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[sabrinareviewofbooks]

Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan

REVIEW:

5☆

Reading this book was an enchanting experience. I was delighted to find that the books I've been reading in this genre have been nothing short of spectacular, and this particular book is no exception.

“And if you can't trust an ancient talking tree, what was the point of having one?”

Earning a solid 5-star rating from me, this book surpassed all my expectations and left me utterly captivated. It has been an absolute pleasure to discover this series and revel in the sheer magnificence of its storytelling.

Despite the deliberate slow pace of the story, it masterfully crafted the world and characters, drawing me in with its intricacies and depth. As the first installment in a series of six books, the gradual unfolding of the narrative was to be expected. It provided a rich foundation for the world and its inhabitants, while also paving the way for the events to come in subsequent books, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next chapters of the saga.

The characters in the book were truly remarkable, each possessing a unique personality and compelling reasons that drove their actions. Their complexities and individual journeys made it impossible for me to choose a favorite, filling me with anticipation for their evolution in the forthcoming installments.

The world-building in this book was simply awe-inspiring, with vivid descriptions that brought every aspect to life. The intricacies of the magical system introduced in the story stoked my curiosity and left me yearning to delve deeper into its mysteries. While I'd heard whispers of dragons, their absence in this book only adds to my excitement for their imminent appearance in the sequels.

The plot of the book felt refreshingly distinct compared to other works in the genre, offering a unique and enthralling experience. As someone relatively new to epic fantasy, the book managed to surprise and enthrall me at every turn, and I'm confident that even seasoned fans of the genre will relish the fresh perspective it offers.

“That night there was more than one killer in the forest, the next day a lot more ghosts. -The Book of Brin”

The biggest question this book left me with is: Who is the writer behind "The Book of Brin"? At the beginning of every chapter we have a quote from this book, and we are left in the dark about who wrote it. I believe in the following installments we'll discover who it is. I may have an idea but I believe it to be farfetched. So I'll hold my thoughts of that to myself for now.

Overall, I'm eagerly looking forward to picking up the sequel and continuing the extraordinary journey that this series offers.

If you share my passion for epic fantasy tales, I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in this captivating world.

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Synopsis:

Age of Myth inaugurates another six-book series set in Elan. Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever. Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer; Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom; and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over. The time of rebellion has begun.

[sabrinareviewofbooks]

The Book That Wouldn't Burn - By Mark Lawrence

REVIEW:

A book about an endless library, bigger than cities and more confusing than software developments, that may be good or evil, or neither or neither... which may confuse you but that it's what the book wants you to feel.

Claustrophobic in its giganticness and vastness

This book revolves around two main characters, Livia and Evar, with each of them narrating their point of view. Livia, who has never encountered a library before, struggles with basic skills like reading, writing, and speaking other languages. On the other hand, Evar has spent his entire life in a library, with no experience of the outside world. The book also introduces a variety of side characters, some good and others not so much, who seem poised to play a larger role in the next series installment.

It's hard for me to pick a favorite character as both Livia and Evar are incredibly well-built and compelling protagonists to follow.

The library itself, although lacking its point of view, emerges as the central focus of the narrative, depicted as an expansive and enigmatic realm brimming with both good and evil, as well as closely guarded secrets, it felt almost like a character in its own right. The complexity of the library and its significance to the story is unlike anything I've encountered in other books, and while it initially left me feeling somewhat bewildered, the mystery gradually unraveled, keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

I found the book initially confusing, but as the story progressed, everything started to fall into place, only to throw me for a loop once again before ultimately concluding. The unexpected plot twists had a significant impact on the story and brought depth to the romantic elements.

Speaking of romance, there's a considerable amount of it in the book, more than I anticipated, yet it coexists harmoniously with the broader narrative and it was surprisingly well-executed and complemented the overall plot without overshadowing it.

Despite the romantic subplot, the book is packed with intricate world-building, intricate plotlines, and character development that I'm hesitant to reveal for fear of giving anything away. I believe it's one of those stories best experienced with minimal prior knowledge.

The pacing was well-executed, allowing for comprehensive characters and world-building that kept me fully engaged throughout. What truly fascinated me was the way the library became a world in itself. The setting of the library as an expansive world in itself added a unique and enthralling dimension to the narrative, like nothing I have read before.

The vivid descriptions of the library's expanse created an immersive reading experience, sometimes a claustrophobic atmosphere, made me feel as though I were wandering its labyrinthine corridors and towering bookshelves myself, drawing me even further into the story.

In conclusion, this book was an extraordinary and thought-provoking read that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who appreciates stories about the transformative power of storytelling. It's a tale like no other, and the less you know about it going in, the more rewarding the experience will be.

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Synopsis:

A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities. A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes. The world has never even noticed them. That's about to change. Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.