Magic is infinite. Our ability to tap into it is not. - the hanged man
5/5 STARS |
Published: 12th June 2018 Original Review Date: 28th Jan 2019 I'm going to be posting some of my GoodReads reviews on this blog, and I figure there's no better place to start than with the first book in my favourite series. The Tarot Series is fantastic in every way and it lead me to The Hanged Man street team a few months ago, and that marked the start of an idea to create a website blog specifically for reviews. Without this series, I wouldn't be typing this post out right now. |
5/5 STARS
** spoiler alert ** OKAY SO HERES THE THING. I am so in love with this book I could cry. Right from the start I knew exactly how in love I was going to be, some books are just like that. The fact that I have to wait months for a sequel is ruining my life. I have so many questions! I need answers!
(I listened to the audiobook version so some name spellings might be off in this review. Also disclaimer: I literally just finished and threw all my feelings into this review so it might be a bit all over the place and no cohesive just bear with me haha).
So firstly, speaking of the audiobook version, hands down one of the best narrations of a fiction book i've ever had the pleasure to listen to. Josh Hurley was a perfect choice, each of his character voices was unique and recognisable and he has such a good grasp of their personalities that it shines through as he speaks them. I would say "my soul for Josh Hurley to narrate any and all sequels of this book!" but lets be honest my soul has already gone on bargaining for time to pass faster so I can read the sequel.
Secondly, the world building of this fantasy universe is one of the most unique i've ever seen in a book. The way the magic system works is intriguing, as is the hierarchical system at play in the background. It feels fully formed and fleshed out and the cast of characters completely enhance this. I loved every single one of them. (Well, the ones we're supposed to love anyway. Ashton can go die in a ditch for the rest of eternity). Addam, Quinn, Max, Queenie, Brand, The Tower, Kieran and, of course, Rune himself. They each have such a distinct personality and presence and they each add something beautiful to the novel, from Addam's enchantingly kind heart and lovable dancing to Brand's own personal brand (ha!) of humour and open devotion to Rune, who himself is a powerhouse of caring and, well, power.
And talking of Rune. I am forever torn between wanting to wrap him in a blanket and feed him animal crackers and standing off to one side holding his coat while he beats up everyone in his path for justice tbh. He can even beat me up if it'll make him feel better. The way his past is slowly revealed through his character arc is so well done and emotional. I NEED him to get justice for himself. I need him to vaporise every single one of the people who hurt him when he was younger. Brand and Addam can help of course.
Which leads me to relationships!
I won't talk about all of them because part of the joy of this book is seeing them unfold for yourself but seriously The Last Sun is a treasure trove of good relationships.
Brand and Rune, for example, have the most pure bond that i've read in recent memory. And I'll be 100% honest with you I really want them to end up romantic. Polyamoury for the win! Addam and Rune, Rune and Brand what could possibly go wrong! Don't get me wrong, It won't be disappointing in the slightest if they stay platonic, Rune himself says several times in the novel that it isn't like that between them (unless this is a case of protesting TOO much lmao) and platonic relationships are just as important, if not more so, than romantic ones so I can definitely see them as platonic best friends who would die for each other because at present that is exactly what they are.
They're the most important people in each others life and that isn't a romantic thing at the heart of it, BUT that doesn't mean it couldn't go that way. They might be entirely made up in my head but i definitely felt VIBES between them at times. It all depends on how the author wants to play it because either way would work and either way would work WELL, which is the best thing. Their love for each other is so well written in The Last Sun that they could do anything for the rest of the series and as long as they do it together i'd be like "Yeah okay!" and 100% happy to read about it haha. As long as they're okay I'M okay.
I love every single god damned interaction they have on paper. Their bond is the most beautiful thing about this book and its the thing i'll be spending the majority of my life wishing I had. From their snarky banter to their genuine, open way of showing their love, its perfect. Brand trusts Rune to be able to look after himself multiple times which is SO SO important, and he stands by him anyway, ready to come to his defence. Just because he can take care of himself doesn't mean he should have to, especially when Brand can do it for him with 100x the stealth power and his self professed body guard training school lmao.
Overall, in all honesty, I cannot find fault in this book other than now that i've finished it I need the sequel like I need air and since The Hanged Man isn't out for what feels like a lifetime it might end up the death of me haha. I bought The Last Sun as an audiobook because it's easier for me to listen to while I'm at work and these days I only tend to buy the physical copies of book I love because they tend to be more expensive, but i will 100% be getting the physical copy of this, and The Hanged Man, when it comes out. Also I heard that there are going to be 9 books in this series, which, if that's true then I have a new reason to stay alive on top of getting to play The Last of Us 2 and reading The Queen of Nothing next year lmao. Keep 'em coming K.D. Edwards, keep 'em coming.
(I'm not even joking i dont know what to do with myself now that it's done. I have forgotten how life works. I can't even think about picking up another book when I know it's going to pale in comparison i am the embodiment of the crying emoji).
Edited to add: my second read of this was just as good as my first one I can’t WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL
(I listened to the audiobook version so some name spellings might be off in this review. Also disclaimer: I literally just finished and threw all my feelings into this review so it might be a bit all over the place and no cohesive just bear with me haha).
So firstly, speaking of the audiobook version, hands down one of the best narrations of a fiction book i've ever had the pleasure to listen to. Josh Hurley was a perfect choice, each of his character voices was unique and recognisable and he has such a good grasp of their personalities that it shines through as he speaks them. I would say "my soul for Josh Hurley to narrate any and all sequels of this book!" but lets be honest my soul has already gone on bargaining for time to pass faster so I can read the sequel.
Secondly, the world building of this fantasy universe is one of the most unique i've ever seen in a book. The way the magic system works is intriguing, as is the hierarchical system at play in the background. It feels fully formed and fleshed out and the cast of characters completely enhance this. I loved every single one of them. (Well, the ones we're supposed to love anyway. Ashton can go die in a ditch for the rest of eternity). Addam, Quinn, Max, Queenie, Brand, The Tower, Kieran and, of course, Rune himself. They each have such a distinct personality and presence and they each add something beautiful to the novel, from Addam's enchantingly kind heart and lovable dancing to Brand's own personal brand (ha!) of humour and open devotion to Rune, who himself is a powerhouse of caring and, well, power.
And talking of Rune. I am forever torn between wanting to wrap him in a blanket and feed him animal crackers and standing off to one side holding his coat while he beats up everyone in his path for justice tbh. He can even beat me up if it'll make him feel better. The way his past is slowly revealed through his character arc is so well done and emotional. I NEED him to get justice for himself. I need him to vaporise every single one of the people who hurt him when he was younger. Brand and Addam can help of course.
Which leads me to relationships!
I won't talk about all of them because part of the joy of this book is seeing them unfold for yourself but seriously The Last Sun is a treasure trove of good relationships.
Brand and Rune, for example, have the most pure bond that i've read in recent memory. And I'll be 100% honest with you I really want them to end up romantic. Polyamoury for the win! Addam and Rune, Rune and Brand what could possibly go wrong! Don't get me wrong, It won't be disappointing in the slightest if they stay platonic, Rune himself says several times in the novel that it isn't like that between them (unless this is a case of protesting TOO much lmao) and platonic relationships are just as important, if not more so, than romantic ones so I can definitely see them as platonic best friends who would die for each other because at present that is exactly what they are.
They're the most important people in each others life and that isn't a romantic thing at the heart of it, BUT that doesn't mean it couldn't go that way. They might be entirely made up in my head but i definitely felt VIBES between them at times. It all depends on how the author wants to play it because either way would work and either way would work WELL, which is the best thing. Their love for each other is so well written in The Last Sun that they could do anything for the rest of the series and as long as they do it together i'd be like "Yeah okay!" and 100% happy to read about it haha. As long as they're okay I'M okay.
I love every single god damned interaction they have on paper. Their bond is the most beautiful thing about this book and its the thing i'll be spending the majority of my life wishing I had. From their snarky banter to their genuine, open way of showing their love, its perfect. Brand trusts Rune to be able to look after himself multiple times which is SO SO important, and he stands by him anyway, ready to come to his defence. Just because he can take care of himself doesn't mean he should have to, especially when Brand can do it for him with 100x the stealth power and his self professed body guard training school lmao.
Overall, in all honesty, I cannot find fault in this book other than now that i've finished it I need the sequel like I need air and since The Hanged Man isn't out for what feels like a lifetime it might end up the death of me haha. I bought The Last Sun as an audiobook because it's easier for me to listen to while I'm at work and these days I only tend to buy the physical copies of book I love because they tend to be more expensive, but i will 100% be getting the physical copy of this, and The Hanged Man, when it comes out. Also I heard that there are going to be 9 books in this series, which, if that's true then I have a new reason to stay alive on top of getting to play The Last of Us 2 and reading The Queen of Nothing next year lmao. Keep 'em coming K.D. Edwards, keep 'em coming.
(I'm not even joking i dont know what to do with myself now that it's done. I have forgotten how life works. I can't even think about picking up another book when I know it's going to pale in comparison i am the embodiment of the crying emoji).
Edited to add: my second read of this was just as good as my first one I can’t WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL
|
Reviewer
26. Capricorn. INFP. Hufflepuff.
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