This is definitely a slow-moving series. I knew it from the first book, but I didn't feel it as much then. Maybe I should have taken a break before starting book two, because I found myself a bit impatient at the slowness this time around. I felt like events had built to a point in the last book that I was anxious for more to happen, only to have it spread out more and begin to build all over again. So, the pace is slow. Not much actually happens in this installment. It is a second book, and it feels like it. I couldn't believe that one character's situation really did not change at all until near the end. And Liath went back to the same problem she had before, and I really, really want some major development in that area soon! I already knew it wasn't an action-driven series. But being character-driven means I care about those I already know and want to get back to them, and to see changes for them. It felt like a long time before I had any quality time with Alain or Liath. They were mainly viewed through minor characters' eyes at first. That's the main reason I was feeling impatient.I did like the perspective of Rosvita, the scholar nun, and I hope we get plenty more of her in future books because she's one of my favorites. But there were other new and side characters who got a lot more attention for the first half of the book and I was just waiting to see how they fit into anything important. I'm still kind of waiting on that. I'm sure it's coming if I can just be patient. For a seven book series, some development is to be expected.Although I enjoy character-driven books, I do also like something to happen. It did, eventually. There was just a lot of buildup with the minor points of view. It didn't really start to pick up until after the halfway mark when the main characters finally came back into focus.Although I was a bit impatient until that point, I really miss reading this. I keep thinking about it and wanting to get back to it. I'm loving the world, which feels so real, and there are moments of real emotion about the characters. That includes loathing - it's impossible not to loathe Hugh! I can't wait to see him brought low. I hope it's truly satisfying. And Sanglant - his part was so horrifying. I can't wait to read more about how he adjusts after what happened to him. I hope I don't have to wait long.I am really tempted to go ahead and jump into the next book already, but I feel like I should take a break this time. I just know I need to be in the mood for savoring a slow mover. Maybe just a short break is enough and I'll be ready to get back into it.
The first half of the book drags on so slowly I was tempted to give it up at moments. I skimmed through some lengthy, tiresome descriptions, others I skipped altogether, and so I finally managed to fight my way through the first half. And then it suddenly became very, very interesting. It picked up pace (I still skimmed and skipped some portions because they dragged along). And the suspense… you know, the kind that makes your legs cramp! The characters are, actually, the only reason I continued reading (when I catch myself skipping lengthy portions of text, I usually give up the book altogether. Life is too short to be wasted on boring books, isn’t it?). The protagonists, Liath and Alain, are so lovable and interesting characters, very complex and well written, and I simply couldn’t file the book on my “gave up reading” shelf, because I had to know what will happen with them. Will Liath find Sanglant? Will Hugh find Liath? What’s up with Alain and the Fifth Son? All in all, not the best book Elliot has ever written, it’s obvious it is one of her earlier novels (or that her editor didn’t edit out enough). Reminds me somewhat of Jordan's Wheel of Time. And not in a good sense, if you know what I mean. A good book made too long, a bit wordy, with inconsistent pacing, alternating between boring, barely readable parts and well paced segments with nice dialogues, action and suspense. Not a masterpiece, but worth reading, nevertheless.
What do You think about Prince Of Dogs (2003)?
**This review will contain spoilers for the first book in the series**I am enjoying this series. I am emotionally invested in several of the characters, and feel that generally the characters are interesting and well-developed. Sanglant's story is my favorite. His survival as a prisoner of the Eika for almost a year and how he overcame his physical and mental suffering was the part of the story I looked forward to. I enjoyed LIath's story as well, as she traveled, learned more about her magic, and avoided Hugh. I was a little disappointed by her meltdowns though. She seemed stronger and more able to take care of herself in the last book, and she started to get on my nerves. She redeems herself at the end though, which helped.I will say that the novel is long. There are some lengthy sections on religion and the stars that I tend to skim over rather than get really involved in. There are also a TON of characters, both old and new. Too many, I think, since some of them we only get a small glimpse of their story, and the book bounces around between so many different characters that it makes the overall story move slowly. I didn't feel like the many many plot lines all advanced. Because of this the ending was a bit anti-climatic, and hardly any loose ends were tied up. I like the characters enough to keep reading the series. Hopefully more things will come together and the next book will move a little more quickly.
—Kateri
It’s taken me almost a year to get back to this series, so I wasn’t clear as to what was going on at first. But the more I read, the more I remembered. And what I remembered most was how much I had enjoyed the first book, and why.First, I love many of the main characters protagonists. They’re not perfect, but each is trying, to the best of their abilities, to survive and to, perhaps, make a difference. Secondly, while the story is complex, it’s not hard to follow, as each situation, along with its central character, is unique. We see the same story through many different lenses.Lastly, and I can’t stress it enough, I love that the lines between good and evil, while not completely rigid, are easy to see. I know who it is I want to win in the end.This second book continues the story of Liath, Sanglant and Alain. While their stories mostly run along different paths, eventually those path intersect in the struggle to retake the city of Gent. That battle will become the focal point of the story, as Liath, Sanglant, Alain, and many of the other characters are drawn into the fight. Their tales keeps you wondering—and reading. As much as I liked the first book, I loved this one. It’s definitely not going to take me another year to begin the next book in the series.
—Gilda Felt
There were a bunch of characters I really liked in this book, but I found that we did so much jumping between that it was hard to really get into any of their story lines. The author writes on just an epic scale that sometimes the little moments don't get the time they deserve. The reader is constantly being hurried into the next view point... for about 600 pages. I think I would have enjoyed this a little more if each of the points of view was kept a little longer, but this was still a fun read.*Having enjoyed other books by Kate Elliot I decided to give this one a go. I couldn't remember if I had read it or not, but ultimately I don't think I did (though perhaps another book in the Crown of Starts series).
—Omly
