With all the plotting and schemes going on, one would be forgiven for not giving apt credit to the excellent world-building. Being a fan of Feist's former series set in this world, it's once again delightful to read about the cultures and peoples of Tsurani.
Our hero has lots of adventures as she rises through the ranks in a bid to prove herself to allies and foes alike. This first part of the book is fast-paced. Time flies as a lot of character development goes on.
The main characters resume their atrocious acts with barely any hint by the author as to purpose. Even as you read on, things only become mildly clearer. The only obvious thing is that there's conflict, on a very large scale at that.
The scenes featuring the Bonehunters are rather comic, as well as revealing a great deal about their origins. There are a number of connections to be made, between different characters, historical events, peoples, and gods, the deciphering of which proves a puzzling delight for readers.
Robert Jordan has brought literary realism to a totally new level. A pity the author had to die when he did. His writing is simply unique!
In this book, it's easy to see, analyse and weigh the merits of careful character-building that sacrifices plot acceleration for vivid literary realism, against simple plot progression.
A Little Hatred reads as an introductory piece into the lives of all the major characters who are youth, straining at the leashes of their guardians, and have been thrust into situations they seem quite unprepared for.
The book is a healthy mash of good meets evil to compromise in the face of a greater evil, love, jealousy, action, and spells. It even features an exposé into hell politics
Echoes and Empires does away with all the tropes, infusing the grim ruthlessness that is Morgan Rhodes's unique signature: suspense like no other!
Annabeth was a bitch almost throughout the book. I just do not get her loyalty to Luke despite everything, and I wonder why Percy even puts up with that.
I might add that several elements of The Darkness That Comes Before call to mind those of Paul Kearney's Monarchies of God
Daniel T. Jackson pummels, stuns, and enthralls in a debut so good it could've come from the most seasoned pros and legends of Epic Fantasy.
