"Was it a white lie? Was lying all he could do? He wasn't as certain as he once had been. Gods didn't change, did they? But then, Gods couldn't su "Was it a white lie? Was lying all he could do? He wasn't as certain as he once had been. Gods didn't change, did they? But then, Gods couldn't survive without their shrine. God couldn't be summoned by a little girl. The world could change, if they wanted it enough."
Sunbringer was an exciting and engaging follow-up to 'Godkiller'. Where the plot was the main thing that carried the story forward in the first book, in this second book it are our vivid main characters who are the driving force. And that makes for a very gripping, layered story.
The novel continues a month after Godkiller, and leaves Kissen, Inara and Elogast seperated and trying to cope with the (temporary) death of fire god Hseth and King Arren's betrayal. There isn't a lot of time to recover from those heavy blows, as enemies advance, fervent prayers stir up ashes, and the royal army marches towards Lessica.
From that place of strife, everyone sets out to achieve their own goals, and I immensly enjoyed how Elogast, Kissen and Inara's emotions and actions showed their flawes and strenghts. Was I always happy with the choices they made? No. But did it make them feel as vivid, living people? Yes. Elogast returns to his old role as Knight Commander and rouses up the citizens of Lessica (for better or worse), Kissen has to accept the help of the capricious beings she has fought all her life, and teenage, grief-stricken Inara so badly wants answers about her past, that she might lose sight of her God-companion Skediceth.
And while we see how our trio slowly finds their way back to each other, Kaner's compelling prose brings the story and Middren to life. The pacing is slower compared to the first book and there is less action, but that leaves space to explore the complexity of this world, with its fascinating power-system of Gods, shrines and belief.
Are bloody sacrifices acceptable if you want to achieve peace? Searching for knowledge is one thing, but how do you use it well? Can a Godkiller also be a protector of Gods? I can't wait to see how Kaner will bring it all together in Faithbreaker, so bring it on!
"History is for guidance", said Telle. "Threads from different cloths that we stitch together. It is not instruction." Her fingers drifted towards the scars on her face, then she added: "Knowledge can bring pain in place of ignorance, terror in place of hope. Whatever place your strength has come from, it is still yours. You choose what to do with it.”
Read here my other reviews of Fallen Gods trilogy: #1 Godkiller | #3 Faithbreaker (upcoming)...more
"Gods are not always the enemy; even your godkiller knows that. People make gods, and, for better or worse, gods make people. We show each other f "Gods are not always the enemy; even your godkiller knows that. People make gods, and, for better or worse, gods make people. We show each other for what we truly are. Yearning beings, desperate for love, power, safety."
A promising start to a fascinating fantasy series! The plot itself isn't very complicated (I predicted a few of the reveals), but the steadfast main characters and the layered world-building really captured me.
In the world of Godkiller, Gods exist in all shapes and powers: from a small god of broken sandals to the gigantic, terrifying god of war. In the past, the humans fought a bloody war to defeat the wild gods, and now King Arren has forbidden the worship of Gods in any form: shrines, pilgrimages and symbols. If those memorabilia aren't destroyed, humans will keep believing and Gods can take form and power again.
It's this intricate system of power that makes the work of relentless godkiller Kissen so fascinating. At the beginning of the novel, she runs into Skediceth, a small god of white lies, that tied its soul to to Inara, a young girl on the run. To untangle the two without damage, Kissen has to think outside her usual set of rules. When they are later joined by Elogast, a baker/knight on a mission for King Arren, distrust has to be set aside to survive in a world threatened by civil unrest and slumbering gods.
I also admire how Kaner wrote certain characteristics - Kissen has a prosthetic leg, Elogast suffers from PTSD - with an attentive and natural eye. However, it's the meandering pacing of the plot that brought the story down: we lingered too long in towns or alongside travellers while the action-packed ending came sudden. This novel has less than 300 pages: 50 pages longer wouldn't have hurt.
I'm glad there are plenty of questions unanswered, and I look forward to see them answered in the next books.
“You are worth more than you think. You are still alive; make something of it. Of life, not death.”
Read here my other reviews of Fallen Gods trilogy: #2 Sunbringer | #3 Faithbreaker (upcoming)...more
That's not fair Taylor, you brought the Iron Giant into this story - that already wins me over. But wow, the plot really takes off in this book: not oThat's not fair Taylor, you brought the Iron Giant into this story - that already wins me over. But wow, the plot really takes off in this book: not only by building on parts from book 2 and 3 - The Netherways, the elevator, Herbie's past - but the whole mystery around Ludovico Festergrimm is so fascinating! The decision to end with a cliffhanger is a great choice, but even before that I couldn't wait to uncover the biggest secret of Eerie-on-Sea with Herbie and Violet. Bring me Mermedusa!
“It would be the biggest gamble of her life. But if she wanted greatness - she was going to have to stand up and claim it.”
An excellent, epic and com“It would be the biggest gamble of her life. But if she wanted greatness - she was going to have to stand up and claim it.”
An excellent, epic and complex novel, the first in the Radiant Emperor duology. She Who Became the Sun is historical-fiction with a touch of fantasy, with bloody family-feuds and a main character determined to show her worth; Zhu's journey reminds one of Mulan, but more violent and ambitious.
“What someone is means nothing about what kind of person they are. Truth is in actions.”
At the start of the novel, Zhu loses her father and brother to bandits and starvation, and refusing to also waste away, she claims her brother's prophesied destiny of greatness and sets out into the world. Her cunning and resilience bring her from the Wuhuang Monastery to the Red Turban army, where she has to face the Mongol leaders. Among them is Ouyang, an eunuch general who fights for his masters, but hides a burning dream of revenge.
“This was his journey to reclaim his honor, and anticipation of its end was simultaneously the sweetest and most terrible feeling he had ever had."
Towards the middle, the pacing slows down and the action is exchanged for political plots and planning, but I didn't mind the change. You can clearly see the author's historical understanding of China's geography, the hierarchy between the clans, and military tactics in her writing. It's also in this part of the book where your heart swoons over the romance between Zhu and Ma, and in the other chapers aches over Esen and Ouyang...oh, it huuurts precious!
"You trust too much. How you prefer to draw people closer rather than push them away, it'll get you hurt. Would you take an injured fox to your breast and not expect a bite?"
Near the end, the plot brings us to a thrilling and powerful conclusion, that once more shows us the main force of this book: desire. Zhu, Ouyang, Esen and Ma all want victory, revenge, or greatness, and to see them pay the price to obtain this ("the greater the desire, the greater the suffering"), is so powerful and tragic that it takes your breath away.
4,5 stars, and I am counting down the days for the next book in this duology....more
“Peace cannot last forever. Times change, and it is better to be on top than to be crushed at the bottom.”
3,5 stars. A good continuation of Blac “Peace cannot last forever. Times change, and it is better to be on top than to be crushed at the bottom.”
3,5 stars. A good continuation of Black Sun, in which the Meridian world is explored, and we witness everyone prepare themselves for the upcoming war between Gods and mortals.
After the rebirth of the Oda Sedoh and the world falling into an unnatural twilight, our main characters Naranpa, Serapio, Okoa and Xiala are all struggling to cope. While Xiala is left adrift, uncertain how to best aid her lover, Naranpa, Serapio and Okoa have to step into leading positions; positions that bring them strength and threats in equal measure.
"Duty is a fine thing for those whose shoulders are stooped to the yoke, but it smothers those born to the wing."
My favorites characters to follow this time were Serapio and Okoa; living in the treacherous halls of Carrion Crow, they have to serve their clan yet are unsure whom to trust. Naranpa has the same issue in the Maw, but she is a better juggler of her new powers and unexpected allies; I loved seeing her become a leader. Sadly, we again have one character of the quartet left passive; where it was Naranpa in Book 1, now it's Xiala, and its disappointing to see our brave sea captain under-used.
"A man dividend against himself is profound only in his misery."
The pacing of this second book is quite slow; we learn a lot about the history and politics of the great cities, and the myths about the Gods and the origins of magic. Fascinating, but not information that immediately results into action. The final battle however unfolded in an unexpected (good!) way, so now with everything set up, I am excited to see the war unfold.
Read here my other reviews of Between Earth and Sky trilogy: #1 Black Sun | #3 Mirrored Heavens (upcoming)...more
"Do you see the Shadowghast? Or has it slipped away, in the dark autumn night...watching, waiting to snatch your shadow?"
Another great addition t"Do you see the Shadowghast? Or has it slipped away, in the dark autumn night...watching, waiting to snatch your shadow?"
Another great addition to the Eerie-on-Sea adventures! Compared to the other two books, this one is more spooky than fantastical, but the bond between Herbie and Violet remains at the center.
The vivid descriptions of Eerie-on-Sea are one of my favorite aspects of this series, and with Ghastly Night approaching, the scenery only gets better. The legend of the Shadowghast itself, the manglewick candles, and the mysterious Netherways: it only makes the seaside town feel more real and complex. Especially when there are hints dropped that Herbie is more connected with the place than he knows...
While I found the plot easier to predict compared to the other books, seeing Herbie and Violet's partnership hit a rocky patch was worked out well: they each have genuine seasons to believe what they believe. As Herbie mentions around the middle, "they both had changed since the first time they met", which makes these kids such good, dynamic characters.
The finale in the theatre however surprised me by being really frightening and spectacular, so I take my rating to 3,75 stars. A middle-grade book perfect to read around Halloween, and certainly one that fans of the series will love. I can't wait for the next adventure!
Read here my other reviews of The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea books:#1 Malamander | #2 Gargantis | #4 Festergrimm (upcoming) | #5 Mermedusa (upcoming)...more
"Today he would become a god. His mother had told him so."
3,75 stars. Not the most intricate or layered start to a fantasy series, but quite a l "Today he would become a god. His mother had told him so."
3,75 stars. Not the most intricate or layered start to a fantasy series, but quite a lush and entertaining one!
Expect no info-dumping here: from the moment the story begins we follow our main characters as the world shows itself through their eyes. We step on board Xiala's ship, witness Serapio's destiny taking shape within him, and sit next to Sun Priest Naranpa as she tries to win the political games in her city. The plot is accessible and grows more intricate as the story progresses, but since we stick to our characters (who don't have the overview), nothing becomes too complicated.
"There are only two kinds of men: ones who betray you sooner and ones who betray you later."
This world is inspired by the pre-Colombian cultures of America, and our main characters are all connected to it's mythological & magical system. Serapio is the vessel for the Crow God reborn, Xiala is a Teek (a mermaid/siren-type) sea captain, Naranpa can read the stars to predict the future, and there are giant-size animal companions such as crows and winged serpents that people can ride on.
“Definitely a man but perhaps a bit of a monster, too? The same could be said of her. And did it matter at all, these labels and categories, when it was just the two of them here, together?”
While not every character is as active - Naranpa is mostly powerless to control a city too chaotic for her - I enjoyed seeing everyone fight for his/her own goals with the power that they do have. The build-up to the final battle is very satisfying and while it ends on a cliffhanger, you know the darkness will really show its teeth in the next book.
I therefore can't wait for Fevered Star, so bring it on!
Read here my other reviews of Between Earth and Sky trilogy: #2 Fevered Star | #3 Mirrored Heavens (upcoming)...more
"Gargantis sleeps, Eerie keeps. Gargantis wakes, Eerie quakes...and all falls into the sea."
An excellent and thrilling continuation of the first "Gargantis sleeps, Eerie keeps. Gargantis wakes, Eerie quakes...and all falls into the sea."
An excellent and thrilling continuation of the first Eerie-on-Sea adventure! The same fantastical and creepy elements that I loved in Malamander return in the search for Gargantis, but now we explore the ocean instead of a quirky town.
Again we follow Lost-and-Founder Herbie Lemon and his friend Violet as a violent storm sends Eerie-on-Sea shaking. A washed-up bottle with a sparkling light sets all the fisherfolk on edge, there is the unreadable "Eerie Script", and who exactly is the terrifying Dark Hood? While Violet is eager to get to the bottom (of the dark sea) to solve this mystery, Herbie rather stays on shore - and we soon learn he has good reason too.
It's Violet and Herbie - and now with the addition of Blaze Westerly - who carry the story forward, although now I found the friendship between the two better balanced. The pacing also was well done: while the author vividly describes the character of places we visit - like the inside of the Jornty Spark - Taylor keeps the level of intrigue strong and builds up to a truly heartpounding, dangerous finale on sea.
A terrific and exciting sea-faring adventure, filled with old legends, colorful characters, and enough hints to keep us hungry for book 3. I for one, can't wait.
Read here my other reviews of The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea books:#1 Malamander | #3 Shadowghast | #4 Festergrimm (upcoming) | #5 Mermedusa (upcoming)...more
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