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The Last Whisper of the Gods #2
The Curse in the Gift
For Sorial of Vantok, claiming his heritage as the first Earth-wizard in 1000 years was the easy part. Now, with the dreaded Lord of Fire amassing an army in the Deep South, the hard part begins. With the gods having abdicated responsibility for their creations, the world of Ayberia is left to fend for itself with the custodian wizards lining up to battle each other for control.
As Sorial goes into seclusion to learn control of his powers, his lover Alicia becomes a pawn in a high-stakes game. Accompanied by three stalwart companions, she travels to the North, shadowed by assassins and marked for death. In Widows’ Pass, the treacherous path through the Broken Crags Mountain Range, she experiences a tragedy that threatens to end not only her quest but her life. Meanwhile, in the city of Vantok, King Azarak faces betrayal and civil war. He learns that Prelate Ferguson, the religious leader, has committed treason - an act that cannot go unanswered. When Sorial emerges from isolation, it’s to broken promises, a missing fiancé, and a world on the brink of chaos.
As Sorial goes into seclusion to learn control of his powers, his lover Alicia becomes a pawn in a high-stakes game. Accompanied by three stalwart companions, she travels to the North, shadowed by assassins and marked for death. In Widows’ Pass, the treacherous path through the Broken Crags Mountain Range, she experiences a tragedy that threatens to end not only her quest but her life. Meanwhile, in the city of Vantok, King Azarak faces betrayal and civil war. He learns that Prelate Ferguson, the religious leader, has committed treason - an act that cannot go unanswered. When Sorial emerges from isolation, it’s to broken promises, a missing fiancé, and a world on the brink of chaos.
- GenresFantasy
482 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2016
32 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 16, 2017
Outstanding Story
This is a very interesting fast pace action packed entertaining story. This being book two, means there is nothing but the conclusion left. I am not liking the added multiple point of views, but I admit there might not be another way to tell a great fantasy story like this.
This is a very interesting fast pace action packed entertaining story. This being book two, means there is nothing but the conclusion left. I am not liking the added multiple point of views, but I admit there might not be another way to tell a great fantasy story like this.
September 29, 2021
Amazing!
I think this is an amazing fantasy series, one of the best that I have ever read, and I read- alot! I enjoyed it so much that I've have read this over and over again, and, I wish this would be made into a series or a movie on Netflix, or Hulu, or the big screen! I want others to be able to experience this series! Incredible!
I think this is an amazing fantasy series, one of the best that I have ever read, and I read- alot! I enjoyed it so much that I've have read this over and over again, and, I wish this would be made into a series or a movie on Netflix, or Hulu, or the big screen! I want others to be able to experience this series! Incredible!
April 22, 2016
I've read James Berardinelli's movie reviews for over fifteen years, and I've often aligned with his taste and enjoyed his story analysis and writing style. Not to mention that he really took to heart Brad Bird's comments on critics in Ratatouille (Anton's monologue). So I had reasonably high expectations from him with regards to creating a fantasy world that would be enjoyable as well as consistent. I've read all three novels, and as they are related to each other well enough such that they should be considered the same story, I'll review them all at once.
Highlights
-Overall, the story caught me and held me to its completion. What more do you want from a series of books than a good thirty hours of entertainment that keeps you interested and wanting to know the end? The writing is good, the characters are interesting and in general more broad than one dimension, and the story has a fast pace.
-The rules of magic, while simple, are well-developed and consistent. I've never really been a fan of elemental magic (earth, fire, water, and air) because of my background in chemistry; but there were several details that made the visualization of the magic reasonably feasible. I also appreciated how the powers were discovered and the variants that could be applied; many times in the story I wondered why Sorial wouldn't do this, and it turned out that he discovered it later. The combinations of magic were well-planned and executed too.
-While there were a few fantasy tropes, they were used sparingly and often with surprises attached.
-It is rather graphic, and in the vein of GRR Martin, people get punished. Two thirds of the way through the first book it starts to get brutal in service to the story; that by the way is when I committed to the story.
-Most importantly, it got better as it went a long. So many stories start with a great idea and then fizzle. If anything, the first half of the "Last Whisper" was the slowest, and the other two novels were more entertaining.
Nitpicks
As usual, it's his world and I'm just reading it, but these thoughts crossed my mind.
-If there are pistols, there is gunpowder. If there is gunpowder, there are cannons. If there are cannons, there are no castle walls. As far as I can tell, there was only one story element that required the gun , but this was not exactly the Meerenese knot, other ways could accomplish what was needed from the story. Pistols were not needed and they made a lot of the other story elements seem foolish.
-Frankly, the sex passages were too frequent and often didn't add value. I'm not prude, but like special effects in movies, sex should serve the story. Any more than that then it is simply a kid showing you his dad's Penthouse forums.
-A bit of the dialog was expository, and at times Sorial would wax poetic like a Victorian philosopher and then throw 'ain't' in there just to show his humble roots.
-It's a small world after all, one with almost no history--Throughout the entire set of novels, the loss of the gods is lamented, how the populace would respond to their loss was considered a tragic event. Yet not one god was named, not one story was told, not one miracle was explained. The history of the world served only to provide the minimum needed background. Also, there were only six cities, maybe two hundred thousand people, and just not a lot of reason to think so few people could have made so many advances in building palaces and such.
-Sorial, at times, is a complete idiot.
Overall, the critic took a shot at being a creator, and he did well. He wrote a good story with interesting characters, and to boot he gave it an ending that, while telegraphed, was a good turn and fun to resolve.
Highlights
-Overall, the story caught me and held me to its completion. What more do you want from a series of books than a good thirty hours of entertainment that keeps you interested and wanting to know the end? The writing is good, the characters are interesting and in general more broad than one dimension, and the story has a fast pace.
-The rules of magic, while simple, are well-developed and consistent. I've never really been a fan of elemental magic (earth, fire, water, and air) because of my background in chemistry; but there were several details that made the visualization of the magic reasonably feasible. I also appreciated how the powers were discovered and the variants that could be applied; many times in the story I wondered why Sorial wouldn't do this, and it turned out that he discovered it later. The combinations of magic were well-planned and executed too.
-While there were a few fantasy tropes, they were used sparingly and often with surprises attached.
-It is rather graphic, and in the vein of GRR Martin, people get punished. Two thirds of the way through the first book it starts to get brutal in service to the story; that by the way is when I committed to the story.
-Most importantly, it got better as it went a long. So many stories start with a great idea and then fizzle. If anything, the first half of the "Last Whisper" was the slowest, and the other two novels were more entertaining.
Nitpicks
As usual, it's his world and I'm just reading it, but these thoughts crossed my mind.
-If there are pistols, there is gunpowder. If there is gunpowder, there are cannons. If there are cannons, there are no castle walls. As far as I can tell, there was only one story element that required the gun , but this was not exactly the Meerenese knot, other ways could accomplish what was needed from the story. Pistols were not needed and they made a lot of the other story elements seem foolish.
-Frankly, the sex passages were too frequent and often didn't add value. I'm not prude, but like special effects in movies, sex should serve the story. Any more than that then it is simply a kid showing you his dad's Penthouse forums.
-A bit of the dialog was expository, and at times Sorial would wax poetic like a Victorian philosopher and then throw 'ain't' in there just to show his humble roots.
-It's a small world after all, one with almost no history--Throughout the entire set of novels, the loss of the gods is lamented, how the populace would respond to their loss was considered a tragic event. Yet not one god was named, not one story was told, not one miracle was explained. The history of the world served only to provide the minimum needed background. Also, there were only six cities, maybe two hundred thousand people, and just not a lot of reason to think so few people could have made so many advances in building palaces and such.
-Sorial, at times, is a complete idiot.
Overall, the critic took a shot at being a creator, and he did well. He wrote a good story with interesting characters, and to boot he gave it an ending that, while telegraphed, was a good turn and fun to resolve.
April 21, 2016
I felt that some parts were really, really dragged out and I found myself skipping to the relevant parts. Also had an over-use of sex scenes again, just like the first book. All in all, though, it was ok. After reading the first two books in the series, though, I kind of feel obligated to continue the third. Gotta see how this all ends for the poor s.o.b. that can't do anything right, it seems.
May 13, 2016
Another awesome episode in Sorial and Alicia's adventure. I like that a lot of unexpected happens, the author really keeps you on your toes... Although I did guess a part of it was coming, Alicia's part. I won't say more so as not to give spoilers! :D
Oh, the only thing I still don't get is 'Justin'. That's just a silly name for a Master of Fire!!!
Oh, the only thing I still don't get is 'Justin'. That's just a silly name for a Master of Fire!!!
April 2, 2016
Starting to wonder why I continue to read this. I don't feel any suspense or enmity for the bad guy Jason. The otherwise doesn't feel fleshed out and I am finding I just don't care about any characters.
February 23, 2016
Book 2 was every bit as exciting at Book 1, and it leaves you on the edge waiting for the third and final book.
December 14, 2017
Magic seems to have so many drawbacks in this series - mainly significant losses of one's senses!!
A good book overall (unoriginal, but innovative magic system!) but the main protagonists spent most of their time just pissing me the hell off.
Secondary characters wayyyy better and I emphasized with their issues & struggles more.
All and all, recommended reading for middling fantasy enthusiasts.
A good book overall (unoriginal, but innovative magic system!) but the main protagonists spent most of their time just pissing me the hell off.
Secondary characters wayyyy better and I emphasized with their issues & struggles more.
All and all, recommended reading for middling fantasy enthusiasts.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews