Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's Reviews > Son of the Storm
Son of the Storm (The Nameless Republic, #1)
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DNF @ p.255
I was actually in a pretty good place to enjoy this one because I just read (and enjoyed) another West African-inspired fantasy called DJELIYA, which defined a lot of the West African terms and mythology in the back (like djeli, called "jali" in here, which are kind of like maguses/bards). Also, I was obsessed with that cover, which has to be one of my top five favorite fantasy cover releases this year.
Sadly, though, I just really wasn't into the book. I'm very particular about fantasy and romance, and if a book doesn't fit what I'm into, it just doesn't work. Normally I DNF after 50 pages but I really tried to give SON OF THE STORM a fair shot. I liked the beginning and the world-building, but the characters all fell kind of flat for me. It reminded me of Joe Abercrombie's work in that the characters feel wooden and most of the focus is on grimdark world-building and the characters just kind of propel the story along but there isn't a lot of emotion in the story-telling. Some people really like that narrative style, but I like intensely character-focused stories, like QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED or POISON STUDY or THE GHOST BRIDE.
This is definitely a "your mileage may vary" situation. I didn't personally like this story and found it too dry but the world-building is cool and I think if you enjoy Joe Abercrombie (I don't, particularly), you will like this, too.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
2 to 2.5 stars
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Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's review
bookshelves: poc-interracial, les-arcs-de-triomphes, pretty-cover-sparklies, magic-and-sparkles-and-shit, i-came-i-saw-i-yeeted, black-author
May 07, 2021
bookshelves: poc-interracial, les-arcs-de-triomphes, pretty-cover-sparklies, magic-and-sparkles-and-shit, i-came-i-saw-i-yeeted, black-author
Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest
DNF @ p.255
I was actually in a pretty good place to enjoy this one because I just read (and enjoyed) another West African-inspired fantasy called DJELIYA, which defined a lot of the West African terms and mythology in the back (like djeli, called "jali" in here, which are kind of like maguses/bards). Also, I was obsessed with that cover, which has to be one of my top five favorite fantasy cover releases this year.
Sadly, though, I just really wasn't into the book. I'm very particular about fantasy and romance, and if a book doesn't fit what I'm into, it just doesn't work. Normally I DNF after 50 pages but I really tried to give SON OF THE STORM a fair shot. I liked the beginning and the world-building, but the characters all fell kind of flat for me. It reminded me of Joe Abercrombie's work in that the characters feel wooden and most of the focus is on grimdark world-building and the characters just kind of propel the story along but there isn't a lot of emotion in the story-telling. Some people really like that narrative style, but I like intensely character-focused stories, like QUEEN OF THE CONQUERED or POISON STUDY or THE GHOST BRIDE.
This is definitely a "your mileage may vary" situation. I didn't personally like this story and found it too dry but the world-building is cool and I think if you enjoy Joe Abercrombie (I don't, particularly), you will like this, too.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
2 to 2.5 stars
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Reading Progress
April 25, 2021
– Shelved
April 25, 2021
– Shelved as:
fantasy-wishlist
May 7, 2021
– Shelved as:
poc-interracial
May 7, 2021
– Shelved as:
les-arcs-de-triomphes
May 23, 2021
– Shelved as:
pretty-cover-sparklies
May 31, 2021
–
Started Reading
May 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
magic-and-sparkles-and-shit
May 31, 2021
–
0.0%
"Using my long weekend to catch up on my ARCs because I've been selfishly devoting all of my time to my own writing lol
So far I really like this one! It kind of reminds me of Rothfuss's writing."
page
0
So far I really like this one! It kind of reminds me of Rothfuss's writing."
June 1, 2021
–
56.95%
"I might not have it in me to finish this one. I was hoping for something like Sanderson or Callender, where it's intensely character-driven, but this is more like a Joe Abercrombie or Janny Wurts fantasy novel, where the characters are kind of flat and grizzled, and most of the focus is on the politics. Some people like that but it's not my preference. :/"
page
254
June 2, 2021
– Shelved as:
i-came-i-saw-i-yeeted
June 2, 2021
–
Finished Reading
July 31, 2024
– Shelved as:
black-author
Comments Showing 1-13 of 13 (13 new)
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Salma19 (High Lady of the Dawn Court) wrote: "Sad to hear that! I bought the book weeks ago. I hope I will enjoy it at least."
Do you enjoy Abercrombie and Rothfuss? If so I think you will like it more than me.
Do you enjoy Abercrombie and Rothfuss? If so I think you will like it more than me.
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: "TL wrote: "Hopefully someone gets me this for my birthday:)"
I hope you enjoy it!"
Thanks 😊
I hope you enjoy it!"
Thanks 😊
Salma19 (High Lady of the Dawn Court) wrote: "Update: It ended up being a DNF for me 🥺. It was so complicated structured for me."
Yeah I thought the world building was interesting but I couldn't connect to the characters. :(
Yeah I thought the world building was interesting but I couldn't connect to the characters. :(
Not sure what to do here. While I tend to agree with your reviews, I really enjoy Joe Abercrombie. I'm so torn! I shall have to see if the library has it.
Thank you! I'm already half in love with it because of the cover 👀