My rating of 3/5 is perhaps a tad unfair, as I do feel Volume 4 is more interesting than the previous one, at least for the first half certainly. OnMy rating of 3/5 is perhaps a tad unfair, as I do feel Volume 4 is more interesting than the previous one, at least for the first half certainly. On the run from the Lusitanian forces, Arslan turns to Lord Hodir, ruler of Kashan Fortress, home to 3,000 cavalrymen and 35,000 infantrymen. However, Hodir is a greedy man who realizes this is his chance to manipulate the young prince to further his own lust for power. As such, it is quite the learning experience for Arslan, who's also confronted by the reality that freeing the Gholam (the slaves) may not be such a simple task as he had originally envisioned. At the same time, he's shown to have taken an interest in learning more about his enemy's religion in the hopes of better understanding them. I value these quieter moments where the story takes the time to teach Arslan by posing questions he'll have to find answers to.
After this point, and having decided on reaching the citadel of Marzban Kishward (the double-bladed badass from Volume 1) a long chase begins that won't stop until Volume 5, if memory serves. Meanwhile, back at Ecbatana, the priests are in uproar 'cause the Lusitanian king fancies marrying the Parsian queen, leading to the beginning of a schism between government and church. Frankly, given their zealotry, I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner. All of this transpires alongside Silver Mask's plotting to eventually overthrown the Lusitanians and rule Pars himself.
Where the warrior-priestess Farangis is introduced, a traitor meets his untimely end, and earth-shattering secrets are revealed!
Having recentlyWhere the warrior-priestess Farangis is introduced, a traitor meets his untimely end, and earth-shattering secrets are revealed!
Having recently watched the first OVA, I must admit I'm somewhat disappointed by Farangis' skimpy outfit in the manga, when she wears such a beautiful armour in the OVA. Still, this is only a minor complaint that doesn't impede enjoyment of the story. Gieve, ever the womanizer, falls for our warrior-priestess and throws in his lot with Arslan and his forces as a result. Étoile, a character I had mostly forgotten about, not least because he vanishes from the face of the Earth after this volume, is confronted with the reality that his own people deceived Ecbatana's slaves, promising them a freedom that they never intended to deliver. Unfortunately, he never dwells on the matter and continues to espouse his faith to the boy he met three years ago. Beyond this, Narsus gets to show more of his strategies and Arslan gets to show his skills with a bow and arrow, which are none too shabby.
A good follow-up to Volume 2, just not as good. Don't worry, it will get better....more
Welcome to Volume 2 of "The Heroic Legend of Arslan"!
To my mind, this volume benefited greatly from the introduction of a whole new cast ofWelcome to Volume 2 of "The Heroic Legend of Arslan"!
To my mind, this volume benefited greatly from the introduction of a whole new cast of characters, ranging Narsus, former advisor to King Andragoras III; his assistant, Elam; and the bard, Gieve. If Daryum is to become Arslan's blade, then Narsus is surely to become his strategist, as he can anticipate his enemies' actions and devise clever strategies that would make Yang Wenli blush (if you don't get that reference, then think of Shiroe from Log Horizon). The way Prince Arslan convinces him over to his side is truly hilarious to witness so I encourage you to give it a read!
Volume 2 also depicts the fall of the city of Ecbatana, the capital of the Pars Kingdom. While reading the manga I could not help but think of the last episode of Game of Thrones. Its writers would do well to take note of the kind of madness that can lead people to brutally slaughtering and burning a city's inhabitants (in this particular case, religious fanaticism is to blame).
This series has not disappointed me so far. In fact, as I write this, I've read all first 9 volumes, and it looks like this series could easily climb to 50 volumes if it keeps up the pace....more
There are two names that may lead people to this manga: Hiromu Arakawa and Yoshiki Tanaka. While many, if not most, people will be more familiar withThere are two names that may lead people to this manga: Hiromu Arakawa and Yoshiki Tanaka. While many, if not most, people will be more familiar with the creator of "Fullmetal Alchemist," which I have yet to watch, I bought this solely on the name of Yoshiki Tanaka, the creator of the best anime space opera you will never see, "The Legend of the Galactic Heroes."
From what I've been able to gather, this is the second manga adaptation of the 16 light novels he wrote of "The Heroic Legend of Arslan," published between 1986 and 2017 (I hope the manga is completed sooner!). There is an anime adaptation as well, but apparently it is not as faithful as the manga, adding new content, probably in an effort to fill up a season order.
Anyway, back to Arslan. What did I make of this first volume? It was an entertaining read, but not a particularly impressive beginning to the series. The Parsians are defeated over the span of a single volume, forcing the young prince Arslan, heir to the throne, into exile. I was a bit disappointed in how the Parsian King handled the Battle of Atropatene, but more so in how quickly his troops (and their commanders) lost cohesion after he sounded the retreat. Perhaps the novel handled it better, but the manga seemed to rush events to a foregone conclusion.
Our hero, Arslan, is quite different from the likes of Reinhard von Lohengramm or Yang Wenli. He shares none of their incredible minds for strategy and tactics, instead being quite naive, but kind-hearted, and eager to learn more about the world and the people around him. In fact, he reminds me a lot of young King Evan, from the game Ni no Kuni II, who more often than not relies on the wise counsel and strength of his advisors. It should not come as a surprise as both Arslan and Evan walk very similar paths.
In short, Yoshiki Tanaka takes a stab at fantasy with "The Heroic Legend of Arslan," building a hero and king from the ground up. I cannot say how good the adaptation by Hiromu Arakawa is as I've not read the source material but, as I've mentioned previously, more knowledgeable sources say this is a good adaptation.
I'm looking forward to reading more on the adventures of young prince Arslan and seeing what destiny awaits him....more
A good start to the story of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" that feels more complete than the movie of the same name. I'm reading this afterA good start to the story of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" that feels more complete than the movie of the same name. I'm reading this after watching the movie and, while some of the beats are the same, the context is quite different and the lore is far more abundant. Nausicaä is more powerful in the manga and displays abilities that finally explain some of what transpires in the movie. The "villains" from the movie are also more nuanced here, and the world of the realms of men far more complex.
I'm unsure whether I'll review the next volumes or simply do a series review with the last one.
If you've read some of the Discworld novels, happen to be a fan of Moist von Lipzwig's adventures, and are saddened that there aren't enough booksIf you've read some of the Discworld novels, happen to be a fan of Moist von Lipzwig's adventures, and are saddened that there aren't enough books about him to satiate your appetite, then I'd say "The Truth" is good for you! What's that? Well, yes, I suppose the truth is usually good for people every now and then but that's besides the point.
While this truth doesn't feature our charming rogue with a sharp wit and more peculiar name, it is very much a von Lipzwig-ish type of story, whereas fate (that is, Terry Pratchett) and the ineffable Lord Vetinari conspire-er, I mean to say plot, no, wait, that's not better either. Guide? Yes! ... where fate and Lord Vetinari conspire to guide a young man by the name of William de Worde in a potentially lucrative (definitely perilous) new enterprise, printing the news! Or, as Lord Vetinari would say, the olds, because the news would be probably too much for people to comprehend and care about.
Character-wise, de Worde is quite different from the entrepreneurial von Lipzwig, preferring a much less stressful life, with a comfortable job that pays enough for him to get by, but not so much as to get him in the kind of trouble Moist often dreams about. Having said that, he's similar to Moist in that when faced with an obstacle he'll find some creative way to overcome it, and it's always entertaining to read about what he'll do next, especially when you throw in a murder investigation involving Vetinari himself! (DISCLAIMER: Goodreads Inc shall in no way be liable from any unfortunate accident that may befall the reckless and slanderous author of this review and will, of course, be more than happy to be called upon as a character witness for Lord Vetinari, who has been kind enough not to sue us in the past and hopefully will continue to do so, or rather don't, in the foreseeable, and not foreseeable, future.)
Is Vetinari innocent? Was he framed? If so, by who? (It's 'whom.') Is there a conspiracy brewing on Ankh-Morpork? Are we witnessing the beginning of a coup d'etat?! (What's a coup d'etat? Dunno. Beats me. It's like a rebellion. Against who? Whom! Who's whom? Oh, not this again! Well, against the government of course! But I thought Vetinari was in jail? Says who? Says we, we published it. Oh, right. Look, Vetinari is not the government... *silence* Okay, maybe he is the government, the point is-) Read all about it in the Ankh-Morpork Items! (It's 'Ankh-Morpork Times.' Oh, right!)
And if that's not enough, how about some friendly (definitely friendlier than Moist's in "Going Postal") competition in the form of the Inquirer, a tabloid with a different concept of the truth and none of de Worde's ethics? So begins (or ends?) the Century of the Fruitbat, proudly wielding words as the new weapon into the... Century of the Anchovy?
NO, IT'S NOT MADE OF ANCHOVIES.
HOW SHOULD I KNOW? HUMANS ARE RATHER STRANGE AT NAMING THINGS.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE I MEET ON A DAILY BASIS?
THAT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION.
Ahem. Now that you mention it, one of the few things I didn't like or, rather, thought could've been handled better is the resolution of the -ing members of the -ing New Firm. Er, I'm perilously close to spoiling things so let me say I wish the author had been a bit more subtle about it, kind of the way he dealt with it in "Small Gods." All I'm saying is, sometimes less is more. On the plus side, there are a few references to Omnia and the (small) god Om!
Why not give it a read? After all, "The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret."...more
An enjoyable read even if it really picks up the pace after the second chapter. A very unique approach to magic too, a force that in this story isAn enjoyable read even if it really picks up the pace after the second chapter. A very unique approach to magic too, a force that in this story is nurtured by art and channeled through geometry with the aid of a bird-like animal companion called a Genius. In brief, only artists have Geniuses in this world. I guess it sucks for mathematicians or doctors.
The story follows a young boy by the name of Giacomo who gains his own Genius under unusual circumstances. In any other time, this might be a good thing, but under the rule of Supreme Creator Nerezza, having a Genius is akin to a death sentence, what is more than a bit hypocritical considering our tyrant has her very own Genius (or she might not have remained a tyrant for long otherwise). Luckily for our young artist, he soon teams up with other boys and girls his age, with Geniuses of their own, and they soon set out to find three magical items in order to depose the tyrant: the Creator's (not the Supreme one, the true one) Compass, the Creator's Straightedge (also known as a ruler), and the Creator's Pencil. Okay, maybe the mathematician still has a shot after all. While such a quest could be interesting enough on its own, the stakes are raised by introducing another villain, Ugalino, also possessed of a Genius, who's on the same quest as they and, incidentally, on their tail.
I suppose one of the downsides to this story is that it's too short to properly develop all of the characters, let alone the main villains. Nerezza, of course, is absent for the majority of it so we could hardly have expected otherwise. I enjoyed the twist at the end, even though I imagine it poses a problem or two for our tyrant's agenda. How will her story develop? I suppose all we can do is wait for the sequel... which as luck would have it has already released. Who knew?
To sum up, it's an entertaining story that blends together magic and art quite well, not least of why because it includes a few drawings from Giacomo's sketchbook. If the author's keen on raising the stakes even further, I'd suggest inviting one of the other empires in the story to tag along for either of the remaining books in the trilogy, intent on taking over their neighbour with anti-Genius troops. Chi blockers much?
Fables makes a strong comeback in this third volume with a great mix of spy thriller, politics, and war. Fables is at its best when it gives Bigby anFables makes a strong comeback in this third volume with a great mix of spy thriller, politics, and war. Fables is at its best when it gives Bigby an opportunity to put on his thinking cap and play detective, and Book Three does not disappoint. As Bigby and Snow deal with their complicated relationship, they are faced with the prospect of Prince Charming running for Mayor, not to mention the unexpected appearance of another Fable, Red Riding Hood, straight from the Homelands!
I really liked this volume as it gives us more insight into Bigby's character and even some background concerning his whereabouts during the World Wars (he was fighting, of course). At the same time, Snow proves herself to be a competent leader in times of war, in the first (that we know of) showdown against the forces of The Adversary in Fabletown. It's a major battle that even involves the Fables from The Farm as well what means the return of Rose Red, ready to kick some ass. It also serves as an opportunity to give several (minor) characters their time in the spotlight, like when Hobbes and Grimble courteously strike a wager on who collects the most heads from the enemy, a most capital idea!
It's a pity though that the battle cuts short the political machinations of Prince Charming but hopefully we'll get a better look into Fabletown politics in the next volume. What I wouldn't give to see a debate between Snow White and Prince Charming! Though we may have to settle for one with King Cole at best.
All in all, it's a great ride from beginning to end that makes me excited for Book Four. See you then!...more
Not really much I can say about this one since the anime faithfully recreates the events that transpire in this light novel.
"Game's End, Part 2"Not really much I can say about this one since the anime faithfully recreates the events that transpire in this light novel.
"Game's End, Part 2" deals with the Adventurers finding out that there's a price to pay for immortality, the ongoing negotiations with Eastal, and the first large-scale battle against the armies of the Goblin King. Personally, I found the negotiations were one of the high-points of the story as they show us Shiroe's thoughts and schemes. He's my personal favourite of Log Horizon because while most other characters focus on the here and now, Shiroe's already thinking several steps ahead about what will or may happen and what to do about it. That's probably the reason why another high-point of the story for me was his application of the knowledge he's gathered so far to create a new form of magic, one with consequences that will ripple into the next volumes I'm sure.
If there is a low-point, it would be the author's continuous review of a MMORPG's rules and terminology, what slows down the reading. Also, Crusty's dealings with the Princess are not that engaging to be honest. As for the battle, while it certainly pays to read about it if you want to have a better understanding of what exactly is going on, its animated counterpart is the superior version.
In short, my experience with the Log Horizon light novels so far is that they are a good read if you want a more detailed account of the events that transpired but they usually get bogged down by the MMORPG stuff, ironically enough. Not a whole lot has transpired since Shiroe's creation of the Round Table Council and it shows. My recommendation stands, watch the show first and then decide. As I understand it, the next volume rounds up Season 1 of the anime. Hopefully, things will pick up in that one....more
The adventures of the Fables on our world continue. There are a few different stories to choose from, from a short tale of Jack's encounter with DeathThe adventures of the Fables on our world continue. There are a few different stories to choose from, from a short tale of Jack's encounter with Death during the Civil War, through an inquisitive journalist determined to expose the Fable community, to Blue Boy's tale about the Fables' last stand on the Homelands, among others.
While your enjoyment may vary depending on your investment with each character, you will no doubt appreciate the evolving romantic arc between Snow and Bigby as they go on a holiday, together. However, to my mind, this arc was rushed to a certain conclusion when I would have preferred that the author had built the relationship more slowly, profiting from the witty banter between these two characters after Bigby's reveal in Book One.
There is also a short (fully written) story at the end about Bigby's days in the Homelands, his first encounter with Snow, and how she later invites him to Fabletown. Truth be told, I think it was probably the richer story of Book Two and I look forward to more short stories like this one in future volumes.
Rating's between a 3 and a 4 because of the multiple (disjointed) stories as I usually prefer an overarching story-arc. I'll leave it at 3/5....more
Decided to give this a try after playing The Wolf Among Us and I wasn't disappointed. Its tone is more mature than the game but the world andDecided to give this a try after playing The Wolf Among Us and I wasn't disappointed. Its tone is more mature than the game but the world and characters are (mostly) the same. It opened strongly with Bigby solving a murder case and followed with the Fables' version of Animal Farm. As in the game there are hints at the beginning of a romantic relationship between Bigby and Snow White but time will tell how it's handled. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book and hoping Bigby will have more cases to solve....more
A highly entertaining and fast read that makes following the economics' side of the equation easier on the reader than its animated counterpart doesA highly entertaining and fast read that makes following the economics' side of the equation easier on the reader than its animated counterpart does on the viewer. For better or worse, I watched quite a few episodes of the anime before reading the light novel, a fact I now blame for my slow reading seeing as I already knew (and still know) what was going to happen. Still, while the anime remains relatively faithful to the light novel (a character is swapped for another), the latter is far more accomplished in portraying the relationship between Holo and Lawrence. Their wonderful banter, with Holo's constant teasing and Lawrence trying to one-up her in return, will draw several smiles on your face as you can't help but giggle at the cuteness of it all. Of course, this is enhanced by the drawings of Jyuu Ayakura which were faithfully reproduced in the anime.
At the time of this writing, Yen Press is releasing a 10th anniversary collector's edition of Spice & Wolf which collects all previously released 17 volumes in a single, leather-bound, tome. If the series continues to be this good I have little doubt it'll be an edition worth getting. Considering the first run has already sold out I guess many people are of the same mind.
If you remain unconvinced, I suggest you go over to FUNimation's YouTube channel since they have the entire first season up for free. The events described in the light novel are covered in the first 6 episodes of the season.
For my part, I'm looking forward to reading more on the travels of the wolf and the spice. See you in the next one!
Hmm... Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the script to a play based on a story by J.K. Rowling. It begins during theI am thinking.
Where to begin?
Hmm... Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the script to a play based on a story by J.K. Rowling. It begins during the epilogue of Book 7 so the gang is now all grown up and ready to pass the torch to the next generation. Therefore, while the old gang is featured throughout the play, the story focuses more around Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy, Harry and Draco's kids, respectively.
Let's get something out of the way first. I don't particularly mind this being a script to a play rather than a book. Would I prefer a book? Sure, absolutely, but my preference is usually the conversations between characters anyway. In that respect, I wasn't looking for lush descriptions of our surroundings or of how the characters are feeling, etc. My imagination and memory of this world will suffice.
Having said that, it doesn't bode well when only minutes into the script I find myself taking down notes instead of enjoying the story (something I've never done with any of the Harry Potter books). This is something that happened constantly throughout the earlier chapters of Cursed Child and I could hardly stop myself. Characters were acting in ways that made no sense, sometimes being spiteful just because to the point of they being downright unlikable. In short, they weren't acting like human beings should act, age notwithstanding. The source of the problem, as far as I can tell, is time.
Simply put, we don't know any of these characters, not even Harry, Ron, Hermione, et al. I mean, it's been almost twenty years since the Battle of Hogwarts and a lot has happened since then. The epilogue at the end of Book 7 works, for the most part, because it's short, and the characters appear to act as we remember them to. However, in Cursed Child we spend more time with them, and the more I read the less I connected with these characters. To further compound the problem, the events in Cursed Child develop over four (if I recall correctly) years but in the span of 300 pages (about the same length as Azkaban), whereas Harry had 1 book for each year. Consequently we're given glimpses into the lives of these characters and, in order to reinforce them, the script plays the "tell, don't show" card to an untenable degree, almost as if someone were shouting, "DO YOU GET IT NOW?!"
I do get it, Cursed Child doesn't have enough room to breathe life into its characters and it suffers for it. It tries to redeem itself a bit as we approach the final acts but most of the damage has already been done by that point.
It's time I addressed the plot. Personally, I found it to be pretty absurd, unfortunately bordering (if not outright crossing into) fanfiction territory, a bad to average one. Very early on a character says something that made me think, "This can be easily verified in our world. Wait, this character should know that!!!" The catalyst that prompts Albus' and Scorpius' adventure is... I don't know, that somebody wrote it that way I suppose. A prophecy is put into play, a laughable one. A character is introduced, again, straight out of someone's fanfic I guess. The only thing remotely engaging about the plot is that it explores the question of "what if?" to varying degrees of success, placing familiar characters in unfamiliar circumstances. Unfortunately though, it is also one of its weaknesses as it really does come across as a remix of (some) of Harry Potter's greatest hits, as others have suggested. To top it all, the story's more engaging when it only features half of the dynamic duo (I'll let you guess which one. Hint: his name starts with Scorpius).
If the story had continued the way it started, I would've given it a 1/5 without a shadow of a doubt. However, it is salvaged by the fact that the characters start resembling human beings later on (though I still feel they dropped the ball here) and that the Malfoys, Scorpius in particular, do their best to slap some sense into the rest of the cast and get this story back on track. Thus, my rating stands at a 2-ish/5, it was okay-ish (barely scraping that 2). I fail to understand why this story even needed to be told.
Fortunately, I had the good sense of buying it on Kindle because, to be honest, I don't know if I want the hardcover standing next to my Harry Potter books. That privilege needs to be earned and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has failed to earn it.
SPOILER CORNER
(view spoiler)[ I take it you've read the script and now are able to put my previous words into context. As I said, the only kid who's likable and acts remotely like a (decent) human being is Scorpius (I'm not counting Lily of James because they were mostly absent). Rose seems like a colder, and more disagreeable, version of Hermione that should probably have been a Slytherin considering how she cuts ties with Albus immediately because of his friendship with Scorpius and how that would affect her image (it's basically what Draco tells Harry when they meet in the first book). However, she doesn't come close (maybe because we didn't read a lot of her) to the absolute jerk that is Albus Severus Potter, something I remarked constantly in my notes, to the point I thought I was reading a rather bad YA novel.
But the curse with the cast extends further. Harry acts like a bully at several points, threatening to abuse his power, and Ron is just a punchline throughout, somehow forgetting about becoming an Auror to run the joke shop along with his brother. Dumbledore is a shadow of his former self, something that could be considered appropriate I suppose seeing as he's just a portrait. In any case, he needn't have been in this story.
And Delphi, oh god, don't get me started on Delphi! Voldemort's daughter? With Bellatrix Lestrange? Are you even trying? Do you really think Voldemort would even consider giving birth to a child who could one day become his rival? Voldemort only thought about staying alive, that was the single thought that drove him, his quest for immortality, giving no thought to his legacy (for that would imply dying).
And how about Cedric Diggory turning Death Eater and killing Neville all because he was humiliated this one time? Dumbledore's words at his memorial feast ring a bit hollow now if that was all it would've taken.
And Amos Diggory? Are we talking about the same person who told Harry he didn't blame him for what had happened to his son and thanked him for bringing his body back? 'cause he sure doesn't sound like him when he says, "There's plenty you're responsible for."
And the Sorting Hat? I never knew the hat to be prejudiced as is clearly apparent from this line, "SCORPIUS runs to take ROSE’s place under the SORTING HAT’s glare." They must've replaced it sometime in those twenty years for a malfunctioning one. Why did he sort Albus into Slytherin? Why did he sort Scorpius into Slytherin? The script doesn't bother to explain, you just have to go with it.
Like I said, the most likable character by far was Scorpius, followed by Draco. These two have to deal with the unspoken accusation that Scorpius is Voldemort's son, something that would be absurdly simple to prove with a DNA test. Scorpius is smart but, most importantly, he's sensible, a quality his pal Albus is thoroughly lacking. Heck, Draco in the dark universe where Voldemort's won is even more likable than Harry at some points.
The (new and improved) time-turner is a neat gimmick to explore the Harry Potter multiverse, I'll give it that, though they wasted an incredible opportunity to team Albus and Scorpius with Harry, Hermione, and Ron's younger selves. Even when Cursed Child rehashes material from the previous books it takes no advantage of placing Albus in a situation where he can watch his father's struggles as a teenager and thus understand him a little more. I can't help but think a good fanfic would've made better use of the same material.
So, yeah, my conclusion still stands. As the next instalment in the Harry Potter saga Cursed Child is a disappointment through and through. If all anyone wanted was to take a trip down memory lane, that's what the books are for, there was no need to stage a play with a surprisingly thin script. (hide spoiler)]...more
If you're reading this, odds are you've probably seen the anime already. In fact, I'd say that's probably the better route: watch the anime first andIf you're reading this, odds are you've probably seen the anime already. In fact, I'd say that's probably the better route: watch the anime first and then read the novels second. The reasoning behind this is that the world of Log Horizon is built around the concept of MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games) and that's something better understood through visuals. It doesn't hurt that the music is excellent too, hitting the right notes in every situation.
In Log Horizon a group of people one day find themselves stuck inside the game they're playing, an MMORPG by the name of Elder Tale. The story follows our main hero, Shiroe, as he tries to make sense of what has happened with the help of his friends, Naotsugu and Akatsuki.
Unlike countless other anime, our main hero is not the all-powerful being who will save us all. Shiroe is neither particularly strong not powerful in battle. What he is, however, is a brilliant tactician who can coordinate the efforts of a group of people to achieve a particular goal with brutal efficiency. Oh, yes, Shiroe can be quite ruthless, more so in the book than in the anime. The reasons are explained in the book as are the motivations and thoughts of the different characters what is a welcome complement to its animated counterpart.
For the uninitiated in the world of anime a word of warning. How should I put this... Let's say that Japanese sense of humour, as reflected in manga/anime, can be quite different to what we are used to. For instance, a recurring gag throughout Log Horizon is Henrietta's fixation with darling Akatsuki, whom she treats pretty much as her own personal doll. This was initially fun but can be at times a bit disturbing. It doesn't speak well of Shiroe either who allows the situation to transpire over and over again. There are some other tropes well known to anime fans though luckily there are a few missing as well.
The first volume covers events up to and including Shiroe's confrontation with Demiqas at Susukino what's roughly equivalent to 1/4 of the anime's first season.
At this point, I'd probably recommend this book to people who fell in love with the anime and want to experience the adventure beyond the show. For newcomers, my opening statement stands: watch the anime first. It's way better than Sword Art Online. Yeah, I said it....more
For some odd reason, this book popped up last Friday as I entered Amazon as I normally do. I was curious so I clicked on it and read the description.For some odd reason, this book popped up last Friday as I entered Amazon as I normally do. I was curious so I clicked on it and read the description. It told of a man who could wield magic and was technologically-savvy, who would sooner tinker around in his workshop and read his books than be involved in the politics of his House. And yet this very same man was to be suddenly thrown into a crisis when the city of Theria was attacked, one that was bound to test his mettle and wit. A common enough starting point for a fantasy book to be sure but I was intrigued and a little disappointed I would not be able to benefit from other readers' reviews.
So I postponed my purchase... by a day. After all, I decided, might as well review it myself, for better or worse. I purchased it on a Saturday but did not start reading it until Sunday afternoon. I was not particularly in a hurry to read it. Of course, once I began, however, it was an altogether different matter. I devoured this book (because 'read' would simply fall short) in less than a day, truly even less than half that time. It is simply that good. Why?
It went off to a good start. The beginning of a story, I find, often sets the tone for the read, if that makes any sense at all. Some beginnings seem to overindulge in descriptions making readers wonder what they have gotten themselves into. Luckily for me, "The Arcanist" cuts to the chase, more often than not. Sure, from time to time, characters will describe their surroundings, events, etc., to make us invested but never so much as to bore. Plus, no story I've read begins with an attack by a herd of stampeding mammoths. If anything, the writer has the element of surprise going for him.
Next up is our main protagonist, Edouard Severin of the House of Barris. While the description may insist he's useless and leads a useless life it quickly becomes evident only the latter may be somewhat true. First of all, he's a Spark, meaning he can manipulate an element of magic (Fire) to a moderate degree; certainly not as much as a Flame (closer to your average mage) or a Power (think demi-god but even more powerful) would. Second, he's quite the prolific builder, creating anything from steam carriages to advanced weapons. Also, as a member of the House of Barris, the head of which is the King's Right Hand (or was it Left Hand?), he's swiftly called upon to investigate the source of this attack and we see some of his detective skills at work and, more importantly, the keen mind behind them.
Perhaps even more useful to the reader is the fact that Edouard is a tad cranky, often stubborn, and rather set in his ways, what turns his thoughts into such an entertaining read. Of course, it wouldn't be half as enjoyable if he didn't have someone pushing his buttons and that counterpart are (mostly, but not exclusively) the handmaidens of Tyrel, a Power who is not fond of men in general and assigns a couple of handmaidens to find out who was behind the destruction of the city of Theria. Thus, we are introduced to Kyriel, Edouard's main source of annoyance throughout the story. After all, she's a bit of a riddle to him. She's a handmaiden of Tyrel, so that's enough to make him suspicious, but she's also clever, has magic of her own, and is quite likely a far better sword than he'll ever be. She's also every bit as stubborn as he is, often putting herself in danger, but also placing herself close to him. I suspect you can see where this is going.
Unfortunately, Kyriel doesn't have much of a chance to show her skills with a blade. I thought the writer was setting it up, slowly showing us how much Kyriel knew of the Dance and hinting at a future enemy for her to duel. Ultimately, this comes to nothing as this enemy is defeated almost as quickly as it's revealed and with Kyriel nowhere close to the event. Oh, well, there's always the next book, yes?
The support cast in the story are also enjoyable in their own right, providing levity at times, or simply showing us how each side deals with their own crisis and, as I said before, they never overstay their welcome. For my part, I thought the writer knew exactly when to switch the focus from character to character. At times even I thought the skips were a tad too abrupt. See, usually when reading a fantasy book (or any book for that matter) you expect a certain progression. Say a character is fighting a battle in one chapter and then needs to return home. Often a writer may cram in between something happening with another character, or narrate the long march home. Often you may find it boring. It would seem the writer thought as much, decided to get rid of the middle-man and just keep the good bits. I didn't mind, in fact I welcomed it at times, but I did notice it and do believe some people might find it disconcerting.
What else is there to say? There are battles to be sure, both big and small. People die, lose loved ones, lose their homes, become displaced; in short, what one might expect from a war. However, while characters ponder these matters throughout the story they never let themselves be consumed by despair or anguish instead turning to action, what is good because I can only tolerate so much negativity. In fact, this book is pretty light on negativity and quick to defuse situations with humour, what's a plus for me.
"The Arcanist" is a great read from start to finish with endearing characters you can only hope we'll read more of in future titles. Edouard remains the hero of this story, however, and reading about the problems he faces and the solutions he comes up with remains the main appeal (let's face it, I'm looking forward to him solving more problems down the road) as well as the banter between Edouard and Kyriel. But maybe we'll be off to the land of the Tenarri next time, and explore more of Kyriel's origins with a reluctant Edouard in tow?
For a gamble, my little purchase seems to have paid off and then some. Then again, maybe I was favoured by Virius....more
The adventures of Loch and her friends continue in the second instalment of what is now called the 'Rogues of the Republic' saga.
Fresh off her deadlyThe adventures of Loch and her friends continue in the second instalment of what is now called the 'Rogues of the Republic' saga.
Fresh off her deadly encounter with Archvoyant Silestin, Loch escorts a diplomatic mission to the Temple of Butterflies where they must assuage the Empire's fears over the firing of the Heaven's Spire. But when Imperial Princess Veiled Lightning traps Loch and Kail a ploy is revealed to surrender Loch to the Empire in order to prevent the breakout of another war. Narrowly avoiding capture, and after an enlightening chat with the new Archvoyant Bertram, Loch learns of a way that might just save her skin and avoid outright war. Unfortunately, it involves retrieving one ancient elven manuscript by the name of "The Love Song of Eillenfiniel," the same one she already handed back to the elves!
That definitely puts Loch in a bit of a quandary, doesn't it? The gang's all back for another job, with the exception of Dairy who's off being fine according to Ululenia. If there's something I can say without a shred of doubt about 'The Prophecy Con' is that it's certainly action-packed. Indeed, the action is practically non-stop. Even something relatively harmless as doing research in a library can suddenly turn into Harry and friends trying to dodge Death Eaters in the Ministry of Magic. That's what it reminded me of anyway.
In any case, the job appears to be pretty straightforward. After some diligent tracking on the part of boyfriend Pyvic (not part of the crew, but he's okay) they manage to trace the manuscript to a dwarven museum. Seems like a straight crash and grab, doesn't it? Now throw in the Night Fox from Ocean's Twelve in the form of the elf Ethel (did you really think I'd memorize his real name?), as well as Princess Veiled Lightning and her entourage, some crazy Van Helsing-like Knights from the Republic set out to capture Loch, and you should have a pretty good idea things don't go nearly as planned.
Back in my review of 'The Palace Job' I noted how Loch suffered from something akin to writer omniscience in that she always knew what her enemies were planning (usually when us readers didn't) and consequently had a counter-plan of her own. While Loch still shows her cunning in planning ahead from time to time, this is nowhere near as prevalent as it was in the first instalment. In fact, more often than not, Loch and her team get one-upped in 'The Prophecy Con' and we get to see Loch dealing with the fallout... and Kail usually having to pay the price of said fallout. *cough* *cough*
With so many involved parties all after each other, but mostly after Loch, the action can be at times overwhelming and feel a bit repetitive. Indeed, there came a point when my brain would simply switch on an appropriate action sequence for the scene being described while I skimmed through the words. Understand, it's not that the action is bad (far from it), it's just that there's too much of it.
See, there's a part I love about any good heist movie/book and that's the preparation. Every member of the crew has a part to play in the con/heist that requires careful planning. This prelude is every bit as important as the con itself and in 'The Prophecy Con' it's lacking. Again, this comes down to how much more fast-paced this book is, with Loch racing against time to prevent a war with the Empire. Having said that, the last con, incidentally Loch's last chance to recover the elven manuscript, is more drawn out (yes!) and it features a battle of wits rather than swords in a poker-like tournament that is oddly reminiscent of the movie 'Maverick.' And while I didn't even try to understand the rules of suf-gesuf it was no less exciting, even if I did guess Loch's ace in the hole early on.
The characters are also a bit of a mixed bag. Some are dealing with the aftermath of the first book, such as Kail, Dairy, and Desidora. Kail appears to remain his usual wise-cracking self though he has gained a measure of perchance wisdom he shares with a depressed Desidora, who laments the loss of her powers as a Death Priestess. Dairy, on the other hand, has to come to terms with life after fulfilling the prophecy and a unicorn scorned.
Icy's just Icy and Ululenia's after more virgins so I guess that leaves Tern and Hessler for the crew. I think it's fair to say I enjoyed their interactions the most. The fact that they're now dating allows us to see more of their personalities or perhaps a different side of them, not to mention it sets the stage for some humorous situations. If I had to choose one character as my favourite in this book, it'd probably be Tern.
With regards to Loch and Pyvic... Sigh. Another reason I enjoyed 'The Palace Job' was that cat-and-mouse game between Loch and Pyvic that inadvertently hit its peak in a certain kavha house... Okay, I'll stop here before I reminisce too much and embarrass myself. This dynamic no longer exists in 'The Prophecy Con' seeing as Loch and Pyvic are now dating. This isn't a problem per se. Our leads being in a relationship could make for some interesting reading... if they shared more screentime (what, should I call it pagetime?) together.
Early on, the story separates the two (with good reason but reason be damned!) and negates any possibility of establishing a dynamic similar to the one Tern and Hessler have going. Worse, in the few scenes they are together they behave exactly as two Scout Captains rather than a couple. I have to side with Desidora here, it wouldn't hurt if these two showed a bit more range in their feelings and interactions with each other.
To that end, why not have the two run a con together in the next book? Maybe they get trapped behind enemy lines and have to make it back? These two need some time to learn about each other, work off each other, and I can think of no better scenario than having them rely on each other and no-one else.
There is A twist that I'm not going to spoil that has to do with the title of the book. The twist does come as a surprise, mostly because we remain largely ignorant of 'the prophecy' until the very end, what prevents us from pondering a very logical question. As usual, Loch was fastest putting the narrative clues together but I don't begrudge her (much) seeing as Poirot does this every time. Nonetheless, I have to admit the breadcrumb trail was not very clear for the reader to follow if there was one at all. Furthermore, the more I think back on it, the more certain pieces don't fit the puzzle and the odder (or convenient) the actions of certain parties appear to have been. Perhaps a more critical second read is due.
In the end, I flashed through 'The Prophecy Con' much like with 'The Palace Job' if for different reasons. With the first book it was the question of, "What will happen next?" that encouraged me to devour it. With 'The Prophecy Con,' however, I think it was the hope that something else would occur, something more, and it succeeded and failed in equal measure.
I'm still definitely looking forward to Book 3 though so keep 'em coming.
PS: I almost forgot. Why didn't you make the dwarf part of the crew?!?!...more
They say the book's always better than the movie. Of course, there's an exception to every rule and I'm afraid "The Princess Bride" is one suchThey say the book's always better than the movie. Of course, there's an exception to every rule and I'm afraid "The Princess Bride" is one such exception. This is not to say the book's bad because it isn't.
The main difference between the two is that the movie focuses mostly on the story of "The Princess Bride" and the cast are excellent at it! Certainly, it starts with a grandfather telling a story to his grandson and, from time to time, the story of Wesley and Buttercup will be interrupted by these two but that's the key point: from time to time.
The book, on the other hand, focuses on the story of abridging "The Princess Bride." Therefore, while it includes the story of Wesley and Buttercup, it also has the author writing about how the "author" of the abridged version of "The Princess Bride" first encountered the book (his father narrated it to him), why he decided to abridge it, his many personal problems, etc. This easily comprises half of the book. See the problem yet?
And, like I said before, the book is missing the cast of the movie. It has the words, sure, but it lacks the performances, the deliveries, the nuances.
I managed to get through this book because of the movie. If I had tried reading the book first, well, I'm not sure I would've finished reading it....more
I think this book pretty much lived up to my earliest expectations, that is to say, it was an okay read, enjoyable at times but mostly dull.I think this book pretty much lived up to my earliest expectations, that is to say, it was an okay read, enjoyable at times but mostly dull. Personally, I blame the subject matter more than the author but let's start from the beginning.
"The Masked Empire" takes place around the same time as the events of "Asunder." While Wynne and company went off to find the answer to the Rite of Tranquility, trouble was brewing in Orlais. Empress Celene is slowly (very slowly) trying to incorporate the Alienage elves into Orlesian society with the aid and guidance of her elven lover/spymaster/servant, Briala, and protected by her Chevalier champion, Ser Michel de Brevin. Naturally, not all nobles agree with her views and under the leadership of her cousin, the Grand Duke Gaspard, a Chevalier himself, they plot to overthrow her. They half-succeed in killing her but Celene manages to escape with the aid of her champion and soon they team up with Briala and another elven mage to find a way to regain the throne.
Well, where to begin? I initially expected to read about a military campaign with Celene on one side and Gaspard on the other. Unfortunately, there is no such military campaign in "The Masked Empire" much to my disappointment (so it didn't live up to my expectations there). Celene is set up early on so she loses the only army she was riding with and Gaspard decides to hunt her personally with a handful of troops. This sets the tone for the book and highlights a crucial point: this book isn't about the civil war in Orlais, it's about the elves. Specifically, this is Briala's story and, I'm sorry to say this but, it's pretty boring. Let me rephrase, it's not my cup of tea.
(view spoiler)[Perhaps part of it has to do with the fact that none of the events that transpired caught me by surprise. Throughout the book it was hinted that Briala ran the empire as much as Celene did, that she'd have to eventually choose between serving Orlais or her alienage brethren, and that she'd use Michel to that effect. As a result, Celene comes across mostly as a pampered noble with Briala being the brains behind this little con they had going for twenty years. Briala, in turn, becomes vindictive in a flash (Really? It took her twenty years to figure out Celene was responsible for her parents' death? It took me about two or three lines, not to mention it's the oldest cliche in the book.) and decides an endless state of civil strife in Orlais is ideal for the alienage elves to flourish (wtf?). Oh, and did I mention she has complete control over the entire stargate eluvian network which she will use to smuggle spies and supplies across Thedas while hamstringing both sides so the war goes on forever? Yes, I see nothing going wrong with THAT master plan. (hide spoiler)]
I was pleasantly surprised, however, about Gaspard's depiction. He could have been stereotipically villified but instead was rendered as an honorable adversary who even puts aside his qualm with Celene at one point and teams up with her champion to battle the dead, a couple of Revenants, and a Varterral. He even recognizes in the end that perhaps he's not the best person to lead the empire after all (not that Celene is, mind you), even though he turns out to be right.
(view spoiler)[The book ends pretty much as it began but with Briala becoming a third player in this war between Celene and Gaspard, while Michel (having betrayed her empress) chases after some demon/spirit. If there's something positive I can take away from this book it's that it gave us insight into the (irreconcilable) differences between the Dalish and the City/Alienage elves. They're fundamentally different groups with vastly dissimilar goals: one group dwells in the past while the other tries to survive the present. (hide spoiler)]
In the end, "The Masked Empire" is an okay read. Personally, I didn't particularly enjoy reading about "the Game" (of Thrones) nor about the plight of the elves. What you have is a story about a man so worried to keep a secret that he ends up betraying the woman he serves; a woman so smart that she knows all of the Empire's secrets except the most blatant one; another woman that is blinded by love/lust and comes across as mostly inept; a civil war that starts, sort of, gets delayed and then starts anew; and a revolt that appears to start, is put down, and will now start again under new leadership.
The Blinding Knife improves a lot from The Dark Prism but because of its abysmal ending I'm afraid I can't rate if four stars.
In book 2 war is fastThe Blinding Knife improves a lot from The Dark Prism but because of its abysmal ending I'm afraid I can't rate if four stars.
In book 2 war is fast approaching. Kip is now training to become a Blackguard. Not only will he have to endure the rigorous training but he will also have to spar with none other than Andross Guile himself, Gavin's father, in a dangerous game of cards and wits where the stakes always keep rising. Liv Danaris, daughter of Gavin's friend and ally, Corvan Danavis, has joined the Color Prince in his war against the Chromeria but her loyalties will be tested until her choice is made clear. In the meantime, Gavin has the unenviable task of convincing the Spectrum that war is upon them before he ultimately loses all his colours and is unable to stop the Color Prince from wreaking havoc upon the land.
Those are, basically, the main plots of book 2, with Brent Weeks jumping back and forth between them. I enjoyed them all, to some extent, with Kip's remaining the most interesting thanks in no small part to the added pressure of having to prove his worth to the Red. However, I quickly grew tired of the "Kip Almost" routine and his self-deprecation. There's only so many times I can read Kip going over the same thoughts over and over and over again.
Another thing I didn't like is that Brent Weeks uses the "damsel in distress" trope. He used it in the first book with Karris' capture and again in this one when she's beaten and bloodied by Andross' thugs. What's worse is that I saw it coming miles away, as soon as I read Karris was going for a walk if not before. And that situation with Ana? It was both pointless and non-sensical. Pointless because it was simply used to delay the moment of Gavin and Karris' reconciliation and add drama. Non-sensical because Gavin had only just told his Blackguards that Karris was the only woman he loved and his guards are supposed to protect him from people casually entering his room. This won't be the first time the Blackguard fails by the way.
(view spoiler)[And can I say how tired I am of reading how every villain is somehow related to the main characters? If it wasn't enough that the Color Prince was Karris' brother, now it turns out that Zymun is Karris' son. When it was mentioned in passing in the first book (it was simply there, as if someone had cut and pasted that chapter from somewhere else, unrelated to pretty much anything) it occurred to me at the time that the author might connect it later on to Kip. After all, we don't really know if Kip's mother was actually his mother and the real Gavin never confirms or deny this. Besides, he has a thing for saying blunt truths and regretting it later, just like Karris. But no, Zymun had to be Karris' son. Does that add anything to the story? To my mind, not one bit. Villains don't have to be kin in order to make them interesting. In fact, I would prefer it if they weren't, if they were simply different people with their own tragedies and triumphs.
Like I said before, the high points revolve around the Chromeria, Kip and his friends. There are a few moments that revolve around Gavin, particularly in his dealings with the Spectrum and his final encounter with his brother. That bit ended the way it had to. The real Gavin (turned Dazen) wasn't a good read. In fact, I don't believe he added anything to our duology (so far) except for being a secret that tormented Gavin. So kudos to Brent Weeks for finally getting rid of him.
Up to this point, "The Blinding Knife" would have gotten 4/5 for me. It had some pretty cool moments as the Blackguard joins Gavin in raiding pirate ships, using new skimmers and explosives. The war gets going fully towards the end of the book and our heroes don't have it easy. However, the ending is what got to me in the end, no pun intended. Our heroes won, but barely, and Gavin continues to lose his colours. For some reason that doesn't make sense to me, Andross Guile decided to join that battle if from far away. He summons Gavin to express his displeasure at his son having defied him and Kip out of the blue has this realization that Andross is a wight and has been in league with the Color Prince all along. WTF?!?! Where did this come from?! Of course, he tries to murder him with the blinding knife (YES!) and obviously fails (FUCK KIP ALMOST). The fight ends up with Gavin and Kip being captured by an enemy ship and Andross Guile in possession of the fabled dagger (that we still know nothing about, can you see a trend?!) and has also now magically regained his youth, after a fashion. I repeat. WHAT. THE. FUCK?!?!
The worst offense this scene commits is that it makes no sense. Sure, it is likely the writer needs Andross alive for his third book where a plan of Machiavellian proportions will be revealed to our heroes that stems from the False Prism's War and will further connect the Red, the Color Prince, and Zymun even. I frankly don't care. The writer could've easily achieved this by having Andross stay in the Chromeria (where it makes sense he should be given how much he seems to fear light). Instead, he places him on a boat with dozens of Blackguards that do absolutely nothing when they see the Prism and one of their own engaged in a fight with the Red and his servant. So, Blackguards, with all your speeches about protecting each other and swearing fealty to the promachos, here's what I say to you, STICK IT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINETH. YOU FAILED. GO COMMIT SEPPUKU OR ITS CHROMERIAN EQUIVALENT.
And, yes, you guessed it, this again separates Gavin and Karris. Because drama and cliffhangers. Never mind the war has only just begun and Gavin's losing his colours. (hide spoiler)]
Having reached this point in my review I'm seriously considering taking down its rating a notch or two. I can't believe how such a great read could've been botched by such a wretched ending. Not to mention it still doesn't address the major questions we readers are bound to have from the first book and now from this one as well. Let's make a list and award points on the basis of the answers provided, shall we?
1) Who's the Black Prism? Still no idea. (0) 2) What's the blinding knife? Well, we already guessed from the first book it was Kip's dagger but we still don't know what it is or does, so that's a zero for this book. (0) 3) What and who's the Lightbringer? Oh, it's mentioned, but it's never fully explained by any character. So half a point for mentioning the name of the trilogy. (0.5) 4) Why is Gavin losing his colours? We can guess it has something to do with the blinding knife and we have more information on how it possibly works from Kip using it, so that's another half point (0.5). 5) Why were there two light splitters this time around? I'm talking about Gavin and Dazen. Has it something to do with the blinding knife? From something Andross says in this book I believe it does. Maybe it's a way to create full spectrum polychromats? In any case, we still don't know, so zero. (0)
I think that about covers the more important questions. In total, 1 point out of 5. Disappointing doesn't cover it. And we thus reach book three's conundrum: exposition. It will have to make a lot of it if it intends to tie all the loose ends together as I imagine it will. At the same time, it will have to fight (and end) a war and have Kip breaking his "almost" routine once and for all. And, unfortunately, we'll see even more scheming from Andross but at least he'll get to play that last game with Kip (what will probably involve a fight with an exposition dump).
In conclusion, I still believe the story improved a lot from the first book though some of the characters remain a bit dry and certain events are forced to a particular conclusion that is not supported by the events themselves. I'll leave my 3/5 rating for the time being but the sad part is it could have been a four....more
Welcome to Asunder, and a world that has received the news of what transpired in Kirkwall and is, understandably, noneTime to write another review.
Welcome to Asunder, and a world that has received the news of what transpired in Kirkwall and is, understandably, none too happy about it. As you may recall, in Dragon Age 2, our lovable psychopathic companion known as Anders decided it might be a good idea to stuff some TNT in the Chantry because "fireworks are cool." The templars, however, didn't get the joke and decided to put everyone through the blade.
If I'd had my way, the Qunari would be ruling Kirkwall now.
Anyway, this event has served to rile up the mages throughout Thedas and put the templars on high alert in case anyone tries for a repeat. The mages, as usual, demand more freedom, even if some of them don't know what that is, while the templars would be more than happy to tighten the noose all the way to the Maker. Between them stands the Chantry and Divine Justinia V who has her own agenda to try and bridge the gap between the two and is at least ten times more proactive than Elthina, thank the Maker!
In this volatile situation, Wynne, one of the Warden's companions from Dragon Age: Origins, recruits mages Rhys and Adrian, along with a reluctant templar by the name of Evangeline, to find a Tranquil that may or may not have found a way to undo the Rite of Tranquility. As if the templars didn't have enough on their plates already.
First, let's talk about the Templar v Mage conflict. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author actually addressed this subject quite skillfully. Yes, you do have the expected zealots on both sides but, and this is the important bit, you can empathize with them even if you don't necessarily sympathize.
Lord Seeker Lambert is dead set against giving the mages more freedoms but he makes his case to Evangeline and it's a good one. He tried to help them initially and got burnt for it by the same people he was trying to help. To be sure, I felt that, in his own way, he was trying to prevent events coming to a head. Naturally, within the constraints of his own beliefs.
On the part of the mages, Adrian is an easy character to hate though perhaps hate is too strong a word. Adrian is Lambert's mirror, in the sense that she is a zealot as well, a strong advocate for the mages' freedom and she's willing to do anything to achieve that goal no matter the cost. Indeed, she comes across as very manipulative and eager to forego the only friend she has for the sake of "the cause." So even if I didn't particularly like her as a person I can understand where she's coming from because she's giving voice to a group of mages that feel the same way.
To counterbalance these characters we have Evangeline, the templar, and Rhys, the mage. Initially, their views resemble those of Lambert and Adrian somewhat but, as the story progresses, they realize that things are not quite so black and white and they acknowledge something needs to change if war is to be averted.
Personally, I think I liked Evangeline more than Rhys, even though I liked them both. Rhys' character, while very perceptive, isn't quite sure what he believes in until, perhaps, the very end of Asunder. I suppose it's understandable given how both Adrian and Wynne try to win him over to the Libertarians and the Aequitarians respectively. His occasional outbursts, which he blames on his temper, only seem to be there in order to drive the plot. Evangeline, on the other hand, is a character who knows who she is (if that makes any sense). She sincerely believes in what the Templar Order stands for and, confronted by the reality that its purpose has been corrupted through time, she forges her own path, always clinging to that core belief.
(view spoiler)[Nonetheless, there are a few things that disappointed me somewhat.
First of all, I truly wanted to know more about Pharamond's research. I understand nobody really cared about that beyond the Divine, but I was intrigued. There seemed to be a connection to what happened in Dragon Age 2 when Anders tried to rescue Karl. Will it play a part in Inquisition? I hope so.
Second, the attempt on the Divine. Unless I missed something, it is never explained how a mage managed to get so close to the Divine. It is hinted at that he could have been helped by the templars so they'd have an excuse to beat the crap out of some mages but the issue of how he got there is never resolved. I suppose in the large scheme of things it matters little but I would've liked to know nonetheless.
Finally, and this really took me by surprise, there's the small matter of what transpires between Evangeline and Arnaud when Wynne and company exit Adamant fortress with Pharomond in tow. Considering Lambert had given Evangeline strict instructions to ensure Pharomond's demise (and possibly everyone else's), and seeing as he didn't trust her enough that he sent Arnaud with a bunch of templars, I honestly expected a fight to ensue. Truly, it could not have gone any other way and I fail to see how it did. Arnaud wasn't exactly reasonable throughout the story and he certainly shared in the Lord Seeker's views so it would have made more sense if he'd decided to kill Evangeline and the mages rather than let them go. This was probably the only moment where I felt the author had done something out of character.
Asunder ends with a conclave where the mages decide what's to become of them. Like I said before, Rhys' character comes together at this point and, consequently, it's a shame we don't get to read more of the aftermath of said meeting. For the templars' part, they decide they've had enough of the Chantry's platitudes and break apart together with the Seekers. (hide spoiler)]
War is coming, there's no doubt about that. Will we read some more of it before Inquisition or will it become Inquisition? Only time will tell. For now though, if you're a fan of Dragon Age, there's no doubt in my mind you should read this book. This is Dragon Age 2 as it should've been: a nuanced and balanced approach to the conflict between templars and mages with strong, relatable, characters whose actions make sense within the narrative.
After a somewhat discouraging introduction the book turned out to be a pretty good read.
"The Palace Job" tells the story of a former scout captainAfter a somewhat discouraging introduction the book turned out to be a pretty good read.
"The Palace Job" tells the story of a former scout captain named Loch who has been falsely imprisoned by her former colonel-now-Archvoyant Silestin. Upon breaking out from jail with fellow soldier Kail, she gathers a most unusual and unexpected gang to put her plan into motion: she's going to break into the most secure vault in the whole of the Republic and steal from the man who betrayed her.
Like I said before, the intro drags a bit in terms of the number of characters introduced and the special words used to describe this new universe that the author has created. Very early on you'll be faced with the prospect of trying to figure out who the Learned and the Skilled are, how the Voyant are different from those, what role the Justicars play in all this, etc. Furthermore, it begins with a rather lengthy description of the prison itself. As a writer and reader I heavily prefer shorter descriptions with more emphasis on dialogue to draw the reader in. The combination of the above factors conspired to slow down my reading.
After our intrepid characters escape from their prison, it's time to introduce the remaining members of the soon-to-be-formed gang. I liked some stories better than others but I was most curious with the introduction of Justicar Pyvic, who has been charged with recapturing the escaped convicts. Unfortunately, Pyvic's character suffers from something that affects the story altogether and that is the titular character of Loch.
I enjoy it when the good guys triumph over the bad guys as much as anyone but Loch seems to do so every single time. She seems to suffer from writer omniscience, always being a step, often several, ahead of every other character in the story. Everyone always plays into her designs and she always has a counterplan for every plan devised by her would-be enemies. The only time when things seem to go wrong is when Pyvic and Silestin decide to crash the party at her uncle's. Since she also suffers from plot armour (shared with everyone in her gang), however, we know she'll come out of any encounter unscathed.
However, Loch's omniscience is not entirely to blame for Pyvic's underdeveloped character. Initially we're treated to scenes with Pyvic searching for his targets but this ends as soon as we reach Heaven's Spire. Once there Pyvic is mostly relegated to scenes where: a) he trades words with Loch; or b) he trades words with Silestin. He mentions he needs to "hunt" but we read nothing on the hunt to recapture Loch and Kail. It might as well have never existed. This is understandable considering the author needs to dedicate some time to each member of Loch's gang as well as Silestin's own entourage but it is still disappointing. I can't shake the feeling that Pyvic is basically used as a prop. It didn't help that he was entirely removed from the showdown with Silestin incredibly easily.
Perhaps another problem is that "The Palace Job" attempts to tell one too many stories and somehow interconnect them all at the same time. This is most evident when the author sneaks in the legend of the Champions of Dawn and Dusk (again something that Loch figures out since day one). While he tries to dismiss this prophecy in the guise of the wizard Hessler it's almost impossible not to connect the dots and see who it refers to. It's a story that resolves itself neatly but was is really necessary? To my mind, it wasn't.
Finally, "then darkness took him" doesn't really take anyone of note, certainly none of the gang. You'll be treated to numerous scenes of people "dying" only to find out they didn't. I feel conflicted about this. On the one hand I prefer my heroes alive and kicking but it also feels cheap if none but the bad guys can die. Off the top of my head I count at least four instances where darkness should have taken our heroes in some way other than unconsciousness and two where we have magical resurrections.
Having said all this, how come I still like this book? Well, the banter between the characters is easily its strongest point and I probably enjoyed the short exchanges between Pyvic and Loch, predator and prey (or the other way around?), the most. Hessler is also another character I liked but I've been partial to wizards since Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. And, naturally, there's the element of planning a heist that has a particular allure as Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen have demonstrated. Putting together a ragtag team to beat insurmountable odds is always an attractive premise in and of itself.
In summation, I liked this book. It took a while to get going and, yes, it can stretch credibility at times what with Loch's writer omniscience and every character in the gang having plot armour but that's okay because this was a highly entertaining book that I simply couldn't put down and, in the end, that's all that matters, isn't it?
As for the rating, it's probably closer to a 3.5 but I'm feeling generous....more
I was disappointed, I think that's a fair assessment of "Temple of the Winds." Let's start with the plot summary.
There is now a state of war betweenI was disappointed, I think that's a fair assessment of "Temple of the Winds." Let's start with the plot summary.
There is now a state of war between the Imperial Order and the D'Haran Empire. While Richard tries to score points with his troops, Emperor Jagang's already on the move to vanquish his enemies once and for all. How? Easy, he's sent an ex-Sister of the Dark to steal a very powerful and deadly magic from the fabled Temple of the Winds. Soon a plague ravages the land, threatening to bring a swift end to the world of man. Richard must once again save the world, but the price this time might be more than he's willing to pay.
Okay, now that's over and done with, let's discuss some of the major issues I had with this book. Most of it has our main protagonists, Richard and Kahlan, just sitting around waiting for "the message" that will reveal to them how to find the Temple of the Winds. In all fairness, Richard and Berdine are still going at it with Kolo's journal and Richard himself braves the Wizard's Keep once more to find some record on the men responsible for hiding the temple. This is about the only action there is for a long time and I don't particularly mind that much.
However, the story gets bogged down by the constant and unrelenting references to Richard and Kahlan's love for each other. I don't think a single chapter went by without the subject being brought up again, and again, and again. Whereas I loved their bonding in "Wizard's First Rule," in "Temple of the Winds" there's just an absurd amount of it. You know how people say, "you can't get too much of a good thing"? Those people never read this book. It seemed like every decision they made was weighted against protecting their other half, thus leading to a plethora of mistakes, regrets and drama.
To top it all, Book 4 introduces Richard's half-brother who, naturally, can't be anything less than a beautiful, seductive, scheming and sadistic psychopath who has the hots for Kahlan and meanwhile quenches his pleasure by murdering prostitutes. This particular theme is getting a little old and it's somewhat disturbing to see the author has no qualms about torturing women again and again. It seems as if villains can't be villainous enough unless they, and their entourage, find new and creative ways to commit heinous act of rape and torture. It sickens and angers me at the same time.
Of course, Richard couldn't be the "Seeker of Truth" unless he welcomed his half-brother with open arms, proving yet again he simply stumbles on the truth on occasion rather than actually seek it or, rather, he seeks the truth only when it's convenient for the author. Kahlan isn't far behind on the character-underdevelopment front, weeping and lusting for Richard in equal measure, showing not an ounce of strength and wit that I had come to expect from the Mother Confessor. This becomes patently obvious when she acquiesces a thoroughly annoying character's wish to visit a dangerous prisoner fully knowing it was a stupid and unjustified risk to take.
That character is Nadine, a woman from Richard's past who should have stayed in Richard's path for the readers' sake. Apparently, Shota, a character I'm liking more and more, had a vision of Richard getting married to someone other than the Mother Confessor and intervened to pick Nadine as his bride-to-be in order to spare him some measure of suffering (you won't believe how incredibly whiny Richard and Kahlan are about being separated even for a moment). Basically, she acts like the crazy ex-girlfriend, following Richard everywhere and keeping tabs on him every waking hour, which is strange considering they were never a couple (except, perhaps, in her mind).
(view spoiler)[Then, of course, comes the much-anticipated "message" revealing to Richard and Kahlan that in order to enter the Temple of the Winds and find the magic to cure the plague, they must each marry another for all time and never ever see, touch or talk to one another EVER again. Yes, the Temple was VERY specific about that part, apparently it's a sucker for drama, you know? This is the pinnacle of the whining, and weeping, and crying for the two characters when instead they should've asked the Temple how such a stupid thing was supposed to gain them entrance? I mean, none of the other characters mentioned who made it into the Temple ever had to marry, so why do they have to? I figure the conversation would go something like this...
Richard: "Hang on, none of the others had to marry to get inside, so why do we have to?" The Temple hesitates and thinks profusely until it finally proclames proudly, "Because it is the price that must be paid to gain entrance!" Kahlan: "You still haven't answered Richard's question." Temple: "I haven't? Oh, bugger, let me think... Ah, yes! This is the Hall of the Betrayed thingy, right?" Richard: "You mean you don't know?" Temple: "Hush, I'm thinking now. Yes, I do believe this is the Hall of the Betrayed thingy." Kahlan: "So, why is this 'thingy' important?" Temple: "Well, you see, that means you have to be betrayed in order to enter." Richard: "What? How would that work?" Temple: "Oh, it's very simple. You see, I decree, in my everlasting and infinite wisdom, that you each have to marry another for all time and, to torment you further, you've got to 'consummate' your relation the same night and at the same time. Then this Cara chick will switch grooms so that Kahlan will actually have sex with Richard believing him to be Drefan, Richard's psychopathic little half-brother. This will make Richard feel betrayed and in his anger he'll want to be rid of this world. So he'll be able to travel to me in the underworld and that's that." Richard and Kahlan look at each other in stunned disbelief. Richard: "That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my entire life." Kahlan: "I agree with Richard. Why can't it be a riddle, you know, something like 'speak, friend, and enter'?" Richard: "I hate riddles." Temple: "I'm not very good with riddles myself either. Why do you think I'm still stuck here? Besides it has to be something devious, heart-wrenching and over-the-top dramatic!" Kahlan glares at the Temple, "Open. Now." Temple: "Okay, okay, no need to cast lightning down at me. Geez, I wouldn't want to marry your temper. In you come, mind the disembodied spirits that will ask you to contract the plague willingly." Richard: "What?" Temple: "Nothing, nothing."
Another problem I'm seeing with the direction the book series is taking is that every story hinges on some prophecy or vision and the characters, like the willing slaves they are, take it on faith that they must abide by their ruling. The TV series took the more refreshing approach of questioning prophecies and making them seem somewhat more obscure and volatile. While the books certainly take lengths to explain the nature of prophecies and how they're very difficult to figure out, it shows pretty much otherwise. For instance, let's make a checklist of Nathan's latest vision.
Nathan's prophecy - A checklist
- A Sister will do a stupid thing: Check. Verna decides to go and save her friends from the clutches of the evil Emperor Jagang in the dumbest endeavour ever. - Richard will die: Check. He travels to the Underworld and "dies" in the dumbest (and most foreseeable) plot twist ever. - Ann and Zedd must protect a treaure: I'm not sure if that was part of the vision or Nathan simply wanted them off his back. In any event, they follow suit... I think. To be honest, I don't know what the Ann-Zedd storyline was all about.
I think that about covers it.
As usual, the plot resolves itself at the eleventh hour and a new, fourth, Wizard Rule is introduced as if in afterthought. These "rules" seem to be getting less and less exposition with every new instalment.
Ultimately, "Temple of the Winds" is an okay read despite the characters acting like morons. If they had been acting like morons AND the story had been depressing as hell, which it can be at times, I would've probably sent this book to the underworld myself with the likes of "Royal Assassin." The Mord'Sith are probably the only redeeeming part, learning how to be both Mord'Sith and a person at the same time. The chipmunks were nice.
A few tips for the next book:
1) Richard is a wizard. For God's sake, train him already. 2) Richard is the Seeker of Truth. Have him seek the truth. 3) Kahlan is the Mother Confessor. Have her act as such. 4) Jagang is an idiot. Kill him already. 5) Pace yourself with the Richard-Kahlan love story. Too much of a good thing, you know?
Oh, and by the way, why did it never occur to any of the characters that Richard and Kahlan can have a child so long as Kahlan loses her Confessor powers, if only temporarily? Food for thought....more
Loading...
