ridleyreadsthings's Reviews (789)

At the start, I'll admit I was mostly confused. Intrigued, but confused. It took me a few chapters to get into but once I did I was completely immersed and in awe. 

This was a phenomina  debut and an incredible, beautiful African Wartribe inspired epic fantasy, in a stunning and dangerous world.  

As a fantasy this felt perfectly balanced. There were no large info dumps, no long political speeches or name drop after name drop and the worldbuilding, plot and characters all blended together and built upon one another so naturally. It was incredibly refreshing for me, especially since I had not long finished The Path of Daggers. (Wheel of time.) 

It was like Game of Thrones, meets Black Panter, meets Sparticus, meets Red Rising. Its was as unforgiving as it was beautiful, as brutal as it was emotional.

I never felt bored, and Tau grew on me more and more as we followed his journey, from the weak little boy, the "sidekick," if you will, to someone set on a path driven by revenge in a world that has, and will only see him as "Lesser." 

He was so compelling and entertaining, and even though he is incredibly flawed and I don't agree with alot of his actions, I can resonate with them and understand his need for justice that is mostly driven by pure rage, which added to the build up of tension throughout the story. You could never tell what he was going to do or what was going to happen next with him. 

The secondary characters were all amazing and felt just as important with Tau, with each feeling like an almost lifeline to Tau and his humanity. Without them, however small their interaction, I feel like Tau would have given into his fury and rage completely and become something else completely. 

The action sequences were insane and so well written - often times I find fight scenes to get a little clunky and it looses itself in all the momentum - but with these, I could see each swing of the sword, every thrust and dodge. 

I gave it 4.5 stars because I felt some parts were a bit predictable, but that didn't really take away from the experience of reading it, as it was all executed brilliantly and so smoothly that it didn't really feel predictable - I understand that contradicts itself but I don't know how else to explain it. 

The magic system felt so unique and so mysterious. It was never really an "in your face thing," that most fantasies like to do with magic, but almost like a presense throught the book.

Reading this has made me very very excited to see what else Evan Winters comes up with next. I can't wait to read the sequel and i reccomend this to anyone who enjoys or has been craving a great fantasy read. 

And yes there are dragons. 

 I love a good info dump as much as anyone. I feel it is important to add depth and building blocks to the world, but this kind of took the piss, considering the plot was practically non existent. 

It amazes me that a series that has some of the best worldbuilding and fantasy elements I've ever read, can also feel so cringy, cheesy and completely exhausting. The writing isn't fantastic but I can look past that, because i do enjoy vampire fantasy. 

Alot of things seemed to contradic themselves and it felt we were getting new information out of nowhere about poppy's heritage every other chapter that just confused and dragged everything out. 

At times it felt like she wasn't sure the direction she was going in and kept changing her mind. 

The repetivness of that bloody journal or how stabby poppy is, or the joke of "I have a question," is boring and beyond dry. We get it, and all three don't need to be brought up twice in every chapter. 

Actually, the repetivness of everything. This book could have easily been 350 - 400 pages, but no, please let's keep having the same conversations over and over.

I'm really over all the alpha male growling and the way Casteel and Poppy are together make me feel ill. He's always crooning "so strong, or so violent," at her and if someone constantly tried to help me get dressed or undressed to take a shower, i'd punch them in the face. 

Cas is the first person to stand up to people and say "poppy can protect herself, ect ect," but in private he treats her like precious glass that will break at the first touch, when she just seems to be getting bucketloads of power with each book. 

The sex is boring and I'm over it. It adds nothing to the story whatsoever and feels like its just added in for the sake of making the book longer. After the third sex scenes in as many chapters, I started skipping. They are so cringy and if I have to read "my center or my softness," one more time I'm going to scream. 

Be an adult and call it what it is. 

Also the lack of diversity when it comes to LGBTQ+ characters with authors such as JLA and SJM is outstanding and it speaks volumes. 

You can't suddenly mention that a character who doesn't really have a big part in the story is gay halfway through the series. It feels like its just put in so you can say "see, look? I'm inclusive. I'm an ally." Sorry, not good enough. 

We exist, and we sure as hell exist in fantasy worlds. For supernatural creatures that are known famously for being fluid in their sexuality, everyone seems to be straight. 

The fighting was ruined with declarations of love and lust and the stakes didn't feel very high in this one because anyone who speaks out will just get brutal murdered by Casteel 

There were some nice twists thrown in the shaked things up, but some things that should have been big plot points were over too quickly, in favour of a big info dumpy speech or Cas eating poppy out. 

Im generous with my 2.5 stars because I enjoy the world and Kieran, but something needs to give because I'm really on the fence about continuing this series. 

A decent installment but far from my favourite. One of the shortest in the series and it moved at such a sluggish pace I felt so bored I could cry, even though it only took place over a handful of weeks. Between Perrins constant inner monologue of trying to understand Faile, and every single woman fighting over each other to be in charge, espeically the Aes Sedai, and that they are right in all matters, for the simple fact they are Aes Sedai. 

I love the story and the worldbuilding and mythology are outstanding, but at this point in the series, the whole battle of the sexes thing is so tiresome and everyone needs a massive wake up call. Although it is hilarious to see Nyneve and Elayne shut other Sisters down at every turn. 

What really did this book a disfavour was that there was no Matt, and only a few mentions of him, so I expect lots more of him in the next book - I'm guessing is events will run parallel to what went on in this one. 

We did get some plot points tied up that have been on going for the last few books, with several characters ready to undertake the next step of their journey, and I really enjoyed Siuan's and Egewenes manipulation of The Sitters. I wasn't sure what they were up to but the pay off was delightful. 

I do enjoy political intrigue in my fantasy but like the last book, this seemed to drag out a bit and battle sequences started midway, or towards the end of the battle leaving me feeling a little slighted. All that buildup and no real follow through, but I guess that's because we are following Rand at those points and it attributes to his growing madness.

But what would really break this up is more POV's from the Forsaken or Shadowspawn. 

The Asha'man give me anxiety and Rand needs to get rid of them all immediately, and he should have seen what happened at the end coming because its been a bit obvious for a while. (If you know, you know.)

I wish we got more scenes in the White Tower in this book. Elaida is kind of growing on me a little now, and she's come to the realisation that The Black Ajah in fact do exist, and are in the Tower. For someone in her position, and the character type she is, it takes alot to ask someone for help and I appreciate that and I've began to see her in a different light. She's still an awful woman, but I wouldn't say no to a redemption plot. 

But saying that, all these factions and forces are all in this crucible bubbling away quickly to a boiling point and I'm excited to see what happens next. 

These books do take a bit of getting used too, and they can take an effort getting through but the pay offs are so worth it. 

This felt like a beautiful mash up of a studio gibli film and world of warcraft. It was epic. 

The horror and fantasy were blended effortlessly together in this complex world full of necromancy, mysterious happenings and talking cats. 

I really enjoyed the magic system. I've never really read anything that had Necromancy at the forefront when it wasn't inherently evil. I liked that Sabriels family had almost reclaimed it to use in their own way. 

Even though Sabriel is from the Old Kingdom, she knows next to nothing about it or how it works, so we learn alongside her as each layer is built up in this wonderfully crafted tale. I enjoyed all the characters and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time because you never knew what was around the corner, and you felt like a horde of undead could turn up at any time. 

My heart was not ready for that. The world of Red London is so magical and unique and from start to finish I was immersed in this incredible story and felt like I was walking alongside these characters as they traversed adventure, politics and finding their own way in the world. 

The main thing I love about this series is that each character is flawed and relatable. I also love that the romance is so subtle and built up over time. It's not in your face, or predictive like most fantasies and I'm not sure where the hammer is going to fall on that. 

The plot is twisty and mixed action with court intrigue equally and that gave it a nice even balance and flow. It was flawlessly done in my opinion and put my  emotions and mind in a blender and left my one anxious mess just waiting for White London to make a move. The story is enchanting and even when there's not a whole lot going on, your never bored. 

Each character got the time and attention the deserved, even the small side characters. This is something I've found Schwab does brilliantly in everything I've read from her bibliography. Each added something to the story and never felt they were just there to fill a spot. 

With each book I read, V.E Schwab just draws me in more and more and it makes me excited to explore her other works.