R. Doyle's page

I'm starting with a four-star rating because I haven't finished the book, but I have to say, it really grabbed me from the beginning. I started reading it on my way to work this morning and now that I am here (don't tell the boss I'm writing this now...) I wish I had a longer commute.

The main character has a driving personality, and despite being a scoundrel, you can't help but like him. He is like Han Solo - good at being bad, but not evil.

I'll update this as I read more, but so far, I'm hooked.

Now that I have finished it, I leave my rating at a 4.

I enjoyed the cinema-feel to the story, and it was a fun, quick read. Does it compare to epic novel series? Of course not - that isn't what it is about. It is a story told like a movie is watched. It is full of action and flowed well for what it was. This was a nice break from many of the other books I typically read (Steven Erikson, George R.R. Martin, Terry Pratchet, etc.) and I wouldn't dream of comparing it to them. The only thing they have in common is that they have words in them.

If you are looking for a diverting read, set in Golarion, and you want something light, this is a great book. If you only want Tolkien, move along.

I have read the other reviews (but not the comments) and I find that this book met all of my expectations, and even exceeded some of them.

I don't pick up every booking thinking it will change my life, and thus, if it doesn't, I am not disappointed. When I saw Godzilla, I knew it was about a big lizard crushing the big city. Thus, I enjoyed it for what it was.

This is not to say this book reminds me of Godzilla...

I found the writing wonderful, and the characters connected with me. It wasn't a convoluted tale, but it was twisty enough to make me look forward to the next page. Recommendations have already been made to all of my gaming friends to read this. That said, I don't know if it would stand as strong against a non-game book.

I have read books by various authors that were written for a game publisher, and I have often found some of the authors' best work to be their own fiction, not set in a world devised by others. I think this is the case here, but I can easily say, if you want to get a good feel of the north, and a taste of Korvosa (this helps when you run Crimson Throne btw), read this book.

The flavour is very different from Prince of Wolves in my opinion. I would say I preferred the writing of Winter Witch stylistically.