Sand dan Glokta, a golden boy of the Union, destined for greatness, acts heroically in a war and ends up in captivity. Years later, he is released, crSand dan Glokta, a golden boy of the Union, destined for greatness, acts heroically in a war and ends up in captivity. Years later, he is released, crippled and twisted by prolonged torture, and is recruited by the Union’s dreaded Inquisition. Now Inquisitor Glokta is about to face his greatest challenge when multiple conspiracies and invasions are unleashed on his complacent, decadent nation.
That alone would’ve made an engrossing story. The spiteful inquisitor, with his silent revile for his superiors and society, could easily carry a plot on his mangled back. Like other fantasy epics, though, The First Blade includes many POV characters. Among them is a hulking warrior who communicates with spirits, a feral woman intent on murdering everyone she meets, and a highborn captain with a bright future—much like Glokta’s past version, minus the intelligence. The latter falls head over heels for a sassy commoner who struggles to fit into a society where one’s background is crucial for relationships, a plotline less believable than magical fire and flesh-eating sorcerers. On the positive side, I enjoyed the antics of the wizard Bayaz, a curmudgeon who witnessed too much of humanity’s foolishness. He resembles the Feldmarschall from my books enough that they would’ve likely enjoyed sharing an afternoon complaining about the world.
The storytelling is excellent. Besides tension, conflict, elaborate schemes, and a satisfyingly mature depiction of different societies, it is sprinkled with well-timed humor, often surprising you with a solid laugh. The plot unfolds at an engaging pace, leaving important reveals for the final quarter, and the fictional lands are introduced gradually, usually from multiple viewpoints. A superhero-like action scene near the end gets tiresome, and the gory deaths can seem gratuitous, but those come with the gritty genre.
Overall, The Blade Itself is captivating. Enough that I slowed down my reading to savor it for longer, and now I am already reading the second book in the trilogy. It is an absolute must for anyone who loves dark-themed fantasy, realistic characters, complex politics, and an adult outlook on life....more
I discovered this book by chance and was pleasantly surprised. The prose is well-constructed, easy to follow, and spiced with many period-fitting exprI discovered this book by chance and was pleasantly surprised. The prose is well-constructed, easy to follow, and spiced with many period-fitting expressions. Naomi Novik’s evident love for the Napoleonic Wars era enhanced the experience for this fellow history nerd. The highlight, however, is the dragons, who are the most fleshed-out characters in the story. They are fashioned as ideal animal companions—graceful, resourceful, powerful, and usually intelligent, yet absolutely loyal. Their biology and handling, whether in combat or in everyday training, fills many pages, although the focus remains on the camaraderie between Temeraire and Laurence. If that sounds like fun, you will probably enjoy this book. Otherwise, Laurence’s ideal-gentleman personality might prove boring or irritating, as might Temeraire’s list of overpowered capabilities—to the point I suspect he is the series’ true author. The other humans are simplistic, as are their views on society. I could also do with fewer descriptions of the numerous animals the flying lizards devoured in each meal. But His Majesty’s Dragon is not a political lecture. Rather, it’s a fun read that draws you into a semi-historical world that positions draconian air forces alongside three-deckers and famous personalities like Admiral Nelson and Napoleon Bonaparte. Most importantly, the story made me care about the dragons and their aviators, which is more than I can say about most writing these days. For that alone, I warmly recommend it....more
I guess my mental age is showing, because I'm really enjoying this book. Is it perfect? No, but it's funny, engaging, and filled with interesting, chaI guess my mental age is showing, because I'm really enjoying this book. Is it perfect? No, but it's funny, engaging, and filled with interesting, charming, and memorable characters....more
Spoiler-free review. This omnibus includes books 1-3 in the series. Each is quite different, so I will cover them separately.
The Black Company is uniqSpoiler-free review. This omnibus includes books 1-3 in the series. Each is quite different, so I will cover them separately.
The Black Company is unique in style, content, and message, which feels refreshing compared to many famous fantasy stories. Terse descriptions and a swift pace require getting used to, but are fun afterward, and the concept of us reading the same annals Croaker wrote is innovative. Still, the plot can be confusing when he provides sparse details. There is a host of characters. Some are given only a name and a line of Croaker’s opinion, which also applies to some of the powerful sorcerers called the Taken. It’s tough to understand the limits of magic and thus who’s stronger in confrontations. The resulting narrative sometimes becomes muddy. The last battle is better detailed, but its ending comes abruptly. In short, the first book is messy; yet its bold disregard for rules delivers an authentic and creative experience.
Shadows Linger improves the prose and reduces the scope to a smaller area. It adds a POV character from that region that goes through a fascinating transformation, which rightfully made him a fan favorite. Later, his arc is woven into the overall story. Familiar characters like the Company’s wizards and the Taken are better fleshed out, and the pacing never grows chaotic. Finally, the ending is enticing and leaves a taste for more. All those strengths make Shadows Linger the best book among the three.
The White Rose jumps six years forward and slows the plot down to a reflective pace. A smaller cast of main characters helps solidify their bonding while expressing a theme of loneliness and growing old. However, the arc of a previously minor character and his modern-like suburban life seem to belong in another setting. In fact, characters speak so often like 20th-century Americans that it took me out of the story. The pacing and tension pick up after the different POVs converge, but then dip again, and a crucial entity is introduced close to the end. Why? Next, final preparations that include an attempt to discover the secret names of powerful enemies raise the suspense. Regrettably, the final confrontation is hectic and rushed, with the most tense scene occurring after its resolve. I suspect publisher pressure led to that peculiar finish.
Regardless, taken together, The Chronicles of The Black Company is a compelling read. It gives the impression that a real veteran is talking to us at eye level, and many wise quotes hide within its pages. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in grimdark/military fantasy....more
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