I have enormous respect for Esslemont for co-creating the best fantasy world of them all. Unfortunately, this entry wasn't very enjoyable for me. The I have enormous respect for Esslemont for co-creating the best fantasy world of them all. Unfortunately, this entry wasn't very enjoyable for me. The plot and the character work was not up to standard, and the book dragged on unnecessarily.
There were a few awesome moments, and a few questions answered, but that wasn't enough to make this book memorable .
A spectacular ending to a singular fantasy series.
These characters, this world, will stay in my heart. All of the Beetles, Ants, Mantids, Spiders, DraA spectacular ending to a singular fantasy series.
These characters, this world, will stay in my heart. All of the Beetles, Ants, Mantids, Spiders, Dragonflies, Flies, even the Wasps, and all the other curious people, I hope I never forget their stories.
Fantasy lovers who haven't read this series are missing out big time. Outstanding world-building + some of the best characters in fantasy literature +Fantasy lovers who haven't read this series are missing out big time. Outstanding world-building + some of the best characters in fantasy literature + the freaking mayhem of all-encompassing war. This book was so emotional and tragically beautiful I feared my heart would just give out....more
Erikson is my favorite author and I expected a great book. Hell, I expected a masterpiece. I didn't expect ... this. I'm so completely blown away I caErikson is my favorite author and I expected a great book. Hell, I expected a masterpiece. I didn't expect ... this. I'm so completely blown away I can see my own particles.
I haven't laughed this much while reading a book for a long long time, but I was also on the verge of tears so many times. I love these characters so much. Most of them are new characters but I feel I've known them all my life. This is another tale with Erikson's amazing social commentary, infinite compassion and jaw-dropping character work.
This is one of the best books I've read in my life....more
Loved reading about the early days of Kellanved and Dancer, and huge characters like Surly, Tattersail, Tayschrenn, Dujek, Whiskeyjack, Cartheron and Loved reading about the early days of Kellanved and Dancer, and huge characters like Surly, Tattersail, Tayschrenn, Dujek, Whiskeyjack, Cartheron and Urko are introduced for the first time (chronologically) here. Also we got to know how Dassem became the ultimate swordmaster. This is basically Malazan fan-service....more
I love Stenwold Maker of the Collegium and he had to carry this book on his Beetle-kinden shoulders all the way to the not-so-bitter end. This is one I love Stenwold Maker of the Collegium and he had to carry this book on his Beetle-kinden shoulders all the way to the not-so-bitter end. This is one of those mid-series books that totally expands the world but is a little too long for its own good. Also, several amazing characters were absent but at least we got a horde of new ones.
Overall, I really enjoyed meeting the sea-kinden. I also love Tchaikovsky can be suddenly devastating when the need arises....more
There is a tale here, a tale of bewildering bravery, daring rescues, death raining on soldiers and toddlers alike, wild forces against humans, town-siThere is a tale here, a tale of bewildering bravery, daring rescues, death raining on soldiers and toddlers alike, wild forces against humans, town-sized dragons manifesting, and at the center, our Red Knight trying to do his best. And that, my friends, that epic tale is only the first chapter of this enormous book. By God, that is only the first chapter.
Best book in the series so far, and overall one of the best fantasy books I've had the pleasure of reading....more
The last book of 2021, and a five-star treat. "Shadows of the Apt" series has impeccable world-building and many amazing characters that I wish to nevThe last book of 2021, and a five-star treat. "Shadows of the Apt" series has impeccable world-building and many amazing characters that I wish to never forget.
There's a scene in this book that fully explains its uniqueness: A Beetle-kinden (Human-Beetle hybrid) is riding a giant grasshopper into a huge battle against the desert Scorpion-kinden horde, which are riding giant scorpions, and the grasshopper is jumping high, avoiding cannon and crossbow fire, and falling on the enemy lines, wreaking havoc.
This particular book was inspired by ancient Egypt, so I loved it even more....more
The Fell Sword by Miles Cameron (The Traitor Son Cycle Book 2):
I love reading Miles Cameron's books. Even though he writes fantasy, he's also extremelThe Fell Sword by Miles Cameron (The Traitor Son Cycle Book 2):
I love reading Miles Cameron's books. Even though he writes fantasy, he's also extremely authentic. In terms of being realistic about medieval warfare, he's done an exquisite job.
Once again we are transported to an alternate earth where magic and wild things are the butter and bread. We follow the awesome adventures of the mercenary company under the Red Knight, now on a quest to rescue an idiot of an emperor from wicked (or are they?) conspirators.
I admire how Mr. Cameron managed to tell a massively satisfying story, expand his world ten-fold and introduce many intriguing concepts and ideas to be explored later.
This is the kinda fantasy that has Tolkien doing cartwheels in the grave. Our "heroes" are godless brutes, war is a nightmare of gore and glory is dead. The world isn't saved by light, it's done by ruthlessness, diabolical genius and just enough empathy.
A brilliant ending to the first major arc of the series. I can't believe we've lost so many characters already, especially in this boo4.5 rounded up.
A brilliant ending to the first major arc of the series. I can't believe we've lost so many characters already, especially in this book the casualties were high, and most of them were among the best characters in fantasy fiction. If you wanna start this series and are afraid of its length (it's 10 books long), you can at least read the first four and decide for yourself. For me, it was amazing....more
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