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The First Binding by R.R. Virdi

 Ari is a storyteller.  The book is his story.  It is well-written and captivating and frustrating.   Virdi jumps all over the place in his tale-telling.  Back story is good, side stories and future stories and what the heck is that in here for stories aren’t as good to me.   I really enjoyed the book but admittedly I’m fond of a more linear approach.

The book is set in a feudalistic world with some Fagan components.  Implacable supernatural enemies and powerful political forces are abundant in the book.  Ari is a complex child and an adult with a self-created complex identity.

Despite my frustrations, I will be reading the next volume.  I enjoyed it but am just not fond of the story structure. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

WICKED PROBLEMS byMax Gladstone

 

This may or may not be a dystopian story, I never could tell.   There is a wealth of gods, characters, and monsters.  It really needed a backstory.   I vaguely remembered the plot but the complexity of the book made my recollection quite foggy.

The likeability of characters is a major criterion of how much I enjoy a book.   I liked Mal but was a bit indifferent about Dawn and Tera.   Frankly, the number of characters was a bit overwhelming.   The book has aspects I enjoyed but it will never land on my most liked books page. 

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned