I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
We Ride the Storm by Devin Madson Series: The Reborn Empire #1
Published by Orbit on June 23 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 528
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Ambitious and complex, We Ride the Storm, although beloved by many readers, didn’t quite work for me.
There has been a lot of hype surrounding We Ride the Storm, and tons of 4 and 5 star reviews on Goodreads. But this time the hype backfired for me, and I ended up really struggling to get through this book. Goodreads tells me it’s taken a solid two weeks to finish We Ride the Storm, which makes sense because I ended up setting it aside for other books. But I finally decided to push through this past weekend, and let me tell you, I literally had to force myself to finish it. This has nothing to do with the quality of the story, because it’s very well written, and everything to do with the fact that I’m just not a big fan of this type of epic fantasy, “this type” being stories that focus heavily on wars and combat. I also found myself bored, believe it or not, which is why I kept setting it aside. The entire story revolves around a brewing war between two factions of people, and despite the fact that there is also court intrigue and some interesting character development, it just wasn’t enough for me to fully embrace this story. Add in a few tropes and story cliches that don’t sit well with me, and the best I can do is give this book three stars.
The story alternates among three main characters. First, Princess Miko Ts’ai yearns to inherit the throne of her stepfather, the Emperor of Kisia, but her brother Tanaka is the actual heir to the throne. Miko doesn’t have much power but she is trying to figure out a way to change that fact. Captain Rah e’Torin is a Lavanti, a nomadic race of people who value their horses above all else and have strict customs and beliefs. The Lavanti have been exiled when the story opens and they must go to battle in order to gain back their freedom. Finally, Cassandra Marius is an assassin who has been hired to kill someone in exchange for help getting rid of the “voice” in her head. All three characters are tied together in interesting ways and eventually come together, after much bloodshed, fighting and intricate plotting and maneuvering.
I want to start on a positive note. Devin Madson is a fantastic writer, and she’s built a vast, complex world. I may have issues with some of the world building, but overall I can appreciate the way she focused on each main character in alternating chapters, which gives the reader time to really get to know each one. I also loved some of the dramatic, emotional moments in the story.
There were quite a few really cool ideas, but many of them weren’t developed enough for my taste. For example, Cassandra has a “voice” in her head that she communicates with, and as the story progresses, we discover that this “person” can leave Cassandra’s body and inhabit the bodies of the dead. What a great idea, right? Except—we never find out who that “person” is, how they ended up trapped in Cassandra’s head, or how they’re able to reanimate the dead. Cassandra can also “hear” the dead sing, an idea that was thrown out a couple of times in passing and again, never explained. Now it’s possible I missed some critical information, or perhaps Madson is saving up the answers to these mysteries for the sequel , but I found the lack of information frustrating.
I’m not usually the squeamish type, but be prepared for a lot of bloodshed and senseless killing in this story. I mean, it is a story about a war, so I guess that’s to be expected, but it got to be too much, especially when the one character who seems to have a conscience and wants to live peacefully ends up ruthlessly cutting down his opponents simply to stay alive. And many of the killings came out of nowhere. I’m not sure if Madson was going for shock value, but I was definitely shocked a couple of times. Think Game of Thrones level violence and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect.
There are also a lot of beheadings in We Ride the Storm, which I’ll admit is one of my least favorite “ways to die” to read about. Rah’s culture demands that all people killed in battle must have their heads removed, the only way that their souls will safely move onto the next level of existence. So you can imagine during the many battle scenes that Rah is involved in, quite a few heads are chopped off in the name of soul saving. Madson intricately describes all the layers of flesh and bone that a knife must penetrate before the head can be separated from its body, and yeah, I got tired of that real fast.
And I do want to mention there is a rape scene in this book, which honestly wasn’t that shocking based on all the violence. Rape and murder often go hand in hand, unfortunately, but I didn’t really see the point of this rape, especially since the girl being raped didn’t fight back very hard. Now I’m not saying female authors can’t include rape scenes in their books, but knowing the author is female made this one feel even more problematic.
My other pet peeve is the word “whore,” which is way overused in second world fantasies, in my opinion. “Whore” means prostitute, but it’s also an extremely derogatory word in English, and I got sick of poor Cassandra not only being called a whore, but calling herself one. OK she’s a prostitute, I get it. But the men she runs up against have no qualms about calling her a whore to her face, and Cassandra mostly just shrugs it off.
“As you wish, Your Whoreness.” He had taken a few steps but turned to look back over his shoulder. “Or should it be Your Assassinness? Whoresassin?”
So when all’s said and done, I just didn’t love this story as much as I wanted to, unfortunately. A lot of my blogging buddies did love it, though, so do take my review with a grain of salt. As for continuing with this series, I haven’t decided yet. I may have to accept the fact that this story just isn’t for me.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
I am sorry this was a sort of disappointment for you, I appreciated this book a lot when I read it (but it was before all the hype, so I had no expectations whatsoever) but more time I let pass and less interested in the story, and the sequel, I become… I hope your next reading would be amazing!
It’s possible the hype has something to do with it. But in any case, she’s such a good writer and she has a bright future ahead!
Yeah, I’m not a war and combat kind of reader, either. (Okay, ONCE in awhile. ) Thanks for pushing through so you could give us a full review.
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It really depends on how the story is framed, and who the characters are. I’ve read war/combat books before that I’ve really enjoyed (although I can’t think of one at the moment!)
I’m sorry to hear this didn’t work for you. I think all of the bloodshed and beheadings would probably do me in as well. With the exception of George R.R. Martin’s books, I usually shy away from that kind of violence in my fiction.
Sometimes I don’t mind violence at all, but there just weren’t enough other positive things for me to grab on to.
Great review Tammy! It has me a little torn on whether I’d want to read this or not. On the one hand- I do like war stories. On the other, I think I’d also be frustrated by lack of information and the word whore being thrown around.
It has a lot of great reviews, so you have a pretty good chance of enjoying it:-)
Can’t argue with you on this one, Tammy. I loved Cassandra and thought she was the bright spot of the novel, but those unanswered questions – not even a hint – and the fact that the story largely left her behind in the second half were issues for me,
She did sort of disappear in the second half. I thought she was the most interesting character for sure, especially with that mysterious voice in her head!
I really appreciate the honestly. So many book bloggers feel obligated to talk up a book whether or not they really like it. Thanks for keeping it real.
Thanks Laurie. Negative reviews are so hard to write, but necessary at times.
Really interesting review. It sounds like a book I can skip. Battle scenes just leave me tired for the most part — I tend to avoid fiction that features them too heavily.
Ha ha tired is how I feel!
I get your complaints, and while I really enjoyed this one, I DEFINITELY was annoyed that the magic surrounding Cassandra was left a giant question mark. I’m hopeful that based on where her storyline ended, however, that next book we’ll get some answers.
I’ve seen a few complaints about the rape scene, and agree we could have done without it. However, I don’t think it’s fair to complain she “didn’t fight back very hard.” There’s only so much you can do in the middle of an enemy camp with three active assailants.
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That’s true, she was backed into a corner. I guess I’m waiting for that elusive “almost rape” scene where the girl (or guy) figures a way to get out of it:-) I’m sure I’ve read something like that somewhere!
Too bad this book didn’t quite work out for you. I hate it when I end up hating a hyped book because it makes me feel like a black sheep, you know? And the cover is so pretty too. Really sad.
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Exactly, I feel like the black sheep!
Your review just confirmed what my “book vibes” were telling me, that this might not be the book for me, so maybe not requesting it on the strength of the premise alone might have been the right choice. Moreover, too many battles tend to bore me as well, which could have made my journey quite difficult here…
Thank you so much for sharing this!
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I was sad because I’m feeling like the only one who didn’t enjoy it…
It’s unfortunate this one didn’t work for you, but I think this was a great review. It’s good, sometimes, to hear what might not work in a book, especially when so many others are talking about what might. It gives a more rounded feel for what to expect, and maybe better helps folks decide if this is one they want to invest their time in. But all that being said, I do hope you get much more enjoyment out of your next read! 🙂
Thanks Todd! Some types of stories just aren’t for everyone, and the heavy military focus with this one made it tough for me.
Um ok. I do like the cover. Great review even though it may have been hard to write.
The cover is fantastic, I agree!
Okay, since you and I have similar tastes in fantasy, I’m going to temper my expectations for this one! Still looking forward to reading it and hoping to do it soon so I skimmed your review, but your three star rating has prepared me 😀
It might just be me, literally everyone else (except one blogger I know) loved it.
I’m really curious about this. I read this a while ago, it was a SPFBO finalist and I thought it was a strong read but, it definitely isn’t for everyone I suspect, certainly grim dark, and I’m curious really to read it again to see how it differs now it’s been traditionally published.
Sorry this one didn’t work out for you though.
Lynn 😀
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It makes me wonder if I’m just not a fan of grimdark.
I’ve been loving all of the hype with this one, but the size just had me really nervous to even try it right now. I’m glad to see your review.
It was on the longer side. Honestly it FELT long to me:-/
Sorry that you didn’t love this one. It’s always a disappointment, especially when you go in with higher expectations.
Yes… I’d already worked out that this one a miss wasn’t going to suit me. And beheading is something I don’t like – apparently, some bright spark worked out that it is agonising as all the nerves between the spine and brain are severed, they go into shock. I am sorry you found it such a trudge – it’s always miserable when you have been looking forward to a book and it doesn’t work out for you. I think you’re a hero for finishing – I wouldn’t have bothered!