Dimitris Kostas Kostas itibaren Hranice IV - Drahotuše itibaren Hranice IV - Drahotuše

An incredibly dense and enjoyable fantasy novel that doesn't feel like fantasy. Sure, there's magic and gods popping in every other page, but Erickson embues his world with a grittyness and realism that so often goes missing in these books. People live, hurt and die (even the main characters) and it feels real. The politics, warfare, relationships and schemes are huge and expansive without ever becoming suffocating or dry, and I guess that's the real wonder here; Erickson always keeps you engaged.

I liked the voice in this book, clear and concise. And I liked that it was short. It was occasionally a bit funny. I didn't like the constant descriptions of how opulent and luxurious everything was compared to Lori's poor life. I didn't like how the cottage kitchen was remodeled to be "The most fully equipped modern wonder of a kitchen I'd ever seen... This was a kitchen designed for someone who can't cook." Who can't cook? Lori. Except that every dish she tries in the cottage turns out wonderfully. I have a hard time buying that the dead can have the power Aunt Dimity's ghost had. The relationship between Lori and her love interest didn't seem authentic, it felt rushed and hollow. The characters lacked depth. So while some would enjoy this fast paced, somewhat clever tale, it just wasn't what I was looking for.