/lit/ - Literature

>>19213492
Skullsworn, Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne - Brian Staveley (2017)
This is a standalone prequel to the trilogy. As there is minimal overlap and few references it can be read entirely by itself. The protagonist, a secondary character in the trilogy, is an initiate undergoing a trial to become a full priestess to the god of death. The simplest way to understand them would to be to think of them as assassins, though that wouldn't be quite accurate.
If this wasn't influenced by Assassin's Creed, I would be rather surprised. One of the synopsis for the next book even starts with comparing it to Assassin's Creed. It's not a strong influence, but it seemed obvious to me, especially a certain chase scene that could've been right out of one of the games. This was also released some months prior to AC: Origins, which is set in Egypt and this takes places in a river delta, though that's also descriptive of AC: Liberation which features New Orleans.
Unlike the trilogy this isn't epic fantasy. It's a small scale story that excluding the opening and flashbacks takes place in a single town and its surrounding environs. There isn't any magic, ancient artifacts, or momentous events. There's just a list of people who need to die on a deadline. It's closer to being a fantasy mystery thriller than a standard fantasy.
The ending was adequate despite being constrained by being a prequel, though I think a lot of the constraints were self-imposed by the author. It may be also setting up some background information for the second trilogy, so although it's standalone I don't see any reason not to read it if for anyone who has read the trilogy.
The First Law Trilogy had three books between its trilogies and that could've worked well here as there are several interesting secondary characters that would've been suitable for their own book. I certainly would've read them if they had been written.
I feel like I often assume too much is an intentional self-reference rather than part of the story. There's a few consecutive pages where there are multiple self-references in a row that address what seem to be common criticisms against the author, especially of his first book. If so, are they also meant to be self-deprecating in-jokes? I don't know.
As for the next trilogy, it's more likely than not I'll read the first book sometime this year, but I have to wonder if waiting would be a better idea so that I forget less.
Rating: 4.5/5

>>12859235
ending a bit contrived but whatever

What release are people most looking forward to this year?