literary gluttony

I went into Grave Empire with high expectations, drawn by its intriguing premise and the promise of a complex, immersive fantasy world. Unfortunately, I found the book to be a struggle to get through and ultimately decided not to finish it.

One of the major issues for me was the pacing. The story felt slow and bogged down by excessive detail, which made it difficult to stay engaged. While some readers might appreciate the meticulous world-building, I found it overwhelming and disconnected from the characters and plot.

Speaking of characters, I had trouble connecting with them. They often felt flat or unrelatable, and I struggled to care about their journeys or decisions. The narrative’s tone and style also lacked the kind of spark or energy that typically keeps me turning the pages.

That said, I can see how Grave Empire might appeal to readers who enjoy intricate, methodical storytelling and are willing to be patient as the story unfolds. It simply wasn’t the right fit for me.

If you’ve enjoyed other works by Richard Swan or are a fan of slower-paced epic fantasy, this might be worth a try. Unfortunately, it didn’t hold my interest, and I had to set it aside.

**I received a copy of this book for an honest review from NetGalley**