Note: spoilers for the book. I first read this book many years ago, and since then have reread it multiple times. At first I took a while to finish, finding it slow. After doing so however I have never felt the same again. It has a good protagonist, with a fast-paced, engaging plot and fine worldbuilding. That said, I didn't like some elements. For instance, the climax falls flat somewhat in my opinion. It was one thing for Nolan not wishing he's king, but he doesn't even undo his homeland's conquest. King Terrell, the conqueror, seems to be forgiven very easily as well. Yeah, he's a nice man in person, but he still did this and never faces any consequences. It's also never made clear what happened with Nolan's family. Were their murders actually ordered by someone high up, or did the soldiers just learn of their claim to the Hamisian throne, then murdered them on their own? Also, since Nolan is portrayed as seeing all that happens while in the cellar or something, this is a bit puzzling. He's never portrayed capable of magic or something, so how did he apparently see through walls? I only noticed these on a reread, but since then it's detracted from what was otherwise good.
Literature Compelling, but still flawed.
Note: spoilers for the book. I first read this book many years ago, and since then have reread it multiple times. At first I took a while to finish, finding it slow. After doing so however I have never felt the same again. It has a good protagonist, with a fast-paced, engaging plot and fine worldbuilding. That said, I didn't like some elements. For instance, the climax falls flat somewhat in my opinion. It was one thing for Nolan not wishing he's king, but he doesn't even undo his homeland's conquest. King Terrell, the conqueror, seems to be forgiven very easily as well. Yeah, he's a nice man in person, but he still did this and never faces any consequences. It's also never made clear what happened with Nolan's family. Were their murders actually ordered by someone high up, or did the soldiers just learn of their claim to the Hamisian throne, then murdered them on their own? Also, since Nolan is portrayed as seeing all that happens while in the cellar or something, this is a bit puzzling. He's never portrayed capable of magic or something, so how did he apparently see through walls? I only noticed these on a reread, but since then it's detracted from what was otherwise good.