The Obsidian Tower (Rooks and Ruin, 1)

Melissa Caruso has done it again. Last night I finished ‘The Obsidian Tower’ and it is magnificent. Set in the same world as her (also magnificent) Swords and Fire trilogy, this book does not disappoint but, in my opinion, is even better. Melissa’s talent for world building is simply mind boggling, and her silky smooth prose is like the best creamy butter. Her words flow in a way that few other modern fantasy authors can match. There’s not even a typo to throw off pedants like me. He characters are real, complex, flawed, human and non-human, but they inveigle you and compel you to keep reading to see what happens.If you’re a fan of fantasy writing and you haven’t yet read Melissa’s Swords and Fire trilogy, do so first, and then get hold of ‘The Obsidian Tower’ and devour it. If you’ve already read the first trilogy, then this is the follow-up you’ve been waiting for.Tonight I plan to start reading all four books again and I know I will love them as much as I did when I first read them.Melissa is a major talent in modern fantasy writing.

A diverse fantasy set in the same world as the author's other stories. With many lgbt+ characters and demons.

Hands down, without a doubt, not only one of the best novels I've read this year, but one of the best fantasy books I've EVER read! I love this book so much it hurts! ⁣⁣⁣⁣Y'all, you MUST READ THIS BEAUTY!⁣⁣⁣⁣Melissa Caruso is so damn talented you just want to stop after most passages and drool over her prose. (And beg the Grace of Writing that maybe someday with enough practice and hard work you can scratch the surface of her divinity.) ⁣⁣⁣⁣The problem is, however, that because she's a natural pager turner, you can't stop, and before you know it, you're finished and crying because the next book doesn't come out until 2021. 🤣😭⁣⁣⁣⁣Seriously. If you're looking for a fantasy book with an intriguing magic system, DIVERSE, captivatingly loveable characters, and a plot that's so fast-paced, you'll burn your fingers flipping through the pages, pick up this baby pronto. Now, excuse me while I go mourn that it's only July 2020. ⁣⁣

My rating: 2.5 stars.I am disappointed and I believe that it is mainly because I had completely different expectations for this story based on reading reviews, reading the sample pages, promotional clips, and word of mouth from other readers.I was under the impression (and wrongly here) that the last 150 pages of this story would be the entire plot in for the entire 500 pages; not the ending. I didn’t realize I had to trug though tedious political meetings to get to the action. Now that wouldn’t have been a bad thing either but…1) There is not a lot of action and if there is it feels forced into the story line.2) It is repetitive to a painful degree, almost like the author didn’t trust the reader to understand the character’s motives, wants, needs and decisions; even if they were plainly shown to us.3) There is way TOO MUCH going on for very little actually happening.4) There were so many chances for excitement, for action, even political action but it rarely came to be and when it did, it only did to forward the plot in a non-essential way.5) It reads like the author wanted to write a political story and was “forced” to add in action/fantasy scenes to attract a wider audience. It felt false and a bit messy honestly. I would much rather this have been a purely political story.6) There were no surprises in the story, again the author didn’t trust the reader so when something was revealed I had already guessed it 75 pages ago at least. There were no twists and turns or moments of wonder.All that together, in 500 very long pages makes me unlikely to immediately pick up the next book, at least any time soon. I do have questions; I would like to see what happens next but in no way do I want to trudge through another 500 pages for 150 pages of maybe excitement or explanation.I think others will enjoy this if they go into it as a fantasy story that is based in politics with a hint of other story line. I just think I had the wrong view and expectations going in. I did really enjoy the author’s writing style and the characters, details and the magic system so I would check out the author’s other series.

I have a set of authors whose books I enjoy. The list has not changed even though the big 3 dropped off. I'm pleased to announce that I am replacing one of them with Melissa Caruso today! This book is about a misfit witch who triggers and battles evil inside her family home. Along the way she stumbles across the true meaning of unselfish love and friendship. The world building, magic system, character development, demons, demonic animals, and witches, were excellent. The plot twists were like an endless rollercoaster always ending someplace worse. The author even injected a few showstopper characters (much like the big 3). One even sported a cape of butterflies amidst fiends bent on death and destruction. I recommend this book to tweens, teens and adult fantasy magic book fans. It will make a perfect vacation read! I'm definitely in for picking up the next book in the series. Enjoy!

All in all, a really enjoyable book. The FMC is wonderfully bisexual, which is epic because due to <REDACTED SPOILERS> shes never had a chance to have fun with folks but thankfully other than some longing looks and flirting, shes not trying to make up for it now.Theres a non-binary character and a couple of lesbians (or potentially other bisexuals?) as well as someone who is at the very least, grey ace.The representation is wonderfully done, none of it is glaringly jump up and down flag waving out there, its just part of the story. all smoothly integrated and without being weird, like some others i've had the misfortune of reading recently have been written. As a member of the Alphabet-mafia myself, i absolutely want to see this but not when its terrible or shoehorned in which is thankfully not what happened here. its well done and my second most enjoyed book of the year.The story is interested and complex enough that i wasnt able to guess the plot halfway through the first chapter which was a really nice surprise. as someone with ADHD and an avid reader, guessing plots easily is a painful past time but this continued to be enjoyable the whole way through.Sufficiently so that i shall be getting the next book now and hoping for more of the same

I really enjoyed this book, a real page turner and lot's of fun to read. I loved how what looked to be the book's McGuffin scenario happened in the first 20 pages or so, didn't see that coming. I don't write long reviews so in short this was a great book and well worth a purchase.

I cannot possibly put into words how much I loved this book! It was a thoroughly entertaining read that made me completely forget the world around me. The book/narrator/author has a distinctive, enjoyable voice, expert but purposeful worldbuilding, and a well-crafted plot that had enjoyable twists that weren't just for shock purpose. Total rec!I read the previous trilogy (tethered mage is book 1) which I would heartily recommend as well. This one plays a hundred odd years after. You don't have to have read the previous one, everything relevant is explained, but it adds an extra depth that was another layer of fun.Please read this book!

I have enjoyed this book. The story is full of wonderful characters, the world is beautifully constructed. Ryx is our main character and her honour, strength and love of her family, friends and subjects makes her extraordinary and the right person to face the demons.

A very strong and clever Main character in a desperate Situation! Complicated in a fascinating way. Well written, gripping and wonderfully political.