A Plague of Giants

This book represents a major change from the Iron Druid series, so I worked hard to set aside my expectations of Hearne based on loving those. A Plague of Giants is every bit as well-written as that series, maybe even better! Still, I didn't come away truly caring about the characters. That could have something to do with the way the story is presented, but I can't be sure about it.

The book just ends, very abruptly, with the notation, “Continued in volume two, A Blight of Blackwings.” That put me off somewhat. I like reading series, but with each volume I want a largely self-contained story, one with a beginning, middle, and ending. I understand leaving some plot threads unresolved, so as to build interest for the next book, but there's just too much left unresolved here. Will I read Blight when it's released? Maybe - but I'm unlikely to rush right out and buy it.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this at Denver Comic Con. Seriously, Tattered Cover just gave me a free Kevin Hearne book. Amazing! I'm a big fan of the Iron Druid series, and I was really excited to see Hearne writing in a high fantasy style rather than an urban one. The thing about Iron Druid is, it reads like popcorn, but popcorn with a ton of research, mythos, plotting, and work put into it. It is high quality popcorn. Gourmet. Plague of Giants makes the effort that goes into it more recognizable as you get to see the whole world created from scratch, and it's great.

I love the magic system: the idea that you risk your life to earn magic and then spend your life to use it. I love the variety of magic and cultures Hearne creates. I love the serial storytelling in novel form. And I love bards. I've been playing a lot of D&D lately, and 5E bards are badasses.

There's an incredible cast, diverse without being a statement on diversity, and while some stories are more interesting than others (I would've been happy just to read Abhi's story, honestly), they all tie together nicely.. It's also a book with incredibly high stakes, as the characters make lethal mistakes over and over, and cope with the loss and guilt they incur. Loss, guilt, and survival are really the strongest themes, and some chapters hurt, and that hurt is cathartic.

The only criticism I really have is that this book is very obviously the first of a series, and it does not feel particularly ended when you get to the end. I'm ready to pick up the next book now, but this book hasn't even been technically released yet. Hopefully, by the time Blight of Blackwings is out, I'll still have all these stories close enough to my mind to read it.

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up.
—
There's just so much about this book that I loved, and so little that I had issues with, I couldn't piece together anything coherent. I think the idea of the kennings is brilliant (yes, common to other fantasy series, but Hearne's approach sells it). Most of the point-of-view characters are so well-drawn and developed that I can't find fault with any of them.

This has all the strengths of The Iron Druid Chronicles (and maybe a couple of the minor weaknesses), which is enough to get me solidly on board for the series, but there's more to it than just that.

The best thing, the most inspired idea is the way the bard tells the story, how we get each different POV. It's a brilliant stroke.

The whole book is great—the magic system, the characters, the stakes, the big mystery about the source of invading giants, and the very human responses to the invasion. A great start to a fantasy trilogy that's surely going to be one of my favorite trilogies. I just wish I could be a bit more articulate about it.

It does move maddeningly slow. But it has to—you can't establish this fantastic world at a fast pace. You can't take the time for all the tiny character moments that are just pure gold if you're driving towards big action moments. But when the pace does pick up occasionally, you get a hint at how dynamic parts of book 2 and most of book 3 are going to have to be.

A Plague of Giants is the first installment in an epic fantasy series set in a complex world of natural magic. Each country possesses a “kenning,” which is magical ability within a particular type - earth, air, fire, water, etc. Hence the “seven kennings” of the series title. This novel begins with a previously unknown race invading a country in the known world and spreading wholesale slaughter in their wake. Fintan, a bard whose kenning gives him perfect recall and the ability to project his voice, has come to this ravaged nation to tell the story of how the invasion unfolded and what has been going on in the other countries as a result.

He tells the story from the viewpoints of a host of different individuals from throughout the realm, giving the novel a range of narration styles. It is fun for readers to dive into each character and learn more about their countries, kennings, and personalities, as well as discerning their role in the larger saga. With a well-built world and an endless opportunity for great characters, the Seven Kennings series is sure to be a hit with fantasy fans!