I bought Empire of the Vampire because of your recommendation and it's now one of my favorites! And this sounds right up my alley so I'm picking up book 1 this week. Can't wait!
I am so happy to see your review. I think this series deserves more attention. I dont think I have ever felt as much fear for characters as I felt in this series. Coming across those gods and the conversion was absolutely frightening. Yeh there is that "one scene" but the psychological stuff was prob the creepiest. Great review!
It was proper brutal, and I agree the romance elements didn't work for me, but the romance was such a small part comparatively that it didn't bother me. I read the first two back to back and flew through them. But waiting for the last book was a bit of a challenge to get mentally back into the world, and remember all the back history, so I think you did the right thing being able to read them all together. It's an amazing start for a new author. And having met her at a book signing she seems like such a lovely person too (not a requirement but always a bonus).
I just finished this series and absolutely loved it. I do have to disagree though in that this series is absolutely grimdark. I even saw this series on a grimdark list with other books and it was very highly rated.
I have purchased this whole trilogy I got the whole thing ebook real cheap all at once a couple years ago I started book one at one time it was kind of getting into it the first fifty or so pages but another book that I had been really excited for got released so it got put on the back burner after watching your review really have to put it a little closer on my TBR list I'm somewhat new to your Channel I've been subscribed for a while I Dig your style pretty similar to mine you and the other booktubers that I watch a lot Petrik and Matt you three guys are probably my favorite you three all have pretty similar taste in books so I watched most of y'all's videos for reference anyway great video keep up the great content
I’m a third in on the first book. It was going along rather nicely until I got to that chapter, and I was like, holy shit! You know what chapter if you’ve read it. I’m all in and can’t wait to see what happens next.
You really know how to sell a series, Mike. I don't think this is one I'd have stumbled upon on my own. I followed your progress with Godblind journey, but this review is what convinced me to add to my TBR (and soon make purchase. Gotta check prices/availability)
Unfortunately this series just didn’t work for me :/ I will say if you were lukewarm or more positive about Godblind her new series Song of the Drowned is much better!
On other note I just want to say thank you mike because of you I started reading the first law trilogy and I'm finished with the blade itself and I'm enjoying it.
picked up the trilogy since you seemed to like it, but struggled getting into it. with most of the characters having the same ‘voice’’, and some pretty unrealistic interactions... i had to shelf it for now. i hoped that when you’d likened her to abercrombie and gwynne, that it was in writing quality as well as tone... thanks for the video mike!
I kind of had this feeling too at first but the characters do get better defined as the story continues on. Yea it feels like a writer's first book, but by the end she had hooked me and the short chapters made it an easy read.
Thanks for the review Mike have been looking at reading this series I have all the Abercrombie /Gwynne / Anthony Ryan books currently reading Book 2 Shackled Fates by Thilde Kold Holdt so going to pickup God blind next
Waited for this review so long 😍 I love that you also read not so well known fantasy series :) It's in my list for such a long time and now I'm finally going to read it :) do you want to read her newest book too?:)
I liked the first book, the following two were pretty ok. Her book following that trilogy, The Stone Knife, wasn’t for me. I would read Godblind again though.
I got the feeling that things were written to be brutal just for the fact of being dark. It kind of felt like nihilism in my opinion. Also THE RELATIONSHIP and everything that happened because of it was just me rolling my eyes the whole time because of how poorly it was done. And honestly the Tara pov in the last book was the only thing that saved it for me. It was good enough for me to want to check out her other series though.
The covers convinced me to buy this trilogy and you convinced me to read them,just don't know when I will have the time 😅.I have read The First Law and loved it but I haven't read ASOIAF and I'm curious to ask you something: would you say that Abercrombie is better than George RR Martin as character work and dialogue goes?
If you ever interview Stephens, could you give her the middle finger for me? And then tell her I loved the trilogy and will definitely be reading more from her.
I was literally just checking these books out and I come on TH-cam and you have just uploaded a review for me lol, thank you.
The universe is talking to you.
I bought Empire of the Vampire because of your recommendation and it's now one of my favorites! And this sounds right up my alley so I'm picking up book 1 this week. Can't wait!
I am so happy to see your review. I think this series deserves more attention. I dont think I have ever felt as much fear for characters as I felt in this series. Coming across those gods and the conversion was absolutely frightening. Yeh there is that "one scene" but the psychological stuff was prob the creepiest. Great review!
Maureen, thank you I've been saying that from the moment I read it. Doesn't get anywhere near the love it deserves!
It was proper brutal, and I agree the romance elements didn't work for me, but the romance was such a small part comparatively that it didn't bother me. I read the first two back to back and flew through them. But waiting for the last book was a bit of a challenge to get mentally back into the world, and remember all the back history, so I think you did the right thing being able to read them all together.
It's an amazing start for a new author. And having met her at a book signing she seems like such a lovely person too (not a requirement but always a bonus).
Didn't have the luxury of reading them back to back... As have been a fan from when I picked the first book up when released... One hell of a wait!
The wait between book 2 and 3 would have been misery.
@@mikesbookreviews Certainly was ..
Great review! I guess this is gonna be another series on my endless TBR reviews..
okay. It's on the list. The list is huge, but she's on there.
I just finished this series and absolutely loved it. I do have to disagree though in that this series is absolutely grimdark. I even saw this series on a grimdark list with other books and it was very highly rated.
I have purchased this whole trilogy I got the whole thing ebook real cheap all at once a couple years ago I started book one at one time it was kind of getting into it the first fifty or so pages but another book that I had been really excited for got released so it got put on the back burner after watching your review really have to put it a little closer on my TBR list I'm somewhat new to your Channel I've been subscribed for a while I Dig your style pretty similar to mine you and the other booktubers that I watch a lot Petrik and Matt you three guys are probably my favorite you three all have pretty similar taste in books so I watched most of y'all's videos for reference anyway great video keep up the great content
Loved the review, and as a First Law + Faithful and the Fallen fan, seems like I gotta pick these up!
Great back and forth dialog is my jam. I will have to put this on my tbr. Thanks for spoiler free review Mike. Always enjoy your content.
I’m a third in on the first book. It was going along rather nicely until I got to that chapter, and I was like, holy shit! You know what chapter if you’ve read it. I’m all in and can’t wait to see what happens next.
can you tell me with a spoiler warning what happens?
@@LeonC0704 *spoiler* a very violent death and betrayal
Oh yes, when THAT happened it was a "oh shit" moment.
Loved this so much! One of my favorite reads of 2021
Hey, stranger! Haven't seen you in awhile.
Still alive.... still alive
Dammit Mike. Now I have to rearrange my TBR. Just finishing Legacy of Steel then I am going to jump on Godblind.
I’m glad you are putting this out, so this (in my view) great series can hopefully reach a bigger audience
You really know how to sell a series, Mike. I don't think this is one I'd have stumbled upon on my own. I followed your progress with Godblind journey, but this review is what convinced me to add to my TBR (and soon make purchase. Gotta check prices/availability)
Unfortunately this series just didn’t work for me :/ I will say if you were lukewarm or more positive about Godblind her new series Song of the Drowned is much better!
Thanks for the recommendation Mike! Sounds like up my alley and I’m always looking for new writers to try out. The series is in the post now!
Sounds awesome, convinced me to check it out in the future
Read this series last year - was okay, but it didn't blow my socks off.
Does anyone recommend the three body problem. I just read the Hyperion cantos and was pretty impressed.
I’ve liked the video, but need to read the third book in February before I watch your review!
On other note I just want to say thank you mike because of you I started reading the first law trilogy and I'm finished with the blade itself and I'm enjoying it.
Another series added to the list for me to check out
picked up the trilogy since you seemed to like it, but struggled getting into it. with most of the characters having the same ‘voice’’, and some pretty unrealistic interactions... i had to shelf it for now.
i hoped that when you’d likened her to abercrombie and gwynne, that it was in writing quality as well as tone...
thanks for the video mike!
I kind of had this feeling too at first but the characters do get better defined as the story continues on. Yea it feels like a writer's first book, but by the end she had hooked me and the short chapters made it an easy read.
Thank you for your review on the series. Sounds like an interesting read. I did like The Blade Itself. Would give it about a 9 out of 10.
Thanks for the review Mike have been looking at reading this series I have all the Abercrombie /Gwynne / Anthony Ryan books currently reading Book 2 Shackled Fates by Thilde Kold Holdt so going to pickup God blind next
I will definitely give it a try. I don't know when, but I will
I very much enjoyed this series. I agree. I wasn't expecting to like Mace as much as I did. I'd definitely read more from Anna Stephens.
I've moved this series up on my TBR, they sound great! I've got to read First Law first though, I'm so behind 😅
The first law trilogy is good and it only gets better with the standalone books and the age of madness trilogy
I need a comprehensive list of all grimmdark books/comics 😄
I will be reading the first book in February I have only seen one review about this series
Nice review, I read these about a year ago and thought they were excellent. Definitely worth a read if you like your grimdark
It was the “Who hurt you Ms Stephens?” For me 😂
Thanks for the review
Mike, I have never wanted to be punched in the balls repeatedly. Thanks, Mac.
Sounds like a read I might find interesting. Will have to add the series to my TBR list. Anything lost by reading it on Kindle eg. maps etc ?
The only spoilers you’ll get is the first beer on me at The Bearded Fox!!!
Family let the door hang open
Yay reviews!!
Waited for this review so long 😍 I love that you also read not so well known fantasy series :) It's in my list for such a long time and now I'm finally going to read it :) do you want to read her newest book too?:)
Read the first book and found it boring, never cared for any of the characters I would give it a 2 out of 10
That intro!!! 😂😂😂
Fine! I'll read it.
Just finished the first audiobook and I liked it quite a lot.
Should I continue the series?
I guess that depends how much you liked it.
I liked the first book, the following two were pretty ok. Her book following that trilogy, The Stone Knife, wasn’t for me. I would read Godblind again though.
I got the feeling that things were written to be brutal just for the fact of being dark. It kind of felt like nihilism in my opinion. Also THE RELATIONSHIP and everything that happened because of it was just me rolling my eyes the whole time because of how poorly it was done. And honestly the Tara pov in the last book was the only thing that saved it for me. It was good enough for me to want to check out her other series though.
The covers convinced me to buy this trilogy and you convinced me to read them,just don't know when I will have the time 😅.I have read The First Law and loved it but I haven't read ASOIAF and I'm curious to ask you something: would you say that Abercrombie is better than George RR Martin as character work and dialogue goes?
Nobody compares to grrms character work and I absolutely love Abercrombie.
@@ataridc Too bad he doesn't write anyone 😅.
If you ever interview Stephens, could you give her the middle finger for me? And then tell her I loved the trilogy and will definitely be reading more from her.
Welp I know what I am reading in February.
:D