Bland....

Note- slight spoiler alert - in the last paragraph.

I really struggled with how to score this book. I just felt so neutral about it (hence the "Bland" headline for my review). Was it me being easily distracted? Was my listening interrupted too frequently that I never really got into it? Have I been overly spoiled by a previous Sanderson listen? To check I wasn’t being too harsh, I had a quick read of other reviews…. and relief, I’m not going insane or becoming overly picky.

Overall, I gave it 3/5, partly out of respect for the first book, which I really did enjoy. The second book lost it a little, but there was a promise of more to come. This third book has left me feeling flat.

I still like the idea of the story and the “magic”, but the execution felt muddled. Yes, the story continues, but there are so many new characters and so many more random threads, that it all just feels a little disjointed. It's completely lost the excitement and anticipation of book one. Unfortunately, the narration does nothing to help improve this sense. There is absolutely no character differentiation, and despite concentrating and re-listening to certain paragraphs, there was still doubt as to who actually said or did what. Also, either I've got wool in my ears, or some of the character names are so similar sounding as to seem the same person......adding to my confusion of who was where and who did what - maybe I wasn't concentrating properly? Unfortunately, the narration completely detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. And, as an aside, I find it really annoying when characters (even armies) can be at opposite ends of the world, yet spin their horses around and apparently cross from the Arctic to the Sahara (or equivalent) in a couple of days....naturally turning up on time at the requisite location to help save the day. That's just too convenient.

Bottom line – try reading this one rather than listening to it. You may enjoy the written word more than the spoken one.

As for the ending? Again, I was left feeling completely flat about it; neither neatly tied up, nor with sufficient loose threads to keep me guessing or interested. It was almost a relief to have it end. My final thoughts of what should have been a great series were “so the boy doesn’t get the girl and the cat died”. Hardly a great sense of closure.

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14 people found this helpful

loved it.

great narrator- great story. Leaves you wanting more. I agree that the names can be difficult, but all it takes is concentration. Great world. How about an Alpirian conquest now?

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2 people found this helpful

Magnificent Saga

The great words of Anthony Ryan given life by Steven Brand's narration. Intricate in its complexity, the story keeps the listener gripped, always wanting to know what happens next. .

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Terrible narration

The story is a bit flat for a conclusion. The narration, as in the other books, is even flatter. No differentiation whatsoever. Sometimes not even a pause with change of scene. I would seriously pass a good book with this narrator again.

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1 person found this helpful

Superb!!

Finished this in just a few days, kept me engrossed the whole time.

If you liked the others in the series this is more of the same.

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Great series

Great series don’t know why people didn’t like the third book as much I thought it was a decent ending to a good series will definitely listen to this series again

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Excellent ;0)

Totally gripping story, well written and well read, you can't help but get involved with the characters and stay hooked right up to the end. Bravo more please... ;0)

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Poor ending to great series

the final book was a struggle to finish. the ending seems rushed and garbled. the plot could have been condensed to expand certain scenes without ruining the outcome

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loved it

an excellent story with a good ending , it's a shame there is no more

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a wish washy ending

Is there anything you would change about this book?

yes the writing stile. its changed from book one and so sucks. i like a first book for its style and story type. second book in this story dosnt have the same writing type but the same concise writing. book three this one has nothing in similar with the first book. look back and weep at all we have lost

If you’ve listened to books by Anthony Ryan before, how does this one compare?

not well at all tbh, it sucks, loses its way and trails off. like a drunk after to many drinks

Which character – as performed by Steven Brand – was your favourite?

the narrator yet again. top notch

Did Queen of Fire inspire you to do anything?

write a poor review........ funny that

Any additional comments?

why oh why dd this book trail off and fade into obscurity. people please wait for it to come on sale its not worth your time to spend the money. its poor. wondering. dosent focus on the min character and isnt even written in the same style. i mean really??? really is this your final chapter after all this hard work. wow you dropped the ball.

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3 people found this helpful