16 Dec Feeling the LOVE for KDT
Audible released its list of Highest Rated Audiobooks of 2016. The list includes audiobooks across all genres. Guess who made the list at #3!
Thank you to all the listeners/readers who expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm for the series by leaving an Audible or Amazon review and/or rating. (If you haven’t done so, it would still be greatly appreciated!)
Special thanks to Nick Podehl for his amazing performance, Chris McGrath for the stunning cover art, and Podium Publishing for producing an excellent product!
Caleb
Posted at 00:18h, 19 MarchI can see where you might have tired of the characters, but here’s why I think they were effective (not perfect). Tam and Frisha allowed Kade to weave in a bit of betrayal without getting all weird. I’ll leave you to decide what would be “weird” in a high fantasy book. Interactions with Tam and Frisha also underscore how our fantastic hero has a few childish beliefs about human relations due to his isolation. Probably the best hook to the story is in the marriage of Rez’s complete invulnerability in the realms of strategy, war, and social manipulations with the childish simplicity of a mind not yet versed in basic emotional intelligence. The notion that his “friends” are some secret assignment leads to disregard for any personal cost in their respect and honor, creating a selflessness that puts him above reproach for the reader. His unfamiliarity with the feelings tied to real interpersonal communications creates the paradox of a seasoned killer who is fresh as a daisy with something as simple as caring for a jealous girlfriend or getting pissed at a friend who calls you out in public. Tam and Frisha are an important part of fleshing out the book’s premise of locking a boy in a practice room for nineteen years.
Sorry you got bogged down. My amateur literary analysis won’t help, but I really feel Kade did a good job using them to develop the character 🙂
Totally agree that fooling the nobles was a fun change of pace!
Book 2 did drag just a bit for me in the beginning, but that’s because writers have to assume you need a refresher or maybe you didn’t read the first book.
I am also looking forward to seeing the disparate roles all come together. The story moved faster than I expected, though it’s probably for the best (don’t want to do ‘the dragons are coming’ move from GRR Martin). I had thought that the book would rely a bit more on the side developments, like turning the criminal underground into a spy ring that takes down corrupt officials. I definitely didn’t expect the king to go mad so quickly. It’s fun. It’s like a video game, right? Rezkin picking up all these interesting characters along the way. I have to admit, I’m always a bit disappointed when a secret identity gets revealed, though it had to happen. I hope the story stays unique. It’s easy, once a character’s unusual past is dealt with, to just march towards a conclusion like every other book. Kade wouldn’t do that to us though! Can’t wait for book 3!
James
Posted at 18:56h, 17 MarchOk, to be honest, book bogged down a bit in the middle. The initial hook of Rez as a small man was intriguing but the awkwardness with Tam and FrIsha wore on me a bit (between books 1 & 2). However, the change in the young nobles and the astute observations of Wesson were expertly woven into the story. I’m glad I pressed on because book 2 was epic and quite frankly riveting. I’m very much looking forward to book 3.
I thought that Sheila was being set up to be a spoiler of the true king but the surprise at the tournament and arrest of her parents may change that. We shall see. It will be interesting to see how Rez consolidates his power base and what his role as the Raven will be. He has an underworld empire, a northern tribe, 3 strikers and a core group of friends. How does one man pull together so many disparate roles and groups?
Peter Butler
Posted at 02:13h, 13 FebruaryI think I may have already praised these books on here. But I’ll risk redundancy. I am reading these for a second time now and am ecstatic for their conclusion. I loved how KDT picked right up from the first, without missing a beat and without summarizing every detail. I’ve read the poem of the Rez numerous times and still get chills. It was an awesome way to begin. I have been seriously upset about having to wait for Kvothe’s conclusion in the Kingkiller ‘trilogy’, but your third coming out has me more excited. I’m placing your books on the forefront of my shelf. They won’t become another series I forget the plot of. I can’t wait to see how Rezkin unleashes his wrath and leaves people in awe. I’m giddy with anticipation. Well done, sir. Well done.
A.J.
Posted at 15:38h, 10 FebruaryI have not taken the time to read a book a second time in a long time. I even listened to the audiobooks and I can not wait for the third book. You have done a great job and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment of the series. Congratulations and thank you.
soulxlight
Posted at 23:31h, 21 FebruaryI’ve read this book so many times it’s actually kinda sad lol.