The few history writers who’ve turned to fantasy under pseudonyms have always disappointed me. So as soon as I saw that bit I knew I wouldn’t even think of trying this. Plus, the grimdark, not my thing 🙂
Do you think you’re going to keep on in the series, or just “see what happens”, ie, if the publishers send it to you you’ll read it, kind of thing?
That’s pretty interesting, considering that solid history is a nice foundation for great fantasy stories in my mind hahah The grimdark elements were pretty ruthless in this one and sort of felt out of the blue too, I doubt you’d have appreciated it… at all. 😂
I’d gladly read the sequel if given the opportunity, but I’m not drooling for it right now hahah
My experiences have been with Miles Cameron and Naomi Novik. I couldn’t stand either of their series after a bit and since they’re both historians of a type, I’ve made that generalization now 🙂
Hmmm the pirate and sea parts still have me interested. I like worldbuilding but I am not sure I would like this one if the characters aren’t that strong. Yers is the third review I have read that all seem to have the same conclusions. I am on the fence. Lovely review.
x The Captain
I can totally understand that. There’s a bunch of sea action in here, which I did not expect to be honest. The characters are peculiar in their own ways, but I think it’s how they’re YA that made me less appealed by them in this one. I do hope you have a greater experience with it if you ever give it a shot! Thanks for reading, Capitaine! 😁
I’m very tempted to read this even though you had issues with the characters. But I’ve seen similar reviews from other bloggers so you’re not alone with your thoughts. Excellent review!
It’s good to know that I’m not alone in this since it was a bit unfortunate considering the world-building was pretty solid! Thank you for your kind words, Tammy! 😁
I had similar thoughts. Though I think I ended up rating this book higher than you because I thought the second half vastly improved, I couldn’t get into any of the characters for the most part. They were either bland and boring or just horrible, horrible people.
Maaaan there really was some truly horrible scenes here and there and they really did feel like they came out of the blue too. It was almost as if scenes like those felt necessary for the author for shock-value more than anything.
Great review, Lashaan! I haven’t read this yet but I have it on my TBR list! It really sounds like an amazing read. I’m sorry you didn’t connect with the characters! That’s a total bummer!
Thank you, Raven! It is a shame that I couldn’t love these characters as much as I would have liked to. I hope you do have a great time with it when you get around to i! 😁
Great review, Lashaan! 😊 Finding a balance between good world-building and characters is always tricky 😯 At least one of them was satisfying! 😂 The story sounds quite interesting too!
Thank you so much, Caroline! 😀 Great authors know how to balance both or to focus on one and leave the rest in the next books too! Hopefully, the sequel will get them both right. 😛
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It’s a beautiful looking book, shame the you didn’t connect with the characters.
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It is indeed! And white tigers are my favourite animals too! 😍 At least the story was intriguing; the sequel is promising!
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The few history writers who’ve turned to fantasy under pseudonyms have always disappointed me. So as soon as I saw that bit I knew I wouldn’t even think of trying this. Plus, the grimdark, not my thing 🙂
Do you think you’re going to keep on in the series, or just “see what happens”, ie, if the publishers send it to you you’ll read it, kind of thing?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s pretty interesting, considering that solid history is a nice foundation for great fantasy stories in my mind hahah The grimdark elements were pretty ruthless in this one and sort of felt out of the blue too, I doubt you’d have appreciated it… at all. 😂
I’d gladly read the sequel if given the opportunity, but I’m not drooling for it right now hahah
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My experiences have been with Miles Cameron and Naomi Novik. I couldn’t stand either of their series after a bit and since they’re both historians of a type, I’ve made that generalization now 🙂
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Hmmm the pirate and sea parts still have me interested. I like worldbuilding but I am not sure I would like this one if the characters aren’t that strong. Yers is the third review I have read that all seem to have the same conclusions. I am on the fence. Lovely review.
x The Captain
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I can totally understand that. There’s a bunch of sea action in here, which I did not expect to be honest. The characters are peculiar in their own ways, but I think it’s how they’re YA that made me less appealed by them in this one. I do hope you have a greater experience with it if you ever give it a shot! Thanks for reading, Capitaine! 😁
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That’s too bad about the characters 😦 So disappointing when everything else about the book is so well done. I may bump this down the TBR now.
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I wasn’t too thrilled by them, but who knows, they might work better for you, and if you do give it a try, I hope you enjoy it more than I did! 😁
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I’m very tempted to read this even though you had issues with the characters. But I’ve seen similar reviews from other bloggers so you’re not alone with your thoughts. Excellent review!
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It’s good to know that I’m not alone in this since it was a bit unfortunate considering the world-building was pretty solid! Thank you for your kind words, Tammy! 😁
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I had similar thoughts. Though I think I ended up rating this book higher than you because I thought the second half vastly improved, I couldn’t get into any of the characters for the most part. They were either bland and boring or just horrible, horrible people.
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Maaaan there really was some truly horrible scenes here and there and they really did feel like they came out of the blue too. It was almost as if scenes like those felt necessary for the author for shock-value more than anything.
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Great review, Lashaan! I haven’t read this yet but I have it on my TBR list! It really sounds like an amazing read. I’m sorry you didn’t connect with the characters! That’s a total bummer!
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Thank you, Raven! It is a shame that I couldn’t love these characters as much as I would have liked to. I hope you do have a great time with it when you get around to i! 😁
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Great review, Lashaan! 😊 Finding a balance between good world-building and characters is always tricky 😯 At least one of them was satisfying! 😂 The story sounds quite interesting too!
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Thank you so much, Caroline! 😀 Great authors know how to balance both or to focus on one and leave the rest in the next books too! Hopefully, the sequel will get them both right. 😛
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