Brian Carmichael

3.5 stars

Very solid definitely going to continue

Things I liked:

- the setting, I haven’t read too many books set in a desert and it was refreshing

- the worldbuilding. This story is pretty contained but it was setup to be greatly expanded on in future books

- Rai’s Pov. I enjoyed his character the most especially his interactions with his shadow fax

- Dust is the bomb

- the cosmic horror vibe

My totally subjective critiques

- the flashback chapters that kick off around halfway through the book slowed the books pacing for me

- nya’s choices felt inconsistent at times

- the travel from point a to point b at the end felt way to convenient

Four stars

Oh boy back again not finishing series and starting a new one.

I thought this chonker of a book was a pretty good book one in a series. Lots of povs and a story that feels like it wants to subvert my expectations so I’m curious to see where it goes.

Only knocks would be the character that felt most like the main protagonist was probably my least favorite pov. I also hope to see more of the world in book two because book one takes place in essentially two places

Takes place after the events of ashes of man. Solid overall. always interesting to get into someone else’s head other than Hadrian

Takes place after the events of ashes of man. Solid overall. always interesting to get into someone else’s head other than Hadrian

Takes place after the events of ashes of man. Solid overall. always interesting to get into someone else’s head other than Hadrian

This book absolutely slapped. The world is greatly expanded from the first trilogy and the fantasy + horror combo is present throughout the book. Plus mermen that have armor clad shark companions I mean come on that’s awesome!