I was disappointed by the first book (although I still liked it enough to rate it 3 stars), but this second book is a lot better in my opinion. The thI was disappointed by the first book (although I still liked it enough to rate it 3 stars), but this second book is a lot better in my opinion. The things I loved in the first book are still here while being more engaging and leaving me wanting to know what happens even when I had already guessed. A great sequel, I definitely want to read the third book!
The Covenant of Steel trilogy was my introduction to Anthony Ryan, and while I loved it (4 stars for each book) I haven't read his previous works yet The Covenant of Steel trilogy was my introduction to Anthony Ryan, and while I loved it (4 stars for each book) I haven't read his previous works yet since my TBR is still longer than my life expentancy. But I saw in the blurb for A Tide of Black Steel that it was set in the same universe than Covenant of Steel and I had to read this one. Now, you can perfectly understand A Tide of Black Steel without having read it but you may miss out on some things. You won't notice if you don't read it first, but my enjoyment of this book was made better having read Covenant of Steel before.
Besides being a Norse-inspired fantasy, you can expect this book to be "slow" in order to set up everything, to have amazing world-building, four POVS that are all interesting, well-written characters and a very compelling story. It's a promising first book in a new trilogy that just leaves you excited to see what's gonna happen!...more
I loved Godkiller, but unfortunately Sunbringer didn't grab me as much. With Faithbreaker though, I got everything I wanted for the finale of the FallI loved Godkiller, but unfortunately Sunbringer didn't grab me as much. With Faithbreaker though, I got everything I wanted for the finale of the Fallen Gods trilogy. Hannah Kaner is such a great writer and I'll definitely keep an eye on her future books....more
It took me more than 10 years to read The Bone Season. I discovered Samantha Shannon with The Priory of the Orange Tree published in 2019, which is onIt took me more than 10 years to read The Bone Season. I discovered Samantha Shannon with The Priory of the Orange Tree published in 2019, which is one of my favorite books. I had to add The Bone Season to my TBR list after this, but I knew it was very different. And while it's also very popular, it has gotten many bad reviews at the time of its first publication in 2013. I've read some of them, and I wasn't sure I would enjoy it. I kept wanting to read it but not doing it. And then, the author published a revised edition for the 10th anniversary of The Bone Season and I bought it. Yet, I've only read it now.
I'm wondering how different the first edition and the revised edition are. I have no interest in reading the first one just to find out, but if someone has read both I'd be curious to have your opinion! Now, I believe a lot of the bad reviews were because of the marketing for this book. People express their disbelief at how The Bone Season is supposed to represent women writing fantasy - and if it was marketed as such, it's indeed ridiculous. They express disappointment over how they really wanted Samantha Shannon to be "the next *insert big name*", and again this kind of marketing is ridiculous. It seems The Bone Season was way, way too hyped up prior to its first publication and it's no wonder some people thought "wait, that's it? that's what the big deal was about?"
Seriously, don't listen to the hype. I wait to read certain books until the hype dies down at least a bit because of this. Don't trust the marketing, its purpose is to make as much sales as possible, not to be as accurate as possible. Is The Bone Season what the marketing promised it would be back then, according to what people say in the reviews? No. Big surprise. It also doesn't top The Priory of the Orange Tree, really not. But if you read it for what it is, when you don't compare it to anything else or anyone else, The Bone Season on its own isn't a bad book. I really, really enjoyed it and I'm definitely gonna read the next book in the series because I'm hooked to the story....more
Another great prequel novella in the Drowned Empire series, giving us more Rhyan just as with the first prequel novella. I definitely recommend to reaAnother great prequel novella in the Drowned Empire series, giving us more Rhyan just as with the first prequel novella. I definitely recommend to read both instead of only the novels, and to follow the publication order which is:
1. Daughter of the Drowned Empire (first novel) 2. Guardian of the Drowned Empire (second novel) 3. Solstice of the Drowned Empire (first prequel novella) 4. Lady of the Drowned Empire (third novel) 5. Son of the Drowned Empire (second prequel novella)
I truly love this series and can't wait for the fourth novel!...more
An amazing novella that wasn't planned, but the author wrote it because many fans wanted Rhyan's POV. When I learned this, I had doubts because authorAn amazing novella that wasn't planned, but the author wrote it because many fans wanted Rhyan's POV. When I learned this, I had doubts because authors adding books to their series because of the demand doesn't always go well. But here, I'm very glad the author listened, because I believe it's an important addition to the series. We learn more about Rhyan and understand things from his POV this time, so while the author don't consider it as a bonus to the series, I would highly recommend to read it - in publication order, so after books 1 and 2 - as it truly adds something of value to this series....more
I've had issues with the first book when I started reading it when it came to the world-building and MFC (as I explained in my review), but ended up rI've had issues with the first book when I started reading it when it came to the world-building and MFC (as I explained in my review), but ended up really enjoying it. I hoped the second book would deliver the promise of a series getting better, and I'm so glad it was the case. Lyr's character development is great and I really liked her so much more, Rhyan is still amazing and the chemistry between them is everything. In terms of plot, this second book really gets interesting too and there's a lot of potential for the rest of the series. ...more
I've been looking for a new series to obsess about, and I might have found it! To be honest, I wasn't sure about this one. I really liked the synopsisI've been looking for a new series to obsess about, and I might have found it! To be honest, I wasn't sure about this one. I really liked the synopsis, the cover screamed at me to read this book, but the marketing annoyed me. I know it's a small thing, and I know everyone wants to attract readers with a comparison to a popular series, but at first it was described on social media as "Cleopatra meets Throne of Glass" and now as "Cleopatra meets Fourth Wing" because of the huge hype around it. I love both the Throne of Glass series and Fourth Wing, and they're not similar at all. I know, I know, it's not a good enough reason to stay annoyed. I'm over it, although I still don't know what Cleopatra has to do with this book.
The beginning of this book isn't promising. The world-building is so confusing that I'm not sure the reader is even supposed to understand much, the two maps aren't gonna help, the only help is the list of titles and forms of address that you should write down before starting to read. After the first chapter, I already wanted to ask the author a bunch of questions about the universe and the lore, which makes it hard to get into the story. Our main female character, Lyriana, is more annoying than anything. I wanted to put down this book and ask WHY to everyone raving about this series. So if you're wondering if this book is worth your time, the answer is yes, but only if you can be patient. In a way, it reminded me of the Throne of Glass series: I had to push through the first book and really didn't believe it would end up being one of my favorite series. If this reminds you of your own experience, you might have similar feelings while reading Daughter of the Drowned Empire: you have to push through at first, but then it gets really good.
First, Lyr ended up being a MFC I really liked. The plot was engaging, and it quickly becomes a page-turner. And of course, there's the MMC. To be entirely honest, the scenes between Lyr and Rhyan are the reason I'm giving four stars to this book. I love Rhyan, I love how he is with Lyr, I just love him and I definitely want to read the rest of the series to see where this is going!...more
While it's not absolutely necessary to read An Ember in the Ashes quartet, I highly recommend it. And if you're planning to read it anyway, you need tWhile it's not absolutely necessary to read An Ember in the Ashes quartet, I highly recommend it. And if you're planning to read it anyway, you need to before reading Heir to avoid spoilers....more
I'll be honest, this isn't the kind of book I would have picked up on my own. High Vaultage was however Goldsboro SFF pick for March, and I'm gratefulI'll be honest, this isn't the kind of book I would have picked up on my own. High Vaultage was however Goldsboro SFF pick for March, and I'm grateful for it. I'm not familiar at all with the , so when I read about it before starting this book I got a little worried. There was no need to be though, this book stands on its own. High Vaultage is a total page-turner: funny, absurd, engaging from the very beginning. I might go listen to this famous podcast to get more of Even Greater London, Archibald Fleet and Clara Entwhistle!...more
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