Highly appreciate the kind words, sir. Look forward to comparing notes with you (by going back to your review again) for the third and final book once I’m done.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series – I hope you enjoy the third book too. It feels like the only possible conclusion for this tale.
ASS is such a great author – I love her writing style, it’s just so unique.
Lynn 😀
Yep, I saw that with your last review. I look forward to seeing how it all ends now. She definitely has a unique style that no other SFF writer I have read has ever utilized, that’s for sure! 😀 Thank you so much for reading, Lynn! 😀
I was especially thrilled to hear you mention the short sentences or even singular words that aid the tempo of the action. I myself enjoy experimenting with such, yet I seem to hear that it’s a “no-no”. Good to know that it’s not totally forbidden and that people actually enjoy it.
I had an issue with it with her first book since I couldn’t grasp what it brought to the story and found it frustrating. This time around, she nails it and I felt myself carried by the rhythm of the writing. I think you just need to really master the style to get it right.
I have not managed to move past book 1 of this series, yet, but with such a glowing review, that brought back the memories of those hard-to-like characters that nonetheless were so intriguing, I must do my best to place book 2 in my reading queue….
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I too was stuck after book 1 and it took me the recent release of the third book for me to want to binge through the finale. I think her books only get better with each entry now. I know the flaws I found in the first book are now strengths in this one, for example. Hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to try it out! Thank you for reading! 😀
How fascinating that what you thought of as flaws in the first book were so stellar in the second. I love the use of singular words to give punch to the flow of a narrative. I suspect I would appreciate the writing of this. I also think its fascinating that it is in essence a story of watching the descent of a character. Especially paired with such a modern, sparse cover!! That is no fantasy look that I know. Very, very fascinating. You sell it well Lashaan as usual. 😉
Yes, it was odd but I think it’s when I saw how effective it was during war sequences that I found the style so intriguing. It’s not easy to pull of, however, and definitely not a style that will please many. I’m glad to hear it has intrigued you though! Thank you so much for reading, Dani! 😁
Just how “unlikeable” are these characters? I know you just reviewed the final book, but with all the rage and battle, is there even a spark of hope in this trilogy?
Hope is often a teaser in grimdark, if you ask me. I didn’t find the trilogy as bleak and grim as some other series but I can’t promise you that hope is the ultimate and final destination here. 😀
But it isn’t completely absent? Sometimes even a glimmer is enough for me. I think I’m going to have to think this over if I really want to add this to my tbr. Red Sister made me even more leery than ever of things labeled grimdark…
Nop, not COMPLETELY. Although, I’m having a tough time imagining you rooting for the protagonist here. I think there might me a better chance of that happening with one of the minor characters and their POV hahah
I personally can only recommend highly Ed McDonald’s Raven’s Mark trilogy over any other grimdark series recently released.
Bookidote 
Absolutely outstanding review dude.
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Highly appreciate the kind words, sir. Look forward to comparing notes with you (by going back to your review again) for the third and final book once I’m done.
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Omg what a review and I haven’t heard of this author at all. Wow awesome
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Thank you so much, Shalini! I appreciate it a lot. 😀
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One of my top series!
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I can understand why now. I look forward to completing this trilogy now!
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I thoroughly enjoyed this series – I hope you enjoy the third book too. It feels like the only possible conclusion for this tale.
ASS is such a great author – I love her writing style, it’s just so unique.
Lynn 😀
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Yep, I saw that with your last review. I look forward to seeing how it all ends now. She definitely has a unique style that no other SFF writer I have read has ever utilized, that’s for sure! 😀 Thank you so much for reading, Lynn! 😀
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I was especially thrilled to hear you mention the short sentences or even singular words that aid the tempo of the action. I myself enjoy experimenting with such, yet I seem to hear that it’s a “no-no”. Good to know that it’s not totally forbidden and that people actually enjoy it.
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I had an issue with it with her first book since I couldn’t grasp what it brought to the story and found it frustrating. This time around, she nails it and I felt myself carried by the rhythm of the writing. I think you just need to really master the style to get it right.
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Ah. That makes sense.
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I have not managed to move past book 1 of this series, yet, but with such a glowing review, that brought back the memories of those hard-to-like characters that nonetheless were so intriguing, I must do my best to place book 2 in my reading queue….
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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I too was stuck after book 1 and it took me the recent release of the third book for me to want to binge through the finale. I think her books only get better with each entry now. I know the flaws I found in the first book are now strengths in this one, for example. Hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to try it out! Thank you for reading! 😀
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A very enthusiastic, nay, passionate review, Lashaan! 😉
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Thanks, Ola! It needed an emotional touch considering the book was written in a style that invites readers to embrace strong emotions. 😁
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Another amazing review, Lashaan 😍 The book sounds really interesting, especially as it sounds so gory!
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Thank you so much, Caroline! It really was a nice sequel. Quite the bloody adventure! 😁
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How fascinating that what you thought of as flaws in the first book were so stellar in the second. I love the use of singular words to give punch to the flow of a narrative. I suspect I would appreciate the writing of this. I also think its fascinating that it is in essence a story of watching the descent of a character. Especially paired with such a modern, sparse cover!! That is no fantasy look that I know. Very, very fascinating. You sell it well Lashaan as usual. 😉
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Yes, it was odd but I think it’s when I saw how effective it was during war sequences that I found the style so intriguing. It’s not easy to pull of, however, and definitely not a style that will please many. I’m glad to hear it has intrigued you though! Thank you so much for reading, Dani! 😁
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Just how “unlikeable” are these characters? I know you just reviewed the final book, but with all the rage and battle, is there even a spark of hope in this trilogy?
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Hope is often a teaser in grimdark, if you ask me. I didn’t find the trilogy as bleak and grim as some other series but I can’t promise you that hope is the ultimate and final destination here. 😀
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But it isn’t completely absent? Sometimes even a glimmer is enough for me. I think I’m going to have to think this over if I really want to add this to my tbr. Red Sister made me even more leery than ever of things labeled grimdark…
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Nop, not COMPLETELY. Although, I’m having a tough time imagining you rooting for the protagonist here. I think there might me a better chance of that happening with one of the minor characters and their POV hahah
I personally can only recommend highly Ed McDonald’s Raven’s Mark trilogy over any other grimdark series recently released.
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I do have that on my tbr. I hope to get to it some time this year (as the year is QUICKLY slipping away!)
Thanks for all this. I think I’m going to play it safe and just not tempt fate.
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