The Nine Realms Series | Book Reviews

TL;DR

A character-driven fantasy series with strong female characters and well-thought-out political and military elements.

Transcript

hi guys olive here here today to review the nine realms series by sarah koslov all four books in this series were published in 2020 by tor and the paperbacks range from 450 pages to 500 pages a piece the release schedule for these books was a little bit out of the norm as is the story behind them sarah koslov was a film professor at vassar for many... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ The Nine Realms Series by Sarah Koslov combines elements of high fantasy and epic fantasy.
• 💪 The series passes the Bechdel Test and features strong female characters.
• 🫱 The books explore political maneuvering, war, and the consequences of seeking vengeance.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Sarah Koslov to write the Nine Realms Series?

Sarah Koslov was inspired by the Bechdel Test, which evaluates whether a piece of media features female characters who speak about something other than men. She wanted to create a female-driven fantasy series that passed this test.

Q: Are the books in the series tightly connected, or can they be read independently?

The books are tightly connected, with characters and storylines carrying through the series. It is recommended to read them closely together to keep track of the numerous important characters and their roles.

Q: How does the series handle violence and war?

While there is violence and war in the series, it is not excessive or overly graphic. The focus is more on the conversations between characters about the consequences of violence and the worth of seeking vengeance.

Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the series?

The series excels in character development, particularly with strong female characters. The political and military elements are well-thought-out, and the world-building is detailed. However, the pacing of the final book and the execution of certain conflicts may be disappointing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sarah Koslov, a film professor, wrote the four books in the Nine Realms Series in 2013 and managed to sell the entire series to Tor Publishing. The books were released monthly from January to April 2020.

• The series follows the story of Queen Cressa and her daughter, Cerulea, who possess magical abilities in a world ruled by spirits. The books explore political maneuvering, war, and the consequences of seeking vengeance.

• The series is character-driven, with a large cast of important characters and detailed world-building. The third book builds on the lore introduced in the first book, and the fourth book concludes the series with reunions and conflicts.