Reviews and Comments

The blurb above really tells most of what the story is about - a young man given his first command, and coming of age by learning to deal with disaster

Anyone who likes Conrad will enjoy this.

As a side note - this story avoids any of the "that's how they thought back then" issues that some of his other books contain.

Based on Roman-era times & empire building, a long, "family saga" style story (except it really focuses on one main character)

Interesting in that it focused not so much on the military but rather the way money makes the world go round, and oversees the rise and fall of nations

I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the story and the twists. I thought it could have been edited down a little bit; I was starting to wonder in the middle if I should finish, but was well rewarded for doing so.

I'm not sure I found his sister's deep-hatred completely believable, and wonder if it was a part that could have been left out and not change the story too deeply, but perhaps I nitpick

Without spoiling, I would mention that this is 512 pages long...and then just sort of stops and doesn't really give you a feel for what the "big problem" is that you'll want to see battled against in the next volume. So a little dissatisfaction with that.

I did enjoy the way the author played with the timeline, the different voices used, and the pairing of characters that kept me from being confused about who was who

The world-building was great - it supplied just enough "weird land" to be unusual, but really it was focused on the different groups of people and how they viewed and interacted with one another.

If this is your favorite genre and you don't mind feeling the need to finish the series, you'll enjoy.

I love when authors find unique and clever ways to tell ancient history, and this one does wonderfully!

The message isn't subtle, but still makes you reflect, and the choice of plays adds a deeper level of understanding to it all.

Depressing in its own way, but leaves you with hope that people can rise above the petty and hateful.

Because there isn't one.

But if you enjoy relaxing with poetical language, thinking about our planet and the power and beauty of it, you'll enjoy.

A harsh - but deserved - look at today's American prison system, through the lens of a near-future "light" sci-fi setting

Adjei-Brenyah did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and turning them into people fighting a rigged system that doesn't view them that way