I probably read this book over too long a period of time to give a coherent review, but I found the world intriguing and unique, and I loved the snarkI probably read this book over too long a period of time to give a coherent review, but I found the world intriguing and unique, and I loved the snark of the main characters. Sometimes the action and dramatis personae became a little hard to follow, but again, I read this in a stop/start manner. Overall, very enjoyable!...more
This was a perfect "light" (haha) read with which to end the year. Actually, it was a fairly short, self-contained story that fit the bill nicely. I lThis was a perfect "light" (haha) read with which to end the year. Actually, it was a fairly short, self-contained story that fit the bill nicely. I liked it even better than the first in the series in that I thought the plot was more cohesive and dug in a little deeper. I enjoyed seeing the development of some of the new characters, such as Marron Shed. The tone is just the right mix of bleak and self-consciousness of that bleakness that therefore strives for a greater humanity. There were some terrifyingly creative components, such as the black castle and how it is constructed. And once again the moral ambiguity is appealing: yes, they work for an "evil" master, but there is someone even more evil out there, and no one purely "good." I look forward to the next steps along the plotline that this book sets up....more
This book perfectly fit my mood these days: dark but with a sustaining, acerbic sense of humor. It took me a bit to get used to the clipped pace of thThis book perfectly fit my mood these days: dark but with a sustaining, acerbic sense of humor. It took me a bit to get used to the clipped pace of the narrative and dialogue--things kept moving and changing before I realized it. But the characters were likable despite their moral ambiguity, and I appreciated the fact that the story wasn't just "flipped"--the Black Company isn't simply working for the "bad guys" against the good guys. The Rebels they are suppressing aren't morally pure either.
I also enjoyed how the magic is potent yet not omnipotent and also integrated into the military strategy. The Taken are military commanders and work in cohesion with the military strategy, not just as deus ex machina. They seem both mysterious and integrated with the others, somehow.
There are enough moving parts and world-building that I'm interested to see where the series goes from here. And dark humor goes a long way......more
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