very naive and amateurish writing to say the least

FOR THE EMPEROR2018 military-sci-fi warhammer-40k2 s Owen205 15 Read

I was looking forward to this book, because Rogue Traders are one of my favorite parts of the 40k universe - people who sail beyond the Imperium, discover lost and undiscovered worlds, and trade goods and blows with unknown civilizations, aliens, and all manner of colorful characters. I got a bit of that here, but not much.

I'll start with what I did - there were a lot of interesting descriptions of places and shipboard life. The places felt real, and well-described; the ships felt huge and lived-in. The place descriptions were all well-executed.

The people were not as well-drawn, though. Apart from the three Rogue Trader characters, nobody else of note gets enough page time to really define themselves - not the aliens, or the treacherous planetary rulers, or the other traders. A planetary governor gets a decent amount of time, but he's hard to understand and not at all threatening. To make matters a bit worse, only one of the three main characters flirts with likability. The patriarch casually threatens his crew for no apparent reason, and his son is a smug asshole. It's only Brielle who I was really rooting for, and she doesn't get to make that much progress on her own.

It's a bit of a side note, but the really interesting characters in the 40k universe are the ones who play against expectation. Everyone knows that commissars are right bastards who will kill their own troops as soon as sneeze, for instance. And yet, the commissar characters we really (Cain and Gaunt) are the ones who care about their troops and do what they can to keep them safe. On the opposite face, I know that plenty of ship captains and nobles in 40k are bastards to their subordinates, but when I see Lucian do it, it makes me instantly dis him.

The storytelling is very dry, with a fair bit of telling - the reader isn't trusted to figure out many of the political maneuverings, even though they aren't excessively complex. In retrospect, the plot is a bit thin, with many of the political developments going nowhere. There are fewer exciting battles and fights than one generally expects in a 40k novel, too. The battles are not exactly enthralling, either; most of the foes are not challenging enough to make things truly interesting, and the descriptions are sometimes hard to follow.

I feel that the 40k universe is rich ground for stories partially because of how horrible a place it is to live. If you can make me care about someone who's trying to survive in this crapsack of a universe, then the stakes will be high, because I know how deadly it is. In that respect, the book had little success.1 TarlAuthor 25 books77

This is my second time reading this book, and I had remembered it being far better the first time around.

That's not to say Hoare can't tell a good story, because he most certainly does. The dynamics between the three protagonists in this novel are entertaining to read, and they certainly add a certain level of tension and interest to the story.

But overall, there is no character development at all. All the characters are the same people they were at the beginning. The family have not become closer knit, and if anything, are actually further apart than they were at the start. The entire book actually feels more of a set up for the remaining two novels rather than a neat little package unto itself.

Still, Hoare does some pretty nice things in this novel. The space combat between ships is handled extremely well, and each detail is handled in such a way that you feel as if you are looking out a view port yourself. And as this is a major element within the story, it helps to move things along really well. Also, the politics are done well enough so as to be at least of some interest. Rogue Traders are an interesting part of 40k canon, and Hoare does capture some of their more interesting aspects in this tale.

But in the end, this is just an average novel with an average tale. I am hoping things pick up in the second book, but we shall see. If you are interested in the Rogue Traders, or space combat in the 40k universe, this novel will tickle your fancy enough to keep you engaged. Otherwise, pick up one of the other multitudes of 40k books instead.warhammer-40k1 Benjamin Hesdorf78

This was a great book, and it just got more and more exciting the more I read. I can't wait to get started on number two in the series.1 Dev Sodagar197 2

I've been working my way through a lot of the 40k universe books this year having picked up a bundle on discount. As usual these stories with human protagonists engage me a lot more than those focused on the Adeptus Astartes. Although a good read, it seemed a rather abbreviated plot. Hopefully the rest of the series will build on this though. Ulzeta584

A fun read.fiction Robert C113 3

It's surprisingly good for a game-based book. Rather straightforward, however, it was a good page-turner.

I am primarily reading it because I recently started playing a Warhammer game and I wanted a look at the Warhammer universe.sci-fi warhammer-40k Shane369 4

A brief but decent read, Rogue Star is a book set in the Warhammer 40K universe covering a snippet of adventure involving a Rogue Trader dynasty. For a book where pages are at a premium, there is a lot of putting on of clothes and pinning of medals. The better parts involve some wandering around on a couple of worlds in the Imperium's hinterland...that sort of thing. The best part of the book is at the end where there is some cool starship combat that really make it 3.5 stars, almost four.

Honestly if you aren't much interested in 40K this book isn't for you. But if you are, and if you have already read some better books set in this multiverse by Abner and others, then check it out. The biggest problem is the brevity. It was the first third of a really good book. There is a sequel which I'll read sometime soon that I think is more or less a continuation. Michael T Bradley837 5

Not super well written (it FEELS Hoare is a game designer rather than a novel writer - oftentimes people will approach parts of their ship's bridge, and we'll get intense detail about how things are situated, and what everyone is doing, rather than, say, something that moves the narrative forward), but a short, fun little romp about a family of rogue traders who get caught up in a political struggle near the Damocles Gulf at THAT point in history. This first book didn't wow me, but I'm definitely curious enough to check out the second one. MOSTLY because I'm a fan of the tau, but hey, whatever works, right?w40k Jonathan384 14

A fun read but not a lot gets done. The story follows a Rogue Trader and his two children who are at odds with one another as they try to strike a deal with a back water leader who may or may not be dealing with sinister forces. The warhammer 40,000 setting is dark and gritty and set up nicely. The main plot really never gets going till the end. It feels the first act leading up to a big reveal that in turn is set up for several sequels. William796 5

A desperate Rogue Trader gets involved in a civil war between two Imperial governors where both sides are being armed by the alien tau.

The Rogue Trader is aided by his son and daughter, between whom there is considerable sibling rivalry.

Several plot lines are left unresolved, setting the stage for sequels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review Ivelina Panicherska30 5

meh Howard1,044 Read

12 Sean Mckeever10 1 follower

I couldn't get into the story. incomplete Marco Antonio16 1 follower

Autor del comentario:
=================================

Hands down, this is my FAVORITE Stephen King book.
I'm not saying this is his best piece of work, but (personal preferences and all) this is just what I happen to enjoy the most. It's one of those books that I find myself re-reading every few years.
So.
Erica has a stellar review that explains why this book should be revered above all other King books.
The gist is is actually a fairly simple fantasyish tale.

The Fearsome Dragon...



The Wise and Beautiful Queen...



The Evil Sorcerer...



The Decent but Stupid King...



The overlooked, sad, spiteful, kinda stupid, (Baby-Brother) Prince...



Prince...
actual size may vary



Oops! Wait.
The Good and Decent Hero Prince...


The thing that I love about this story is that it has that classic good over evil vibe to it. There are twists, but nothing mind-blowing. It reminds me of the kind of fairytale/fantasy stuff my mom would read to me before bedtime.
Well.
Ok. She never read me anything with adult content in it, but that's not what I'm talking about.
This is just...
Good wins and Evil takes a beat-down.
Sometimes it's nice to pretend that you're a kid, and you still believe that you know?
Be noble, be kind, do the right thing...and everything will work out.
Remember that?
sigh
So, that's why I love this one.
The End.

Re-read 2020 & 2021
I just finished listening to the audiobook and it was amazing. Bronson Pinchot did a fabulous job, and I can't recommend this one enough.

Bronson Pinchot - Narrator
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Edition: Unabridged
Awards:
Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement
Grand Master Awardaudio fantasy kindle-app ...more482 s James Tivendale327 1,365

When the majority of individuals think about Stephen King's credentials; it is generally about his amazing work-rate at producing memorable and top quality horror stories. With that in mind; in addition to The Dark Tower saga, this novel is one of Mr. King's lesser known creations that is definitely more Tolkien than Tommyknockers.

It is an easy story to get into and I was intrigued from the first page. My grandfather gave me this book when I was a wide-eyed, eleven-year-old lover of Goosebumps books as I possessed pretty good reading skills for that age and I loved every second of this tale back then. Memories of the book from 19 years ago are of course hazy so I am glad I picked it up again - half for the nostalgia but also to delve back into the mythical land of Delain which lurks somewhere within Mid-World.

The book is presented by an omnipresent narrator who may very well be Stephen King himself. This story was written and dedicated to his daughter Naomi after all. The storyteller keeps us updated with his opinions, lets us know the personae's thoughts and motives throughout the plot and reverts back to us as a reader to find out how we are getting on. It is a nice touch for a pleasant story.

It follows the royal family of Delain. King Roland the Good is an average monarch. He loves his alcohol, hunting and is just generally an okay guy. He reminded me of Robert Baratheon from Game of Thrones. His defining feat was killing the last known dragon - the head of which remains in his drawing room as a trophy. In his later years when his subjects are worried at a lack of an heir - he is introduced to a witty, charming, younger lady called Sasha and thanks to a couple of magic potions to aid sexual prowess two children are born. Peter and Thomas. All seems nice and happy so far. Peter grows to be a strapping, proud and honourable young gentleman who everyone agrees will make a great next king. Well, all except one person...

I forgot to mention The Eyes of the Dragon includes one of the most infamous, notorious villains in fiction - a gentleman (or demon perhaps) called Flagg happens to be the King's aide and black magician. Flagg goes by many names in Stephen King's novels - The Man In Black, The Walkin' Dude, Randall Flagg etc... If you are familiar with King's books you probably know this dude from Dark Tower and The Stand amongst others. To summarise: He is one evil muthaphuckka.

On a grim day in Delain - The King is poisoned with a vile substance called Dragon Sand which burns victims from the inside out and next in line to the throne Peter is incorrectly judged to have committed the said regicide, therefore, is placed on the top floor of The Needle for eternal imprisonment 300 feet above the ground. In lieu of this, Roland's younger, weaker, more impressionable son becomes King - and guess who is whispering in his ear about how to rule the land?

Following this, we are dealt a slightly predictable but still utterly entrancing narrative that composes a state of mind to the readers where hope, belief, friendship and desire are the real magic in a story that is polluted by Flagg's plotting, deceit and all sort of macabre magical nastiness. The story revolves around a dolls house, an endless supply of napkins, a mouse, a two headed parrot and a very clever wolf-dog called Frisky who is presented with charming childishly human qualities by the narrator. A lot of the supporting cast who I have not even mentioned are well created and add to the overall quality of the tale. My copy of the novel also included some amazing fantastical art including Frisky, the dragon, a lost looking rabbit, the wizard and such which was a very nice touch.

I guess you need to read this so you will know what was seen when someone on the secret passage looked through the eyes of the dragon and how it impacts on this awesome story.

James Tivendale.fantasy243 s Charlotte May748 1,205

"Of all the weapons ever used to commit regicide - the murder of a King - none has been as frequently used as poison. And no one has greater knowledge of poisons than a magician."

I thoroughly enjoyed losing myself in this fantasy. This was my first Stephen King novel, I don't really horror so I wanted something different from him and I wasn't disappointed!

King Roland has been killed, presumed murder. His eldest son Peter is accused of the crime and sentenced to imprisonment in the needle - the tallest tower in the Kingdom. Meanwhile his younger brother Thomas now sits the throne, despite not being fit for the role, as the old King's magician and advisor Flagg whispers in Thomas' ear and stirs up trouble.

There are those who are still loyal to Thomas, who suspect Flagg; after all he seems to have lived for an unrealistically long time, surely there is some evil at play here?

I noticed a lot of parallels between this and Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy, it is set in a similar world which may be why I d it so much.

A simple enough story of good vs evil, where each character has flaws of some sort. Where people have to decide how far they will go to prevent the spread of evil and to protect their royal family.epic-fantasy176 s Baba3,724 1,132

Using core 'fairy tale' features such as medieval settings, Kings & Queens, castles with moats, peasants etc. Stephen King creates a delightful young adult fantasy of a dispossessed (of his kingdom) prince and how he set about righting the injustice; and the villain? You'll have to read it to find out who it is :) And increasing a point after each reread, this is now a 7 out of 12 in 2018 for me :)

2018 read; 2006 read; 2003 readconstant-reader-balloon-spells fantasy-let-it-be-your-fantasy141 s1 comment Delee243 1,258

When I was a little girl my mother and father would tuck me in at night and read me a bedtime story. At Christmas and Easter- I would have the pleasure of listening to bedtime stories made-up by my father, just for me- Delee. The Adventures of the Pink Kitty...about a very special kitten making his way to a very special child.....and his adventures along the way trying to find a home with the perfect little girl. ME!!! It wasn't a logical story...it probably wasn't the best story out there- but to me it was magical.

THE EYES OF THE DRAGON is another kind of bedtime story. A bedtime story KING style!! Noooo pink kitties here.



In a fairy tale past- there is a relatively happy Kingdom of Delain- with the dragon slaying King Roland, his young wife Queen Sasha, and their sweet, perfect, little boy Peter...but there also is evil in Delain-a magician by the name of Flagg. Who is also unfortunately...Roland's adviser.



Flagg's goal is to make this Kingdom...less happy- and he comes up with a plan. A plan that doesn't involve Queen Sasha...or a sweet, perfect, heir to the throne. So he schemes...

...and he schemes. Sasha dies in childbirth- and Thomas is born. A not so perfect child- who Flagg takes under his wing...

...and when the time is right- all the pieces fall into place.



...but there are a few snags in his wicked plan- Flagg is not aware of- that may or may not come back to haunt him later.



This is one of my Favorite King books. It speaks to my inner child..and from time to time SHE still enjoys fairy tales and bedtime stories.books-i-have-read-more-than-once books-jeff-read-wrong fantasy ...more125 s Melissa ? Dog/Wolf Lover ? Martin3,597 10.7k

It was pretty good. I enjoyed the little graphics.

Mel
Autor del comentario:
=================================