Book 1 got better and better and this was excellent. Truly grimdark in so many ways. I'm looking forward to the next one already. Love the world and tBook 1 got better and better and this was excellent. Truly grimdark in so many ways. I'm looking forward to the next one already. Love the world and the characters have really grown on me. ...more
The thing that was missing for me with this compared to other works by MRF was caustic humor which made me roar. It was a good book. I can see his wriThe thing that was missing for me with this compared to other works by MRF was caustic humor which made me roar. It was a good book. I can see his writing growing. But lets have more of that Beyond Redemption dark humor that I love so much. ...more
Very good series Most original series this side of Manifest delusions. By the end it was starting to feel a liBook 1: 5* Book 2: 5* Book 3: 4* Book 4: 4*
Very good series Most original series this side of Manifest delusions. By the end it was starting to feel a little bit repetitive so I'm glad he ended it before I started to hate the series. It was an appropriate ending. ...more
Very different than the other books I've read by MRF. Those books tended to be crazy characters doing crazy things that often resulted in grim hilaritVery different than the other books I've read by MRF. Those books tended to be crazy characters doing crazy things that often resulted in grim hilarity. This was slow. At the beginning I really questioned if it was going to be too slow. However my patience paid off and the characters grew on me and there was a growing tension and sense of oh this is not going to end well.
Great series. If you're a fan of Blackwing or Low Town this is far superior IMO. I'd put it up there with Scourge of thBook 1: 4* Book 2: 4* Book 3 4.5*
Great series. If you're a fan of Blackwing or Low Town this is far superior IMO. I'd put it up there with Scourge of the Betrayer and the Bloodsounder's Arc series. Definitely a fan of Mr Galley and will read more by him. ...more
One of the most enjoyable series I've read in awhile. I love the imperfect characters and world. If you liked Low Town and BlackwiBook 1: 4* Book 2: 4*
One of the most enjoyable series I've read in awhile. I love the imperfect characters and world. If you liked Low Town and Blackwing series this is far superior IMO. ...more
A little disappointed considering how much praise I have seen for this. I just never got attached to any of the characters. The world was cool 3.0*'s
A little disappointed considering how much praise I have seen for this. I just never got attached to any of the characters. The world was cool as were the gods and character types. Still the ending was good enough to continue onto book 2. ...more
While not as good as the first two this is still another solid effort. I still loved how different this world is and hisBook 1: 5* Book 2: 5* Book 3: 4*
While not as good as the first two this is still another solid effort. I still loved how different this world is and his story telling style as well. The plot just didn't have that wow factor at the end. ...more
Having read his Iron Age Age of Iron series which I liked but started to tire of by the end I decided to give Watson another shot. Unfortunately this Having read his Iron Age Age of Iron series which I liked but started to tire of by the end I decided to give Watson another shot. Unfortunately this read as more of the same. I quickly lost interest in the story and couldn't wait for it to be over. It didn't help that this was an audiobook and I don't care for the narrator. If you liked Iron Age and still want to give this a shot I'd suggest reading it not audio. ...more
You either like Joe or you don't like Joe. While not as good as the original trilogy it was better than the singles. It had all the trademarks of his You either like Joe or you don't like Joe. While not as good as the original trilogy it was better than the singles. It had all the trademarks of his writing both good and bad. ...more
The year is nearly half over and previous to this book I've had three books that have earned 5*'s out of the 93 books I've read. 2 of those were MalazThe year is nearly half over and previous to this book I've had three books that have earned 5*'s out of the 93 books I've read. 2 of those were Malazan re-reads. The third Faithless was a round up and close call between a 4* and a 5*.
This book joins the rarest of shelves my beyond 5 start shelf.
The book blends traditional Japanese military with a modern aspect that's still drawing from an epic fantasy tradition. Some of the characters are young but to call this YA in any manner would be wrong. I actually shelved it as Grimdark because the pain of the characters is real and painful to the reader.
The middle two-thirds of this book is simply actioned packed and yet it's all about the characters. Their motivations, fears, trauma, pain and especially their grief. The author does an amazing job of presenting grief and the rawness it presents to those faced with it.
The other aspect I loved was how the ebb and flow of the magic was coupled with the ebb and flow of the characters emotions and their core disposition. She builds amazingly complex family dynamics from all view points. Husband and wife, parents and child, the impact grandparents had on how those parents parent their own children.
There's also so much of the Eastern Culture nuances. Best representation since Long Price Quartet An Autumn War or Inda series. All the body motions, the heritage and again it all flows into the magic.
With currently 208 ratings this is the standalone if the first book I'm going to actively advocate for since Manifest Delusions Beyond Redemption which had an underwhelming number of reviews once.
Best new book of the year. Help support this self published author. I look forward to reading her trilogy in this world. ...more
Good opening chapter for a new author. I really liked his writing. The story at times was a bit clunky but for a first novel a very good effort.3.5*'s
Good opening chapter for a new author. I really liked his writing. The story at times was a bit clunky but for a first novel a very good effort. Although Grimdark there's really nothing gorey. A few things that people may find crass if they're of a more sensitive nature but definitely more epic than GD. ...more
The best pacing, writing and grimdarkness of the series. Almost nonstop action from start to finish this is definiteBook 1: 3.5* Book 2: 3.5* Book 3: 4*
The best pacing, writing and grimdarkness of the series. Almost nonstop action from start to finish this is definitely the way to wrap up a trilogy. The epilogue was fun in that it made me change my mind three times as to who the secret character was and set things up for a sequel series quite well. ...more
Grimdark: 2/5 – WReview for Grimdark Magazine https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/ I received a free copy of the book for an honest review.
Overall: 3.0*
Grimdark: 2/5 – While there’s an allotment of despicable characters I think this was more epic than grimdark. To be GD, for me, you can’t just tell me somebody is experiencing grief. You have to take me inside their head and make me feel that grief. You can't describe a battle scene or torture. I want to know how that feels to the victim. "in his moment of grief understanding overwhelmed him", ok but what were the flood of emotions and how did they make him feel physically? The battle depictions as well were cut and dry. I would have liked more details into the gore, fatigue, etc.
Writing 4/5 – I liked the author’s writing style. He’s direct and the story flows. He’s a very sensory writer. Lots of vivid scenes and descriptions. He doesn’t have a lot of underlying themes or information dumps which require you to figure out where things are going or what the bigger picture is. I prefer both styles but find some authors try for symbolism and plots within in plots and either fail miserably or it comes off contrived. Ulff doesn’t go there focusing on his strengths.
Action 4/5 – The pacing was really good after the first few chapters and playing into the writer’s sensory style things move quickly.
Humor 2/5 - The author made a few attempts but one of the things I really like about GD is caustic banter especially in the face of disaster. There was never that laugh out loud moment where the wife or kids says what was so funny and I have to say you wouldn't understand or a wee bit too adult for you sweetheart.
The book starts out in the prologue with what reads like historical fiction. It’s really well done and visions of Westeros were dancing in my head. The places and names taking on a very interesting backdrop.
Chapter one totally switches gears with a scene which one part Hansel and Gretel gone seriously wrong and the other part once again reminding me of ASOIAF and the opening to that series beyond the wall. This was a second prologue of sorts as the next we chapters some other disposable characters are seen and never seen again but with the intention of introducing two main characters.
I was a bit concerned at this point that the author was going to be all over the map but things settled down. From here the action is nonstop in every chapter. For those who are action junkies preferring a quick pacing this will definitely appeal to you.
For me it was a quick and enjoyable read and I’ll continue the series but, and there always is when there’s a preface, for me what I want more out of the author in the future are those inner details I spoke of before. Don’t just tell me they’re in pain, cold, etc. A great book or author makes you feel empathy for the characters by showing you how and why the character is feeling those things. This was definitely a telling, a good telling, a good story but simply not great....more
The series overall has been a good story with good characters. The reason it isn't great is the author never goes into the depBook 1: 3.5* Book 2: 3.5*
The series overall has been a good story with good characters. The reason it isn't great is the author never goes into the depths in any aspect. He hints at Grimdark but doesn't want to insert the gore. He write of pain, loss and suffering but doesn't really give us the inner clockwork and emotional turmoil required to bring forth empathy. He writes from multiple perspectives and talks of ages to give the appearance of epic but really the story is quite simplistic.
That's a lot of negativity but again it's a good story, it just isn't great. The author's writing style is smooth and I like quite a few of the characters.
I look forward to book 3 and finishing this off. ...more
A special thank you to Jenna and Angela for staying on me to read this series. I should have done it long ago.
PhenoBook 1: 3.5* Book 2: 4.5* Book 3: 5*
A special thank you to Jenna and Angela for staying on me to read this series. I should have done it long ago.
Phenomenal conclusion to the series. I think there’s two things you need to do to truly enjoy it. First treat all three books as one and read them back to back to back. They really are one really long book. Second get over any sensibilities you have for crude language. Luckily I don’t have this hang-up. However terms like horsecunt show up a lot which may turn some readers off. In the end it’s worth it. This concluding volume is probably my favorite read of the year minus my Malazan re-reads.
JS’s prose is excellent. He’s a great storyteller. The action and grim-darkness go up a notch in each book. The world is unique as is the magic. I kept thinking don’t screw this up by not thinking of the answer to this question but it all came together so well. I expected all the different plot twists, minus one, but that didn’t take away from them or the quality of the series.
Recommended to everyone but required if you like Grimdark. ...more
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