I'm giving this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I chose to round up because ultimately I enjoyed it enough to do so but I'm not sure it's a book that would appeal to all readers.
In my opinion the main drawback is a lack of details and clarity on the world it's set in. Understanding that the copy I received was an uncorrected advance reading copy, it's possible that some adjustments will be made. It felt to me reading it that the mythology of the world it's set in as well as the history of the world it's set in isn't clearly fleshed out enough to really get some readers fully invested in the work. I'm someone who loves detail, I would rather have something over explained than feel like I'm missing something and for me the details of this world left something to be desired. Don't get me wrong, there's a general sense of a mythology there - two warring religions with mages involved in both, pirates and trading companies, wars referenced between lands - but for me personally I often found it distracting that there were details lacking, and to me not for the purpose of reveals or twists later on.
Now that being said, there's a lot there for people to enjoy. For me I think the main characters Buc and Eld were really compelling and had a dynamic that was very entertaining to read. Much of their personal history is alluded to but again the details left out, however, I think in this instance it works because the author has given you a good sense of their dynamic and relationship, so the specifics maybe matter less.
In addition, this book is action-packed. It is non-stop action, action, action. It will go from one action sequence directly into the next without a moment's notice. In fact, sometimes it will begin a new sequence before it feels like the previous one has met its conclusion. I really enjoyed the pacing of it because there was never a dull moment.
If you're looking for fantasy that is heavy on the action and adventure, has fun and sharp characters, but is maybe sometimes a little light on the details this is a great choice.
In my opinion the main drawback is a lack of details and clarity on the world it's set in. Understanding that the copy I received was an uncorrected advance reading copy, it's possible that some adjustments will be made. It felt to me reading it that the mythology of the world it's set in as well as the history of the world it's set in isn't clearly fleshed out enough to really get some readers fully invested in the work. I'm someone who loves detail, I would rather have something over explained than feel like I'm missing something and for me the details of this world left something to be desired. Don't get me wrong, there's a general sense of a mythology there - two warring religions with mages involved in both, pirates and trading companies, wars referenced between lands - but for me personally I often found it distracting that there were details lacking, and to me not for the purpose of reveals or twists later on.
Now that being said, there's a lot there for people to enjoy. For me I think the main characters Buc and Eld were really compelling and had a dynamic that was very entertaining to read. Much of their personal history is alluded to but again the details left out, however, I think in this instance it works because the author has given you a good sense of their dynamic and relationship, so the specifics maybe matter less.
In addition, this book is action-packed. It is non-stop action, action, action. It will go from one action sequence directly into the next without a moment's notice. In fact, sometimes it will begin a new sequence before it feels like the previous one has met its conclusion. I really enjoyed the pacing of it because there was never a dull moment.
If you're looking for fantasy that is heavy on the action and adventure, has fun and sharp characters, but is maybe sometimes a little light on the details this is a great choice.