Re-reading 'Malice' by John Gwynne was an enjoyable experience that made me eager to continue the series. The series kicks off with likeable characters and some cool animal companions. The worldbuilding, particularly the ancient history, was a bit challenging to follow, possibly because I listened to the audiobook. The narration was good overall, though some accent choices, like an Aussie accent in a Celtic-inspired epic, felt a bit out of place. However, the story really shines with its nuanced antagonists, adding depth to the narrative.
Valour, the sequel to 'Malice,' was a very enjoyable read but did suffer from a bit of middle book syndrome. While the story continued to develop, it lacked the freshness of discovering a new world like in the first book. There were many new POVs introduced, almost too many to keep track of in my head. The character list at the beginning of the book was helpful, but since I was mostly listening to the audiobook, I didn't have easy access to it. Despite this, the ending was absolutely brilliant and hopefully marks the turning point that propels the plot forward.
Overall, this was a great continuation of the series, despite some pacing issues. I enjoyed the focus on personal growth in this book. Usually, the series emphasizes magical ability growth, so this shift was a refreshing change of pace. I also really enjoyed the expanded world-building and experiencing new areas outside of Ibasan. The plot did start to drag in the middle, but I believe this is due to its origins as a web novel, which may lack a solid beginning, middle, and end.
The series finale was nothing short of spectacular! I was a bit worried about how everything would come together, but Kurmaic nailed it. It’s been ages since I finished a series without any lingering questions, but this one pulled it off seamlessly. The pacing in this final arc was spot-on. If Arc 3 was a slow ascent on a rollercoaster, Arc 4 was a non-stop, exhilarating thrill ride. I’m genuinely sad to say goodbye to these characters; I’ve grown so attached to them. What a ride!
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46 booksA list older fantasy and science fiction books I want to read. Primarily published in the 80s, 90s and 00s.
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