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A review by whatsheread
Warrior of Legend by Kendare Blake
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
You know that feeling when you are reading a book, and you don't want to stop reading because the story is so good but you don't want to keep reading either because you are an emotional wreck and slightly afraid of what the author has in store for the characters you have grown to love? The feeling that leaves you positively buzzed upon finishing the book, unwilling to pick up something new to make that feeling last longer? That reader's high we hope to achieve with every book we open? That is my experience with Kendare Blake's WARRIOR OF LEGEND.
While I thought the first book in the Heromaker duology was good and kept my interest enough to want to finish the series, WARRIOR OF LEGEND blew my mind. I was unprepared for the emotional roller coaster that would become Reed's story. Ms. Blake is not kind to her heroines, and Reed's journey is rough. While the current conclusion of that journey did not make me happy, I understand why it had to happen. There was no other ending that would fit who Reed becomes by the end of the novel. Plus, I console myself that Ms. Blake leaves certain threads open for the possibility of further stories in this world.
Filled with action and adventure, love, prophecy, magic, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, WARRIOR OF LEGEND is most impressive because there is not one single character who is a shining beacon of morality and goodness. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has acted in a way that others would consider evil. It makes for an interesting character study because how do you know the main character is truly the hero? Nothing is easy in Reed's world, particularly if you attempt to break down its characters into good and bad categories.
While so much of WARRIOR OF LEGEND is dark and emotionally taxing, there are moments of fun as well. All of Reed's interactions with Hestion are bright spots. But her attempts to be a matchmaker are the truly entertaining moments of the story. Everything about those scenes, from the outfit with bells to her attempts at coquetry and femininity are fantastic and do much to ease some of the heaviness of the overarching story.
The Heromake duology may start slowly, but I assure you that with WARRIOR OF LEGEND, it ends with a bang. I've been an admirer of Ms. Blake's books for some time now, but with her latest, I think she truly shines. She may put her characters through the wringer, but she does so with a purpose that never feels false or forced. Her minor characters are equally as engaging and memorable. Her world-building is exacting without detracting from the action or plot progression. Lastly, her ability to get you to feel empathy for people who are simply not good is outstanding. As the last book I read for 2024, I have to say I certainly ended the year on the highest of reading highs.
While I thought the first book in the Heromaker duology was good and kept my interest enough to want to finish the series, WARRIOR OF LEGEND blew my mind. I was unprepared for the emotional roller coaster that would become Reed's story. Ms. Blake is not kind to her heroines, and Reed's journey is rough. While the current conclusion of that journey did not make me happy, I understand why it had to happen. There was no other ending that would fit who Reed becomes by the end of the novel. Plus, I console myself that Ms. Blake leaves certain threads open for the possibility of further stories in this world.
Filled with action and adventure, love, prophecy, magic, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, WARRIOR OF LEGEND is most impressive because there is not one single character who is a shining beacon of morality and goodness. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has acted in a way that others would consider evil. It makes for an interesting character study because how do you know the main character is truly the hero? Nothing is easy in Reed's world, particularly if you attempt to break down its characters into good and bad categories.
While so much of WARRIOR OF LEGEND is dark and emotionally taxing, there are moments of fun as well. All of Reed's interactions with Hestion are bright spots. But her attempts to be a matchmaker are the truly entertaining moments of the story. Everything about those scenes, from the outfit with bells to her attempts at coquetry and femininity are fantastic and do much to ease some of the heaviness of the overarching story.
The Heromake duology may start slowly, but I assure you that with WARRIOR OF LEGEND, it ends with a bang. I've been an admirer of Ms. Blake's books for some time now, but with her latest, I think she truly shines. She may put her characters through the wringer, but she does so with a purpose that never feels false or forced. Her minor characters are equally as engaging and memorable. Her world-building is exacting without detracting from the action or plot progression. Lastly, her ability to get you to feel empathy for people who are simply not good is outstanding. As the last book I read for 2024, I have to say I certainly ended the year on the highest of reading highs.