As many people have mentioned, this is definitely more of a High Republic book than an Acolyte one. The connections to the High Republic era are3.5/5.
As many people have mentioned, this is definitely more of a High Republic book than an Acolyte one. The connections to the High Republic era are plentiful and really elevate it as a story if you've read that series but if you hadn't, this book would likely be far more boring for you. It's a great epilogue to that series and I love how it picks up a seemingly dropped plot point.
I loved this as a character focused book looking at both Vernestra and Indara (and some other High Republic characters). The plot and villains do however fall a bit flat. It's a quick and fun ride, but don't expect anything amazing....more
I almost gave this a 5 as I really enjoyed this book. Getting such a good political thriller exploring the rise of the Empire was both awesome a4.25/5
I almost gave this a 5 as I really enjoyed this book. Getting such a good political thriller exploring the rise of the Empire was both awesome and scary. The parallels to the current state of the real world were very real and worrying.
It was great seeing how the Separatist worlds were dealt with by the Empire after the end of the Clone Wars. This area of the canon hasn't been thoroughly explored so we learned lots of new exciting bits of lore and history. The Bad Batch does show us this period as well, but it's exploring the Empire through a very different lens
The main issues with the book were some things happened a bit too conveniently to move the story along or get characters together. The end of the book also felt like it fizzled out a bit. It definitely concluded the main plot threads introduced at the start of the book and provided a steppingstone for the next book, but it just lacked a bit of impact.
I'm all curious, interested, and worried to see how this trilogy explores Mon Motha and Saw Gerrera and how it connects to Andor....more
A fun ride that really shows us the current state of the wider universe. The way it weaves between the current events from Halo 5 to Outcasts to 4.5/5
A fun ride that really shows us the current state of the wider universe. The way it weaves between the current events from Halo 5 to Outcasts to Infinite, and then with much older story telling including short stories, is nothing short of impressive. I really enjoy learning about all the factions and seeing the people struggle with multifaceted wars and battles. It's very different from the clear UNSC vs Covenant of old and you see that shine here.
It also sets up lots of future stories which I cannot wait to see explored....more
I really enjoyed how this story balanced the lighthearted romance with an opposing dark and gritty world. I was also very inves**spoiler alert** 3.5/5
I really enjoyed how this story balanced the lighthearted romance with an opposing dark and gritty world. I was also very invested in the world and the characters, so much so that I'm excited to continue with this series.
My main problems with the book come from the pacing and the final act. There were a few points where the book dragged in the middle, but in its defence, something usually happened before it got too annoying.
Then the whole Under The Mountain sequence was my biggest annoyance. Having a series of games/challenges is a classic trope but I feel it can easily feel cheap and contrived and it did here.
Yes, with so many villains like Amarantha, hubris is ultimately their downfall, but with her presenting a riddle that solves everything and leads to her death instantly just feels too convenient. Especially given the answer wasn't that out there. Under pressure and as a last resort, there's too high a chance that's a word/concept you'd randomly guess.
I'm hoping that since Feyre is now a High Fae, she can stand up for herself with her own power rather than villains having to put forth contrived scenarios that let a mortal human win.
Oh, and if there's one more mention of something slithering down Feyre's back to show fear, I'll cry....more