I don't normally review books I've read on Amazon -- why gild the lily, and add to what others have already done far better than I could? But given the relatively few reviews for this so far, I figured that I'd chime in for a change.
I've enjoyed Larry Correia's other series (Grimnoir and MHI), which were entertaining and well-written (if nothing incredibly deep and a bit on the "pulpy" side but very enjoyably so), so I decided to give this a try. I'm quite glad that I did.
This is unequivically Larry Correia's best work yet. While the prose in his prior series can be workman-like at times (and the focus on some of the details of action sequences can detract slightly from the narrative), the quality of writing here is a clear improvement beyond the solid efforts of Larry's previous series. The characterization is also Larry's best work, with the protagonist significantly more nuanced and complex than in prior series (with the possible exception of Franks in MHI), while still being heroic and sympathetic and acting rationally, given his outlook, knowledge, and constraints. The plotting is extremely well-done and well-paced, and the periodic flashbacks (especially in the early going) were well-placed and of well-tailored length to slake the reader's thirst for backstory and worldbuilding without giving away the whole game or detracting from the overall narrative arc.
Overall, the world is close enough to ours to be recognizable and not so different that it and its characters are unrelatable. Their motivations are well-established, and even having read Larry's two other fantasy-ish series, the plot twists and events were not the least bit predictable, other than insofar as characters in novels should act in a manner true to who they are. Side characters are filled in as necessary, again, without giving away too much information or giving us full insight into their plans and motivations for those whose arcs are not resolved in this book. While there are hints as to some of their motivations, particularly for the more minor characters whose arcs are resolved -- the hints provided regarding the "string-pulling" big bad behind the scenes and the "dirty work" big bad implementing things, and the inferences that the reader can draw, are tantalizing, and make me wish that this whole series had already been completed.
Continuity is also well-established, as are the laws of unintended consequence -- in several instances, characters are appropriately forced to deal with the results of their earlier choices, both for good and for ill. All-in-all, its a very promising start to the series. Is it Brandon Sanderson's "The Stormlight Archive"? No, it's not -- more focused on action, narrower in scope, less concerned with the overall magic system and worldbuilding. But it's thoughtful, creative, interesting, coherent, consistent, well-paced and well-plotted -- a damn fine fantasy book.
My only complaint -- though it's a good problem to have -- is the wait before the next book in the series comes out. Nicely done, Larry -- and keep up the great work!
Son of the Black Sword: Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, Book 1
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Top reviews from other countries
Gregory
Best of Correia, so far..
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2016ian fairbrass
A shockingly good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2022Kindle Customer
Great start to a series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2017Bea Sniper
A triumph of fantastic literature!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2017Noel Walker
Wonderful change of belief
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2021
