The launch of a towering new fantasy series introduces an elaborate new world, a strange and dark system of magic, and a cast of compelling charact...
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Dec 21, 2011
Somewhatbent
rated it: 
Nightstand Novel?[return][return]As a debut novel Servant of a Dark God is an extraordinarily ambitious undertaking. At 442 pages, plus appendices, it has the bulk and complexity to turn ones’ brain to powder if it fails to engage. It’s not strictly Fantasy, though there are elements of Magics. It is strong Speculative Fiction but not constrained by genre limits. It is a reality construct unto itself which takes what it needs from where it finds it.[return][return]The Universe is well constructe
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Jan 19, 2012
Chase
rated it: 
This book drags its stubby little feet trying to reach the hill of fantasy epic, but trips over its itself and falls into the worst pit any book can fall in: boring. The author tries to create this complex world filled with social tension and class struggle, but the way he describes it is pure exposition dumping, often interrupting character dialogue or actions to describe a key point of the culture that should have been shown in something the characters actually did. "Show, don't tell."
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Sep 16, 2011
Matt
rated it:
Review: Servant of a Dark God
The novel’s events take place in a world where the use of magic is strictly controlled by powerful magic wielders know as Divines. A rebel group, the Order, is secretly growing their organization in the hope they will one day overthrow the Divines. When one of the rebels is exposed, Talen, a young farm boy, finds himself caught in the middle of the ensuing conflict.
Characters
The novel does not have a single protagonist, nor does it have More...
The novel’s events take place in a world where the use of magic is strictly controlled by powerful magic wielders know as Divines. A rebel group, the Order, is secretly growing their organization in the hope they will one day overthrow the Divines. When one of the rebels is exposed, Talen, a young farm boy, finds himself caught in the middle of the ensuing conflict.
Characters
The novel does not have a single protagonist, nor does it have More...
Jun 15, 2011
Critical
rated it: 
Servant of a Dark God is rambling, eccentric adventure. It reads like Alice in Wonderland on cocaine, sliding down an excruciatingly long rabbit tunnel with an unfortunate and noxious bout of dysentery.
The plot and pacing of Servant is uneven then agonizingly slow in turns. It takes 150 pages to solve the mildly interesting hook of Chapter One: where did the protagonist's pants go? It's a classic case of suffering the first 1/3 of the book watching the main character go round and roun More...
The plot and pacing of Servant is uneven then agonizingly slow in turns. It takes 150 pages to solve the mildly interesting hook of Chapter One: where did the protagonist's pants go? It's a classic case of suffering the first 1/3 of the book watching the main character go round and roun More...
Nov 29, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Hum. Hrm. Where to start? I enjoyed Servant of a Dark God, for the most part. In general, books I enjoy get 3 stars as a baseline rating, to be modified in full- or half-star increments depending on my feelings toward the book. Overall, John Brown's debut novel did enough right to avoid a 2.5-star rating, but not enough to earn 3.5 stars.
What did it do right? First off, there's an interesting magic system. Essentially, the consumption of life-force as a kind of magical power source. Not a brand More...
What did it do right? First off, there's an interesting magic system. Essentially, the consumption of life-force as a kind of magical power source. Not a brand More...
Jun 10, 2010
Russell
rated it:
The story is set in a somewhat prototypical feudal society, complete with ethnic friction and the typical forward-thinking (read human-rights minded) individuals and the seemingly ever-prejudiced, narrow-minded aristocracy. As per usual, the story is told from the point of view of a seemingly normal youth from a farm far enough out of town that nobody notices that his father is a little odd, and, as they always do, circumstances combine to force this hapless youth to contend with powers seeming
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May 04, 2010
Shelah
rated it: 
I purposely left three books, Servant of a Dark God, Warbreaker, and The Undaunted, until the end of my reading for the Whitney Awards, and not because I wanted to reward myself with good books at the end. These were all big, huge books, and two of them, Servant of a Dark God and Warbreaker, are science fiction (and not just science fiction, but the Tolkien-esque "secondary creation" kind of science fiction that I avoid with all costs). So as I write this review, keep in mind tha More...
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Jan 23, 2010
Paul
rated it:
Disclaimer: I received this book via the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.
John Brown's Servant of a Dark God is a debut fantasy novel that spoils some of its very good elements with some frankly clumsy mistakes and misccues.
The fantasy world Brown posits a hierarchy of magical beings of which mankind sits at the bottom (although there are Gnostic hints this was once not the case) Magical power and talent is tightly and strictly controlled, and those who dare to use s More...
John Brown's Servant of a Dark God is a debut fantasy novel that spoils some of its very good elements with some frankly clumsy mistakes and misccues.
The fantasy world Brown posits a hierarchy of magical beings of which mankind sits at the bottom (although there are Gnostic hints this was once not the case) Magical power and talent is tightly and strictly controlled, and those who dare to use s More...
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Nov 17, 2009
Mike
rated it:
John Brown’s debut, and the first in a new series, is a blend of both classic fantasy tropes and more modern themes. With its unassuming boy hero it might be easy to write this off as a return to the farm hands and kitchen help of fantasy’s yesteryear but Brown, through delicate crafting of his world manages to avoid this potential pitfall creating something that, while it hearkens back the roots of classic fantasy, manages to become something slightly different.
The world of Servant More...
The world of Servant More...
Oct 23, 2009
Dale
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 24, 2009
Laurel
rated it: 
It starts out with Talen sitting pantless at the kitchen table, plotting revenge. After some whirlwind antics between Talen and his two older siblings -- revealing much of their situation and personalities -- Talen heads out to the next village for some normal chores. But nothing will ever be so simple again.
Terrifying magic is affecting people who had appeared to be normal, and rumors are flying. Talen himself is accused, though he is as ordinary and suspicious of the dark arts a More...
Terrifying magic is affecting people who had appeared to be normal, and rumors are flying. Talen himself is accused, though he is as ordinary and suspicious of the dark arts a More...
Dec 19, 2011
Kristine
rated it:
I enjoyed reading this, more or less. The story follows a couple of families of sleth--humans capable of making themselves stronger or faster using their "fire," or their life-force. Not all the characters realise they are sleth, and since sleth are hated by normal people, there's some tension as some of the characters threaten to reveal the identities of the rest. The more important conflict, though, comes from a creature who consumes human souls and is trying to collect this group of
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May 22, 2010
Karen
rated it:
I never read fantasy. This is the first Tor published book I've ever read. I've picked up a few recommended by fantasy loving friends but was never able to get through them. After hearing author John Brown speak and visiting with him at the signing table, I purchased his book determined to get through it if it killed me.
Well, I wondered at times about the strange names and references to odd things completely foreign to reality. However, I carried on and by the time I finished it, I w More...
Well, I wondered at times about the strange names and references to odd things completely foreign to reality. However, I carried on and by the time I finished it, I w More...
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Mar 30, 2010
Rob
rated it:
After a slow start and somewhat initially repellent characters this story found its legs. It was rendered in somewhat unsophisticated (but at least unobtrusive) prosody but the dialogue left much to be desired. It veered between the cliched faux-archaisms that plague the genre and too contemporaneous modes of speech (which ironically will soon be literally anachronistic making the unfortunate faux-archaic stand out even more). Most disruptive of all was the grab-bag appropriation of Mormonism
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Jan 24, 2011
Carrie
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book! In fact, I felt sad putting it down, and I really didn't want to give it back to the library. Thank you to the library I go to for putting this book on a display by the checkout counter where you come in - I never would have discovered it otherwise!
It had a slow beginning. In fact, I felt that the story really didn't begin until Chapter 3. That's where I got sucked in! Plus, while Talen, Nettle and some of the other characters appear well defined and develo More...
It had a slow beginning. In fact, I felt that the story really didn't begin until Chapter 3. That's where I got sucked in! Plus, while Talen, Nettle and some of the other characters appear well defined and develo More...
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Aug 11, 2010
Katrina
rated it:
I was extremely disappointed in this book, but mostly in Tor for publishing it as they did. The edition I have (hard back) has an insufferable number of grammatical and editing errors. At times the author seemed to forget what he had written just two sentences above.
The story itself was fairly decent and rather enjoyable, so I did manage to finish it despite the gross number of errors, which will often keep me from finishing a work. The plot was different than most of what I hav More...
The story itself was fairly decent and rather enjoyable, so I did manage to finish it despite the gross number of errors, which will often keep me from finishing a work. The plot was different than most of what I hav More...
Dec 28, 2010
Daron
rated it:
This is the first ebook I read on my new Kindle, and I really enjoyed it. I think that the publisher should have spent a little more time on the editing, however. I found about ten places with misspelled words, incorrect word choice (I knew what the author meant, but the word was wrong), and similar mistakes. It is quite possible that these problems only exist in the ebook edition. Don't blame the author. :)
The only gripe I have with the writing is that I had a hard time following th More...
The only gripe I have with the writing is that I had a hard time following th More...
Oct 31, 2011
Suzanne
rated it:
Thoroughly engaging and fascinating book, with some fresh, original takes on the fantasy genre--especially if you're NOT Mormon. Brown, being LDS, has infused a great deal of LDS doctrine into the book's world, which makes for some pretty fascinating reading for those not familiar with it, and some comfortable reading for those who are. As a Mormon, I enjoyed how he used those points of doctrine and incorporated them into the story.
I gave the book four stars instead of five for three More...
I gave the book four stars instead of five for three More...
May 16, 2010
joby
rated it:
Intriguing...
The Good
------------------------------------
Unique: The nature of the world is quite different from standard epic fantasy with a very dark history. Discovering a new and unique world is part of the fun of this genre.
Secondary Good Guys: Many of these characters are well defined and interesting -- it always helps a novel when the secondary cast improves the color of the world and aren't just placeholders
The Bad
------------------- More...
The Good
------------------------------------
Unique: The nature of the world is quite different from standard epic fantasy with a very dark history. Discovering a new and unique world is part of the fun of this genre.
Secondary Good Guys: Many of these characters are well defined and interesting -- it always helps a novel when the secondary cast improves the color of the world and aren't just placeholders
The Bad
------------------- More...
Sep 27, 2009
Cindy
rated it:
I thought this was an alright start to a series. It appeared at times that Brown was a little over eager as a writer and made the story almost too complex for the casual reader to enjoy.
I had a lot of trouble following the story after I would put the book down because it was just too complex. I didn't understand the magic or what was going on.
Sometimes the writing did seem a bit choppy and short but other then those two problems it was a good first book.
But More...
I had a lot of trouble following the story after I would put the book down because it was just too complex. I didn't understand the magic or what was going on.
Sometimes the writing did seem a bit choppy and short but other then those two problems it was a good first book.
But More...
Sep 24, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Okay. Let's face it. You pick up a fantasy book these days and think two things: 1. I wonder how many decades it's gonna take for the series to actually be completed, and 2. how soon will they be on the road?
Imagine my complete shock and delight to realize that THIS IS A STANDALONE NOVEL! Not part of a series! AND, AND, AND, at page 100 I literally said out loud, "Holy frak, I don't think they're going to go on a quest! They're actually going to stay home and solve their pr More...
Imagine my complete shock and delight to realize that THIS IS A STANDALONE NOVEL! Not part of a series! AND, AND, AND, at page 100 I literally said out loud, "Holy frak, I don't think they're going to go on a quest! They're actually going to stay home and solve their pr More...
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Apr 20, 2010
Mason
rated it:
I got this book as a gift after asking for it when I heard Brandon Sanderson recommend it. I am a huge fan of Brandon's Elantris, Mistborn series, and he is writing the latest WoT books.
I can very honestly say that I am more than glad that I read this book. It had a good start and set up the characters very well. We got to see most of the main characters in their natural daily life and find out who they were before all of the action started.
I will say that the action was one th More...
I can very honestly say that I am more than glad that I read this book. It had a good start and set up the characters very well. We got to see most of the main characters in their natural daily life and find out who they were before all of the action started.
I will say that the action was one th More...
Feb 20, 2010
D.w.
rated it:
This is a first novel and to some extent you can tell that. It is overly ambitious or complex in the delving of fantasy that it portends. David Drake has been quoted and he too says it is complex. Perhaps that is where I get lost. In the beginning we see the world through the eyes of a young man not quite a full man (college age perhaps) and he has a view of the world that is slightly different from the view we have of the world by the end of the story.
That it changes as we read the More...
That it changes as we read the More...
May 02, 2011
Rachael
rated it:
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Despite having the typical "youth destined to save the world" type plot, the story managed to remain interesting throughout the book. The magic system was fairly unique and I liked that the book had some small bits of humor. I generally liked the characters, even though I never really connected with any of them (though I don't think that was due to the writing). Though I admit that I wasn't too fond of the main character Talen during the first half of
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Feb 18, 2011
Garrett
rated it:
I have known John for many years, and I have even been an early reader of the second book in this series. John had me be a naive reader for his second book, which he is still working on (and I really hope gets finished really soon, really). So, I was pretty antsy to read the first one with the taste I had of the second one already.
I thought this was a brilliantly written book. There is much that I am still unsure on, such as whether I like Talen or exactly how the magic works, but I di More...
I thought this was a brilliantly written book. There is much that I am still unsure on, such as whether I like Talen or exactly how the magic works, but I di More...
Mar 23, 2011
Brian
rated it:
The beginnings of a new epic fantasy series by John Brown. I've wanted to read this for some time after seeing favorable reviews and just now have finally gotten around to it.
First with the good:
There was an interesting magic system that follows a very specific set of rules. Think Brandon Sanderson style. I much prefer this type of system to the more traditional hand-waving as it reinforces that actions have consequences and some interesting decisions usually arise a More...
First with the good:
There was an interesting magic system that follows a very specific set of rules. Think Brandon Sanderson style. I much prefer this type of system to the more traditional hand-waving as it reinforces that actions have consequences and some interesting decisions usually arise a More...
Mar 03, 2010
Annette
rated it:
I probably would have gone with 3 1/2 stars if I could have. The premise is great, and the world was interesting. Some parts were beautifully written, others a big ragged and needed polishing. I felt like a lot of the magic and world building was hastily thrown in, with the reader having to figure out more than we should--but then other parts dragged, especially the end. (It's odd when you find yourself skimming what's supposed to be a climactic battle scene.) Overall, it's a pretty good book, b
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May 11, 2010
Kevin
rated it:
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway, i was looking forward to it, but when i started reading it i found the characters hard to follow, the plot line was excelent but it took me a few times to fully understant what was going on, most of the characters ar named after everyday things, so i kept getting confused, and disoriented, if you like a good story you should by this book i rated it low because it is a hard book to read
Oct 31, 2009
Brian
rated it:
I think is going to be one of the great new series in Fantasy. I thought the ending was a little weaker than the beginning, because of the set up for the next book. But I think their is a ton of fun stuff in this series. Think a light cross between Jordan & Mistborn, and throw in the Scottish Clans. I will warn you that it takes a while for all of the backstory to sink in because the author is just showing you what is happening, and doesn't like data dumping (which is good).
Dec 05, 2010
Fred
rated it:
Really well done and quite imaginative, took me a couple of chapters to get the names and allegiances down, but after that it was gripping to the point that I really didn't want to put it down. Talen's constant anger was pretty annoying, but that is how a teenage boy would likely act too, so well done.
