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A review by sarahdm
The Warrior by Stephen Aryan
4.0
The sequel is officially better. The Warrior absolutely surpasses The Coward in every way.
The antagonist (The Malice) creates a situation where we really get to stew with these characters, getting more insight into their thoughts and feelings then we did in The Coward. Even with returning character Kell and Willow, we get to see new sides of them and really get to know them. It endeared me to them even more than in the first book. Then of course the new characters. Odd (pronounced Ode in the audiobook for some reason) is so interesting. I love him so much, what ever the hell he was. And while we didn't spend as much time with Yara I also really grew to love her too. I really cherished my time with this crew. I wish I had more time with them. I'm so heart broken that its over.
Aryan also continues to carve out a stunning world for us as we explore the culture and people of the nonhuman race in the story. Seeing Willow interacting with their people was such a treat. And then there is of course what ever the hell is up with Odd and the Malice. So many interesting creatures/people in this one. I loved it.
The writing it great. Fight scenes are great. We really get into the grim darkness of it all. When we spent time with characters or a scene such a lovely picture was drawn for me.
The plot if pretty bare bones, but after two books I think this might just be Aryan's style. I am super happy that the B plot wasn't a complete snooze fest this time. While I wasn't as attached to Sigrid as the other characters, her quest was pretty cool/bad ass. But at the end of the day its really just generic D&D quests for the A and B plot. I'm not complaining.
What I will complain about is the neck break speed at which the plot moves at. I just don't really enjoy this pacing. I just wanted to slow down a little bit. I also was a little bored with the ending (again). It just wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be.
This is a small thing, but there are mentions of LGBT characters and it is treated well. They aren't main characters and their is no romance but the fact that it is mentioned in passing is great. Aryan didn't have to put that in but they chose to do it. Add Stephen Aryan to the list of male fantasy writers I trust.
This was a great read. I want 10 more books. And of course there is no fan fiction to fall back on. I'm honestly so sad its over. ;A;
The antagonist (The Malice) creates a situation where we really get to stew with these characters, getting more insight into their thoughts and feelings then we did in The Coward. Even with returning character Kell and Willow, we get to see new sides of them and really get to know them. It endeared me to them even more than in the first book. Then of course the new characters. Odd (pronounced Ode in the audiobook for some reason) is so interesting. I love him so much, what ever the hell he was. And while we didn't spend as much time with Yara I also really grew to love her too. I really cherished my time with this crew. I wish I had more time with them. I'm so heart broken that its over.
Aryan also continues to carve out a stunning world for us as we explore the culture and people of the nonhuman race in the story. Seeing Willow interacting with their people was such a treat. And then there is of course what ever the hell is up with Odd and the Malice. So many interesting creatures/people in this one. I loved it.
The writing it great. Fight scenes are great. We really get into the grim darkness of it all. When we spent time with characters or a scene such a lovely picture was drawn for me.
The plot if pretty bare bones, but after two books I think this might just be Aryan's style. I am super happy that the B plot wasn't a complete snooze fest this time. While I wasn't as attached to Sigrid as the other characters, her quest was pretty cool/bad ass. But at the end of the day its really just generic D&D quests for the A and B plot. I'm not complaining.
What I will complain about is the neck break speed at which the plot moves at. I just don't really enjoy this pacing. I just wanted to slow down a little bit. I also was a little bored with the ending (again). It just wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be.
This is a small thing, but there are mentions of LGBT characters and it is treated well. They aren't main characters and their is no romance but the fact that it is mentioned in passing is great. Aryan didn't have to put that in but they chose to do it. Add Stephen Aryan to the list of male fantasy writers I trust.
This was a great read. I want 10 more books. And of course there is no fan fiction to fall back on. I'm honestly so sad its over. ;A;