Assessment:

Plot: This epic fantasy novel would benefit from a clearer focus, and a more developed plot. While often gripping, the story might be enhanced through more dramatic tension, worldbuilding, and characterization.

Prose/Style: There is an absence of scene setting and description in this novel which keeps it from being captivating, and much of the novel is dialogue, which, though effective, ends up clogging the action and hindering characterization.

Originality: This book is somewhat derivative of other fantasy novels and would benefit from more original worldbuilding and elaboration. For example, the hawk people are unique to this world but their origins, culture, and physicality are unclear.

Character Development/Execution: The sheer number of named characters makes them hard to keep track of or tell them apart from one another. There book would also benefit from quieter scenes that accentuate the relationships between characters and temper the action.

Date Submitted: June 29, 2021