Maiden of Pain

I very much wanted to like this book. The pacing is pretty good so it reads well. There were a couple of editing errors though - the most glaring of which there was actually mention of “French” in the epilogue.

What I did like is the rather well-done manner in which the protagonist, Ythnel, was portrayed. Worshippers of Loviatar are typically evil in alignment, but the plot managed to provide a more neutral approach to that faith, painting it in shades of grey.

Too bad that didn't quite extend beyond the surface treatment, especially not for the other characters. The focus of the plot is always on the events happening around the characters, or the actions that the characters undertake. I guess this was perhaps influenced by actual gaming sessions. The book would really have benefited from more introspection and a show of growth for the characters, to read about them rationalising things, facing doubts, self-realisation, etc. rather than just telling the reader what happened and glossing over what should've been rather emotional milestones. So, empathy was a bit lacking for the protagonist and entirely lacking for the supporting characters.

The overall plot and consistency was all right. The first few chapters were a bit awkward and stumbled as it focused on several characters who turned out to be entirely inconsequential. Such as Aznar Thrul, a Thayan zulkir. Not sure whether this was a publisher requirement or something, but it was pretty much entirely pointless, since there doesn't appear to be any sequel or prequel to this book to provide an expansion to what appears to be an attempt at providing an overarching plot. But I don't really have any problems with the plot itself.

The problems I had were in the details. There were some power level issues where the characters were using powerful spells in one scene, weak spells the next, and then taking on powerful enemies. It's like the author isn't quite sure what level those characters supposed to be - in either case, Ythnel was way too powerful and way too worldly for a young acolyte who grew up mostly secluded in a manor.

Other problems include the poor use of lycanthropes, mostly in their placement and motivation, a rather unrealistic and implausible sequence of events in the concluding chapters, silly/illogical uses of magic, an unsolved plotline involving the traitor/spy, and an unsatisfying conclusion that wrapped things up too hurriedly.

It a quick and easy read, but there's nothing much to recommend about it, except if you're interested in a story set in Chessenta (city of Luthcheq and the Karanoks), or in Loviatar.