[4BR]≫ Read Gratis Skullsworn A Novel in the World of The Emperor Blades Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Book 4 eBook Brian Staveley

Skullsworn A Novel in the World of The Emperor Blades Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Book 4 eBook Brian Staveley

Download As PDF : Skullsworn A Novel in the World of The Emperor Blades Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Book 4 eBook Brian Staveley

Skullsworn A Novel in the World of The Emperor Blades Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Book 4 eBook Brian Staveley

Because Skullsworn takes place chronologically before the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne trilogy, you can read it before or after. I feel like it’s best read after, because some of the reveals near the end of the book don’t pack the same punch without some of the knowledge you get from the main trilogy. I may be biased in this recommendation, however, as I almost always recommend reading books in publication order. Regardless, if you haven’t read the main trilogy, and are looking for a shorter, less intimidating entry point into the world of the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Skullsworn is a great place to start.

If I were to actually make a complaint about the book, it’s that, in comparison to the previous books that Staveley has written, the tension is a little lower. I think this is because there was only one main character, and we already know what’s going to happen to her. In addition, she doesn’t care that much if she dies, since she’s already a devotee of the death god. Also, there are no empire-shaking plots going on here, merely personal ones, throughout most of the book.

The other complaint I can see being leveled at Skullsworn is that it’s much shorter than the rest of Staveley’s novels. While I would call the original trilogy epic, I don’t think that Skullsworn meets the criteria. It’s a personal quest story, and as such, it’s the right length. I feel like trying to make the book longer by adding unnecessary complications or words would have made it a worse book. I don’t have any complaints about the length other than that I’m once again out of Staveley to read, and I have to go back to waiting for the next one!

Pyrre is a very different viewpoint character than any that Brian has written before. While Kaden can attain some measure of calm, and Valyn is trained to kill, neither of them reach the levels of cold-blooded apathy that Pyrre ascends to in her devotion to Ananshael. This could make for a very boring character – someone who just wanders around and kills people – in the hands of an amateur, but Staveley is anything but an amateur. In his hands, Pyrre had wants, desires, and needs. She is on a quest, her own kind of twisted coming of age story, and while the “life or death” part of the quest doesn’t hold the same pull as it might for another character, it still makes for a compelling narrative, and gives the book a definite sense of progress. In addition, Pyrre learns a lot about herself during the book, and the lessons and her character growth are brilliantly done.

It’s not Pyrre who really sold the book for me, though. It was the ending. While I was enjoying the book throughout, as a very good book that was a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable, I’ll admit, before the ending, I was thinking I was going to give the book four stars.

And then the ending happened.

I can’t really say much other than that it was epic and way better than I had anticipated or thought possible. YOU NEED TO READ IT.

In summary, while Skullsworn follows a single character, and one who is a challenge to make interesting, it pulls this off very well. It’s the right length for the story that it is trying to tell, and the ending packs a massive punch. While I felt that the ending was even better because I read the original trilogy first, Skullsworn can be read at any time, and I think you’ll love it regardless. I give it five of five stars, and very high recommendations. Now go read it so I have someone to discuss it with!

Review originally from my blog, Mental Megalodon.


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Skullsworn A Novel in the World of The Emperor Blades Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne Book 4 eBook Brian Staveley Reviews

Average Joe's review

This book is a standalone novel about a character from the unhewn thrown trilogy doing her initiation to become a skullsworn(assassin).

The entire novel is set in a city with a little bit of exploration around the edges but for the most part the settings just felt stagnant. The protagonist is just 'alright', a far shot from being the merciless, dead-eyed killer from the trilogy I was expecting to read about. I went in expecting bada** adventures and mischief and while there were a few thrilling moments, the whole thing fell flat, including the ending.

3/5
HOLY MOTHER OF ALL THINGS SACRED. Brain Staveley wrote one of his best books with Skullsworn. I was very interested in this one because it follows one of my favorite characters from the Unhewn Throne, Pyrre, and boy did it deliver. Not only was this book so cohesive it was so well written. Honestly never would have thought to compare being in love and becoming an assassin, but after reading this I can totally 100% see the similarities. Not sure if I would have ever put the two together.

As with all of Brian Staveley's works, the world building is just so top notch. I would definitely say he is on par with Sanderson and McClellan (based on the authors whose adult fantasy series I have read). We already had a pretty solid foundation this being a prequel to the original trilogy, but I did love the little insight we got in what it means to be a Skullsworn.

Now in Staveley's previous works my biggest critique was always pacing issues. Not the case in this one and I think it helped that this novel was just a little over 300 pages. The story moved at a nice brisk pace and I was never bored. Also not sure if I ever mentioned it before in my other reviews, but I will do so now. Staveley can write some great humor. I wasn't expecting that at all. I would literally find myself at times laughing out loud.

I enjoyed my time with this so much and I am so looking forward to what Staveley has in store for us next.
This is easily my favorite of Staveley's books. He went and did something remarkable--he wrote a book where some characters I really like are killed, and yet I am perfectly fine with it. I can't express how strange it is for me to be able to enjoy that sort of tragedy. I am a feel-good reader; tell me that some of the good guys die and I'll likely pass on reading the book. But damn! This manages to be a page-turning feel-good book through and through, even with all the killing. And how? Staveley gives Pyrre a philosophy that is counter to much of our modern sense of right and wrong--and then he sells it. It's believable, it makes sense. I can buy into it. It's a true philosophical feat. Staveley demonstrates in this page-turning fantasy novel a depth of writing that causes the reader to reconsider classic assumptions about the value of living--and the acceptance of death. What else? It's big, it's heroic. The characters are incredibly badass. And the fight scenes are the type that make you tear up from the glory. Damn fine book.
Because Skullsworn takes place chronologically before the Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne trilogy, you can read it before or after. I feel like it’s best read after, because some of the reveals near the end of the book don’t pack the same punch without some of the knowledge you get from the main trilogy. I may be biased in this recommendation, however, as I almost always recommend reading books in publication order. Regardless, if you haven’t read the main trilogy, and are looking for a shorter, less intimidating entry point into the world of the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Skullsworn is a great place to start.

If I were to actually make a complaint about the book, it’s that, in comparison to the previous books that Staveley has written, the tension is a little lower. I think this is because there was only one main character, and we already know what’s going to happen to her. In addition, she doesn’t care that much if she dies, since she’s already a devotee of the death god. Also, there are no empire-shaking plots going on here, merely personal ones, throughout most of the book.

The other complaint I can see being leveled at Skullsworn is that it’s much shorter than the rest of Staveley’s novels. While I would call the original trilogy epic, I don’t think that Skullsworn meets the criteria. It’s a personal quest story, and as such, it’s the right length. I feel like trying to make the book longer by adding unnecessary complications or words would have made it a worse book. I don’t have any complaints about the length other than that I’m once again out of Staveley to read, and I have to go back to waiting for the next one!

Pyrre is a very different viewpoint character than any that Brian has written before. While Kaden can attain some measure of calm, and Valyn is trained to kill, neither of them reach the levels of cold-blooded apathy that Pyrre ascends to in her devotion to Ananshael. This could make for a very boring character – someone who just wanders around and kills people – in the hands of an amateur, but Staveley is anything but an amateur. In his hands, Pyrre had wants, desires, and needs. She is on a quest, her own kind of twisted coming of age story, and while the “life or death” part of the quest doesn’t hold the same pull as it might for another character, it still makes for a compelling narrative, and gives the book a definite sense of progress. In addition, Pyrre learns a lot about herself during the book, and the lessons and her character growth are brilliantly done.

It’s not Pyrre who really sold the book for me, though. It was the ending. While I was enjoying the book throughout, as a very good book that was a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable, I’ll admit, before the ending, I was thinking I was going to give the book four stars.

And then the ending happened.

I can’t really say much other than that it was epic and way better than I had anticipated or thought possible. YOU NEED TO READ IT.

In summary, while Skullsworn follows a single character, and one who is a challenge to make interesting, it pulls this off very well. It’s the right length for the story that it is trying to tell, and the ending packs a massive punch. While I felt that the ending was even better because I read the original trilogy first, Skullsworn can be read at any time, and I think you’ll love it regardless. I give it five of five stars, and very high recommendations. Now go read it so I have someone to discuss it with!

Review originally from my blog, Mental Megalodon.