Review: Storms Ahead!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 23, 2013
My first impression of Everwinter was eh, decent story, maybe could use more editing.But......I really enjoyed reading it. I got through it in just a few short settings (not to say it's short, I think it's a decent length?).It has a good setup. I liked the flow of the story and the information -- the author gave me information without info-dumping, unfolding the world at a good pace.Things did happen a bit fast, though, e.g. a couple characters are on their way to repair a wall and then bam they're at a near-year recital, and the first story of the recital (the great tale of the city's founding) lasts like 2 minutes. Another odd timing thing I couldn't figure out was near the beginning, when you are introduced to the main character:Bramwell Thornley is an engineer in the city of Ral Tora, and on this day he has volunteered to repair a bell tower. In the winter. He realizes that was a stupid thing to do. Anyway, as he's repairing, the clouds part to show the midday sun, then like 20 minutes later he's walking down the street and there are lamps burning to battle already-fading light. I couldn't figure that out. Like, did it take him a really long time to get down from the tower, does it get really dark really quickly, or what? What happened to the sunburst?Also, some parts I think could be edited a little bit to make the sentences and phrases more precise/concise, but the author definitely didn't ramble and the descriptions were good.Basic plot: An unusual winter has descended on the world, and the city of Ral Tora is trying to find a way to battle it (they're inventing some type of heater). There is a cult of `Wailers' spreading tales of woe, saying how the old gods are returning and are displeased (or something). When a delegation from another city come to request aide to investigate the recently-lost city of Variss, Bram asks to go along, and the leader of the delegation, Astrid, is just a bit too pleased to have him along. (Of course he's someone special, or he wouldn't be the main character. But it's not immediately obvious WHY he's special, I liked that.) Back in her city, there's some political drama, and the book ends with stuff actually happening but it's really just the start of the journey.I enjoyed Everwinter and will actually seek out the sequel. I thought the world and religions were well-done and entertaining. The swordfighting wasn't great (like I would rather she just skipped them) and after 9 days of training Bram is able to beat trained city guards.... but whatever.4-stars, a fun read.(Read as an eBook on Kindle.)