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Sunday, August 07, 2016

Review Collections #10 - Hope and Red (Empire of Storms Trilogy #1) by Jon Skovrun



Review Collection is a feature to help people decide if they want to read the featured book (let me know if you found it useful). So, the idea is that I shall be choosing one book and then sharing a range of reviews, of this book from various blogs. Allowing you to get a feel for the different opinions surrounding that book. 
 

 

Hope and Red (Empire of Storms Trilogy #1) by Jon Skovrun

 
Paperback, 544 pages
Published June 28th 2016 by Orbit
ISBN13: 9780316268110
 
 
 
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS
 
In a fracturing empire spread across savage seas, two young people from different cultures find common purpose.

A nameless girl is the lone survivor when her village is massacred by biomancers, mystical servants of the emperor. Named after her lost village, Bleak Hope is secretly trained by a master Vinchen warrior as an instrument of vengeance.

A boy becomes an orphan on the squalid streets of New Laven and is adopted by one of the most notorious women of the criminal underworld, given the name Red, and trained as a thief and con artist.

When a ganglord named Deadface Drem strikes a bargain with the biomancers to consolidate and rule all the slums of New Laven, the worlds of Hope and Red come crashing together, and their unlikely alliance takes them further than either could have dreamed possible.
 
COLLECTION OF REVIEWS 
 
 
 
 
 
GOODREADS STATS
 
Stats Collected 06/08/2016
 
COLLECTING MY THOUGHTS
 
Today's book I think is classified as a adult fantasy (although it's said to have some cross over appear for YA readers) so maybe that is why there hasn't been as much hype around it (on the pages and people that follow at least) or maybe it is because it's a relatively new release. I think I came across it on someone's waiting on Wednesday post and have since bought myself a copy, I have yet to read it but from the Goodreads stats I am hopeful. Here is a few quick thoughts I have gathered from the reviews above:
 
-The book is taken from two POV's and they don't meet until nearly half way though the novel. (I think this could be a good thing as it allows us to learn about the individual personalities of the characters first.) 
 
- It is a character driven plot set in a large exquisitely detailed world.
 
 -There is said to be a collection of great secondary characters to fall in love with as well, although it has been mentioned that many of them weren't 'fleshed out' enough.
 
- One review says that it is 'full of familiarity and predictability'.
 
- Some say that is a easy and fun adventure novel while others have described it dark, violent, gritty and gory.

- There were several reviews which mention the 'incredulous' (maybe slightly unrealistic??) things that the characters achieve.

-The colourful language is another thing that was mentioned by a few people, something to be prepared for.

-There seems to be mix opinions of the pacing of the story, some thought there was just the right balance while some thought part were rushed and others thought parts dragged!

- The author is said to have used some slang (something I find can either help make the dialogue seem realistic, or can just confuse readers) in this book and I can't wait to see how that works.
  
Lastly, I have to directly quote (from Fictional Fox and all credit goes to them) something I try not to do, but doesn't this description just make you want to start this book now?

"This book is the ultimate combination of pirates and ninjas with a fantastical, slightly sci-fi twist."
 
COLLECTING YOUR THOUGHTS

As always I want to know what you thought - let me know in the comments:

 
Have you read this book? What did you think of it (feel free to just type or you can share link to a review)?
 
Was this review collection helpful?
 
Have these reviews made you want to read the book or made you hesitate to pick it up?