lessthelonely
Written on Feb 14, 2021
To answer that question: yes. I liked this book. After reading two books that made me feel like reading was work, this book sparked something within me that made me keep wanting to read, allowing me to regain the ability to sit through entire sections of a book at once - we're talking like over 80 pages and fast. The writing in this book does its job. There isn't anything that I can say "Oh, that was bad"; no, it's well written, it portrays emotions well, it shows instead of telling, and is very quick when that's needed, especially in action sequences.
My problems with this book are very much so problems with the plot and the way it handles itself. You can tell this book has been outlined, and if it wasn't then I'd say I'm very much impressed. The main flaw in the plot would definitely be the beginning, where we get to know the characters. It's not that it isn't interesting or unbelievable, but not much happens. After we understand that Brysen is the textbook definition of an underdog with scars like Avatar: The Last Airbender's Zuko and that Kylee is The Chosen One, we go straight into the Inciting Incident.
There are, however, a few things that really irked me, one of 'em being Dymian. The main reason presented for us to like the guy is because Brysen liked him, even though the first-ever thing we see him do that involved Brysen is dickish, to say the least. I will admit though, I didn't think his betrayal would be the book's main plot twist. It surprised me, to say the least: not that I was "OH MY GOD!" shocked. I didn't care about his relationship with Brysen, and I didn't think the author cared much about making him likable either. I will say though, the description that basically tied Brysen and Dymian's relationship to falconry and talked about the similarities made their ending very interesting!
This book's characters are good. Kylee and Brysen obviously stand out, and though I've seen many people not liking Brysen but, to be honest, I believe I couldn't feel annoyed by the guy probably because he's not a Hero in the slightest. He's basically the personification of "Fake it till you make it", except he doesn't make it. He is annoying at times, but he didn't spark any rage in me, probably because he does an understandable one-eighty in the end.
You might find him annoying, but, to be honest, the book's side plot with the Kartami (which I'm sure will become the main plot in the sequel), his characterization, the world-building, and Kylee make up for it. Speaking of that… The world-building? Spotless. In my opinion, at least. It's interesting, it's intriguing and it never feels one-dimensional, though you'll definitely find real-world parallels in this book.
The one problem I have with this book, however, keeps me from giving it a 5th star. These are the book's handling of its own plot points: some are incredibly enticing and interesting to read (probably because they're tied to the main characters) even if you totally guessed them like I did, while others seem like they happen and aren't thought about ever again (this book's main plot twist felt like that). One I do have to give its own spot is the climax, which I consider to be just before the final plot twist and ending: a lot of hype towards this Ghost Eagle and it's caught in less than 20 pages.
Sometimes, it felt like a plot point was just an item on the list, without much tension or suspense, either because the plot needs to keep moving along to reach the next character reveal or plot twist or because you can totally tell the author's trying to scare you into thinking the protagonists might die when you can absolutely tell he's bluffing.
In other words: I was more scared when a character threatened to sever Brysen's dominant hand than when he almost drowned. Come on, it was in the middle of the book… As if he was going to die when there was no way to resurrect him.
So, basically: this is a good page-turner with interesting and compelling characters. I liked it. I will keep reading this series.
