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The Chaos Born #2
The Scorched Earth
New York Times bestselling author Drew Karpyshyn has long thrilled readers with his kinetic, fast-paced storytelling style. Now he returns with The Scorched Earth, the second novel in his acclaimed series about four young people who will either save the world or bring about its destruction.
The Children of Fire—four mortals touched by the power of Chaos—each embody one aspect of a fallen and banished immortal Keegan, the wizard; Scythe, the warrior; Cassandra, the prophet; Vaaler, the king. Grown to adulthood, the Children are in search of the ancient Talismans that can stop the return of Daemron the Slayer, ancient enemy of the Old Gods. But in acquiring Daemron’s Ring, they unleashed a flood of Chaos magic on the land—leaving death, destruction, and a vengeful queen in their wake.
Now, beset on all sides by both mortal and supernatural enemies, they realize that their strength and faith will be tested as never before. And their greatest trial will be finding Daemron’s Sword, the last of the ancient Talismans, before the entire mortal world is engulfed in the war and Chaos that will herald the return of the Slayer.
Praise for The Scorched Earth
“[Drew] Karpyshyn’s doom-laden spin on myth and magic invigorates ancient archetypes in the second entry of the Chaos Born trilogy. . . . The journey is complicated by unnerving ambiguity, grim imagery, and pessimistic overtones, as if Michael Moorcock’s decadence were filtered through J.R.R. Tolkien’s heroism.” — Publishers Weekly
“If you’re a fan of fantasy and looking to try something new, this series continues to shine. . . . [Karpyshyn] writes deep, intriguing characters set in a strange world of unique magic. It’s a place where magic is dangerous but essential.” —Roqoo Depot
“An enjoyable read . . . I recommend this for all fantasy fans.” —Book Reviews & Giveaways
The Children of Fire—four mortals touched by the power of Chaos—each embody one aspect of a fallen and banished immortal Keegan, the wizard; Scythe, the warrior; Cassandra, the prophet; Vaaler, the king. Grown to adulthood, the Children are in search of the ancient Talismans that can stop the return of Daemron the Slayer, ancient enemy of the Old Gods. But in acquiring Daemron’s Ring, they unleashed a flood of Chaos magic on the land—leaving death, destruction, and a vengeful queen in their wake.
Now, beset on all sides by both mortal and supernatural enemies, they realize that their strength and faith will be tested as never before. And their greatest trial will be finding Daemron’s Sword, the last of the ancient Talismans, before the entire mortal world is engulfed in the war and Chaos that will herald the return of the Slayer.
Praise for The Scorched Earth
“[Drew] Karpyshyn’s doom-laden spin on myth and magic invigorates ancient archetypes in the second entry of the Chaos Born trilogy. . . . The journey is complicated by unnerving ambiguity, grim imagery, and pessimistic overtones, as if Michael Moorcock’s decadence were filtered through J.R.R. Tolkien’s heroism.” — Publishers Weekly
“If you’re a fan of fantasy and looking to try something new, this series continues to shine. . . . [Karpyshyn] writes deep, intriguing characters set in a strange world of unique magic. It’s a place where magic is dangerous but essential.” —Roqoo Depot
“An enjoyable read . . . I recommend this for all fantasy fans.” —Book Reviews & Giveaways
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Drew Karpyshyn
35 books2,058 followersDrew Karpyshyn is a Canadian author and game designer. After working at a credit union for some time, he eventually became a game developer. He joined BioWare towards the end of the Baldur's Gate series, and wrote the tie-in novel for Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. He stayed with BioWare, where he worked on Neverwinter Nights, and became the Senior Writer on the critically acclaimed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
This Star Wars connection gave him the opportunity to write Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, his first hardcover. Karpyshyn still works for BioWare where he is the lead writer for the Mass Effect series.
This Star Wars connection gave him the opportunity to write Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, his first hardcover. Karpyshyn still works for BioWare where he is the lead writer for the Mass Effect series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 10, 2014
The rise and fall of Red Bear.
While Drew Karpyshyn follows the same structure laid out in the first Chaos Born book, he also mixes it up a bit and offers the reader a more focused and well rounded book.
In book one, we watched as individuals, driven by their own stories, came together to form a powerful group in the face of a growing enemy. And by the end of that book we saw the newly formed group defeat a powerful dragon, only to press on towards the greater threat that lay beyond. Here, in book two, we see much of the same but on a larger scale. In this offering Drew shows that to defeat the growing threat the small group must become a larger community. With that said, we watch as clans, tribes, and societies pick sides for the coming battle. But where book one focused on a small group coming together, and the story in book two involves larger groups joining the fight, Drew Karpyshyn has also decided to make the story more focused and has given us a more in-depth view of one of the main characters.
Norr, he was the big, burly, protector of the powerful Scythe in book one, but in book two he is the driving force for the main story. No longer a background character, or a crutch for Scythe's evolution, he becomes a powerful force in the groups dynamic. His journey is one that most will never have seen coming, a journey that will make the man a hero, a villain, a savior, and a martyr. And in the end, his journey will be the catalyst for the third installment.
Overall the second book is a vast improvement over the first. We watch as Drew Karpyshyn gets back to the core of what makes him a powerhouse writer, and find that his ability to delve into a character's soul is still a powerful tool in his control.
Here, there are no major complaints to report. Although the book could have used a little more balance between the good and evil sides of the larger tale, and a little more of a climatic ending, most will see that the second book offers quite a bit more than the first. The more focused tale, and the more edited length, makes the second book a better read than the first.
Four Stars.
*I received this book in ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While Drew Karpyshyn follows the same structure laid out in the first Chaos Born book, he also mixes it up a bit and offers the reader a more focused and well rounded book.
In book one, we watched as individuals, driven by their own stories, came together to form a powerful group in the face of a growing enemy. And by the end of that book we saw the newly formed group defeat a powerful dragon, only to press on towards the greater threat that lay beyond. Here, in book two, we see much of the same but on a larger scale. In this offering Drew shows that to defeat the growing threat the small group must become a larger community. With that said, we watch as clans, tribes, and societies pick sides for the coming battle. But where book one focused on a small group coming together, and the story in book two involves larger groups joining the fight, Drew Karpyshyn has also decided to make the story more focused and has given us a more in-depth view of one of the main characters.
Norr, he was the big, burly, protector of the powerful Scythe in book one, but in book two he is the driving force for the main story. No longer a background character, or a crutch for Scythe's evolution, he becomes a powerful force in the groups dynamic. His journey is one that most will never have seen coming, a journey that will make the man a hero, a villain, a savior, and a martyr. And in the end, his journey will be the catalyst for the third installment.
Overall the second book is a vast improvement over the first. We watch as Drew Karpyshyn gets back to the core of what makes him a powerhouse writer, and find that his ability to delve into a character's soul is still a powerful tool in his control.
Here, there are no major complaints to report. Although the book could have used a little more balance between the good and evil sides of the larger tale, and a little more of a climatic ending, most will see that the second book offers quite a bit more than the first. The more focused tale, and the more edited length, makes the second book a better read than the first.
Four Stars.
*I received this book in ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2015
The Scorched Earth, the second book in Drew Karpyshyn's Chaos Born trilogy, picks up where Book
1 left off. Generations ago, the Gods sacrificed themselves to trap the evil Daemron behind a barrier called the Legacy, but now, the Legacy is crumbling. Now, four mortals touched by Chaos -- the force from which all magic in this world is derived -- race to fulfill their collective destiny and keep Daemron from returning and unleashing his hordes of monsters upon the world. One problem: they aren't certain what that destiny is, only that it involves the three Talismans that Daemron once used to make himself immortal. Namely, the Ring, the Crown, and the Sword.
These four were born through a ritual Daemron enacted to set forces in motion that would someday free him, and each embodies an element of himself from back when he was a mortal hero: king, warrior, prophet, and wizard.
Keegan, a young wizard with amazing power but a frail body, appears to have the clearest destiny. Guided by a fanatical monk whose visions spurred him to rebel against his own order, he's believed to be the Burning Savior, the one who will prevent Daemron's rise. Though he's successfully obtained the Ring, he finds that he can't control it... and in trying to, he unleashed a flood of dark magic upon the Danaan people. He's easily one of my favorite characters in the series -- earnest and well-meaning, though also flawed, vulnerable, and under enormous pressure.
Vaaler used to be the crown prince of the Danaan... until he chose to help Keegan, a longtime friend, steal the Ring from his mother, whose family had owned it for generations. Though Vaaler believes in Keegan's destiny and believes his actions will ultimately save the world, his people believe him to be a traitor, especially given the devastating consequences of Keegan's actions. Now in exile, Vaaler knows only that he must help Keegan save the world--even if it means fighting his own people. Yet his natural leadership skills bring him new allies, and though he no longer has a land, he is still very much a king. I loved reading about his internal conflict and turmoil as he's torn between his people and his broader mission. He's also grounded and wise beyond his years -- a much needed role in this chaotic world.
Accompanying them is Scythe, the warrior. A fierce and somewhat amoral fighter who previously cared only about survival, she's only helping Keegan because her lover, the noble-hearted Norr, believes in the young wizard, who once used magic to save Norr's life. The fact that she doesn't believe like the others is part of what makes her such an intriguing character to read about. Her quick temper and temperamental nature make her somewhat unpredictable. Plus, I love her cocky attitude... she's my personal favorite :-)
On the other side of the world is Cassandra, the prophet. Raised by warrior monks to defend the world against Daemron and the dark magic of Chaos, she now finds herself running from the very order she once served. She has the Crown, which the Order had guarded for generations, and the order will do anything to get it back. While she believes she's meant to have the Crown and use it to save the world, the Order sees her as a traitor and begin a horrifying Inquisition in order to flush her out. Not only that, but her old master, the dark wizard Rexol, has found a way to penetrate her mind, and so she regularly wrestles with having his voice in her head.
We're also introduced to Shalana, a leader among the barbarian tribes (and a member of Norr's former tribe). She's a powerful presence who very quickly makes her mark on the saga (and she's also this book's cover girl).
All the various forces at play, each with different motivations and tactics, make this a difficult book to sum up. Reading these plots is like watching a giant game of chess... well, a version with at least four or five players. Yet, despite the complexities, it's not a hard story to follow. Each character has such a clear point of view that it's easy to see what they want and why they're doing what they're doing. The minions of Daemron are following his orders to guide the Children of Fire on a path that will lead them to set him free. The Danaan people pursue their wayward prince in order to reclaim a national treasure and punish the one who wreaked havoc upon one of their towns. The fanatical Order sees any and all magic, which draws from Chaos, as a threat, and, in their zealous efforts to save the world from evil, end up terrorizing the very world they're supposed to save.
The questions of right and wrong become plenty muddled as opposing forces, each believing themselves to be in the right, clash over the fate of the world. Other than those who follow Daemron, it's hardly ever clear who's good and who's evil. These moral complexities, coupled with the intricate, intertwining plot, are part of what make this book so riveting. After eye-guzzling most of the first book in a day, I dove straight into this one and spent every spare moment eye-guzzling it as well.
The feel and pacing of The Scorched Earth is different from Children of Fire because while Book 1 covered 20-odd years, Book 2 takes place over the course of a few months. The pacing isn't as break-neck as in the first one; this time, the story takes its time in depicting the rich cultural fabric of the world. And yet it never felt slow either, with all its battles, chases, fights with demons, and tense diplomacy. Also, this is dark, dark fantasy... not for the faint of heart, with its demonic rituals and the devastating horrors of war. I'm usually pretty squeamish, but I really liked the darkness in this book because it gave the story a visceral feel. It ends on something of a cliffhanger, and I'm just glad I had the third book nearby so I wouldn't have to wait to find out what happens next...
1 left off. Generations ago, the Gods sacrificed themselves to trap the evil Daemron behind a barrier called the Legacy, but now, the Legacy is crumbling. Now, four mortals touched by Chaos -- the force from which all magic in this world is derived -- race to fulfill their collective destiny and keep Daemron from returning and unleashing his hordes of monsters upon the world. One problem: they aren't certain what that destiny is, only that it involves the three Talismans that Daemron once used to make himself immortal. Namely, the Ring, the Crown, and the Sword.
These four were born through a ritual Daemron enacted to set forces in motion that would someday free him, and each embodies an element of himself from back when he was a mortal hero: king, warrior, prophet, and wizard.
Keegan, a young wizard with amazing power but a frail body, appears to have the clearest destiny. Guided by a fanatical monk whose visions spurred him to rebel against his own order, he's believed to be the Burning Savior, the one who will prevent Daemron's rise. Though he's successfully obtained the Ring, he finds that he can't control it... and in trying to, he unleashed a flood of dark magic upon the Danaan people. He's easily one of my favorite characters in the series -- earnest and well-meaning, though also flawed, vulnerable, and under enormous pressure.
Vaaler used to be the crown prince of the Danaan... until he chose to help Keegan, a longtime friend, steal the Ring from his mother, whose family had owned it for generations. Though Vaaler believes in Keegan's destiny and believes his actions will ultimately save the world, his people believe him to be a traitor, especially given the devastating consequences of Keegan's actions. Now in exile, Vaaler knows only that he must help Keegan save the world--even if it means fighting his own people. Yet his natural leadership skills bring him new allies, and though he no longer has a land, he is still very much a king. I loved reading about his internal conflict and turmoil as he's torn between his people and his broader mission. He's also grounded and wise beyond his years -- a much needed role in this chaotic world.
Accompanying them is Scythe, the warrior. A fierce and somewhat amoral fighter who previously cared only about survival, she's only helping Keegan because her lover, the noble-hearted Norr, believes in the young wizard, who once used magic to save Norr's life. The fact that she doesn't believe like the others is part of what makes her such an intriguing character to read about. Her quick temper and temperamental nature make her somewhat unpredictable. Plus, I love her cocky attitude... she's my personal favorite :-)
On the other side of the world is Cassandra, the prophet. Raised by warrior monks to defend the world against Daemron and the dark magic of Chaos, she now finds herself running from the very order she once served. She has the Crown, which the Order had guarded for generations, and the order will do anything to get it back. While she believes she's meant to have the Crown and use it to save the world, the Order sees her as a traitor and begin a horrifying Inquisition in order to flush her out. Not only that, but her old master, the dark wizard Rexol, has found a way to penetrate her mind, and so she regularly wrestles with having his voice in her head.
We're also introduced to Shalana, a leader among the barbarian tribes (and a member of Norr's former tribe). She's a powerful presence who very quickly makes her mark on the saga (and she's also this book's cover girl).
All the various forces at play, each with different motivations and tactics, make this a difficult book to sum up. Reading these plots is like watching a giant game of chess... well, a version with at least four or five players. Yet, despite the complexities, it's not a hard story to follow. Each character has such a clear point of view that it's easy to see what they want and why they're doing what they're doing. The minions of Daemron are following his orders to guide the Children of Fire on a path that will lead them to set him free. The Danaan people pursue their wayward prince in order to reclaim a national treasure and punish the one who wreaked havoc upon one of their towns. The fanatical Order sees any and all magic, which draws from Chaos, as a threat, and, in their zealous efforts to save the world from evil, end up terrorizing the very world they're supposed to save.
The questions of right and wrong become plenty muddled as opposing forces, each believing themselves to be in the right, clash over the fate of the world. Other than those who follow Daemron, it's hardly ever clear who's good and who's evil. These moral complexities, coupled with the intricate, intertwining plot, are part of what make this book so riveting. After eye-guzzling most of the first book in a day, I dove straight into this one and spent every spare moment eye-guzzling it as well.
The feel and pacing of The Scorched Earth is different from Children of Fire because while Book 1 covered 20-odd years, Book 2 takes place over the course of a few months. The pacing isn't as break-neck as in the first one; this time, the story takes its time in depicting the rich cultural fabric of the world. And yet it never felt slow either, with all its battles, chases, fights with demons, and tense diplomacy. Also, this is dark, dark fantasy... not for the faint of heart, with its demonic rituals and the devastating horrors of war. I'm usually pretty squeamish, but I really liked the darkness in this book because it gave the story a visceral feel. It ends on something of a cliffhanger, and I'm just glad I had the third book nearby so I wouldn't have to wait to find out what happens next...
August 19, 2014
The Scorched Earth carries forward the plot from the first novel but spirals it out into even more ambitious directions. Carefully weaving a series of storylines following would-be mages, seers and saviors, Drew Karpyshyn plunges readers through a sweeping range of emotions. There are moments of despair and tragedy, acts of love and loyalty, amazing feats of strength and cunning. All of these aspects build into a crescendo that leaves this novel soaring on high notes, and yet this is only the middle act.
This book picks up with Daemron, the main villain of the series, as he deals with chaos in his realm. Elsewhere, Jerrod, Scythe, Norr, Vaaler and Keegan make there way across the Frozen Plains of the Far East with the hope of refuge. Deep in the mountains, Cassandra learns the history of the Old Gods from the ancient guardian. Then there’s Rianna, Queen of the Danaan, left in the ruins of her great city with a thirst for revenge. All of these characters are motivated by immediate goals, their stories juggling back and forth as fate turns against them and grants favor. Yet it is the villains, Daemron’s minions, that bring them together.
Introduced in Children of Fire, Daemron sent a handful of his most trusted and capable minions to seek out the three talismans of the old gods. Raven, a female being with a bird’s head, claws and wings, pursues Cassandra and the crown. Orath, a bat like creature, seeks Keegan and the ring. The lesser minions play a smaller part in the story. Karpyshyn uses Orath to manipulate the Danaan queen and summon a monstrous creature known as the ogre. Raven, on the other hand, stirs up trouble among the tribes of the Far East. Together, they drive the story towards its torrential climax.
I really liked the progression of the characters in this book. Scythe continues to be a likable character, one I can relate to. She gets sucked into this adventure because of her love for Norr. Where he goes, she goes, and the two balance each other out. Scythe is the paranoid one who isn’t hesitant to do the job. She’s strong willed and to the point. Norr, on the other hand, is trusting and self-deprecating. He underplays his skills and fame. He’s compassionate and considerate. Whereas Scythe is the tiny hurricane of destruction, Norr is the sleeping giant you don’t want to wake.
One of my other favorite characters is Vaaler, the Danaan prince who is cursed with the inability to cast magic. Shunned by his own people, and motivated by his friendship with Keegan, he joins the others in their quest for the talismans. Along the way, his character arc plays a new role as they interact with the tribes of the Frozen Plains. He becomes an essential character, one whose unique abilities become invaluable. I really enjoyed his journey through this book.
Cassandra doesn’t get a whole lot of attention in The Scorched Earth, so hopefully her character will come back to the forefront in the final novel. That leaves Keegan…a character who I initially liked but became disconnected to at the end of Children of Fire. His use of the ring transformed him into someone I couldn’t relate to. He became selfish, distant and undisciplined. Some of those traits recur in this story, yet he also has some decent moments. But overall, he’s still not a character I care about or enjoy. Things are happening to him, though, so there’s a possibility he might change enough in the third book for me to care about him again.
If you’re a fan of fantasy and looking to try something new, this series continues to shine. Unlike some authors, Karpyshyn is knocking these out fast so you won’t have long to wait to read the whole trilogy. He writes deep, intriguing characters set in a strange world of unique magic. It’s a place where magic is dangerous but essential. Through this strange land and cast of characters, he weaves a deviously paced adventure that plays on readers’ emotions. By the end, you’ll be seriously worried about what’s going to happen and to who. It’s a frantic crescendo that bursts forth from massive battles for the fates of nations and the personal struggles of the main characters. That last stretch of the book is a beautiful piece of storytelling. Do yourself a favor and make sure you read that last quarter in one setting. It’s a blast.
This book picks up with Daemron, the main villain of the series, as he deals with chaos in his realm. Elsewhere, Jerrod, Scythe, Norr, Vaaler and Keegan make there way across the Frozen Plains of the Far East with the hope of refuge. Deep in the mountains, Cassandra learns the history of the Old Gods from the ancient guardian. Then there’s Rianna, Queen of the Danaan, left in the ruins of her great city with a thirst for revenge. All of these characters are motivated by immediate goals, their stories juggling back and forth as fate turns against them and grants favor. Yet it is the villains, Daemron’s minions, that bring them together.
Introduced in Children of Fire, Daemron sent a handful of his most trusted and capable minions to seek out the three talismans of the old gods. Raven, a female being with a bird’s head, claws and wings, pursues Cassandra and the crown. Orath, a bat like creature, seeks Keegan and the ring. The lesser minions play a smaller part in the story. Karpyshyn uses Orath to manipulate the Danaan queen and summon a monstrous creature known as the ogre. Raven, on the other hand, stirs up trouble among the tribes of the Far East. Together, they drive the story towards its torrential climax.
I really liked the progression of the characters in this book. Scythe continues to be a likable character, one I can relate to. She gets sucked into this adventure because of her love for Norr. Where he goes, she goes, and the two balance each other out. Scythe is the paranoid one who isn’t hesitant to do the job. She’s strong willed and to the point. Norr, on the other hand, is trusting and self-deprecating. He underplays his skills and fame. He’s compassionate and considerate. Whereas Scythe is the tiny hurricane of destruction, Norr is the sleeping giant you don’t want to wake.
One of my other favorite characters is Vaaler, the Danaan prince who is cursed with the inability to cast magic. Shunned by his own people, and motivated by his friendship with Keegan, he joins the others in their quest for the talismans. Along the way, his character arc plays a new role as they interact with the tribes of the Frozen Plains. He becomes an essential character, one whose unique abilities become invaluable. I really enjoyed his journey through this book.
Cassandra doesn’t get a whole lot of attention in The Scorched Earth, so hopefully her character will come back to the forefront in the final novel. That leaves Keegan…a character who I initially liked but became disconnected to at the end of Children of Fire. His use of the ring transformed him into someone I couldn’t relate to. He became selfish, distant and undisciplined. Some of those traits recur in this story, yet he also has some decent moments. But overall, he’s still not a character I care about or enjoy. Things are happening to him, though, so there’s a possibility he might change enough in the third book for me to care about him again.
If you’re a fan of fantasy and looking to try something new, this series continues to shine. Unlike some authors, Karpyshyn is knocking these out fast so you won’t have long to wait to read the whole trilogy. He writes deep, intriguing characters set in a strange world of unique magic. It’s a place where magic is dangerous but essential. Through this strange land and cast of characters, he weaves a deviously paced adventure that plays on readers’ emotions. By the end, you’ll be seriously worried about what’s going to happen and to who. It’s a frantic crescendo that bursts forth from massive battles for the fates of nations and the personal struggles of the main characters. That last stretch of the book is a beautiful piece of storytelling. Do yourself a favor and make sure you read that last quarter in one setting. It’s a blast.
April 4, 2015
I loved the first book and have been waiting for the second only to be a little disappointed. The first part of the book was very slow and there were too many different POV’s that made it confusing. Since so many authors are writing trilogies and there is at least a year (sometimes much longer) between books it would be helpful it there was a recap to refresh our memories. This would be especially helpful when there are several leading characters.
Will the Children of Fire be able to acquire the last of the ancient Talisman, the Sword before the world is overcome by that will allow the slayer, Daemron and his followers to return to earth? Will the sacrifice made by all the old gods when they created the Legacy to contain Daemron and his spawn fall so that he can return and reign over the entire world? These questions will be answered when “Chaos Unleashed”, the final book is released on July 14, 2015.
4.25 STARS: **Receiving this book through Amazon's Vine Program did not influence my rating or review of this book.; all opinions are my own.**.
Will the Children of Fire be able to acquire the last of the ancient Talisman, the Sword before the world is overcome by that will allow the slayer, Daemron and his followers to return to earth? Will the sacrifice made by all the old gods when they created the Legacy to contain Daemron and his spawn fall so that he can return and reign over the entire world? These questions will be answered when “Chaos Unleashed”, the final book is released on July 14, 2015.
4.25 STARS: **Receiving this book through Amazon's Vine Program did not influence my rating or review of this book.; all opinions are my own.**.
August 2, 2019
Normalerweise ist der zweite Teil einer Trilogie immer der Part mit dem Hänger. Nicht hier. Ich persönlich mochte Band zwei nämlich sogar besser als den ersten.
Normalerweise sind meine Lieblingsfiguren männlich, die Frauen gehen mir auf den Kieker. Nicht hier. Ich bewundere Shalana, sie ist die geborene Anführerin und ich würde ihr nur zu gerne folgen.
Normalerweise werde ich bei Büchern mit 600 Seiten und mehr mit der Zeit ungeduldig und lese quer. Nicht hier. Die Sprache ist so angenehm, dass ich einfach in die Geschichte eintauchen und mich treiben lassen konnte.
Normalerweise vergeht bei mir viel Zeit zwischen den einzelnen Bänden einer Reihe. Hier hoffe ich, dass es sich nicht so verhalten wird. Hoffentlich schenkt mir der Mann bald den abschliessenden Teil.
Normalerweise sind meine Lieblingsfiguren männlich, die Frauen gehen mir auf den Kieker. Nicht hier. Ich bewundere Shalana, sie ist die geborene Anführerin und ich würde ihr nur zu gerne folgen.
Normalerweise werde ich bei Büchern mit 600 Seiten und mehr mit der Zeit ungeduldig und lese quer. Nicht hier. Die Sprache ist so angenehm, dass ich einfach in die Geschichte eintauchen und mich treiben lassen konnte.
Normalerweise vergeht bei mir viel Zeit zwischen den einzelnen Bänden einer Reihe. Hier hoffe ich, dass es sich nicht so verhalten wird. Hoffentlich schenkt mir der Mann bald den abschliessenden Teil.
April 30, 2025
I was on the fence about this story after the first book but things really started coming together in book 2, I'm intrigued to finish this story. it also feels like forever since I read a fantasy book that was actually fantasy and not poorly disguised porn, such a relief to see that some true fantasy books still exist.
October 4, 2014
The Scorched Earth (The Chaos Born Book 2) 4 stars (NG) SF & Fan. Pub'd 8/19/14
I would like to thank NetGalley & Del Ray for giving me a copy of this e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. Though I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my review. If rating systems allowed for half stars, I would give this book 3.5 stars, however since I may only use whole stars I will round up and give this book 4 stars (based upon my comparison to the first book in the series).
Thankfully all the time spent creating the world in which this story takes place pays off in the sequel. The pacing is much faster throughout this entire book, with far more action for all of the characters. Although the pace moves swiftly, it doesn't overshadow the necessary character growth. And each character does grow, though we see more of it in the trio than in the lone member of the fabled quartet, but that is simply because more of the story focuses on the actions of the members of the group. I'd imagine we'll see much more from, and about, the last member when all four of the potential saviors are united.
In the first book I had a difficult time really connecting with any of the characters, especially the four "main" members of the cast. This time around they are more fully developed, and as such they are much more appealing. I found myself more engrossed in this book than its predecessor, as both characters and story lines captured my interest in a much more natural way. As they grew I grew to care for, and about, each of them. For the most part they remain true to their nature, with each falling into their appointed role - though those roles aren't as clear to them as they are to the reader. By the end of this book each is much closer to defining their role than they are to being defined by them.
At times there seem to be obvious gaps in the reasoning of the quartet traveling together, even when at least three, if not four, know exactly what to look for or anticipate. All I could assume was those were being used as plot devices to extend the story, but personally I feel the story would have been fine, maybe even better, without drawing out those situations. There were just a few times when I felt as if a part of the plot line was being beaten like a dead horse, and fewer mentions of the same thing would have served better. But I can't explain that any better without going into spoiler territory, and that is a land even I fear to tread!
Given the rate with which the story moves along in this sequel, my guess is this series is destined to be a trilogy. Unless there is a massive change in the plot, I can't see how this would move past a trilogy. However I could see it spawning a spin-off from the original trilogy, now that the heavy world building is done. While a solid sequel, the characters have yet to truly capture my heart, and therefore my interest, in their ultimate outcome. As much progress as this book made with character development, I'm still not sure if it will be enough for me to actively seek out the final book in the series (still assuming this will be a trilogy).
I would like to thank NetGalley & Del Ray for giving me a copy of this e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. Though I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my review. If rating systems allowed for half stars, I would give this book 3.5 stars, however since I may only use whole stars I will round up and give this book 4 stars (based upon my comparison to the first book in the series).
New York Times bestselling author Drew Karpyshyn has long thrilled readers with his kinetic, fast-paced storytelling style. Now he returns with The Scorched Earth, the second novel in his acclaimed series about four young people who will either save the world or bring about its destruction.
The Children of Fire—four mortals touched by the power of Chaos—each embody one aspect of a fallen and banished immortal champion: Keegan, the wizard; Scythe, the warrior; Cassandra, the prophet; Vaaler, the king. Grown to adulthood, the Children are in search of the ancient Talismans that can stop the return of Daemron the Slayer, ancient enemy of the Old Gods. But in acquiring Daemron’s Ring, they unleashed a flood of Chaos magic on the land—leaving death, destruction, and a vengeful queen in their wake.
Now, beset on all sides by both mortal and supernatural enemies, they realize that their strength and faith will be tested as never before. And their greatest trial will be finding Daemron’s Sword, the last of the ancient Talismans, before the entire mortal world is engulfed in the war and Chaos that will herald the return of the Slayer.
Praise for Drew Karpyshyn’s Children of Fire
“This energetic epic revitalizes the traditional fantasy quest with tragic heroes, evocative imagery, and sweeping conflict. . . . An intricately layered adventure.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A rousing quest fantasy . . . a fast-paced action-packed good and evil thriller.”—SFRevu
“Thoroughly entertaining . . . an engrossing story that’s easy to dive into and hard to leave.”—Roqoo Depot
“Gripping and compelling . . . a spellbinding epic told with masterly craft.”—Tracy Hickman, New York Times bestselling co-author of the Dragonlance and Death Gate series
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Thankfully all the time spent creating the world in which this story takes place pays off in the sequel. The pacing is much faster throughout this entire book, with far more action for all of the characters. Although the pace moves swiftly, it doesn't overshadow the necessary character growth. And each character does grow, though we see more of it in the trio than in the lone member of the fabled quartet, but that is simply because more of the story focuses on the actions of the members of the group. I'd imagine we'll see much more from, and about, the last member when all four of the potential saviors are united.
In the first book I had a difficult time really connecting with any of the characters, especially the four "main" members of the cast. This time around they are more fully developed, and as such they are much more appealing. I found myself more engrossed in this book than its predecessor, as both characters and story lines captured my interest in a much more natural way. As they grew I grew to care for, and about, each of them. For the most part they remain true to their nature, with each falling into their appointed role - though those roles aren't as clear to them as they are to the reader. By the end of this book each is much closer to defining their role than they are to being defined by them.
At times there seem to be obvious gaps in the reasoning of the quartet traveling together, even when at least three, if not four, know exactly what to look for or anticipate. All I could assume was those were being used as plot devices to extend the story, but personally I feel the story would have been fine, maybe even better, without drawing out those situations. There were just a few times when I felt as if a part of the plot line was being beaten like a dead horse, and fewer mentions of the same thing would have served better. But I can't explain that any better without going into spoiler territory, and that is a land even I fear to tread!
Given the rate with which the story moves along in this sequel, my guess is this series is destined to be a trilogy. Unless there is a massive change in the plot, I can't see how this would move past a trilogy. However I could see it spawning a spin-off from the original trilogy, now that the heavy world building is done. While a solid sequel, the characters have yet to truly capture my heart, and therefore my interest, in their ultimate outcome. As much progress as this book made with character development, I'm still not sure if it will be enough for me to actively seek out the final book in the series (still assuming this will be a trilogy).
February 24, 2017
Reverting from Netgalley for review.
I have had this on my to read list for ages,and finally gave it a go.This is the 2nd in series and I have to be honest in saying that I did not read the 1st one. Only kept going with this as author did such a good job of reminding us of what happened in this,so I did not feel lost.
Really dark in places,but this made it really entertaining and enjoyable.
I have had this on my to read list for ages,and finally gave it a go.This is the 2nd in series and I have to be honest in saying that I did not read the 1st one. Only kept going with this as author did such a good job of reminding us of what happened in this,so I did not feel lost.
Really dark in places,but this made it really entertaining and enjoyable.
October 11, 2014
While I enjoyed this book I hesitate to give it any more than 3 stars. It rests very very heavily on overused fantasy tropes. The magic elven forest people, the frosty barbarians, the zealot human crusaders, demon-king, chosen ones, powerful magic macguffins with dire consequences.
All that being said, while Karpyshyn certainly doesn't take us at all outside the box he uses its contents deftly. The book is readable thanks to his excellent use of the character interactions.
Not a must read but worth a glance if you've cleared some of the more essential fantasy works off your list.
All that being said, while Karpyshyn certainly doesn't take us at all outside the box he uses its contents deftly. The book is readable thanks to his excellent use of the character interactions.
Not a must read but worth a glance if you've cleared some of the more essential fantasy works off your list.
April 4, 2015
I'm really enjoying this series and I can't wait for the next installment. Write faster, Drew! I especially liked the fact he made some very tough choices that a less courageous writer might have dodged. No more lest I give spoilers, but this is terrific fantasy with interesting, flawed and yet compelling characters.
September 12, 2015
Definitely getting more intriguing as the series continues. I do find it a to be a bit formulaic, but the characters are well written, and easy to empathize with, and the magic system is definitely a new twist.
October 28, 2015
This was great! I'm really liking the magic system and how everything is coming together. I don't really like orath, and I kind of wish daemron would actually do something for once. But all in all this looks to be a great series continuing on :)
November 29, 2015
Fantastic
Truly incredible fantasy series. Drew is a fantastic writer, and he really brings this world alive. Can't wait for the next one!
Truly incredible fantasy series. Drew is a fantastic writer, and he really brings this world alive. Can't wait for the next one!
August 24, 2014
can't wait for the 3rd book!
November 12, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Beset on all sides by mortal and supernatural enemies, The Children of Fire – four mortals touched by the power of Chaos – are in search of the Talismans that can put a stop to an ancient enemy of the Gods.
But in doing so, they unleash a flood of Chaos magic on the land – leaving death, destruction and
a vengeful queen in their wake...
*2.5 stars*
This is the second book in The Chaos Born series. I am not convinced it is better than the first one.
For me, the problem wasn't the story itself. It had all the right fantasy elements right there. The story is pretty well told. The world-building was strong, and I appreciated the land that was set out for this book.
But, for me, there were two real issues. Firstly, the cliché characters: elves in the forest, scary barbarians, demon kings and overly zealous humans. Been there, read that. And they really suffered from no major development. There wasn't much growth for anyone in the book.
Secondly, there is a big chunk of this book that is boring. Through the middle 1/3 (or maybe it was even half) of the book, I felt like the story drifted along and didn't force me to keep reading. Nothing really happens. I got the feeling as I was reading that it was suffering from the "middle book syndrome" - just a vehicle to set up the finale of the trilogy. That's what it felt like. I think the story could have been done better as a duology. Not really enough in this book to justify its 400 pages.
Paul
ARH
Beset on all sides by mortal and supernatural enemies, The Children of Fire – four mortals touched by the power of Chaos – are in search of the Talismans that can put a stop to an ancient enemy of the Gods.
But in doing so, they unleash a flood of Chaos magic on the land – leaving death, destruction and
a vengeful queen in their wake...
*2.5 stars*
This is the second book in The Chaos Born series. I am not convinced it is better than the first one.
For me, the problem wasn't the story itself. It had all the right fantasy elements right there. The story is pretty well told. The world-building was strong, and I appreciated the land that was set out for this book.
But, for me, there were two real issues. Firstly, the cliché characters: elves in the forest, scary barbarians, demon kings and overly zealous humans. Been there, read that. And they really suffered from no major development. There wasn't much growth for anyone in the book.
Secondly, there is a big chunk of this book that is boring. Through the middle 1/3 (or maybe it was even half) of the book, I felt like the story drifted along and didn't force me to keep reading. Nothing really happens. I got the feeling as I was reading that it was suffering from the "middle book syndrome" - just a vehicle to set up the finale of the trilogy. That's what it felt like. I think the story could have been done better as a duology. Not really enough in this book to justify its 400 pages.
Paul
ARH
June 30, 2023
We continue along the story of our four chaos touched "heroes" and their companions. Good intentions have turned disastrous, and our heroes flee to the frozen east.
During this book we learn more about the clans of the frozen east, Nor's history, we find out more about how the world as we know it came to be.
We find the final artifact, we learn more about the old/true gods, continue to learn more about the powers of chaos and the "backlash" that occurs.
We also see the depravity and machinations of the slayer's minions as they attempt to gather the artifacts for themselves and bring the slayer back to the mortal world.
Finally there are a few surprises and shocks throughout the novel.
The ending of the novel is something that I can understand, it fits with the personalities of our main characters, and it flows with the feel of this story and world. But even knowing that, I still wish it could have been another way.
This was a very enjoyable read, and I was excited to move forward to the conclusion of this trilogy.
During this book we learn more about the clans of the frozen east, Nor's history, we find out more about how the world as we know it came to be.
We find the final artifact, we learn more about the old/true gods, continue to learn more about the powers of chaos and the "backlash" that occurs.
We also see the depravity and machinations of the slayer's minions as they attempt to gather the artifacts for themselves and bring the slayer back to the mortal world.
Finally there are a few surprises and shocks throughout the novel.
The ending of the novel is something that I can understand, it fits with the personalities of our main characters, and it flows with the feel of this story and world. But even knowing that, I still wish it could have been another way.
This was a very enjoyable read, and I was excited to move forward to the conclusion of this trilogy.
December 10, 2020
I was surprised when I saw that this (Book2) received higher praise than the first book of the trilogy. After reading it, I agree. A lot of my issues remain. The storyline and tropes are still painfully basic and rather boring, but the characters finally begin to achieve some depth which is nice. This has definitely locked me in to reading the final installment, though since everything else has been "by the 'Fantasy Writer's Playbook'", I have a strong suspicion that I won't be surprised by the end.
June 21, 2024
I enjoyed this book more than the first of the series. There was a lot more progression of the storyline and character development. Im still not completely invested in any of the characters but I am curious on the where this story is going to lead me. I really dislike the villains as well as their descriptions and one chemistry growing between two characters irritates me because I believe drew wants them to have a romance. I would recommend it especially if you want more action and fighting.
August 10, 2019
Definitely a page turner
I started reading this book because I liked the author and the story he wrote for the video game Mass Effect, and the Mass Effect novels. I like his writing style and was really taken in by the first book. Even though I feel this book dragged a bit with Cassandra overall the pace was good. Can't wait to start the third book.
I started reading this book because I liked the author and the story he wrote for the video game Mass Effect, and the Mass Effect novels. I like his writing style and was really taken in by the first book. Even though I feel this book dragged a bit with Cassandra overall the pace was good. Can't wait to start the third book.
October 26, 2019
Good, basic fantasy ruined by too standard a set of characters. None did anything unexpected and the two religious nuts, Jerrod and Yasmin, were so cardboard as to truly be annoying. I think it's a 2.5
July 18, 2021
I found this painfully slow so I put the book down halfway through. I chipped away at the remainder because I don't like leaving books halfway read - and I'm glad I did because this book finished really strong.
April 16, 2023
Highly entertaining fantasy, gritty and on the dark side.
May 14, 2015
Continuing the epic saga of the Children of Fire, Drew Karpyshyn’s The Scorched Earth picks up right where the first book ended, leading all four chaos-born children toward their destiny, while running from the minions of Daemron. Scythe, Keegan, Vaaler and their companions head into the Tundra, the land of the barbaric clans Norr once belonged to. When pursued by the Order, the quintet find themselves trapped, and would have starved to death had one of the clans not come to their aid, while Cassandra rushes across the land, toward the port city in hopes of escaping with the crown. Vaaler’s people have allied themselves with the minion, Orath, and storm the tundra to take back the ring Vaaler stole for Keegan after his own mother exiled him, and the Pontiff of the Order has declared another purge of those professing an affinity with chaos. None of the chaos-blessed are safe, and as the world tears itself apart, Daemron rubs his hands together on the other side of the veil, watching and waiting for an opportunity to return to power.
I don’t know if I was a little burnt out from all my gripes about the first book in the series, but I had a lot of complaints with book two and found myself often reaching for something else to read, taking far longer to finish than I expected to and sighing a little whenever I glanced at my shelf and saw it staring expectantly back at me. I wanted to finish, and find out how far the story progressed, but at the same time I felt like I pretty much knew where it was going.
I finally sat down Wednesday night with about 80 pages to go, and said, “Okay, let’s do this so we can move onto something else without feeling guilty about it. We’ve come this far. Let’s go.”
On the positive side, there weren’t near as many typos in the text as there seemed to be in the first book, but the bouncing between perspectives (some of them just feeling absolutely unnecessary,) seemed to grow more frequent. And then I noticed something else that really started to get under my skin: there is a ton of inner-dialogue in this book. Not that I’m averse to inner-dialogue. It’s often a great way to see what’s going on inside a character’s head, especially in the middle of a chaotic experience, but every chapter, every perspective was absolutely teeming with it, and it wasn’t always internal perspective. Sometimes it felt like the author took those small asides to tell us how we as readers should be interpreting what just happened in the passage before. It was very off-putting, and at times redundant. I felt like Karpyshyn didn’t trust me enough to figure out what was going on, so he had to throw a bunch of bones out in case I was struggling to grasp what he wanted me to. I know that probably sounds mean and disrespectful, but that was what I felt like when I was reading. It was like being led with a carrot, rather than invited into this potentially amazing world so I could get lost and then find myself through the characters and their experiences. It makes for tedious reading when that happens. And sometimes I find myself walking away from books like that because as I’ve said before life is too short to waste time reading bad books.
The thing is, the story itself isn’t bad. The plot is intriguing. It contains all the right elements, but relationship development, personal growth, heck personalities themselves all feel stunted. And I think it’s because Karpyshyn keeps telling me what I should know about these people rather than allowing the strings to weave themselves together so the people in the page can grow. This perturbs me because as I mentioned in my last review, I really enjoy Karpyshyn’s writing for the most part. He did handle one character’s reaction to a death rather well, but the other characters all felt very insensitive and cold about it, their guilty feelings unconvincing in the way they were portrayed.
Will I read book three when it comes out? I honestly can’t say one or the other right now. I want to know how the story ends, to see how he pulls everything together and saves (or destroys,) the world, but at the same time I feel like I will just complain the entire time I’m reading it, and contrary to popular belief, I don’t like complaining.
I gave The Scorched Earth 3 stars, half a star less than I gave Children of Fire. I don’t like to give out 2 star reviews, so I may just have to pass on the next book when it comes out.
I don’t know if I was a little burnt out from all my gripes about the first book in the series, but I had a lot of complaints with book two and found myself often reaching for something else to read, taking far longer to finish than I expected to and sighing a little whenever I glanced at my shelf and saw it staring expectantly back at me. I wanted to finish, and find out how far the story progressed, but at the same time I felt like I pretty much knew where it was going.
I finally sat down Wednesday night with about 80 pages to go, and said, “Okay, let’s do this so we can move onto something else without feeling guilty about it. We’ve come this far. Let’s go.”
On the positive side, there weren’t near as many typos in the text as there seemed to be in the first book, but the bouncing between perspectives (some of them just feeling absolutely unnecessary,) seemed to grow more frequent. And then I noticed something else that really started to get under my skin: there is a ton of inner-dialogue in this book. Not that I’m averse to inner-dialogue. It’s often a great way to see what’s going on inside a character’s head, especially in the middle of a chaotic experience, but every chapter, every perspective was absolutely teeming with it, and it wasn’t always internal perspective. Sometimes it felt like the author took those small asides to tell us how we as readers should be interpreting what just happened in the passage before. It was very off-putting, and at times redundant. I felt like Karpyshyn didn’t trust me enough to figure out what was going on, so he had to throw a bunch of bones out in case I was struggling to grasp what he wanted me to. I know that probably sounds mean and disrespectful, but that was what I felt like when I was reading. It was like being led with a carrot, rather than invited into this potentially amazing world so I could get lost and then find myself through the characters and their experiences. It makes for tedious reading when that happens. And sometimes I find myself walking away from books like that because as I’ve said before life is too short to waste time reading bad books.
The thing is, the story itself isn’t bad. The plot is intriguing. It contains all the right elements, but relationship development, personal growth, heck personalities themselves all feel stunted. And I think it’s because Karpyshyn keeps telling me what I should know about these people rather than allowing the strings to weave themselves together so the people in the page can grow. This perturbs me because as I mentioned in my last review, I really enjoy Karpyshyn’s writing for the most part. He did handle one character’s reaction to a death rather well, but the other characters all felt very insensitive and cold about it, their guilty feelings unconvincing in the way they were portrayed.
Will I read book three when it comes out? I honestly can’t say one or the other right now. I want to know how the story ends, to see how he pulls everything together and saves (or destroys,) the world, but at the same time I feel like I will just complain the entire time I’m reading it, and contrary to popular belief, I don’t like complaining.
I gave The Scorched Earth 3 stars, half a star less than I gave Children of Fire. I don’t like to give out 2 star reviews, so I may just have to pass on the next book when it comes out.
February 8, 2016
I find myself rather uninspired as I think about what to say in regards to this book. It was enjoyable, but nothing earth-shattering. Certainly I wasn't particularly surprised by much of anything, with one notable exception. The plot, however, was fairly solid, without any major holes. I think the main issue I have with this series so far is that in the effort to present characters that are flawed and splitting of attention between the four "children of fire" I am left feeling little to no connection with any of them.
The books picks up right after the end of the first installment. One group fleeing the destruction of the Danaan city of Ferlhame, the other child of fire fleeing the demons chasing her and the Crown she carries. We learn a little bit more about Daemron and the establishment of the Legacy. The demons that were sent through the Legacy at the end of Book 1 continue to hound the Children of Fire. As in many book 2s, the battle lines are drawn a little more clearly and pieces shuffled around to prepare for the BIG SHOWDOWN in book 3.
Many reviews have commented on the pacing; super slow for the first 2/3, all the action in the last 1/3. That seems to be pretty accurate. This isn't to say that nothing happens, but the first 2/3 of the book is certainly a lot of politics and traveling.
Like I said, I don't feel much of a connection with any of the characters. I don't know if that's due to the multiple main characters format of the book or Karpyshyn's writing style or something else. I am interested in how all this is going to end as it seems very much in the air. Some big questions I would want answered in the last books are: Why did Daemron send these "shards" of his power to the world if they were going to the very humans that are going to oppose him. This hasn't been explored at all, and it may be as simple as a self-fulfilling prophesy. His slivers allow the Children of Fire to manipulate the Talismans which in turn is what actually destroys the Legacy. But the premise in the first book was that the Legacy was already weakening. Did it need a push? And also, what is the role of each of the Children. It seems that, by the end, this has been fairly well answered, but we're still left with Vaaler. Are they all going to be acting in concert to defeat Daemron? Will all the Talismans go to one of them?
I will almost certainly read the last book of the series, but I'm hoping to be more satisfied by the sum of all the parts than I've been by the parts separately.
The books picks up right after the end of the first installment. One group fleeing the destruction of the Danaan city of Ferlhame, the other child of fire fleeing the demons chasing her and the Crown she carries. We learn a little bit more about Daemron and the establishment of the Legacy. The demons that were sent through the Legacy at the end of Book 1 continue to hound the Children of Fire. As in many book 2s, the battle lines are drawn a little more clearly and pieces shuffled around to prepare for the BIG SHOWDOWN in book 3.
Many reviews have commented on the pacing; super slow for the first 2/3, all the action in the last 1/3. That seems to be pretty accurate. This isn't to say that nothing happens, but the first 2/3 of the book is certainly a lot of politics and traveling.
Like I said, I don't feel much of a connection with any of the characters. I don't know if that's due to the multiple main characters format of the book or Karpyshyn's writing style or something else. I am interested in how all this is going to end as it seems very much in the air. Some big questions I would want answered in the last books are: Why did Daemron send these "shards" of his power to the world if they were going to the very humans that are going to oppose him. This hasn't been explored at all, and it may be as simple as a self-fulfilling prophesy. His slivers allow the Children of Fire to manipulate the Talismans which in turn is what actually destroys the Legacy. But the premise in the first book was that the Legacy was already weakening. Did it need a push? And also, what is the role of each of the Children. It seems that, by the end, this has been fairly well answered, but we're still left with Vaaler. Are they all going to be acting in concert to defeat Daemron? Will all the Talismans go to one of them?
I will almost certainly read the last book of the series, but I'm hoping to be more satisfied by the sum of all the parts than I've been by the parts separately.
January 27, 2015
The Scorched Earth follows the story of four young adults who were touched by Chaos (magic), and are destined to save the world from a powerful immortal. To do this, they must acquire three long lost relics. Each relic grants the user incredible power, though the power often comes at a startling price. Servants of the trapped immortal, as well as misguided or greedy mortal beings, hunt them at every turn, creating a classic adventure/quest story.
Just based off the summary, this sounds like very standard adventure writing, the kind of thing that has flooded the market since J.R.R Tolkien first became famous. It is not. There are two things that place it far ahead of a standard "hack and slash" story. The first noteworthy difference is the characters. This is a very character driven selection. The characters are real, they are engaging, and they are flawed. They make mistakes, and those mistakes have long lasting, profound consequences. Characters betray their loved ones for the greater good, compromise their values, and make hard choices that most fantasy writers wouldn't touch.
The second distinction is the idea that combat has consequences. In many adventures like this, the group might walk into an ambush, fight for a while, and come out of it just fine. In this book, a fight is as frightening as it is exciting. Characters you have come to love over the course of the story might not come out of the battle. Even if they do, they might lose a limb, lose fingers, or be otherwise scarred. These injuries are never undone with a simple spell or a lucky break. They serve as a constant reminder that the stakes are very real for the characters you are coming to love.
It took me a little while to find my footing and get used to who everyone was, but once I did so, I couldn't put this book down. I would recommend it to any fan of the genre.
Just based off the summary, this sounds like very standard adventure writing, the kind of thing that has flooded the market since J.R.R Tolkien first became famous. It is not. There are two things that place it far ahead of a standard "hack and slash" story. The first noteworthy difference is the characters. This is a very character driven selection. The characters are real, they are engaging, and they are flawed. They make mistakes, and those mistakes have long lasting, profound consequences. Characters betray their loved ones for the greater good, compromise their values, and make hard choices that most fantasy writers wouldn't touch.
The second distinction is the idea that combat has consequences. In many adventures like this, the group might walk into an ambush, fight for a while, and come out of it just fine. In this book, a fight is as frightening as it is exciting. Characters you have come to love over the course of the story might not come out of the battle. Even if they do, they might lose a limb, lose fingers, or be otherwise scarred. These injuries are never undone with a simple spell or a lucky break. They serve as a constant reminder that the stakes are very real for the characters you are coming to love.
It took me a little while to find my footing and get used to who everyone was, but once I did so, I couldn't put this book down. I would recommend it to any fan of the genre.
January 14, 2015
Though I wasn't a huge fan of the first book in Karpyshyn's Chaos Born series (Children of Fire), I was just intrigued enough to request an advanced reader's copy of The Scorched Earth - and thankfully, I found this second installment much more interesting. I wouldn't say that it's action-packed, but THANKFULLY it's missing the drawn-out set up that really dragged Children of Fire down.
The main issue with these novels is that most of the characters are vapid and boring, and - even taking into consideration the rules of the magic system that Karpyshyn created - the whole plight with the "chaos spawn" is completely unbelievable. If you want to read a novel that plays out like a D&D encounter, all of this may be fine for you, but it's simply not to my taste.
I will give the author credit for decent world-building, though. Not just the physical surroundings, but the different races that populate them, are original and therefore compelling. They are what bumped my rating from 2 stars to 2.5/5 stars, and what may bring me back to read the final book in the trilogy.
More book reviews (and at the moment, an ongoing ASOIAF re-read!) at http://ageeksaga.com
The main issue with these novels is that most of the characters are vapid and boring, and - even taking into consideration the rules of the magic system that Karpyshyn created - the whole plight with the "chaos spawn" is completely unbelievable. If you want to read a novel that plays out like a D&D encounter, all of this may be fine for you, but it's simply not to my taste.
I will give the author credit for decent world-building, though. Not just the physical surroundings, but the different races that populate them, are original and therefore compelling. They are what bumped my rating from 2 stars to 2.5/5 stars, and what may bring me back to read the final book in the trilogy.
More book reviews (and at the moment, an ongoing ASOIAF re-read!) at http://ageeksaga.com
January 9, 2016
Better than the first.
Solves a couple of plot holes of the previous book.
The magic is not so easy to use, and the "Savior" of the world is 70% of the book unconscious or falling face first.
The use of the backlash as a result of the magic use is a great way to balance things and not make it that easy.
Something I forgot about the first one: Daemrod. really? horns? wings? hooves? is he the devil from the fantasy 80's movie? is he red as well? I'm a little esceptic with the minions characterisation; they are a little cliché-ish.
The action and development of the story moved a good way on this book, and besides being the second book usually a bridge between the introduction and final climax of the story, The Scorched Earth delivered a good story.
Let's go to book 3!
Solves a couple of plot holes of the previous book.
The magic is not so easy to use, and the "Savior" of the world is 70% of the book unconscious or falling face first.
The use of the backlash as a result of the magic use is a great way to balance things and not make it that easy.
Something I forgot about the first one: Daemrod. really? horns? wings? hooves? is he the devil from the fantasy 80's movie? is he red as well? I'm a little esceptic with the minions characterisation; they are a little cliché-ish.
The action and development of the story moved a good way on this book, and besides being the second book usually a bridge between the introduction and final climax of the story, The Scorched Earth delivered a good story.
Let's go to book 3!
December 15, 2014
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Oh, I can't wait to read the third in this series! This one was a great continuation of the first, and the characters face so many challenges. I am looking forward to all four "children of fire" to be together, and see what happens! I was terribly upset when Norr died, and was thinking Jerome might die too, but he is still around. I like how Rexol is still "there", and I'm glad to see Methiodis return. Really looking forward to the last good read!
August 22, 2014
Read the first book before you dive into this one. I'm impressed with the various plot threads and characters who are so well fleshed out, making this an enjoyable read. The writing is good with good editing so there's no distractions while reading. Be prepared for a well detailed and described story. I recommend this for all fantasy fans. I received an evaluation copy through the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
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