Member Reviews

This debut novel creates the type of excitement a true fantasy should present to fans. A. K. Larkwood has written a woven tale of intrigue and adventure. This author is one to watch, the future looks bright for her.

Was this review helpful?

The Unspoken Name was such a unique and refreshing YA Fantasy novel with such a detailed and intriguing world-building and pretty much all the queer characters and actions scenes one could ask for. The pace was so fast! The first chapter was so compelling and different from what I expected and it really captured my attention. So much happened in the first few chapters so as to establish what would be the main story arc of the novel and it was such a good read!

I was a tiny bit afraid this was going to be like every other ‘girl escapes her destiny and turns into an assassin’ YA novel out there, but it wasn’t! And what really made this such a unique and fun read was how the world-building was unlike anything I’ve seen before. Larkwood did an incredible job at creating a new universe and its rules and she did so in such an interesting way. The book was so rich in terms of that and it really made me wish I could get to know all of these places and people and religions.

The casual queerness of pretty much all the main players and the queer relationships were also such a good and lovely surprise. I was so happy with how organic all of that was and how it tied so well with the plot—it was never presented as a huge deal and it also wasn’t used to define the characters.

The one downside for me is that I didn’t think the characters were that well developed. I wish all of them had been more fleshed out. While they did have distinct voices and dialogue, I felt like I didn’t know much about them? And they didn’t change all that much throughout the novel aside from those scenes where they had to make big personal decisions that affected the course of the plot.

Even so, The Unspoken Name was a great and entertaining read that had phenomenal world-building and presented a pretty unique plot. It was fast paced and action packed and even had a bit of romance sprinkled through. I definitely recommend this to all YA Fantasy fans looking for something different and unique!

Was this review helpful?

Plot: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Writing Style: 5 stars
Cover: 5 stars
Enjoyment: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars - I'd give it more if I could.

This book was amazing. AMAZING. I loved every minute of it and I predict that it will absolutely be one of my favorite books of 2020. Yes, it's only January but I seriously loved it that much. I can't tell you how excited I am to see that it's #1 in a planned series. I want MORE. Also, I have to say that that cover is gorgeous. (Also, that image is WAY more significant after reading the book lol)

In a lot of ways this book reminded me of my favorite from 2019: Gideon the Ninth. Not in any bad ways, or even in any of the details -- other than an inclusion of necromancy, queerness, and a sassy character, there's few details the same about them. I mean things like the richness and inventiveness of the worldbuilding, the constantly surprising compelling plot, and the depth of the characters. Most of all the way the stories sucked me in from the very first page and never once let me go.

From the very first I cared deeply for Csorwe and her journey. From 14-year-old sacrifice to a devouring god, to devoted blade of a powerful man, to falling in love and finally choosing her own destiny. None of the characters were 'good guys' or 'bad guys' -- there was a constantly shifting set of loyalties and alliances that helped spin the plot along. The writing was beautiful with just enough cursing and prickly antagonism (looking at you, Tal) to give it spice.

I will be recommending this book to everyone I can think of for the rest of the year and can't wait to read more about Csorwe's (and everyone else's) journey.

Was this review helpful?

It’s a 3.5 star with the half star being exclusively for the last few amazing chapters. That really was a great ending.

As mostly a reader of YA fantasy, I don’t follow a lot of news about adult fantasy releases but I kept seeing this book everywhere, and ended up requesting the ARC because I found to be an interesting premise. And after having finished it, I’m still not sure how I feel about it, so I’ll probably be processing my feelings through this review. Be prepared for an incoherent mess below.

And this is where I don’t know what to say. As it’s a debut, I’m usually very generous and the writing style is not something that is very high up on my scale while rating a book for it’s enjoyment. But right from the beginning, the writing in this book kept me hooked enough that I wanted to know what was going to happen next; but, I also never felt emotionally invested in it. The plot just meanders from one point to another and I frankly wasn’t sure what the ultimate goal was. There are also many time jumps which I felt prevented me from getting to know the characters better, particularly because I thought the character growth happened during the time jumps which we never got to see. The pacing is also pretty slow throughout with only a couple of intense scenes in between, but I really loved the way it became action packed towards the end. The last few chapters really were what redeemed the book for me.

This book is essentially a portal fantasy where the characters can travel from one world to another using the Maze and mailships and I thought that was a cool idea. There are also multiple kingdoms with their own gods, cultures and beliefs and I think the author did a good job differentiating between them all. Even the landscape and climate of the different places visited are described very well so we are able to keep track of them. I won’t say I completely understood the method used by the mages to channel the power of the gods, but there was enough information to follow the story and not feel confused. And the best part was that characters here used no labels and it was a very queernormative world.

Csorwe is a very sympathetic character in the beginning when we realize what her destiny is, but all that quickly changes when time passes by. We never get to see her train and become the fearsome right hand of a powerful mage she is supposed to be and that was disappointing. There was this sense that she wanted more from her life but she was too passive to ask for it. She was also mostly impulsive in her actions, just making in the moment decisions and not thinking through long term consequences. I wanted her to feel better and be more confident about her desires, but I truly wasn’t so emotionally attached to her that it would have upset me if she didn’t get a good ending.

Sethennai is the very powerful mage/wizard who has an air of mystery about him and he seems very detached, so that’s exactly how we feel about him too. We never get to know him or feel connected to him, but I also couldn’t see why Csorwe and the others were just so drawn to him and wanted to please him all the time. Tal is the youngest son of a prominent family who hasn’t done much with his life and just wants to feel loved and does all kinds of impulsive for the attention. But he was definitely one character who brought some laughs to the proceedings with his caustic dialogue and rivalry with Csorwe.

Shuthmili is a young powerful mage who has been brought up in almost a cult like environment and her realizing that there’s a whole other world outside, that she can make her own choices and her budding relationship with Csorwe are some of the best parts of the book. Oranna and Zhiyouri are quite compelling in parts but I wasn’t always sure what they wanted.

To conclude, I think this debut has a lot of potential and I did go in with some expectations, so I was a bit disappointed because I couldn’t connect to it. There’s a very detached feeling to the whole story and characterization, so even when something bad happened, I didn’t feel much. I’m a bit unsure whom I would recommend this to but if you enjoy portal fantasies, maybe you can give it a try. If you enjoy very character focused stories, then this might not be the right choice. I also think the author did a good job tying up a lot of threads towards the end, so I am feeling pretty satisfied, and not very compelled about picking up the sequel but we shall see.

Was this review helpful?

The Unspoken Name is the first installment of a high fantasy series with orcs, wizards, gods, assassins and spies. I absolutely loved Csorwe the main character and Orc raised to be the sacrificial bride of the Unspoken. The story follows her running away to be a mercenary for a wizard instead of wasting away in a tomb. I loved her changing loyalties and questioning authorities, coming into her own and making her own decisions. Her rivalry with Tal is hilarious. And the f/f romance with Shuthmili was cute and felt realistic and thankfully didn't overshadow the plot. Larkwood does a superb job with characters, although I found the world building a bit unclear it doesn't take away from the great story and characters. The plot took a while to really grip me, but once it did, it had me reading late into the night.
As the first in a series you definitely don't get all the answers you want, but there's enough closure for it to feel like a complete story, while leaving you with enough questions to look forward to the sequel. Which I'm looking forward to eagerly.

Was this review helpful?

The Unspoken Name is a mix of high fantasy and science fiction that captivates its readers with creativity. I adored every minute of this refreshing read. Bravo A.K. Larkwood for an excellent debut.

Csowre is the Chosen Bride of the Unspoken, destined to die before reaching maturity. But what if there is more purpose to her life than simply being a wasteful sacrifice? When a powerful wizard offers her a chance at something more, she tentatively latches on to his offer. Belthandros Sethennai has spent a lifetime searching for a lost relic, and it seems he cares for nothing else. Eventually, Csowre must decide if she will continue living a meaningless life carrying out Sethennai’s orders, or fight for something more.

I devoured this book the way the “Mouth of Radiance” devours its rogue mages (you’ll understand my metaphor if you read the book). I was immediately hooked, invested in Cswore’s character. I loved her personality, her voice, the struggles she faced, obstacles she overcame. I enjoyed the other POVs too. Larkwood has an uncanny way of crafting her characters into real people.

Most impressive is the way the Larkwood juggles the immense amount of world building with different worlds and their various deities. The structure is laid out in a framework that is understandable through layers and layers of complexity. We are not buried in the beginning by information. Information about the world building is instead sprinkled from chapter to chapter as we embark on Cswore’s journey.

Beneath its many layers is a queer romance, a sweet tale of love and friendship. I found myself rooting for Cswore and Shuthmili from the first moments of their meeting. Their dynamic was written well and felt so realistic.

I haven’t enjoyed a fantasy this much in months. It felt so fresh and original, even though some of its underlying ideas were age-old. I have no idea if this book will have a sequel, but it so, I’m definitely reading it.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you @netgally and @tor

Was this review helpful?

A fun read! I didn't know what to expect when I started this one, but I liked the cover, and the blurb sounded fun. I really enjoyed it, though, and am glad I got the chance to read it! I enjoyed the characters, and the story was well written!

Was this review helpful?

(DNF 15%)
The Unspoken Name didn’t keep my attention as much as I hoped it would. To me, it felt like the plot kind of meandered in a way that just wasn’t what I expected the plot to be. Instead of an epic fantasy, I felt I was reading a light-hearted fantasy adventure.
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the book, just that it isn’t the right fit for me, but may be for others.

Was this review helpful?

Definitely unique, rich in detail and absolutely something that will stand out, The Unspoken Name is a great debut for author Larkwood.

With an original blend of genres and a setting with a time span of years, this is definitely a story that took it's time evolving, growing and being created. From the full character development to the world building, this story was heavy on the details and little was left to the imagination.

All in all a great start to a series and something fresh and fun for fans of the genre that are looking for something a little more stand out and uniquely all it's own.

Was this review helpful?

The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood is a brilliant debut fantasy full of creative world building, enjoyable characters and a fast paced story line. This tale of sacrifice, exile, loyalty and love is one that shouldn’t be missed!

The thing that I found most enjoyable was that the publisher’s description only gives away the most basic plot points. What you read in the description is only the beginning, leaving so much more for readers to experience.

Csorwe is a priestess, chosen to become a sacrifice to The Unspoken One. This day should be the day of her death as those who enter the Shrine of the Unspoken One never exit. But Csorwe is propositioned by a powerful wizard named Belthandros Sethennai to abandon her role, in order to help him on his mission to reclaim his seat of power in a home from which he was exiled, while working to obtain a magical relic.

I thought these plot points alone would take up the entire book, but alas, I was wonderfully surprised to discover there is so much more to this tale! Larkwood keeps readers engaged by maintaining an astonishing pace for the events in the story. Concepts are skillfully described in a manner that makes them easily understandable, yet leaves just enough to the imagination that the reader doesn’t feel bogged down by lengthy descriptions. I am truly in awe that this is a debut work and look forward to the next installment in the series!

My favorite quote from the book is, “Nothing in this world or any other deserves your fear.”
My review will also be posted on Goodreads and Instagram @rosetree_bookreviewer closer to the publication date.

My sincerest thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the advanced readers copy of The Unspoken Name by A.K Larkwood in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, this was completely different to what I expected. Overall, I would give it 3.5 stars. I had some issues with it that pertained more to pacing of the story, but all in all, this book was definitely an interesting and intricate read. The world building was seriously some of the coolest I have read and a couple of the characters were really enjoyable.

Starting off- world building. This world was so different to anything I had ever seen before. It was confusing at first because we are kind of thrown into the middle of the world with Csorwe, but it is very easy to get your bearings quickly and then find yourself captivated. There are different worlds and cities, different gods and races and creatures. I don't know how A.K kept them all straight, but she did a beautiful job. One of the things I really liked about all of these worlds and settings that A.K gives us is the different races. Oftentimes in fantasies we just see humans, elves, dwarves, and that's about it. Here our main character is completely unique when compared with any other fantasy I have read in the past few years. In fact, she has tusks!! I just thought the setting was one of the biggest strengths to this.

Next up- characters. Some of the characters I had a little bit of difficulty understanding and getting to know. Csorwe was one of those. At times, I found her vividly entertaining and at times I didn't really understand what was going on in her head or what her motivations were. She confused me at times, though perhaps that was because she herself was confused and struggling to find her home and her purpose. I did enjoy her but not nearly as much as I enjoyed.....

TAL! Wow, I love Tal. And not because he is a good guy. No, he's annoying and selfish but he was meant to be. I thought he was very well-written and a compelling and engaging character. He constantly had me chuckling with his quips and just the way he spoke and reacted to the events surrounding him and Csorwe.

Honestly, there are several amazing characters, and although I didn't always understand them and I certainly could not trust them (Oranna cough) I really had a lot of fun reading about them.

My biggest issue was the pacing of this story. The book spans YEARS, something I am not used to in my reading. It made it difficult for me to connect at times, because it seemed like so much had happened and so much character growth had occurred off the page. I think this was another part of my problem with Csorwe. This could, of course, just be my personal preference and I am sure that there are plenty of people who wouldn't mind it.

All in all, however, this was an enjoyable read! I definitely recommend this to you if you are a fan of more detailed and high fantasy. I felt like this one book could be enjoyed as a standalone if you wanted, but the ending did leave plenty more to be discovered and dealt with in the future installments!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

AK Larkwood debuts with one of the most original fantasy books I've read in a long time.

Our heroinne is a young orc girl, Csorwe; a sacrifical virgin, who gets rescued by a travelling wizard, Belthandros Sethennai, on the day of her death. He becomes much like a father to her, albeit one she hero worships and she will do anything for him, becoming his bodyguard/weapon, with no wishes or dreams of her own. All this would probably have continued for eternity, if not for one thing; while on a mission for Sethennai, along with her frenemy Talasseres Charossa, Tal for short, the unthinkable happens; Csorwe meets Shuthmili and falls in love and loyalties are put on trial.

The world in which the story takes place is a vast array of paralell worlds, all with gate portals opening onto a huge dimension called the Echo Maze, from where you can enter other worlds. You weave your way from world to world, through the maze in floating maze ships, which gives a kind of steampunk or scifi feeling. Gods are both real and powerful as Csorwe will find out soon enough.

I had so much fun reading this book, at first I was a bit unsure if it was YA, but it is definitely written for adults. There's no sex, but some focus on love, but more as a plot driver as that is what makes Csorwe question her life and gets the whole storyline on a different track. And did I mention the names? They're are just brilliant!

This is an absolutely amazing fantasy book, I absolutely loved it and I absolutely believe it will be "the talk of town" in 2020!
And I can't wait for the next book!!

I was lucky enough to receive an E-ARC from @Tor/Forge, via the good people at @Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

Overall Enjoyment: 4/5
characterization: 4/5
World building: 5/5
Diversity: 4/5

I requested this book because of the summary. Csorwe seemed like she'd be interesting, and I was curious at the culture that would encourage sacrifice of a person (orc). I enjoyed this book. This book felt massive to me though. There were many arcs within this book with an overarching story, but there was so much going on and it was so long that at the end I lost a bit of interest in it. This is book 1 of 3 from my understanding and I must admit I’m really not sure how this story will continue for 2 more books.

The world building was a bit confusing to me in the beginning. This is a book that explains elements only when it becomes relevant to the story and not just in the interest of world building. However, when you need answers the author is very deliberate about explaining the necessary information or leaving it for later as a twist later. There is a small element of cyberpunk with the technology of this world with flying ships which was the part that got the least attention and was the most confusing for me. The three main sentient species in this story were orcs, humans, and elves (black elves specifically). Each group is given its own religion which is what is given the most attention in this story and is really a major driving force throughout this fiction. The religions are a bit darker than I’m use to, but they were well thought out and interesting. A very interesting grouping of worlds.

For characters I felt that everyone had a pretty distinct voice with enough story to the main characters that I felt like they were very well rounded. Csorwe is a character I really enjoyed though I didn't fully understand all the time. She’s very loyal in a way that was unquestioning and then she suddenly wasn’t. I like the character development with her though at the beginning it didn’t make much sense. Then, Tal. I didn’t like him at first, but he grew on me. I think I liked him a bit more simply because he felt more relatable to me. He’s just trying to do his best and is just getting the rough end of deal most of the time. There’s also Oranna who I guess you could say could be consider the villain, but within the world she just comes off as a very strong-willed determined lady. You also have Shuthmili and Sethannai, but while they both play very important roles within the story I feel like they don’t get as much attention.

The diversity in the book was refreshing. The main characters are mostly people of color and there are sprinklings of queer characters throughout the book.

Overall, even though there were points where the book was slow, I think the book was really well written. The worlds were carefully written and built, and the storyline was interesting. If you’re looking for a diverse adult fantasy book, then this book is for you. The book will be published on . Keep a look out for it!

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful, unique main character this book has!

The Unspoken Name is a refreshing change from typical fantasy/YA books these days. It has an unusual main character - a young orc - who grows so much along her journey with a powerful orc wizard. It has storytelling and worldbuilding like it should be in a fantasy book: rich with fascinating characters, strange worlds, fights and magic, an epic journey across worlds and dark gods and godesses with many secrets.
Also, unusal for this type of book, it has queer characters and it is beautiful.

On their journey to find a long lost artifact, the unusual heroes take the reader with them and lets them experience great adventures. It really was time for another brand of heroine.
I hope book 2 will be just as fresh and exciting!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this amazing eARC.

Was this review helpful?

This book is incredible.

Csowre always knew she was the chosen bride of the Unspoken One and on her fourteenth year she would go to it, never to be seen again. But everything changed for her when Wizard Sethennai showed up to ask a prophecy of the Unspoken. What follows is adventure, betrayal, and grappling with the power of gods.

In many ways, The Unspoken Name is a story of breaking out fo abusive relationships. So many of the characters have complicated and toxic relationships, and I really appreciated the ways different types of toxicity are shown, as well as seeing them learn how to say “no” and break out of the situation that is only causing harm.

Larkwood’s writing is absolutely gorgeous and worked so well for Csowre’s story. It’s deeply evocative and immersive without feeling heavy or like a drag to read. The way certain scenes are set up adds to the fantasy by giving them an almost dreamy quality. The writing just has such a wonderful rhythm to it that flows beautiful and makes for an engaging, melodic story.

I don’t know who my favorite character is between Csowre, Talasseres, and Shuthmili but I want to protect and love all three of them. I love and appreciate the distinctly different strengths and personalities they have, as well as seeing the ways they learn to break out of manipulative cycles.

This truly was such an incredible story, and I cannot wait to see what happens next for these characters. Tal’s final scene has such an intriguing vibe to it, and I made such a happy noise seeing Csowre and Shuthmili get to ride off into the sunset. But things with Oranna aren’t fully resolved, and the world is changing in so many ways that I cannot wait to see the ripples and consequences!

Was this review helpful?

The Unspoken Name came highly recommended to me, and I greatly enjoyed it. What a great debut! The Unspoken Name was a story of choices and the consequences of them.

The worldbuilding was very impressive; it was on a grand scale but not so much that I couldn’t understand it. There were various countries, each dedicated to different gods/patrons/divinities, who give people magic in return for their worship.

Csorwe was dedicated to her god, the Unspoken One, and was to be sacrificed on her fourteenth birthday. However, a foreign wizard comes to her and offers her a way out. She chooses him to go with him, of course, and so the story begins.

She trains with Sethennai as he alternately seeks his rightful position as the ruller of his county and the Reliquary of Pentravesse, a mythical source of great wisdom. Along the way, we meet more main characters: Oranna, the librarian who also seeks the reliquary and cannot be trusted; Tal, the usurper’s nephew who sides with Sethennai and is basically Csorwe’s frenemy; and Shuthmili, an Adept (similar to a priestess who can summon magic from her god) who becomes roped into this whole plot.

There were so many interesting dynamics between all these characters. Csorwe and Tal both worship Sethennai for giving them second chances and because they feel as if they owe him. For this reason, Csorwe and Tal also despise each other. Sethennai and Oranna are both seeking the Reliquary but have different approaches to it. Csorwe and Shuthmili are foils in a way, both dedicated to gods but have made different choices.

Csorwe and Shuthmili’s relationship was slow to start, but I really loved their relationship growth! Csorwe knows the position Shuthmili is in; they’ve both been told their entire lives that they must blindly follow their gods. She helps her realize that she doesn’t need to continue as an Adept, just because that’s what everyone told her to be. There’s more to life than being destined to die. Their relationship was very soft honestly.

Sexuality in this world is not something brought up or questioned. Nobody really cares who is into who and whatnot. Csorwe and Shuthmili are (presumably) lesbians, and Tal is gay. Sethennai has had relationships with both men and women.

I’m interested to see how this story continues. This is a series, and while there were some loose ends, this book wrapped up pretty neatly. The Unspoken Name was a wonderful read, with a great cast of characters and impressive worldbuilding.

Was this review helpful?

The Unspoken Name is the first book in a new series about a 14-year old orc princess named Csorwe. She is betrothed to the Unspoken One, a god, and she is destined to be sacrificed to him on behalf of her people. Csorwe; however, is offered an opportunity to abandon the thing she was raised and trained to do, and starts working for a wizard named Belthandros Sethennai, who is searching for a holy relic.
This book is rich, and I mean, rich in world-building and descriptions. Everything, including the history, traditions, and political/social aspects are lush, and I loved how immersive everything was in this story. Csorwe is ruthless, devoted, and such a well-rounded character. I loved her interactions with Tal (her rival), and I also loved learning about the characters from other character’s perspectives. The story is told from the perspectives of Sethennai, Oranna, Csorwe, Shuthmili, and Tal. The characters feel reel. They have feelings, they struggle, and they are all trying to do the best that they can with what they’re given.
It’s such an amazing world, and I look forward to seeing more of Csorwe in the books to come.

Was this review helpful?

I devoured this book so quickly, I just could not put it down. I adored it to pieces and I can already see it becoming one of my favorite series.

Our main character, Csorwe is loyal, damaged, and filled with a determination to gain approval from the man who paved a different path for her, one that didn't involve her death. You get to see her grow up, from the time she was in the cult of The Unspoken One, to the After parts of it when she escaped and learned a new kind of survival, with new kinds of missions. She travels to different parts of the world, to different worlds altogether. The world-building is incredible. We see many strange and interesting places, filled with all kinds of people and creatures - filled with Gates and ships, and all kinds of different castles and mazes. It was amazing to visualize, and I felt like I was experiencing it with Csorwe, who was experiencing it for the first time too,

Another thing I loved about this book were the string of characters Csorwe meets throughout her journey. Some she would give her life to, and some she couldn't stand. I loved these characters so much, and no matter how badly I felt like I shouldn't have....I loved them. I loved how unique they were, I loved how some had a petty rivalry, and how even though it seemed like some of them couldn't stand each other, how they still managed to save them one way or another. The all learned the way of life, finding out just how terrible it is, but managing to survive it together.

This is a 2020 release I would not miss. This was the high fantasy series of my dreams.

Was this review helpful?

Two words: lesbian. orcs. Five words? Orc priestess turned wizard's assassin. That's it, that's the book. If those seven words can't draw you in, I don't know what else to say that can.

The Unspoken Name is about a female orc named Csorwe (score-way) that has spent her whole life as the bride of a god, knowing that one day she will be sacrificed to said god. And she is fine with it until the day of, when a wizard appears and offers her another path. This path turns out to be filled with danger, love, family, betrayal, fighting, and magic! (She gets a boy to hate and a girl to love, so it is filled with angst.)

The focus of The Unspoken Name is the wizard's quest. Belthandros Sethennai (all the names are like this, but luckily the author include's a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book) is after a box, technically a reliquary, which you later learn has enormous power, which you later learn [spoilers]. At first, the Reliquary doesn't seem like much, just the wizard's passing obsession, one among many. But as the years go by, it quickly becomes the focus of the novel. And after [above spoiler] happens, at the very end of the book, most of the book starts to feel pointless. All of this struggle, only to learn [spoiler]. However, the character development because of this is very good. Csorwe comes a long way since almost being sacrificed as a child bride.

It is a journey from page one, and I cannot wait for the story to unfold more in the next book!

Was this review helpful?

This was written in the style of a truly epic fantasy tale. The plot was thick with hidden agendas and violent action, all in a vast setting which encompassed Gates to multiple worlds.

The story was unique, with a few unforeseen twists and plenty of adventure. The take on the various gods, who are the source of magic, and how the mortals of each world worshipped them was interesting.

The story at times followed different characters, and was sometimes confusing. It seemed that new worlds and characters were introduced, and then explained and described more thoroughly as the story went along. This made me feel like I was playing catch-up, especially with all the strange spellings of places and people, and their relationships with each other.

This book took me a while to finish, mostly because, although it was interesting, it wasn't compelling until like the last quarter. The characters were okay, and their motivations were simplistic. Only the MC Csorwe showed any real growth.

Overall, I liked this unique story. I would have liked more depth to the characters to really get me emotionally invested, but there was plenty of action to keep them busy.

3.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?