Nathan Donahue’s Reviews > The Grace of Kings > Status Update

The world and the plot are two separate things. We have this set of islands teeming with creatures and features, but they’re rarely used outside of a few keys scenes. I feel like the characters are on a stage by themselves, we get great descriptions of the islands and inhabitants, and these are kept separate from each other. Weird that a fantasy doesn’t lean into its world building until way late.

Still having an okay time with the book. Several battles have taken place and the way they’re broken down kind was kind of boring. And there’s an awkward pause where the characters are kind of just existing. Bleh.

Chapter 11 was great. I’ve been finding it a pleasant read so far but haven’t found the groove. But chapter 11 about one of the two regents holding imperial power and his motivations, holds my attention more as pieces of the rebellion are moving.