Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-arc of this book.

I really wanted to like this book but ultimately gave it two stars.

The description compares the book to Brandon Sanderson which is a bold claim that sort of sets the book up for failure.

I think the comparison comes from the multiple viewpoints and unique magic system and potentially the double prologue.

However 5 viewpoints is just too many. It's hard to get invested in any one story and each story progressed so slowly.  When big things happened like character deaths I couldn't feel invested because there was such a wide range of viewpoints.
I only really found 2 of the 5 compelling which made the book into a slog.  I think it's because the characters were just too archetypal and surface level.

The magic system was unique but it was also poorly explained and kind of overpowered as the characters seemed to be able to do anything they wanted by sacrificing a little blood.

The last 100 pages were a bit better and the story finally seemed to be going somewhere but it was just too little to late

Love the light gods story and the world building!!

Reminded me of Game of thrones with the multipoint POVs.

Fast paced about SCI-FI feeling however it’s a dark fantasy. Really loved the story.

Grieving Gold by Daniel McDaniel. #Luminocity #NetGalley . This book felt very similar to Sarah J Maas books jumping from one Story to another in the made up world of Luminocity. Also felt influence of Game of Thrones in the stories. Hard to read and get into for me but worth the perseverance this is the start of something that will interweave and none of the stories had an end leaving you wanting more although for me it was a tough read I did enjoy and there are parts that excite and make you want to read on.

This was definitely a strong debut novel. The start of the book was so intriguing that I was excited to read more. Unfortunately, I was getting more confused by the characters than the storyline. There are 5+ POVs that doesn’t tie well together to for a coherent storyline. Also, the magic system was not really explained just mentioned. The book was lot similar to Mistborn from Anderson and I’m sure some people would love this. The concept has so much potential and the characters are all multi dimensional.

There were many grammatical and typo mistakes as well. I think improving the flow of writing and errors could make this one of the best books out there.
Rating: 2.5
Spice: none
Genre: Young Adult

I really enjoyed this story line! I found that it is very different from what I had typically been reading, and for that it made it stand out for me even more! I appreciate individualism in books when the market tends to be saturated with a lot of similar plots and story lines. The characters were very likable and had excellent world building. Very well done! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful work!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the copy of this book. Overall this book has a good set up. There’s a lot of good things about it. However I felt like I was missing parts of the story and the world. I would definitely give this a shot.

I have to say that this book wasn’t really for me, I am sure lots of other people will really enjoy it but sadly not me. I found it very difficult to get into and actually gave up at around 50% because I couldn’t go through any more.

This took quite a while to really get into because of all the different characters that are introduced in the opening chapters and it took some time before their stories started to emerge.

It was somewhat different to many other tales of this genre and once engaged with the stories it became a very enjoyable read and my only disappointment is there's too much left to find out so where is Book 2?

This is going to be a great read for some people, but sadly not for me. Unfortunately for me, the book was very hard to get into and to keep my interest. There were A LOT of POV that I just had a hard time keeping up with. I DNF at 30% hence my 3 star review. I really wanted to keep on reading but I just couldn't get myself to keep going, I ended up having to go back and reread parts and it just ended up being too much for me. I appreciate the opportunity given to read this book.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy of this book!
I truly enjoyed this read. It felt like nothing I've read before - the world building can be a bit intense for the casual reader! I could not put it down. Each perspective followed in the book had me at the edge of my seat and I really like how the story lines tied together. I think Ilumi was my favorite. Can't wait to see whats next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I had a problem with the amount of POVS that I wasn't super attached to. It felt like I was reading several books at once that weren't connected. I expected them to all wrap up in a way that made me realize they had been attached the whole time and it just really didn't happen. It also took me a really long time to read and I wasn't really excited to pick it up unfortunately. For having so many elements, the book is incredibly slow paced. The POVs I liked best were Aiana and Lax (but Lax's POV was more because I liked his friends). I think there was simply too much going on. The way Dawb's POV went just didn't make sense to me. There were so many elements that I think had potential but the disjointedness was too distracting. I did really like the magic system, that was unique. I liked the multiple found family instances throughout the book. I would read more by this author and I would probably continue with the series. I'm hoping that the next book wraps everything up in a more understandable way. But unfortunately, this book wasn't my favorite. I will still recommend it to my audience though.

3/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!

If you are into high fantasy with a mix of science fiction and whirlwind of adventure this is just the right for you. The world building is immersive and very vivid which may deter some people who are just starting on complex fantasy lore. Definitely a series worth exploring!

Overall, this was a good book. The world building was top notch but I had issues with the details of the magic system and by the end of the book I was still confused. I enjoy multiple POVs but there was just too many for me here. The action scenes are done so well and I wanted more of them! Overall a great debut

"Grieving Gold" by Daniel McDaniel immerses readers into a richly crafted fantasy world centered around the city of Luminocity, where light and darkness vie for dominance. The narrative follows five protagonists with fascinating backgrounds and motivations, including Laxerion Tama, a disowned noble entangled in family strife, and Ilumi, a young scientist harboring a deep, dark secret. As we see the war looms on the horizon and ancient technologies resurface, each character grapples with personal challenges while navigating a world teeming with danger and mystery.

Daniel's storytelling prowess shines in this ambitious epic fantasy debut, offering readers a tapestry of intricate world-building and compelling characters. Despite the initial complexity, the plot gradually unfolds, revealing unexpected connections and enthralling twists. The magic system, intertwined with ethical dilemmas and technological advancements, adds depth to the narrative. I was so impressed by the magic system and after reading Daniels background if made it even more impressive honestly. I instantly followed him on instagram!

I am a big lover of different POVs so I was in my element in this book. I can understand why it can be daunting initially but as the storylines converged it created a cohesive and engrossing narrative experience. McDaniel's adept handling of multiple viewpoints ensures each character receives well-deserved attention, contributing to a diverse and dynamic cast.

"Grieving Gold" promises a captivating journey for fantasy enthusiasts, blending elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. With its fast-paced plot, intricate world-building, and complex characters, this novel sets the stage for an enthralling series that has me eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

Strange worlds in this fantasy novel, centred around the city of Luminocity. Light and dark are tussling for power. Lax must resolve family issues and help his brother Val. Illumi has been sent to spy n the scientific community, while Ariana must fight for her life. Monsters are chased my Daub.

Enjoyed this novel full of new and interesting characters. Blood releases powers to help each hero out. So we have lots of twists and turns, interactions between characters and loads of danger and mystery. Keeps you reading to find out what happens next.

Grieving Gold, the first in an all new fantasy series from Daniel McDaniel, centres on five protagonists who live in Luminocity. Laxerion Tama has returned home as his father is gravely ill, but after years of being disowned, Laxerion finds the noble family house is not what it once was. His brother Val-Gustus Tama is doing what he can to uphold the mantle his father leaves behind and must do what he can to protect the city from war. Ilumi is a young scientist newly arrived in Luminocity, but is way more than meets the eye. Aiana is desperate to become a huntress and will do anything to make that dream happen. Finally Dawb is an orphan who spends his days running cons in the streets and seeks revenge for the loss of his best friend.

Grieving Gold is a hugely ambitious tale set in a really fascinating world. McDaniel has conjured a really fascinating world and the world building feels incredibly detailed. The magic system is unique and I really enjoyed getting to know the world and the characters. McDaniel’s writing style is easy to understand, though it did take me a little while to really understand the story and the characters. The book is well paced and I am intrigued to see where the story goes in subsequent books in the series. The story does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so this has definitely made me keen to pick up the next installment. McDaniel does a really good job of weaving fantasy, science fiction, and horror elements into the story. There’s plenty going on to keep the reader hooked and even a few monsters that I definitely wouldn’t want to meet.

Grieving Gold has a wide cast of characters and they’re all really well developed. Each POV felt unique and engaging, though it did take me a little while to get to grips with who was who. I enjoyed all the POVs though I did feel the most compelling ones were Laxerion and Val-Gustus. Grieving Gold is quite a chunky book at just over 600 pages, but the plot moves quickly and there were plenty of times I struggled to put the book down.

Grieving Gold is a compelling and thought-provoking tale, one that fantasy fans will completely fall in love with. If you’re looking for a unique and fresh fantasy series with compelling characters and a unique magic system, this is one you will not want to miss.

First of all thank you to Daniel for letting me review a wonderful book.

i found this book very refreshing to be in a new fantasy world , i loved so many of the characters and there are a lot of them , There were some i love to hate and others which stole my heart .

I thought Daniel's story telling is amazing , there is lots of detail that is in the book so for some might be a bit much but i think really helped me understand more of the story , also the world building oh my gosh wow in some ways i would like to live there .

It's a pretty fast paced book It had me sucked in and i wanted to stay forever . i do not want to give anything away as this book is not out yet for a while .

i will say this if you love being sucked into new worlds then i promise you will enjoy this .

i'm giving the book 4 ,5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the arc of this book!

Characters
We follow a grand host of characters, which makes this very enjoyable. The characters are all from different walks of life and are pretty distinct in their upbringing, beliefs, motivations and goals. We follow Lax and Val, siblings striving to fulfill their father’s wishes; Dawb, a street urchin aiming to avenge a very personal loss; Ilumi, a scientist who ran away from the life she knows because staying only means stagnation; Ariana, a huntress with a harsh upbringing, foiled by her own recklessness as she tries to right a wrong.

Plot and Writing
Core
The plot of the story follows the main characters as they strive to fulfill their goals. There is minimal overlap between these different threads of the plot until about 85% of the book. This allows the author to establish the characters within their bubbles and give them all their backstories before finally having them meet one another. And the execution is done well, too. The distinct voices of these characters set them apart and their motivations and goals are well laid out. They all have action-oriented plot points which also have ongoing suspense threaded into it, so it’s pretty intriguing. The writing is also pretty easy to digest, so it keeps the reading train going.

Worldbuilding
The world-building is pretty solid as well. The world in this book is quite rich in society and culture, in the diversity of its population and their various walks of life. For instance, we have Dawb and his gang who steal, beg and borrow. We have their rivals, so to speak, who run an organized gang. We have Ilumi and the science-y people at the Institution who are dealing with their challenges. We have the ‘elites’, Lax and Val who open the reader’s doors to the upper echelons of the society. It is a very lush picture in terms of world-building.

My only gripe is that the actual fantasy element of the book, the ability of the people to ‘find’ something in the light, and ‘lose’ something in the darkness is a bit vague to me. I’m not sure if everybody has this ability, or if it’s just a chosen few who get lucky with it. Or how they decide on what they choose to find/lose. Lax, for example, chooses to ‘find lies’, which allows him to persuade people by making them believe something is true when it actually isn’t. The character Duke ‘finds’ chances; Aiana finds/loses weight. How are these attributes selected?

Style
The writing style is one aspect where it might be a hit or miss for readers. While I personally prefer a lot of dialogue between the characters, them preferably not shutting up, ever (within reason and characterization), I have to say the writing in this book is definitely more narration-oriented. And this is done not just with elaborate descriptors and lengthy passages, but also when dialogues/speaking is warranted by the character. That just brought me out of the reading experience immediately.

The ending also seems a bit hurried in terms of relationship building. For instance, the closeness of Val and Luster just explodes toward the end when most of their interactions feel like they’re entirely off-page. So I was just left scratching my head as to when they got this close with only a handful of interactions.

Another such instance is between Dawb and Ilumi. The overall context is that Dawb saved Ilumi from some thugs and so Ilumi starts speaking to Dawb, out of a sense of gratitude for saving her life. Their third interaction has Dawb rushing away without even speaking to her, because he’s had something happen to him. And her thought later in the night was

"…she was worried about Dawb…"

I don’t think I’d ‘worry’ about a person if they ran away from me without even hinting what’s happened, despite the gratitude for having saved my life. Dawb just bolted from there without giving Ilumi any context of why. She could worry about the behavior, yes, maybe wonder why he was in a rush, or was so rude, even – but worry about him? What does she even know about him?

The last point here is that I did not like how IRL world things somehow found their way into the story, without even a change in the names. Like we’ve got chewing gum, tortillas, sandwiches, avocados, mascara, electricity, suitcases, ‘dudes’, and so on. It might not bother everyone, but it did take me out of the story.

To conclude…
I will definitely be picking up the next book in this series. Despite my minor issues, I really did enjoy the characters and the world. The entire idea of finding/losing attributes as a fantasy element is just so refreshing to me and I do like the characters in this story. I also absolutely love the author and his determination to write this story, mastering the English language all by himself. I can’t say no to any of those! 😀

Rating: 3.4

TLDR: Yes it can be a challenging start but if you are a fantasy fan and want something refreshing, read this!

What first intrigued me about this book was the promise of a high-fantasy world, the different POVs, the original religion, the impending dark doom (I love dark books, specially dark fantasy ones), the complex storylines, and the existing reviews saying it had South American elements in the culture. As an avid reader of dark fantasy books from a South American country that loves books representing different cultures, I was sure this would be at least 4 stars for me. Although it didn't stand up to everything I was hoping for, the story kept me intrigued enough to keep going and I am glad I did.

Grieving Gold is a strong epic fantasy debut, with a compelling magic system, that leads the reader in a journey of exploration of this new world through the different POVs. We get to see the son who, despite holding grudges against his dying father, embarks on a journey to save the family. A homeless boy trying to survive life in the streets and the mysterious danger that is befalling his friends. A young scientist, new to the big city and its technologies, follows her passion while hiding a secret. A hunter needs to prove herself to gain back the respect of her community. A general doing everything he can to avoid what he believes will be the end of his country. Sometimes these POVs overlap, which leads to some interesting interactions and amusing surprises that really caught me off guard.

However, although this book had everything for me to love, it took me a while to get my bearings around the magic system and to get invested into each character. During the read, I would constantly get frustrated that as soon as I was feeling a connection with one of the characters, their POV wouldn't show up for many chapters. The length of one chapter wasn't enough to get me hooked, and it was only through reading multiple chapters of the same POV did I start understanding and rooting for them.

The introduction to the world was also quite abrupt and as I usually prefer a slow build myself, I felt very confused for the first half of the book. There is a lot going on in the different POVs, and some of it is nuanced enough that I only understood the connection several chapters later. There are however people who love a book that can hit the ground running, so they would be perfectly fine with this pace.

After the 50% mark, things started making more sense and my interest started to peak. I was still struggling at times, but something in the story kept pulling me back to read more. Even though I didn't always understand exactly what was going on, I was extremely intrigued how the story would play out. I started seeing the connections that were invisible to me at the start, started understanding the magic and how it as used, and couldn't wait to find out the big mystery.

I finished the book yesterday and, looking back, I would still tell my past self to read this. Yes, it was confusing at first, but the world is so vast and intricate that a slower introduction would split this book into two. The intriguing developments would be lost and the action wouldn't make sense until the second book. The South American influence mentioned by other reviewers I really couldn't understand. Perhaps it was because there is a hint of indigenous culture, or because the religion worships the celestial bodies, or perhaps there was a reference I didn't understand, but I didn't personally see any clear reference to South American culture.

This is the first book in a series and I am extremely curious about what the author comes up with next! Grieving Gold has laid the foundation for a fantastic epic tale and I am eager to read the next book and dive into this world again.

Thank you NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Endless Equinox for the ARC.

Daniel McDaniel's Grieving Gold is an intriguing epic fantasy read that I highly recommend. The worldbuilding and magic system is very complex and unique and is introduced in a way that is not confusing and lets the book have a steady pace. I really like how the magic system is so greatly intertwined with the novel's plot, in a way that complements the darker history surrounding the novel's events. I also like the focus on technological advances and their ethical implications which I have not really seen much in fantasy novels.

There are five main characters, who are all very interesting with their own complex characterisations and motivations. However, the changing POVs were abrupt at times and did make some parts of the novel hard to understand. I did like how the POVs of these characters eventually intersected, though they did start off as seemingly separate storylines.

This novel has a diverse set of characters with a fast-paced plot, and I cannot wait to read the next novel in the series.