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Ancient Blades #1
La profezia della Torre Nera
Un grande bestseller di David Chandler
Una corona maledetta
Un furto impossibile
Un mistero senza tempo
In un’epoca lontana e dimenticata Malden è un ladruncolo da bassifondi, che ha cominciato a rubare per sopravvivere. Nato e cresciuto tra i vicoli stretti e bui della città di Ness, è sempre riuscito a cavarsela, grazie alla sua furbizia e a un innato talento per arrampicarsi sui muri. Il ragazzo però ha un grosso debito con il capo della confraternita di ladri e criminali che imperversa a Ness, e quindi, quando due misteriose figure lo agganciano, proponendogli un affare che gli permetterà di procurarsi in un colpo solo tutto il denaro di cui ha bisogno, non esita a cogliere al volo l’occasione. Solo dopo aver accettato scopre di essere solo una pedina di un disegno più ampio: dovrà infatti rubare la corona del signore di Ness, custodita in una torre piena di insidie e sorvegliata da centinaia di guardie. Una missione molto pericolosa, che potrebbe cambiare per sempre non solo il suo destino, ma anche le sorti del regno…
Uno strepitoso successo internazionale dall’autore bestseller del New York Times
Un romanzo dal ritmo incalzante che vi lascerà con il fiato sospeso fino all’ultima pagina
Cavalieri e tesori segreti, splendidi scenari e incredibili colpi di scena
Avvincente come I pilastri della terra, leggendario come Il signore degli anelli
David Chandler
è lo pseudonimo di David Wellington, autore bestseller del «New York Times» e famoso scrittore di romanzi horror, acclamati dalla critica letteraria mondiale.
Una corona maledetta
Un furto impossibile
Un mistero senza tempo
In un’epoca lontana e dimenticata Malden è un ladruncolo da bassifondi, che ha cominciato a rubare per sopravvivere. Nato e cresciuto tra i vicoli stretti e bui della città di Ness, è sempre riuscito a cavarsela, grazie alla sua furbizia e a un innato talento per arrampicarsi sui muri. Il ragazzo però ha un grosso debito con il capo della confraternita di ladri e criminali che imperversa a Ness, e quindi, quando due misteriose figure lo agganciano, proponendogli un affare che gli permetterà di procurarsi in un colpo solo tutto il denaro di cui ha bisogno, non esita a cogliere al volo l’occasione. Solo dopo aver accettato scopre di essere solo una pedina di un disegno più ampio: dovrà infatti rubare la corona del signore di Ness, custodita in una torre piena di insidie e sorvegliata da centinaia di guardie. Una missione molto pericolosa, che potrebbe cambiare per sempre non solo il suo destino, ma anche le sorti del regno…
Uno strepitoso successo internazionale dall’autore bestseller del New York Times
Un romanzo dal ritmo incalzante che vi lascerà con il fiato sospeso fino all’ultima pagina
Cavalieri e tesori segreti, splendidi scenari e incredibili colpi di scena
Avvincente come I pilastri della terra, leggendario come Il signore degli anelli
David Chandler
è lo pseudonimo di David Wellington, autore bestseller del «New York Times» e famoso scrittore di romanzi horror, acclamati dalla critica letteraria mondiale.
471 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
83 people are currently reading
1986 people want to read
About the author
David Chandler
5 books61 followersDavid Chandler was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1971. He attended Penn State and received an MFA in Creative Writing.
In his alter ego as David Wellington, he writes critically acclaimed and popular horror novels and was one of the co-authors of the New York Times bestseller Marvel Zombies Return. The Ancient Blades trilogy is his first foray into fantasy. He says he wrote the books “to appease my inner thirteen year old, the kid who grew up in the 80s reading the best of fantasy and science fiction. The kid who never stopped loving those books. The kid who longed to escape into a world of adventure and excitement, to get away, if just for a while, from his boring suburb and wander through worlds that could never be.”
For more information on his horror novels, see David Wellington.
In his alter ego as David Wellington, he writes critically acclaimed and popular horror novels and was one of the co-authors of the New York Times bestseller Marvel Zombies Return. The Ancient Blades trilogy is his first foray into fantasy. He says he wrote the books “to appease my inner thirteen year old, the kid who grew up in the 80s reading the best of fantasy and science fiction. The kid who never stopped loving those books. The kid who longed to escape into a world of adventure and excitement, to get away, if just for a while, from his boring suburb and wander through worlds that could never be.”
For more information on his horror novels, see David Wellington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
February 1, 2014
I have a soft spot in my heart for the venerable 'thieves in fantasy capers' sub-genre of fantasy. A sort of sub-set of the 'low fantasy' genre that has taken its ups and down in the field, from Fafryd and Grey Mouser, to the wonderful Gentlemen Bastards series.
Thus it was that I found Den of Thieves a welcome entry to the genre, if not a spectacular one. In essence, it's a very classic sort of book, the sort of thing I love in the late 80's and early 90's. The story of the thieves of a city, one in particular, and how he comes to be involved in plans beyond his ken, and plots well beyond his pay-grade. It reminds me of elements of the Thieves World anthology, with that sort of urban grit. Here is a city in all it's naked glory, with the rich on one side, the poor on the other, and the churn that keeps such a city afloat. Plus of course with various fantasy elements.
If the book was just that it might not have raised to the truly enjoyable read it was. Cliche to say it was a 'fun romp' but that's really what it is. The book adds characters that don't seem like they belong in this sort of story(most notably the Upstanding, Morally unimpeachable Knight) and makes it work. Both the main thief character and the reader sort of react to the overblown honour of this character in a 'You can't be serious'! sort of way, but in the end all the characters come across as having both their motivations and in having those motivations move forward in a believable way.
All in all I found this book alot of fun. Fun enough I'll probably read it's sequel. There was a single element in the end, where a character confronts the Thief with a bit about how he buys into stories as much as his seemingly delusional knight-ally that I thought particularly poignant. So to fantasy fans, and those who like that sort of low-fantasy feel, I would recommend this.
Thus it was that I found Den of Thieves a welcome entry to the genre, if not a spectacular one. In essence, it's a very classic sort of book, the sort of thing I love in the late 80's and early 90's. The story of the thieves of a city, one in particular, and how he comes to be involved in plans beyond his ken, and plots well beyond his pay-grade. It reminds me of elements of the Thieves World anthology, with that sort of urban grit. Here is a city in all it's naked glory, with the rich on one side, the poor on the other, and the churn that keeps such a city afloat. Plus of course with various fantasy elements.
If the book was just that it might not have raised to the truly enjoyable read it was. Cliche to say it was a 'fun romp' but that's really what it is. The book adds characters that don't seem like they belong in this sort of story(most notably the Upstanding, Morally unimpeachable Knight) and makes it work. Both the main thief character and the reader sort of react to the overblown honour of this character in a 'You can't be serious'! sort of way, but in the end all the characters come across as having both their motivations and in having those motivations move forward in a believable way.
All in all I found this book alot of fun. Fun enough I'll probably read it's sequel. There was a single element in the end, where a character confronts the Thief with a bit about how he buys into stories as much as his seemingly delusional knight-ally that I thought particularly poignant. So to fantasy fans, and those who like that sort of low-fantasy feel, I would recommend this.
April 5, 2012
David Chandler offered me the chance to read the first novel in his upcoming fantasy trilogy, “The Ancient Blades.” Den of Thieves is Mr. Chandler’s first fantasy novel, but not his first professionally published novel, having written horror novels previously.
Den of Thieves is an interesting book. Firstly, it is the most medieval fantasy novel I have ever read. By this I mean that Mr. Chandler has done his homework and his Free City of Ness looks and feels like a medieval city, and not a Ren-fair city. You see this a lot in the little details: the tanners shops reek, magic swords weep “vitriol,” and children drink small beer. This gives the book a very different flavor from most fantasy novels. The closest comparison I can make is maybe to David Drake's “Thieves World” stories (you know, like the one where the protagonist finds a secret door by peeing on the floor). There are a few spots where certain details feel off (Ness is one of those cities that somehow thrive even though they actively work to keep a lot of people from entering) but for the most part just reading about the city was fun, and it really feels like a place the protagonists live in.
The story looks like heist fiction but is really a mystery spanning two capers. It even wraps up with a standard full explanation/confession from the villain. Other than that, the book is full of little surprises. Similar to "Babylon 5" and the stories of Joss Wheadon, certain familiar tropes are set up to confound your expectations. If you pick this book up and read the prologue, you're likely to think you've read this story before and that the characters feel a little flat. Some of them are a touch pat, and there's at least one relationship in the book that doesn't work for me (two characters never get around to killing one another as the situation they find themselves in would seem to dictate; instead they develop an almost friendly business relationship). I also have a few nitpicky issues with the book, like the map not being entirely accurate in a few important details, but these are easy to ignore and won’t spoil the fun.
And there is a lot to like here. If you're a fan of the Middle Ages, you'll enjoy the historical touches. If you like your fantasy dark and gritty, you'll enjoy the down-in-the-gutters focus. And if you are a big fan of thieves, you'll really enjoy both the glimpse we get of Ness’ thieves guild and the two heists.
If you do enjoy Den of Thieves, you’ll be happy to hear that the two following books of the trilogy are slated to be released this October and December. Thankfully, while Mr. Chandler's books follow the current fantasy trend of being a touch on the thick side, he hasn't embraced the notion that readers should have to wait years between installments.
Den of Thieves is an interesting book. Firstly, it is the most medieval fantasy novel I have ever read. By this I mean that Mr. Chandler has done his homework and his Free City of Ness looks and feels like a medieval city, and not a Ren-fair city. You see this a lot in the little details: the tanners shops reek, magic swords weep “vitriol,” and children drink small beer. This gives the book a very different flavor from most fantasy novels. The closest comparison I can make is maybe to David Drake's “Thieves World” stories (you know, like the one where the protagonist finds a secret door by peeing on the floor). There are a few spots where certain details feel off (Ness is one of those cities that somehow thrive even though they actively work to keep a lot of people from entering) but for the most part just reading about the city was fun, and it really feels like a place the protagonists live in.
The story looks like heist fiction but is really a mystery spanning two capers. It even wraps up with a standard full explanation/confession from the villain. Other than that, the book is full of little surprises. Similar to "Babylon 5" and the stories of Joss Wheadon, certain familiar tropes are set up to confound your expectations. If you pick this book up and read the prologue, you're likely to think you've read this story before and that the characters feel a little flat. Some of them are a touch pat, and there's at least one relationship in the book that doesn't work for me (two characters never get around to killing one another as the situation they find themselves in would seem to dictate; instead they develop an almost friendly business relationship). I also have a few nitpicky issues with the book, like the map not being entirely accurate in a few important details, but these are easy to ignore and won’t spoil the fun.
And there is a lot to like here. If you're a fan of the Middle Ages, you'll enjoy the historical touches. If you like your fantasy dark and gritty, you'll enjoy the down-in-the-gutters focus. And if you are a big fan of thieves, you'll really enjoy both the glimpse we get of Ness’ thieves guild and the two heists.
If you do enjoy Den of Thieves, you’ll be happy to hear that the two following books of the trilogy are slated to be released this October and December. Thankfully, while Mr. Chandler's books follow the current fantasy trend of being a touch on the thick side, he hasn't embraced the notion that readers should have to wait years between installments.
March 25, 2015
I couldn't really get into this book. Primarily because internal monologue and emotional life of most characters were missing. I don't like books in which things are reduced to external action and conversations, and this book was one of those.
I want characters in a book to have some emotional depth and complexity. The characters in this book were so bland and cliched, it felt like the book was written decades ago. Some of the characters were more like cartoons than people.
The female protagonist is stunningly beautiful (yawn), in need of salvation (yawn) and falls in love with pretty much everyone who wants her to (huge yawn). There is so much emphasis on her physical looks, it becomes downright irritating after a while.
The story had potential, the writing style was good enough to make me read most of the book, but after I stopped reading it for a week or two, I didn't even remember it when I had time to read again. Once I finally remembered it, I wasn't really interested to see how it ended.
I want characters in a book to have some emotional depth and complexity. The characters in this book were so bland and cliched, it felt like the book was written decades ago. Some of the characters were more like cartoons than people.
The female protagonist is stunningly beautiful (yawn), in need of salvation (yawn) and falls in love with pretty much everyone who wants her to (huge yawn). There is so much emphasis on her physical looks, it becomes downright irritating after a while.
The story had potential, the writing style was good enough to make me read most of the book, but after I stopped reading it for a week or two, I didn't even remember it when I had time to read again. Once I finally remembered it, I wasn't really interested to see how it ended.
September 11, 2014
Honestly the book is 2.5 stars overall. There are some interesting aspects but the book itself is not very memorable. I usually reread a book that I own at least 2 - 3 times but I haven't even touched it since I finished it. Still, it is an okay light read if you have a couple of hours to kill.
April 5, 2013
Bestseller di Davide Chandler piccola parentesi su di lui (Davide Chandler è un autore di narrativa avventurosa e i suoi libri sono stati tradotti in undici lingue e vengono letti in tutto il mondo) questo romanzo fa parte della nuova narrativa newton uscito il 15 Novembre scorso, appena lo vidi sul sito della casa editrice ne fui subito attratta per via di questa copertina che secondo mè e veramente splendina infatti colgo l'occasione per complimentarmi con il grafico che l'ha progettata, ^_^ leggendo il libro me ne sono letteralmente innamorata, Malden ladro per eccellenza, Hazonth mago potentissimo, Cythera anch'essa una maga ma succube della tirannia di Hazonth innamorata di Croy affascinante cavaliere scaccia demoni *_* . Esso e suddiviso in quattro parti:1° Il riscatto di un ladro 2° Una corona Inquieta3° La squadra4° Il lavoroogni sezione racchiude su per giù una trentina di capitoli, in tutto se ne conteggiano 100, sembrano molti ma ognuno sara di 3,4 pagine quindi la lettura risultera molto fluida e appassionante. In questo romanzo vediamo come protagonista della storia una corona maledetta in grado di sottomettere chi la indossa, questa corona viene ruba da Malden ladruncolo da bassi fondi figlio di una prostitua che ha cominciato a rubare per sopravvivere. Un giorno mentre cerca di raccimulare una grossa somma di denaro chiesagli dal capo della confraternita dei ladri e criminali della Libera Città Ness fa la conoscenza di due personaggi alquanto insoliti che lo inducono ad effettuare un grosso colpo in cambio di una grossa somma di denaro che gli servirà per saldare il suo debito con Cutbil. Questa missione risultera molto piu percicolosa di quanto immaginasse, infatti per salvare la sorte del regno dovra affrontare uno dei piuù potenti maghi in circolazione nella città e non solo. Tra colpi di scena e rivelazioni inaspettate la lettura di questo splendido libro vi portera in un mondo dove non riuscireta a far più ritorno vi terra con il fiato sospeso dall'inizio alla fine. Ricco di azione e anche di un po di mistero mi è veramente piaciuto poi la copertina come dicevo prima e fantastica vi sono illustrati tutti luoghi citati nel libro il ponte, la torre dov'è custodita la corona la casa di Hazonth, Malden posto in primo piano wow è veramente eccezzionale se siete degli appasionati del genere fantasy tradizionale questo libro non può mancare nella vostra libreria ^_^
January 8, 2019
While Den of Thieves offers little in the way of new concepts or material, it is nonetheless an enjoyable read for avid fans of fantasy.
The plot moves at a good pace (save for an occasional drunken, seemingly pointless encounter) and features enough twists to surprise the reader. That said, even with its twists, it still feels reminiscent of something you've read before: a thief trying to save his own skin through thievery.
The characters themselves often come across as tropes. Sir Croy, the honorable knight, refuses to believe in treachery and considers the word 'faithless' to be an insult worthy of a fight to the death. Malden is a scrappy thief who steals to get himself both into and out of tight binds. The villain wants power for power's sake, and so on.
While this novel won't revolutionize the fantasy genre, it is an enjoyable read nonetheless -- provided you enter with lowered expectations.
The plot moves at a good pace (save for an occasional drunken, seemingly pointless encounter) and features enough twists to surprise the reader. That said, even with its twists, it still feels reminiscent of something you've read before: a thief trying to save his own skin through thievery.
The characters themselves often come across as tropes. Sir Croy, the honorable knight, refuses to believe in treachery and considers the word 'faithless' to be an insult worthy of a fight to the death. Malden is a scrappy thief who steals to get himself both into and out of tight binds. The villain wants power for power's sake, and so on.
While this novel won't revolutionize the fantasy genre, it is an enjoyable read nonetheless -- provided you enter with lowered expectations.
May 12, 2016
Eigentlich alles vorhanden für einen tollen High Fantasy Roman: Tapfere Kämpfer, mysteriöse Hexe, Magier. Gekauft hatte ich das Buch vor allem wegen der legendären Schwerter. Leider schaffte es David Chandler nicht, mich zu fesseln. Das liegt zum einen daran, dass ich mich mit Malden, dem Dieb nicht wirklich identifizieren konnte, zum anderen an den ewig langen Beschreibungen - egal, was Malden tut, es dauert ewig und wird viel zu ausführlich beschrieben. Da bleibt meiner Meinung nach die Spannung auf der Strecke. Schade!
January 9, 2020
One of the biggest disappointments I’ve had from a book in a while. The basic premise in the blurb on the back sounded like this would be something right up my alley, but this book was a real struggle to read - a tortured prose that reads like a bad DM during an rpg. The characters in the book were so poorly developed and wafer thin with no real depth at all. The story is full of badly used fantasy tropes. Everything here needed more development - the world building, the character development and the mess of a plot. The worst book I have read in a long time.
April 15, 2018
I liked it. Malden came up with a brilliant plan.
August 28, 2018
So yeah, I was thinking of giving this 2 stars but, really. I started reading it and got slightly bored after a while so I took a break and read a few pages every now and then. I took me _3 years_ to get through this. That is never a good sign.
I liked it at first, the world is interesting and it had a promising plot. Also, I'm always weak for stories about thieves. But the story really dragged for the second half of the book and I found I didn't really care how it ended. I actually skimmed the last 100 pages just to finish it.
The characters felt very much like flat stereotypes, I didn't like any one of the actually. No one really stuck, I have no favourite and I wouldn't care if any of them died.
The epilogue of how all of it started and ended felt a bit forced, like it was added to explain the motifs behind the plot. I would have preferred that to be mixed in with the story instead of in an extra chapter that felt like it was added as afterthought.
And there was just way too many chapters, action scenes getting cut off several times. It kinda felt like watching a movie where each new chapter was the camera changing angles to keep it interesting. Did not work for book I must say.
Also, way too much talking in swordfighting scenes. This book could have easily skipped around 100 pages and not loose out from it. It might have given the author room to work the backstory into the actual book as well.
I learned from another review that the author usually writes horror stories. Which makes a lot of sense actually, especially when reading the more horror-related scenes in this book, I get the feeling that he does horror much better.
It's not badly written really, it's a decent book but it could use some more work. The rest of this series might be better but I probably won't bother to keep reading.
I liked it at first, the world is interesting and it had a promising plot. Also, I'm always weak for stories about thieves. But the story really dragged for the second half of the book and I found I didn't really care how it ended. I actually skimmed the last 100 pages just to finish it.
The characters felt very much like flat stereotypes, I didn't like any one of the actually. No one really stuck, I have no favourite and I wouldn't care if any of them died.
The epilogue of how all of it started and ended felt a bit forced, like it was added to explain the motifs behind the plot. I would have preferred that to be mixed in with the story instead of in an extra chapter that felt like it was added as afterthought.
And there was just way too many chapters, action scenes getting cut off several times. It kinda felt like watching a movie where each new chapter was the camera changing angles to keep it interesting. Did not work for book I must say.
Also, way too much talking in swordfighting scenes. This book could have easily skipped around 100 pages and not loose out from it. It might have given the author room to work the backstory into the actual book as well.
I learned from another review that the author usually writes horror stories. Which makes a lot of sense actually, especially when reading the more horror-related scenes in this book, I get the feeling that he does horror much better.
It's not badly written really, it's a decent book but it could use some more work. The rest of this series might be better but I probably won't bother to keep reading.
October 19, 2015
Reading this book was more like playing RPG, than actually reading a book!
That's not a really bad thing! It's just..funny!
That's an interesting plot, full of demons, magical artifacts, a typical knight full of sense of justice and blindness for the right thing (at least for what he believes it is!), really powerful and bad wizard and lots of adventure!
Everything happens to fast. Maybe that's the big reason I thought the book looks much more like a game than a book.
But it's a nice reading! It flows easily!
Just a few things that I think it doesn't really got me:
- Wizards that aren't allowed to perform wizardry, anymore! Honestly... really?! It's a fantasy world with demons and all! How come they can't be... wizards?!
- The romance. If I can call it a romance. Malden just met Cythera once, and both fall in complete love?! Hmm.. not really..!
- The main reason for everything that started in the story: the crown. Because, if the people see the king without it, they will go into riots and all?!
Anyway, besides those few things, it is an entertaining reading.
That's not a really bad thing! It's just..funny!
That's an interesting plot, full of demons, magical artifacts, a typical knight full of sense of justice and blindness for the right thing (at least for what he believes it is!), really powerful and bad wizard and lots of adventure!
Everything happens to fast. Maybe that's the big reason I thought the book looks much more like a game than a book.
But it's a nice reading! It flows easily!
Just a few things that I think it doesn't really got me:
- Wizards that aren't allowed to perform wizardry, anymore! Honestly... really?! It's a fantasy world with demons and all! How come they can't be... wizards?!
- The romance. If I can call it a romance. Malden just met Cythera once, and both fall in complete love?! Hmm.. not really..!
- The main reason for everything that started in the story: the crown. Because, if the people see the king without it, they will go into riots and all?!
Anyway, besides those few things, it is an entertaining reading.
February 28, 2021
I read a lot of fantasy and I liked the basic premise of this book but through the whole thing I struggled to really connect with any of the characters. The romance subplot seemed forced and while I did enjoy certain aspects I found it overall pretty underwhelming. By the end it seemed like every other paragraph had to remind you of the class struggles within the city and while that was part of the story at a certain point it was just like "OKAY! We get it already!"
I enjoyed the ending and overall it was an okay read but I don't know that I'd be raving about this to anyone I know.
I enjoyed the ending and overall it was an okay read but I don't know that I'd be raving about this to anyone I know.
August 12, 2011
http://staffersmusings.blogspot.com/2...
Rewrote this after re-reading it a few weeks later. It's such a pain to write negative reviews that I realized how chopped up I made it. Hopefully it reads better now.
Rewrote this after re-reading it a few weeks later. It's such a pain to write negative reviews that I realized how chopped up I made it. Hopefully it reads better now.
October 13, 2017
I needed something different after all the books with characters who suddenly find themselves all powerful and set out to save the world. This book is about Malden, a young thief without magic, who uses his wits to take on demons, warriors and the most powerful sorcerer in the city. He is not looking to save the world, just to save himself against horrific odds. He's not handsome or particularly strong, no one mentors him, threats come from every side while he relies on agility and brains to win the thing he wants most.
The characters are well developed, the action is constant and interesting in a rather harsh world, reminiscent of medieval times but with magic.. The author ties up all the loose ends, but still draws you on so you want to know what comes next. And the other 2 books are available.
Only cravat was the ending was a little too tidy and contrived, otherwise a very good read.
The characters are well developed, the action is constant and interesting in a rather harsh world, reminiscent of medieval times but with magic.. The author ties up all the loose ends, but still draws you on so you want to know what comes next. And the other 2 books are available.
Only cravat was the ending was a little too tidy and contrived, otherwise a very good read.
June 3, 2019
Un premier tome assez prometteur, centré sur un voleur engagé pour voler la couronne du maire de sa ville natale, qui se retrouve confronté à une machination politique.
L'intrigue est bien rythmée, mais est parfois longuette, et l'écriture est assez simple, les personnages sont parfois caricaturaux .J'avais parfois l'impression d'avoir déjà lu ce livre... bref, 3 étoiles qui font que je ne lirais sans doute pas la suite (mais c'était pour essayer)
L'intrigue est bien rythmée, mais est parfois longuette, et l'écriture est assez simple, les personnages sont parfois caricaturaux .J'avais parfois l'impression d'avoir déjà lu ce livre... bref, 3 étoiles qui font que je ne lirais sans doute pas la suite (mais c'était pour essayer)
November 26, 2020
Good, not great. The worldbuilding was excellent, the action scenes were well-written, and the overall plot was compelling enough. Aside from that, it falls a little flat and relies a bit too heavily on tropes (The Chivalrous Knight, The Damsel in Distress, The Evil Sorcerer). The characters lack depth and the dialogue wasn't overly memorable. Still, it manages to have a few very strong moments. If you're looking for the book equivalent to junk food, you're in the right place.
March 7, 2023
This is definitely my kind of fantasy novel. A thief, some knights of an ancient order, mythical creatures, and a bit of magic. Yes this sounds like most fantasy novels but Chandler weaves them effortlessly and keeps the pace brisk. For me there are too many fantasy novels that build and build and build only for a minor payoff. Chandler gives us action with the exposition and fleshes out the story elegantly. On to the sequel.
March 17, 2019
This isn't the best fantasy book I've read but it's certainly not the worst. The characters are lively and there's a thread taken from a few authors easily seen in the work. Particularly I could hear bits of Terry Pratchett and Joe Abercrombie. Sadly though the plot twists are a little too clearly visible and at times the female characters don't get the respect they deserve.
July 10, 2022
I have a feeling this book shouldn't get too comfortable on my shelve - it may not remain with me long. While I liked Malden, his adoration for his lady love was sudden and unrealistic, based on nothing deeper than her looks. Honestly, I just didn't like her. Furthermore, she didn't become any more endearing the longer she floated around the novel. And while I liked Croy, I'm not particularly eager to read yet another mid-triology love triangle, which is where this series seems to be heading. Perhaps I will give the middle book a try, perhaps this will be chucked in the resale pile. It is simply too soon to tell which way this is going to go.
September 5, 2018
I thought this was a very likeable book. Written in a very simple, minimalist style, I was instantly hooked. It ain't certainly no haute litterature, but I'd rather read this than bullshit spun out by Brian Staveley or Neil Gaiman
December 3, 2019
Solid
The book got a little windy in spots when it came to Croy the golden boy knight. But I don't know that the main character Malden ever really got fleshed out visually. The story in itself was entertaining. Ill definitely give Chandler another read.
The book got a little windy in spots when it came to Croy the golden boy knight. But I don't know that the main character Malden ever really got fleshed out visually. The story in itself was entertaining. Ill definitely give Chandler another read.
December 27, 2019
Sono rimasto colpito positivamente da questo libro. Credevo fosse (solo) una buona storia fantasy, invece mi sono ritrovato per le mani un'ottimo romanzo. Ritmo, intreccio narrativo, personaggi, luoghi, descrizioni. Tutto molto affascinante. Bello e consigliato!
April 19, 2023
Very enthralling read. Good build up and twists. A very original story.
Only negative was having a damsel in distress who needed rescuing and all the female characters having minor parts or zero skills.
Only negative was having a damsel in distress who needed rescuing and all the female characters having minor parts or zero skills.
January 14, 2018
Bland - characters with no character. Won't be reading further books in this series. I liked the historical perspective though - that is what kept me reading.
May 3, 2019
E' una storia carina ma non mi ha appassionato molto
September 28, 2019
Great stuff, clever thieves and idiot knights
I always enjoy a good heist book. Solid worldbuilding, unique characters, and a heist facing impossible odds, who could want more?
I always enjoy a good heist book. Solid worldbuilding, unique characters, and a heist facing impossible odds, who could want more?
December 25, 2019
DNF. It's way too boring.
January 25, 2022
Yeah I couldn't finish it- better to leave childhood books to the past.
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