Peter M. Last

RANTS AND RAMBLES (SPOILER WARNING)

• • I want to make clear that my job when I review books is to discuss both strengths and weaknesses of the books in question. It seems that weaknesses and inconsistencies are the easiest to discuss and pick apart and so tend to dominate my discussion. Nevertheless, any particular rant (and, yes, they can be long-winded) does not necessarily have special bearing on my overall opinion. Please refer to my overall star rating for my unified opinion of the book as a whole.

  • The problem of stereotypical characters continues in this book. Fortunately, the main characters are not confined to predictable molds and roles; however, supporting and peripheral characters remain quite stereotypical. This makes them feel less like individuals and more like caricatures, decreasing immersion in the story.

  • The plot is much tighter and more focused than in the previous book. This shows the increase in Donita’s skill but is also likely aided by the fact that less world-building is necessary in this volume. Fewer meandering conversations and side quests, expository conversations, and info dumps led to better pacing and a more cohesive and engaging story.

  • Kale faces a dilemma in the story which I found to be, shall we say, somewhat obvious. A person approaches her and claims to be her mother. At this point in the story, there is no information to contradict this person’s claim and yet it is immediately apparent that she is lying. The woman is, in fact, a wizard who is one of the main antagonists of the story. Despite it being incredibly obvious that this woman is a bad person, Kale is inexplicably confused when another character enters the story, also claiming to be her mother. Though the correct answer is very obvious, the solution to this dilemma falls flat when it is played as a major twist. It felt like a magician pausing, going “See, the coin is gone!” and making a big deal out of the trick after you saw him put it in his pocket.

  • As mentioned above, the interpersonal story between Kale and Bardon is one of the best parts of the book. Despite the strength of their interaction and growing relationship, the suspense of the changing dynamics of their relationship is somewhat dulled because it is pretty obvious from their first meeting that they are intended to be love interests. Part of this is the author overtly describing their dislike for each other. Since enemies-to-lovers is a romantic trope, it makes the end result somewhat obvious. What undercuts the uncertainty of the end result even more, is the fact that both Kale and Bardon are orants. This is the problem with stories and worlds which have many races but little to no intermarriage between them. As soon as characters of the same species and similar age are introduced, it’s pretty obvious where it is going.