Review of Nightlord: Sunset
-
Darrell G King
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 05 May 2023, 10:39
- Currently Reading: Nightlord
- Bookshelf Size: 37
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-darrell-g-king.html
- Latest Review: Nightlord: Sunset by Garon Whited
Review of Nightlord: Sunset
[Following is a volunteer review of "Nightlord: Sunset" by Garon Whited.]
Putting it on the table right away, I really enjoyed this book and rate it a 4 out of 5. I was not expecting the first book of the series to be as rewarding as it was, so the experience left me one happy reader.
Mixing the good and the bad, I was initially hesitant when the main premise of the story took off in a few paragraphs before I even got to know the protagonist. I like getting into the action fairly quickly, but jumping right in can be disorienting. Thankfully, the author was up to the risk this time as the characters subsequently began fleshing out while avoiding superficiality. I still wished I had some history with the protagonist before reaching the events opening the book as this could have drawn me into the initial existential conflicts more deeply. Despite briefly glancing back wistfully at the lack, however, I quickly began to care about the central character enough to leave it behind and became immersed in the flow, so the approach ended up working for me.
Speaking of the hero, I admit to feeling he was a little too heroic throughout. Not overwhelmingly so, since I was also treated to the portrayal of a man who had to work toward resolving values conflicts even when things went his way. Just skirting the edges of the superhero image. He blundered and triumphed, excelled and triumphed, loved and triumphed, lost and triumphed. He bordered on being too triumphant and probably should have had more time crawling through human mud with the rest of us, even to the point of defining failures. Still, he did struggle with trauma, tragedy and tangled relationships, making tactical errors while strategically remaining unerringly on course, so it was not a ridiculously free ride for him. Battles were lost and so were important people, but he continued the larger-than-life charge with nary a skip in step. I guess it can be hard for us lesser mortals to fully empathize with such consistent heroism.
Supporting characters were a little less thoroughly solidified than the main man, which may be partially attributable to the first-person perspective. They did have detail enough to enrich the experience and to exist beyond the main character's impressions. I cared about these people and was often more scared for them than for the storyteller, which added depth to the tale. As with the quick start, I was left a little hungry for more fleshing-out without the lack derailing the story.
The Kindle version I read was well edited, free of any typos that I noticed and lacking any graphical wallowing in profanity, gore or intimate moments. It flowed smoothly and free of technical distractions. Plus, refreshingly, the focus was on telling the story and not attempts to rope readers in with shock value. Kudos to the entire production team for a professional and entertaining product.
Summarizing, I would recommend a bit more time with the human beings and maybe the broader struggle could be a little less neat for the protagonist. Despite this, I had a great time on the adventure, often left in anxious suspense over the fate of sidekicks and grinning happily at each little victory that unfolded along the way. At one point I even felt the novel had jumped it genre tracks and the resulting tack jolted me off balance in welcome surprise. I am eager to see if more time with the people will bring out new traits and depth. I intend to read the next in the series to find out. If the promise of the first is upheld, I will helplessly continue through them all!
******
Nightlord: Sunset
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Putting it on the table right away, I really enjoyed this book and rate it a 4 out of 5. I was not expecting the first book of the series to be as rewarding as it was, so the experience left me one happy reader.
Mixing the good and the bad, I was initially hesitant when the main premise of the story took off in a few paragraphs before I even got to know the protagonist. I like getting into the action fairly quickly, but jumping right in can be disorienting. Thankfully, the author was up to the risk this time as the characters subsequently began fleshing out while avoiding superficiality. I still wished I had some history with the protagonist before reaching the events opening the book as this could have drawn me into the initial existential conflicts more deeply. Despite briefly glancing back wistfully at the lack, however, I quickly began to care about the central character enough to leave it behind and became immersed in the flow, so the approach ended up working for me.
Speaking of the hero, I admit to feeling he was a little too heroic throughout. Not overwhelmingly so, since I was also treated to the portrayal of a man who had to work toward resolving values conflicts even when things went his way. Just skirting the edges of the superhero image. He blundered and triumphed, excelled and triumphed, loved and triumphed, lost and triumphed. He bordered on being too triumphant and probably should have had more time crawling through human mud with the rest of us, even to the point of defining failures. Still, he did struggle with trauma, tragedy and tangled relationships, making tactical errors while strategically remaining unerringly on course, so it was not a ridiculously free ride for him. Battles were lost and so were important people, but he continued the larger-than-life charge with nary a skip in step. I guess it can be hard for us lesser mortals to fully empathize with such consistent heroism.
Supporting characters were a little less thoroughly solidified than the main man, which may be partially attributable to the first-person perspective. They did have detail enough to enrich the experience and to exist beyond the main character's impressions. I cared about these people and was often more scared for them than for the storyteller, which added depth to the tale. As with the quick start, I was left a little hungry for more fleshing-out without the lack derailing the story.
The Kindle version I read was well edited, free of any typos that I noticed and lacking any graphical wallowing in profanity, gore or intimate moments. It flowed smoothly and free of technical distractions. Plus, refreshingly, the focus was on telling the story and not attempts to rope readers in with shock value. Kudos to the entire production team for a professional and entertaining product.
Summarizing, I would recommend a bit more time with the human beings and maybe the broader struggle could be a little less neat for the protagonist. Despite this, I had a great time on the adventure, often left in anxious suspense over the fate of sidekicks and grinning happily at each little victory that unfolded along the way. At one point I even felt the novel had jumped it genre tracks and the resulting tack jolted me off balance in welcome surprise. I am eager to see if more time with the people will bring out new traits and depth. I intend to read the next in the series to find out. If the promise of the first is upheld, I will helplessly continue through them all!
******
Nightlord: Sunset
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Nightlord: Sunset by Garon Whited
