The Broken Eye

Oh Mr Weeks. You big meanie leaving so many threads yet untied... Guess we have to come back for more, then.

As is always the case with Mr Weeks (well, this Lightbringer series, anyway), the last 1/4-1/3 is virtually un-put-downable. I mean, I had to, to look after my family and go to the day job and do some of my own writing, but it was a struggle. [b:The Black Prism|7165300|The Black Prism (Lightbringer, #1)|Brent Weeks|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327921884s/7165300.jpg|7534979] was so un-put-downable that even after I finished reading it I carried it around with me for weeks, going back over a few favourite parts, admiring the cover (I got the first one). I am a big fan of this series and can't wait to have the whole thing read... although, the wondering what will happen is rather divine, too.

OK. A little objectivity. Is it perfect? No. Technically, I prefer a closer POV. Weeks chooses a slightly pulled-back one. More often than not we're pretty much in one character's head in a scene, with occasional "head-hopping." That's fine. It's a stylistic choice.I just wonder how much more I, personally, would gush over these books if they were that little bit more in-your-face. (But, then, that could be a bad thing, because I think I already have to say this is my favourite contemporary series),
Also, it's a huge book, so I totally get it, but sadly, the proofreading team did let the ball drop a few times. I mention it because people jump down author-publishers' throat if they slip, so I don't see why we should expect less from a team that shares the author's income in a traditional setting. Mostly it was just a few missing a's or the's, easily missed.

As for the storytelling, I'd have to say there are moments of absolute brilliance. The rest of the time is solid.

Otherwise, though... I'm hopping around trying to figure out who my favourite characters are and how I really feel about what's happening to them. In the first book, I adored "Gavin". He was confident and cocky, but deservedly so. Yes, what he was doing to his brother was pretty hideous, but I took it on face value as deserved. Now "Gavin"/Dazen is in a rough spot himself. He's had the roughest ride of anyone, I think. I really feel for him. Part of me wants to think that perhaps he wasn't as awesome as he at first appeared. Maybe he is a bit of a bad guy. But I really don't think so. Yes, he's done some hideous things, but his conscience, to me, seems clear. His motivations feel as though they come from a good place.
I've enjoyed Karris' journey this time around.
I love how Kip still sees himself as a fatty, even though, clearly, he mustn't be anymore -- he spent months travelling and starving and then months and months training to be a Blackguard... How can he still be fat? But in his head, he doesn't see the change. He's become quite adorable (ha!).
Teia... Oh, Teia... The girl tries so hard. She deserves a break, she really does. Come on Book 4. Deliver a little something something for her, eh?
Liv... I'm still not sure about where Liv is going to go, nor how I'll feel about it. She's a bit of a swing vote. Yes, she has good intentions, but which side she believes is good is still up in the air.
And even Andross... I'm so sure he's evil, but then he does things that seem to help Kip? But, just how helpful was it?Gah! I'm totally confused.
And then yet more twists from some of the more "secondary" characters at the end... Oh, you and your twists, Mr Weeks. Sheesh.

Alright. No classy sign-off for me. Reckon I've said my piece.