Herald of the Storm [Oct 15, 2018

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Herald of the Storm

[Chris]

In

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Maybe.

[Mayim]

Perhaps.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

This is on sale today for US Kindle $3.99 from $6.99

[Choko]

I am in 😀

[Andorion]

In

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Starting on time Monday.

[Andorion]

Starting too

[Andorion]

7 chapters done.

Initial impressions are not very favourable.

Firstly the prologue is questionable. (view spoiler)[ If the spy's mission was already known to the agents of the king, killing them does nothing as the government will just look for him harder. (hide spoiler)]

Secondly, there are apparently 7 PoV characters (view spoiler)[A princess, a shieldmaiden, a pickpocket, a conman, a thief, an assassin and a failed warrior (hide spoiler)] I am sceptical about the scope of character development and story coherence in a 400 page book with 7 PoV characters.

[Andorion]

26 chapters done

Kaira (view spoiler)[ I am not entirely sure what Kaira is supposed to about slave trafficking on her own. She has no backup whatsoever. Sounds to me like a convenient way to sideline a difficult soldier (hide spoiler)]

Janessa (view spoiler)[More or less enjoying her storyline, except I think that the River plot was a tad predictable. Also I think her father is going to die (hide spoiler)]

Rag (view spoiler)[ I honestly have no idea where this is going. Its supposed to sync up with Nobun at some time, but I have no idea how (hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Arkadeb wrote: "7 chapters done.

Secondly, there are apparently 7 PoV characters [spoilers removed] I am s..."

I was actually entertained early and liked some of the character. Then by this chapter I was like WTF, when are we going to cycle back?

[Andorion]

Scott wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "7 chapters done.

Secondly, there are apparently 7 PoV characters [spoilers removed] I am s..."

I was actually entertained early and liked some of the character. Then by this chap..."

Yeah the initial PoVs were pretty good, then I started getting worried

[Andorion]

40 chapters done.

Janessa (view spoiler)[ Overall I like her PoV the best except I can't help but feel that the entire River affair felt hopelessly cliched (hide spoiler)]

River (view spoiler)[ We really really really needed a PoV from him exploring his mental conflict about not killing Janessa and betraying his group. Felt far too convenient for me (hide spoiler)]

I am really really interested in Waylian and his entire world but he gets far too little space.

Thoroughly enjoying Kaira and Ryder, though having some trouble understanding why Kaira (view spoiler)[ is attracted to Ryder. He is conflicted about his job, but surely you need more than that (hide spoiler)]

Nobul and Rag continue to feel like spare wheels in this story.

[Andorion]

Done. Overall I liked it.

(view spoiler)[ For Janessa, River, Ryder, Kaira and Waylian, this book set up the next stages of their stories pretty well.

For Rag, its a definite maybe.

For Nobul I have no idea where his story is going, but he seems to be a contender for a tragic death.

The book was a bit predictable in some ways. The kings death, their loss, Janessa and River, Kaira and Ryder.

The magic people are apparently worse than useless. They are cowards. I hope the next books sees an enhancement of that particular aspect through Waylian.

(hide spoiler)]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Arkadeb wrote: "Done. Overall I liked it.


You powered through this. I'm still only through chapter 10 but I like it. I can't help but thinking this is what Low Town should have been.

[Samir]

Through chapter 14. I like it so far. I was initially surprised with the number of POVs but I got used to it quickly. (Once you try Malazan, you're prepared for anything.) With that many POVs, it will be interesting to see how the story develops. I hope the author has the ability to converge all the threads in a satisfying way.

[Shaitarn]

Through the first nine chapters. I hope now the author has introduced us to all the characters and get into the meat of the story. It feels like it's been a bit 'telling, not showing' so far, particularly as he's been giving us huge chunks of backstory for every character (did I need to know any of this?).

[Samir]

Anyone planning to continue with the series?

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Samir wrote: "Anyone planning to continue with the series?"

I am. I'm only halfway done because I have too many reads going on but I'd agree with your 3.5* assessment.

[Samir]

Scott wrote: "Samir wrote: "Anyone planning to continue with the series?"

I am. I'm only halfway done because I have too many reads going on but I'd agree with your 3.5* assessment."

Great. Will wait for the buddy read next month, then.
Almost a 4* effort but I think that 400 pages is not enough for 8 POVs to have a proper characterization. And I do believe the author has the skill for it.

[Andorion]

I will want to continue this as well. I feel that this series has some promise