come off as controlling from the phone calls, and later as strangers trying to pass Diana off to Matthew because they can’t be bothered to deal with her.
Another detail that stuck out to me was Matthew and Diana’s dismissal of femininity. He doesn’t like it, or any décor associated with (which he does mentions to Hamish in the beginning of the book), whereas she has a very ‘I’m not like them and therefore better’ attitude, which is just tiring. For example, Diana and Matthew are having breakfast together early on and she says she was glad she hadn’t insisted on something more ladylike, referring to her sizeable portion of food. I realise it’s a throwaway comment in a book that’s over 500 pages, but the mentality really bothers me and shouldn’t be a selling point for a main character.
Now for the good points, because they’ve convinced me to read the rest of the trilogy. The book’s best feature is, in my opinion, its worldbuilding. It’s a new take on the vampire mythos, as well as the magic mythos in general. You see, in ADoW, there are 4 hominine species: Witches, Daemons, Vampires, and Humans and they are treated as such. The first three are creatures and they keep away from humans through laws established to hide them from the humans. There is a hierarchy to them, as well as one within each creature group, which is fascinating to delve into and I’m sure will be explored more in further books. But beyond the magic, genetics, evolutionary science, and biology are all brought in because there is a drive to understand what links all the species. In my years of reading similar books, I’ve rarely come across this blend of magic and science, so I am very excited to see where it goes. If I’m honest, I’ve never quite read a book that has this aspect of evolution when it comes to its magical creatures, for this alone I’d recommend reading the book.
Second positive aspect is the room for character development that both Matthew and Diana have. For all her faults, Diana doesn’t sit back and accept Matthew’s possessiveness, she challenges him at every turn, and puts her foot down when it’s too much for her—a welcome change from the usual possessive vampire trope. She even goes so far as to call him out on his behavior a few times, or—gasp—make plans herself without consulting him. Matthew does respond to this is a way that leaves me hopeful for later books. I hope to see more of that, and I also hope to see the two establishing a balanced relationship dynamic going forward.
Another positive, albeit frustrating, aspect was the existence of several of the side characters. The vampires that come in later are a breath of fresh air. Each has their own individual personality traits and they all bring something to the book, but serve as more than just a crutch for the main characters. Each backstory that was revealed in bits and pieces only made me want to know more about them. I would go so far as to say, I was sometimes more interested in the side characters than I was in Matthew and Diana, purely on the basis that the main pair slipped into a will-they-won’t-they phase for part of the book.
I know its a debut novel, and I did get used to the style eventually so it wasn't nearly as grating once I got used to it. And the lore! The lore is what really drew me in. The magic system and the history is captivating so I will be reading the sequel, if not the entire trilogy. I look forward to unravelling the mysteries behind the mythos and world building as much as Matthew and Diana want to.
This review can also be found on bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/a-curse-of-roses-review-diana-pinguicha/
From the moment Yzabel wakes up with the curse on the 12th birthday, she lives in fear of wasting away like her great aunt who suffered a similar fate and died young. As such, she and her entourage try everything in their power to get rid of it, even seeking the help of an Enchanted Moura..
The first half of the book is especially rife with themes pertaining to eating disorders, and there is no build up to it.
A Curse of Roses is largely a character driven story. When it begins, Yzabel's weakened state dominates everything in her life, including her thoughts. Even though she's struggling, she strives to be kind. Her kindness both defines her character and pushes the plot forward, as everything she does is to help her people. However, her selflessness is also her biggest fault and her biggest challenge to overcome.
Her struggles with her curse have put Yzabel in a dark place, one where it's not only killing her but wasting precious food. This mindset was uncomfortable to experience, especially combined with beliefs about religiously motivated self harm and the havoc the curse is wreaking on her. Pulling herself out of it is just one aspect to mastering the curse.
Fatyan is Yzabel's opposite in many ways. She's outspoken to a fault, thinks for herself and is a very welcome contrast to Yzabel's darkness. Their friendship allows Yzabel to relax her guard and experience a world outside of the church's strict teachings. As their relationship develops, it eventually gives Yzabel the strength to stand on her own against a court bent on breaking her.
Pinguicha's Portuguese court is vividly developed. The little information on the wider world serves to bring the one around Yzabel into sharp focus, while the vagueness of the magic system opens up a world of possibilities. Brites' comments about the workings of the castle, Dennis' handling of his court, the history peppered throughout the story and more paint an image of a bustling castle that easily sucks the reader in.
This is also true of the book as a whole, which I attribute to the writing. Pinguicha has a way of making you care for even the slightest thing when she writes. It's not overly descriptive, but she includes the details that count both to push a character and drive plot forward, and to give side characters a life of their own. I struggled with the beginning due to the heavier themes, but once Yzabel began her journey of recovery I couldn't put the book down.
A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha is a tale of growth and acceptance of oneself in the face of a cruel world. I very much enjoyed the book. Yzabel's journey was inspiring, her awakening in regards to her sexuality was hilarious at times, and the ending couldn't have been better.
From the moment Yzabel wakes up with the curse on the 12th birthday, she lives in fear of wasting away like her great aunt who suffered a similar fate and died young. As such, she and her entourage try everything in their power to get rid of it, even seeking the help of an Enchanted Moura..
The first half of the book is especially rife with themes pertaining to eating disorders, and there is no build up to it.
A Curse of Roses is largely a character driven story. When it begins, Yzabel's weakened state dominates everything in her life, including her thoughts. Even though she's struggling, she strives to be kind. Her kindness both defines her character and pushes the plot forward, as everything she does is to help her people. However, her selflessness is also her biggest fault and her biggest challenge to overcome.
Her struggles with her curse have put Yzabel in a dark place, one where it's not only killing her but wasting precious food. This mindset was uncomfortable to experience, especially combined with beliefs about religiously motivated self harm and the havoc the curse is wreaking on her. Pulling herself out of it is just one aspect to mastering the curse.
Fatyan is Yzabel's opposite in many ways. She's outspoken to a fault, thinks for herself and is a very welcome contrast to Yzabel's darkness. Their friendship allows Yzabel to relax her guard and experience a world outside of the church's strict teachings. As their relationship develops, it eventually gives Yzabel the strength to stand on her own against a court bent on breaking her.
Pinguicha's Portuguese court is vividly developed. The little information on the wider world serves to bring the one around Yzabel into sharp focus, while the vagueness of the magic system opens up a world of possibilities. Brites' comments about the workings of the castle, Dennis' handling of his court, the history peppered throughout the story and more paint an image of a bustling castle that easily sucks the reader in.
This is also true of the book as a whole, which I attribute to the writing. Pinguicha has a way of making you care for even the slightest thing when she writes. It's not overly descriptive, but she includes the details that count both to push a character and drive plot forward, and to give side characters a life of their own. I struggled with the beginning due to the heavier themes, but once Yzabel began her journey of recovery I couldn't put the book down.
A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha is a tale of growth and acceptance of oneself in the face of a cruel world. I very much enjoyed the book. Yzabel's journey was inspiring, her awakening in regards to her sexuality was hilarious at times, and the ending couldn't have been better.
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/white-trash-warlock-review-david-slayton/
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars
I didn't know what to think going into "White Trash Warlock" by David R. Slayton but it certainly wasn't what I got.
Adam is a small time practitioner who stumbles on something life changing when his estranged brother asks him to help his possessed wife. He reluctantly takes the case and finds himself swept up in a battle between immortal forces that only he can solve.
And that plot is so good. It's got magic, elves, an ancient monster released onto the world (all elements I love) combined in a masterful way. White Trash Wizard is very much plot driven. The story is dynamic, the pace is ever quickening until the climax really ties all the subplots back into the main plot. It only took a couple chapters before I was engrossed in the book, after that I could barely put it down.
Slayton's writing matches his plot. He uses 3rd person POV to look into both Adam and his brother. But what's even more interesting is that Slayton titles the chapters differently whether his characters are in the present or it's a flashback. The writing itself is very straight forward no matter the focus character while Slayton incorporates heavier themes in the book without weighing the story down.
One important theme of the book is having a home. Adam's never had a stable home. Growing up, he suffered a variety of abuse which drove him away from his close family, to his great aunt Sue. While staying with her, he had a roof over his head but it wasn't stable, he worked odd jobs in order to have enough to live, and even then would sometimes go hungry. When the plot kicking off forces him to leave her, there is a sense that it is an ending. As the novel progresses, elements within the plot push Adam to not only stay in Denver but set down roots and create a home for himself for the first time in his life.
Another important theme is acceptance. Adam's family never accepted him, not his magic nor his sexuality. While he doesn't outwardly deny these parts of himself, he hides them away, and the plot forces him to face them. This journey is heartwarming as the support he receives from key characters allows him to explore both aspects.
In general, I very much enjoyed White Trash Warlock by David R. Sleyton. The characters were fun and the plot excellent, as was the writing. I look forward to reading the sequel.
A note of warning: This is a harsh story, it contains child abuse, murder, and more general violence.
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars
I didn't know what to think going into "White Trash Warlock" by David R. Slayton but it certainly wasn't what I got.
Adam is a small time practitioner who stumbles on something life changing when his estranged brother asks him to help his possessed wife. He reluctantly takes the case and finds himself swept up in a battle between immortal forces that only he can solve.
And that plot is so good. It's got magic, elves, an ancient monster released onto the world (all elements I love) combined in a masterful way. White Trash Wizard is very much plot driven. The story is dynamic, the pace is ever quickening until the climax really ties all the subplots back into the main plot. It only took a couple chapters before I was engrossed in the book, after that I could barely put it down.
Slayton's writing matches his plot. He uses 3rd person POV to look into both Adam and his brother. But what's even more interesting is that Slayton titles the chapters differently whether his characters are in the present or it's a flashback. The writing itself is very straight forward no matter the focus character while Slayton incorporates heavier themes in the book without weighing the story down.
One important theme of the book is having a home. Adam's never had a stable home. Growing up, he suffered a variety of abuse which drove him away from his close family, to his great aunt Sue. While staying with her, he had a roof over his head but it wasn't stable, he worked odd jobs in order to have enough to live, and even then would sometimes go hungry. When the plot kicking off forces him to leave her, there is a sense that it is an ending. As the novel progresses, elements within the plot push Adam to not only stay in Denver but set down roots and create a home for himself for the first time in his life.
Another important theme is acceptance. Adam's family never accepted him, not his magic nor his sexuality. While he doesn't outwardly deny these parts of himself, he hides them away, and the plot forces him to face them. This journey is heartwarming as the support he receives from key characters allows him to explore both aspects.
In general, I very much enjoyed White Trash Warlock by David R. Sleyton. The characters were fun and the plot excellent, as was the writing. I look forward to reading the sequel.
A note of warning: This is a harsh story, it contains child abuse, murder, and more general violence.
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/the-ever-cruel-kingdom-review-rin-chupeco/
Picking off right where The Never Tilting World left off, Haidee and Odessa realise that their decision only brought on more destruction. By refusing to complete the ritual, the galla hunger for a sacrifice and will stop at nothing to get it.
Chupeco’s writing stands out in The Ever Cruel Kingdom. She continues to alternate between four first person POVs: Odessa, Haidee, Arjun and Lan, where the last two serve to bring additional context to the mission. Seeing the world through Arjun’s and Lan’s eyes both humanises the goddesses and gives them a place within society as a whole. Chupeco even goes as far as to merge POVs in several chapters, using first person plural in a way I’ve never come across before; I commend her for it.
However, it can occasionally be hard to differentiate the main four voices. Haidee and Arjun stand out the best, with Odessa having the least distinctive voice.
As characters, Haidee and Odessa are the ones with the most character development in The Ever Cruel Kingdom. Progressively solving Innana’s history brings them closer and allows them to explore being two parts of a whole. Through this, each becomes stronger and more focused and it’s ultimately what allows them to heal Aeon in the end.
Chupeco also explores the side characters more in this sequel. Latona and Asteria are forced to confront their past, Janella plays a pivotal role; even the cannibal clans are given their due — all without weighing down the plot.
Another strong aspect is the book’s plot. The Ever Cruel Kingdom wastes no time throwing the reader into the thick of it. It’s fast paced and packed with action, with a sense of urgency that doesn’t let up until the end. Unlike the first book, the entire plot takes place over the course of a few days where the gang needs to balance the galla’s attacks with finding a solution.
As the book goes on, this escalates, with Chupeco upping the stakes for both the plot and characters. She also keeps her audience on their toes as it’s never obvious what the goddesses have to do. Going into the climax, I still had no idea who would play what role which made the book exciting to the very end.
I enjoyed The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco. Not only is it a fitting conclusion, but the themes of sustainability, belonging and acceptance at the core of this book push the reader to reflect on the series’ message.
Picking off right where The Never Tilting World left off, Haidee and Odessa realise that their decision only brought on more destruction. By refusing to complete the ritual, the galla hunger for a sacrifice and will stop at nothing to get it.
Chupeco’s writing stands out in The Ever Cruel Kingdom. She continues to alternate between four first person POVs: Odessa, Haidee, Arjun and Lan, where the last two serve to bring additional context to the mission. Seeing the world through Arjun’s and Lan’s eyes both humanises the goddesses and gives them a place within society as a whole. Chupeco even goes as far as to merge POVs in several chapters, using first person plural in a way I’ve never come across before; I commend her for it.
However, it can occasionally be hard to differentiate the main four voices. Haidee and Arjun stand out the best, with Odessa having the least distinctive voice.
As characters, Haidee and Odessa are the ones with the most character development in The Ever Cruel Kingdom. Progressively solving Innana’s history brings them closer and allows them to explore being two parts of a whole. Through this, each becomes stronger and more focused and it’s ultimately what allows them to heal Aeon in the end.
Chupeco also explores the side characters more in this sequel. Latona and Asteria are forced to confront their past, Janella plays a pivotal role; even the cannibal clans are given their due — all without weighing down the plot.
Another strong aspect is the book’s plot. The Ever Cruel Kingdom wastes no time throwing the reader into the thick of it. It’s fast paced and packed with action, with a sense of urgency that doesn’t let up until the end. Unlike the first book, the entire plot takes place over the course of a few days where the gang needs to balance the galla’s attacks with finding a solution.
As the book goes on, this escalates, with Chupeco upping the stakes for both the plot and characters. She also keeps her audience on their toes as it’s never obvious what the goddesses have to do. Going into the climax, I still had no idea who would play what role which made the book exciting to the very end.
I enjoyed The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco. Not only is it a fitting conclusion, but the themes of sustainability, belonging and acceptance at the core of this book push the reader to reflect on the series’ message.
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir begins with The Nightbringer's creation thousands of years ago, and then his search for Laia. The book then jumps to Laia's POV as she and Helene prepare to recruit Princess Nikla to their cause in a mission that ultimately fails. It's a powerful opening that reminds the reader of all that's a stake in a few short chapters.
The tension only mounts from there as the gang tries to figure out The Nightbringer's true goal. The first half of the book is slow as we switch between Helene gathering an army and Laia setting out to bring Elias back. As their paths converge, the pace picks up and the story becomes more action-driven.
Tahir also takes time to emphasize the passage of time in the book. It takes months to get between places, and weeks to gather allies. Helene even remarks that her nephew grows a new tooth during one of her absences. This, combined with political discussions, were a reminder that rebellions aren't built overnight.
On top of that, Tahir continues building on her world with more importance given to the Jinn. She reveals their history through various characters, so it doesn't bog down the story at any moment and keeps the mystery alive until right before the climax.
As action-driven as the book is, Tahir's characters are at the heart of her story. Their character arcs reach their peak here, with Laia embracing her destiny, Elias fighting for his freedom, and Helene struggling to find inner peace when war is all she's known. In fact, Helene's journey in this book was my favourite of the three because I had no idea what would happen to her even late into the book. Ultimately, I was satisfied with the direction Tahir took.
As with previous books, Tahir's effort extends to the secondary characters. They all exist beyond the main plot with their lives and personalities enriching the story. Darin and Musa stand out because their dynamic with Laia brings out a lighter side in her, while Livia does the same for Helene.
However, Tahir goes even further and dedicates part of the book to her antagonists' backstories. By including the Nightbringer's POV, how he still affects Laia, and his history, Tahir made me empathize with him. This treatment served to humanise both him and Keris to a lesser extent, adding layers to each character. Out of all the antagonists, the Karkauns are the only ones that remain one dimensional.
The culmination of the Ember series had a lot to live up to and A Sky Beyond the Storm does exactly that. While the book has its highs and lows, it fits into the series as a perfect conclusion. I'll leave you with a quote that stood out to me as it represents the heart of the Ember series:
The tension only mounts from there as the gang tries to figure out The Nightbringer's true goal. The first half of the book is slow as we switch between Helene gathering an army and Laia setting out to bring Elias back. As their paths converge, the pace picks up and the story becomes more action-driven.
Tahir also takes time to emphasize the passage of time in the book. It takes months to get between places, and weeks to gather allies. Helene even remarks that her nephew grows a new tooth during one of her absences. This, combined with political discussions, were a reminder that rebellions aren't built overnight.
On top of that, Tahir continues building on her world with more importance given to the Jinn. She reveals their history through various characters, so it doesn't bog down the story at any moment and keeps the mystery alive until right before the climax.
As action-driven as the book is, Tahir's characters are at the heart of her story. Their character arcs reach their peak here, with Laia embracing her destiny, Elias fighting for his freedom, and Helene struggling to find inner peace when war is all she's known. In fact, Helene's journey in this book was my favourite of the three because I had no idea what would happen to her even late into the book. Ultimately, I was satisfied with the direction Tahir took.
As with previous books, Tahir's effort extends to the secondary characters. They all exist beyond the main plot with their lives and personalities enriching the story. Darin and Musa stand out because their dynamic with Laia brings out a lighter side in her, while Livia does the same for Helene.
However, Tahir goes even further and dedicates part of the book to her antagonists' backstories. By including the Nightbringer's POV, how he still affects Laia, and his history, Tahir made me empathize with him. This treatment served to humanise both him and Keris to a lesser extent, adding layers to each character. Out of all the antagonists, the Karkauns are the only ones that remain one dimensional.
The culmination of the Ember series had a lot to live up to and A Sky Beyond the Storm does exactly that. While the book has its highs and lows, it fits into the series as a perfect conclusion. I'll leave you with a quote that stood out to me as it represents the heart of the Ember series:
“I have learned to love you these past few weeks.” She says it casually, as if it is not extraordinary to gift someone with love.
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
This review can also be found on Bookstacked: https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/hall-of-smoke-review-h-m-long/
Actual rating: 3.5
After finding her life in ruins and being captured by enemy raiders, Hessa is determined to fulfill her destiny and kill Omaskat. When her first attempt fails, she finds herself in the southern country of Souldern and begins the journey back to the North with the help of Euweth and her son Nisien.
Long builds an expansive world spanning several dimensions. Each country (Arpa, Algatt, Eangen and Souldern) worships a different pantheon of very tangible deities that regularly interact with their subjects. In this world it's inconceivable that a person doesn't have a god to look to, as that's the only way for their soul to move on after death.
Personally, I love stories where deities are actual characters and Hall of Smoke didn't disappoint. Eang is powerful but she's also selfish and very human in her fears and betrayals, while other deities have their own strengths, flaws and motivations that impact Hessa's quest.
Tradition dominates the human side of the world, shaped largely around the worship of each pantheon. Hessa's people are semi-nomadic, like the Algatt and Souldern whereas the Arpa span an empire with vast cities and an ordered army. Each country is wary of others, with Hessa regarding the Arpa and Algatt in particular as enemies.
It's a world steeped in blood and violence. All the pantheons demand blood sacrifices (both human and animal) from their worshippers, while most countries are at war. The Algatt raid Eangen on a yearly bases, the Arpa seek to conquer the continent while the Soulderni pay tithes to maintain peace with their neighbours. When the book begins, the Algatt have been pushed out of the mountains into Eangen by the Arpa who are slaughtering their way through the region.
Long tells Hessa's story in 1st person POV which allows us to experience her grief and determination alongside her. As a character, Hessa is singularly focused on her mission for the first half of the book, with doubts creeping in as the story progresses. She holds her traditions dear but finds herself opening up to others as she travels with different groups. Hessa is a very strong character, with many layers to her that this book only begins to uncover. She's also a very lonely character. Despite travelling with various groups, her interactions with other characters barely go past surface level.
However, it's obvious that Long put as much love into her secondary characters as she did Hessa. Each has their own backstory and motivations, making them more than just a story prop and I would've liked to experience more of them.
Her care in writing also extends to the story itself. While Hall of Smoke is character driven book, the action is well written and well placed to spur the plot along. The fight scenes are vivid and dynamic without being overwhelming. The descriptions are elaborate but not flowery while the world building happens in bursts or through conversations which keeps the info dumping to a welcome minimum.
Hessa also spends most of the book travelling. Through her, we experience the geography of her continent, the topography of the land, even the plants and animals that she encounters. Long describes a lot of these scenes in detail, which slows the pace down and contrasts with the action scenes. Coupled with Hessa's inability to connect with most other characters, it made large parts of the book slow to get through despite the good writing.
Overall I enjoyed the book. Hall of Smoke by H. M. Long is a tale of grief and redemption that invites its readers to question what they know of this world at every turn. It's a good book, and a valiant debut from an author I will be looking out for.
Actual rating: 3.5
After finding her life in ruins and being captured by enemy raiders, Hessa is determined to fulfill her destiny and kill Omaskat. When her first attempt fails, she finds herself in the southern country of Souldern and begins the journey back to the North with the help of Euweth and her son Nisien.
Long builds an expansive world spanning several dimensions. Each country (Arpa, Algatt, Eangen and Souldern) worships a different pantheon of very tangible deities that regularly interact with their subjects. In this world it's inconceivable that a person doesn't have a god to look to, as that's the only way for their soul to move on after death.
Personally, I love stories where deities are actual characters and Hall of Smoke didn't disappoint. Eang is powerful but she's also selfish and very human in her fears and betrayals, while other deities have their own strengths, flaws and motivations that impact Hessa's quest.
Tradition dominates the human side of the world, shaped largely around the worship of each pantheon. Hessa's people are semi-nomadic, like the Algatt and Souldern whereas the Arpa span an empire with vast cities and an ordered army. Each country is wary of others, with Hessa regarding the Arpa and Algatt in particular as enemies.
It's a world steeped in blood and violence. All the pantheons demand blood sacrifices (both human and animal) from their worshippers, while most countries are at war. The Algatt raid Eangen on a yearly bases, the Arpa seek to conquer the continent while the Soulderni pay tithes to maintain peace with their neighbours. When the book begins, the Algatt have been pushed out of the mountains into Eangen by the Arpa who are slaughtering their way through the region.
Long tells Hessa's story in 1st person POV which allows us to experience her grief and determination alongside her. As a character, Hessa is singularly focused on her mission for the first half of the book, with doubts creeping in as the story progresses. She holds her traditions dear but finds herself opening up to others as she travels with different groups. Hessa is a very strong character, with many layers to her that this book only begins to uncover. She's also a very lonely character. Despite travelling with various groups, her interactions with other characters barely go past surface level.
However, it's obvious that Long put as much love into her secondary characters as she did Hessa. Each has their own backstory and motivations, making them more than just a story prop and I would've liked to experience more of them.
Her care in writing also extends to the story itself. While Hall of Smoke is character driven book, the action is well written and well placed to spur the plot along. The fight scenes are vivid and dynamic without being overwhelming. The descriptions are elaborate but not flowery while the world building happens in bursts or through conversations which keeps the info dumping to a welcome minimum.
Hessa also spends most of the book travelling. Through her, we experience the geography of her continent, the topography of the land, even the plants and animals that she encounters. Long describes a lot of these scenes in detail, which slows the pace down and contrasts with the action scenes. Coupled with Hessa's inability to connect with most other characters, it made large parts of the book slow to get through despite the good writing.
Overall I enjoyed the book. Hall of Smoke by H. M. Long is a tale of grief and redemption that invites its readers to question what they know of this world at every turn. It's a good book, and a valiant debut from an author I will be looking out for.
Slate Ardoin is a thief. Having grown up in foster homes his entire life, he has finally made a life for himself in Marseille with his foster brother Bastian when a letter upends his life. Bitter at being denied a life and family in Brume, he steals a cursed ring that triggers a hunt and the story takes off from there.
Slate was an interesting character. His life on the streets have made him a hard, no nonsense kind of man who only cares about his brother, Bastian, and his cactus until he gets to Brume. His character arc was deeply emotional, with poignant scenes that marked a turning point in his personality. I also appreciated that it wasn’t entirely a result of the romance as other circumstances pushed him to open up and care for others too.
In contrast, Cadence started out naïve and fairly sheltered only to grow into an independent character who thinks for herself. She embodies her 17 years in the sense that she’s whiny, emotional, easily jealous for silly reasons and quick to develop deep feelings towards others. While she wasn’t my favourite, it was refreshing to see a 17 year old character that actually felt their age.
Hayoz and Wildenstein also put care in their other characters, who could easily stand on their own. Adrien, Gaëlle and Rainier are all complex with secrets still hidden by the end of the book. Bastian is an adorable nerd and, along with Alma, a welcome distraction from some of the book’s darker themes.
As far as the plot is concerned, Of Wicked Blood was engaging well paced. Paired with Brume’s world, it was a fascinating read, while the darker scenes make the audience viscerally aware of the stakes. As it’s laden with descriptions, there were times when the book dragged a little, but not enough to be off putting. The developing romance and scenes with Alma and Bastian were well placed, and pauses allow the audience to draw a breath in the face of the next challenge.
I have two main issues with the book. The first was how Cadence’s crush on Adrien was handled. Her entourage not only accepts the potential relationship, but actively encourages her to pursue it despite the seven year age gap between them. Add to that the fact that Adrien is also her teacher, and the situation takes on a dynamic that is, more often than not, detrimental. There’s only one character in the whole book that objects to the idea, and even that is seen as jealousy rather than concern.
The second was the writing. Of Wicked Blood is set in France and the authors will not let the audience forget this as random French words are peppered into the dialogue even though it’s assumed the characters are speaking to each other in French. Since it’s not a case of a bilingual character, this choice is jarring; it makes the text clunky and does nothing to add to the setting. The further into the book I got, the more grating it became.
Of Wicked Blood was a fun mystery to solve. Even though it’s part of a series, there’s no major cliff-hanger ending. This has put me on the fence in regards to the sequel as I liked the certain amount of closure I got with it, and I’m not so invested in the characters to continue.
Slate was an interesting character. His life on the streets have made him a hard, no nonsense kind of man who only cares about his brother, Bastian, and his cactus until he gets to Brume. His character arc was deeply emotional, with poignant scenes that marked a turning point in his personality. I also appreciated that it wasn’t entirely a result of the romance as other circumstances pushed him to open up and care for others too.
In contrast, Cadence started out naïve and fairly sheltered only to grow into an independent character who thinks for herself. She embodies her 17 years in the sense that she’s whiny, emotional, easily jealous for silly reasons and quick to develop deep feelings towards others. While she wasn’t my favourite, it was refreshing to see a 17 year old character that actually felt their age.
Hayoz and Wildenstein also put care in their other characters, who could easily stand on their own. Adrien, Gaëlle and Rainier are all complex with secrets still hidden by the end of the book. Bastian is an adorable nerd and, along with Alma, a welcome distraction from some of the book’s darker themes.
As far as the plot is concerned, Of Wicked Blood was engaging well paced. Paired with Brume’s world, it was a fascinating read, while the darker scenes make the audience viscerally aware of the stakes. As it’s laden with descriptions, there were times when the book dragged a little, but not enough to be off putting. The developing romance and scenes with Alma and Bastian were well placed, and pauses allow the audience to draw a breath in the face of the next challenge.
I have two main issues with the book. The first was how Cadence’s crush on Adrien was handled. Her entourage not only accepts the potential relationship, but actively encourages her to pursue it despite the seven year age gap between them. Add to that the fact that Adrien is also her teacher, and the situation takes on a dynamic that is, more often than not, detrimental. There’s only one character in the whole book that objects to the idea, and even that is seen as jealousy rather than concern.
The second was the writing. Of Wicked Blood is set in France and the authors will not let the audience forget this as random French words are peppered into the dialogue even though it’s assumed the characters are speaking to each other in French. Since it’s not a case of a bilingual character, this choice is jarring; it makes the text clunky and does nothing to add to the setting. The further into the book I got, the more grating it became.
Of Wicked Blood was a fun mystery to solve. Even though it’s part of a series, there’s no major cliff-hanger ending. This has put me on the fence in regards to the sequel as I liked the certain amount of closure I got with it, and I’m not so invested in the characters to continue.
DNF @ 19%
I did not finish this book chiefly because of the writing. The style reminded me of Tolkien and RR. Martin which I'm not a huge fan of. The pacing was weird with characters talking about the endless time they spent in x place, only for me to find out it was one or two nights later, while the descriptions were long and some more important parts were just glossed over in a single line (a lot of telling, little showing). It gave an overall clunky experience that was hard to ignore. Neither the plot nor the characters were compelling enough to set aside this writing issue.
This book was simply not for me, but I can see fans of GoT or LotR being more open to it as the world building was promising even so early on.
I did not finish this book chiefly because of the writing. The style reminded me of Tolkien and RR. Martin which I'm not a huge fan of. The pacing was weird with characters talking about the endless time they spent in x place, only for me to find out it was one or two nights later, while the descriptions were long and some more important parts were just glossed over in a single line (a lot of telling, little showing). It gave an overall clunky experience that was hard to ignore. Neither the plot nor the characters were compelling enough to set aside this writing issue.
This book was simply not for me, but I can see fans of GoT or LotR being more open to it as the world building was promising even so early on.