Feisty squirrel cats that sass talk you - where do I get one!?
This book was good, full of interesting characters and a narrator who you just want to catch a break. Some serious social issues but peppered with humour and some lovable characters, I almost gave it four stars, it’s a definite three and a half. I was thrown at times by the spells, after the first couple of attempts my brain automatically skimmed over trying to figure out the complex hand gestures described (magic in this world doesn’t need a wand but requires some pretty fancy finger work), and in all honesty some of the playing cards went over my head; I couldn’t follow all the ‘suits’ mentioned or the purpose of all the different cards. It did add an interesting element to the story though - spellslinger I assume is meant to be like an old ‘wild west’ gun slinger, though I’d have loved this idea to be clearer. Hopefully it will be in the sequel, which, although I won’t be running out in desperation for, I will read when it eventually stumbles my way.
I loved Kellen, Reichis and Ferius’ characters, each added an unusual element to the story. Most others I could give or take, I think what made the story begin to drag by the end was that we spent so long learning about every member of Kellen’s life, then had to work our way back through him losing every member of his life - a rather long process. I also sense his sister is going to become all mighty and powerful which I really a, not interested in as her character was a huge brat, I’m glad she was unconscious for most of the finale.
All in all an enjoyable read, I would recommend giving it a go as the interesting moments and character outweigh my negatives (and others are more likely to have patients with the complex magic than I was).
This book was good, full of interesting characters and a narrator who you just want to catch a break. Some serious social issues but peppered with humour and some lovable characters, I almost gave it four stars, it’s a definite three and a half. I was thrown at times by the spells, after the first couple of attempts my brain automatically skimmed over trying to figure out the complex hand gestures described (magic in this world doesn’t need a wand but requires some pretty fancy finger work), and in all honesty some of the playing cards went over my head; I couldn’t follow all the ‘suits’ mentioned or the purpose of all the different cards. It did add an interesting element to the story though - spellslinger I assume is meant to be like an old ‘wild west’ gun slinger, though I’d have loved this idea to be clearer. Hopefully it will be in the sequel, which, although I won’t be running out in desperation for, I will read when it eventually stumbles my way.
I loved Kellen, Reichis and Ferius’ characters, each added an unusual element to the story. Most others I could give or take, I think what made the story begin to drag by the end was that we spent so long learning about every member of Kellen’s life, then had to work our way back through him losing every member of his life - a rather long process. I also sense his sister is going to become all mighty and powerful which I really a, not interested in as her character was a huge brat, I’m glad she was unconscious for most of the finale.
All in all an enjoyable read, I would recommend giving it a go as the interesting moments and character outweigh my negatives (and others are more likely to have patients with the complex magic than I was).