The Moth Saga: Books 1-3

Some books and some readers do not belong together. This book has apparently won awards and the author is a best seller and yet it is clearly not intended for someone like me. So while I go through the things I did and did not like you can decide for yourself is this is a book you want to read.To start, the author is very good at writing. Their descriptions are vivid and they have a very full vocabulary. I did not get the sense that every character spoke with the same voice and with two different main characters, it seems a skill only talented authors possess. There is also a really neat parallel going on between the different paths the characters are taking, one trying to prevent war, one trying to start it. Obviously the author was going for a parallel between the worlds and characters and it was kind of neat, but it also left a little to be desired. Both cultures are very similar, the difference in them being mostly cosmetic and I would have liked them to have been drastically different for contrast. Another thing that this book did well is the female leads and supporting characters were able to be strong in their own right without being diminished to strengthen the male lead. I thought that Bailey for instance, is clearly the toughest fighter of her group and that she would probably make very short work of Torin if they were ever at odds. Unfortunately this leads me to the first complaint I had going in.This story is sexist, very sexist, but I do not think the author is. It is strange to see, but basically the female characters are never demeaned for their gender, relegated to simple romantic prizes to be won or turned into damsels to be rescued. Clearly the author is conscious of strong female characters and yet, almost every single unnamed character mentioned, all of the random merchants, artisans, priests, rulers, soldiers, fishermen, guards, thieves. . .ect, almost everyone described in passing as male. The exceptions are so rare you can almost count them on your hands. Another thing is while the female leads are strong, carry weapons and fights; no one questions this as though it is a world accepting of women in these roles – however never does the book passively describe women in these roles. The few times the author does passively mention a woman, I mean even briefly mention that someone they pass is a woman, they’re always in very small roles, richly dressed wives, courtesans or cooks. This is why the book is sexist even though I would not say the author consciously is.Another weird thing that happens in the story, but only partially is the mob of unnamed characters and how they are interacted with. Instead of feeling like a grouping of individuals, groups of unnamed become jarringly a single body, like the roman chorus, acting together without independence. The most troubling part about this is the main characters practically treat them this way too, often using the same noun to refer to such a group as the author uses to describe them. Torin will call out to “Villagers” and speak to them as though they were one. I think this could have been handled much better and is even in the Koylee sections.With the two different characters you have two different writing styles, I know it sounds like I am going after this book harshly, but the Koylee sections are drastically different in tone and how it is even written. I basically found the Torin sections to be very difficult to read, but the Koylee sections to be quite interesting.Bailey is by far the deepest character, followed by Koylee. There is this bit about wolf riders which is the most unique culture and actually had another deep character, but besides these three there is very little depth to this story, to the characters and absolutely no moral ambiguity. Torin’s king does need to make a tough call, but he also makes inexplicable ones, such as dragging Torin around. There is really no good established reason for Torin’s presence in the war, and though they try to explain Ferris’ reasoning for his actions, I did not feel it was sufficient.The biggest complaint I have about this story, and what much of what I have said so far builds to, is that this is ultimately a very childish story. The way people act, regardless of age in the story, reminds me of how I would expect someone very young to imagine reasonable. Every person with a sword imagines drawing it or is constantly drawing it. They draw swords a lot for fairly normal every day occurrences and I can’t help but wonder why they gave children swords to begin with. The whole village guard makes no sense, when these kids have spent their lives in peace and never known of a problem from the dark, in fact most people think people there is myth, so why are they watching it their entire lives, sixteen, eighteen years with arrows knocked? It makes no sense to have that level of vigilance, instead they should be as bored as you would have been at sixteen or so staring at a tree day in and day out.I did enjoy this book more than I didn’t, but there was a lot about it that made me wince and question the claim this was the best book of 2015 so far. There were a lot of missed opportunities though and a lot of ideas which just struck me as extremely immature. It’s a pity that the resolution for Torin and Koylee comes so fast and even worse that it only works because of the reader’s knowledge that the characters would not have. Combined with the other issues and missed opportunities I would call this book a solid three stars, it is okay, and leaps and bounds better than dungeons and dragons fiction, but the inspiration is clear. I’m not sure if the author himself is too inexperienced in life to write this or not, but considering he is a bestselling author maybe he just knows his target audience well. If you’re like me and interested in something more thought provoking that isn’t going to make you question what is going on and why, you should probably look elsewhere, but if you enjoy this type of fiction you could probably find a nice home here.

Overall: Well composed trilogy – a vividly imaginative world that deals with some weighty issues. Although storytelling has several glaring flaws that one must suspend in order to follow the overarching plot. Protagonists are aggravating and unlikeable at first, but some grow into a role that the reader can empathize and root for. Antagonist is brazenly despicable from the get go. If you can make it through the first book, the next two get successively better as far as Protagonists, their quests, and fates. Just be prepared to overlook the means in which the author gets to the ends.Book 1 - Arenson is a very capable writer and I enjoy reading the WAY he writes. His composition is polished - from descriptions, story flow, and conversations. The settings are described vividly, and there isn't the 'excruciating details' of a fight blow-by-blow (something I consider juvenile and amateurish). I applaud his handling of action both small and large scale where the action itself isn't the point ... the PLOT is. The end, I must admit was enjoyable to read - quite the climax because mainly the reader desperately wants to see how things turn out – the driving factor is the desire to see [if] the antagonist meet his demise. Bluntly, I find all the main characters aggravating. One being a flat out bully (that we're supposed to like/tolerate despite the constant tearing down and verbal abuse she offers?), another being a bumbling dolt with a dash of wisdom, another being overly naive in her path from village to struggling in the city, a priest that was designed from the first moment to be loathsome and hated (yet he is persuasive enough to rouse millions of people to his faith?), and a simpleton king who concedes to an inevitable march to war (this can be excused because the king admits he isn't a king as much as a soldier). The one character that stands out is the new leader of a pack of exiles - straight forward in his part but without the flaws that plague all the others. One major flaw is the lack of accounting for the environment and how it *should* favor the Elorians (of the night) vs Timandrians (of the day). This seemingly doesn't have any weight because I assume plot is more important? This will be a thorn in the reader's side for the entirety of the trilogy.Book 2: Arenson's second book of the Moth saga is a step in a better direction. Again - Arenson's composition is well written. There is weighty subject matter in this one including the brutality (and evil) of genocide, racial hatred, consummation of love in a handful of moments, handy-capped characters, and harshness of fate. Where in the first book we see the mustering and first operation of the Timandrian war machine (against Pahme), here we witness the continuance of the Timandrians march and the protagonists' desperate quests to rouse the kingdoms of Eloria to unite and defend their realm. The plot flows well and the cast of protagonist characters form into something likable. Neither as bumbling, nor as infuriating, nor as nasty as in the first book (although in hindsight, it has more to do with separation between Bailey and her 'victims of friendship'). The author continues to put the antagonist Ferius, on a pedestal to be loathed. The primrose path is not to be found here for the 'heroes.' There still are discrepancies in plot, and to enjoy this book the reader must overlook them. Lapses in royal security and lapses in throne room etiquette - (one would expect harsh punishment for insolence) are two gaps that are allowed to move the plot forward. Environmental advantages also 'seem' to be a non-issue. One would think Elorians who live in constant starlight and who demonstrate low-light vision have a *significant* tactical advantage. That advantage is simply not accounted for (or at least not clearly described). Similarly, as far as naval battles occur - one would expect an armored fleet, both sailored by lowlight visioned men in darkness and deploying cannon, would utterly decimate its enemy. Siege warfare also is a puzzling set piece within the story. Time seems to fast forward during battles which also confounds me. To the reader - all of a sudden an invading force has breached the main gate and then is at the heart of a city (with their siege machines) in seemingly the next breath. Although as concession, the author may mention in passing that the conflict has lasted several days. This then seems to fly in the face of the protagonists who are clearly finite humans (read: not superheroes), fighting with endless vigor. Additionally, deploying siege machines also is contradictory to the physical conventions of the author's world. Transporting boulders, trebuchets, catapults, ballista, and battering rams overland and their deployment – all at the endless night of Eloria can confound the reader. In conclusion: you're in for a good ride – one much better than the first book. I also applaud how weighty subject matter is addressed - commendably integrated and handled, bringing depth to the tale.Book 3: Arenson's continues to improve his storytelling in the third book. Let's start with the bad (they are nothing new). The two criticisms I would have include the continued disregard for tactical advantages between two warring empires continue to be disregarded. And that one can't sympathize with the brutish character of Bailey. She has a quick temper, is foolhardy (dangerous stunts when the weight of the world is at stake), is constantly arrogant, and is constantly abusive - it's way too late for readers to like her now or do anything but write her (and her love interests) off, even with brief moments of vulnerability or remorse. What is a joy to read is the continued exploration of the world with is vastly different environments and mysteries within. Arenson has constructed a world that is wondrous. Characters continue to evolve (in a good way) as they grow, learning to cope with their experiences. The interactions, conversations, and setting are all masterfully written. There is a good theme of the cost of this war - and a good depiction of the emotional baggage the characters pick up along the way (the horrors of slaughter, the losing of friends, etc).

an interesting world of 2 halves , mixing cruel vicious religious fever with a mix of cross nation empathy by a few that are un-trusting of the new fever taking over the land. Kings wanting more to rule by any means striking fear into the hearts of the innocent. a family split by violence but rejoined in war, blossoming love between races and a race to stop evil taking over the world.......................... Corruption, violence and an understanding that life is sacred and working together to stop the evil spreading throughout the known world, to find an answer why the world is split in two halves light/dark.................very enjoyable fast moving with lots of emotions being bought forth by the writer, cannot wait for more

I actually wanted to try the dragon book series from Daniel Arenson and stumbled upon this one when buying a set of 9 books of various authors. So I thought to give it a go and wow, this saga is just great. I could not stop reading. The overall idea is really good. I never got tired to read any story out of all the main characters. The ending might have been a bit quick and too easy but the writing just made up to it. Really well done.Was looking forward to read the next 3 books but after I found out it is not about the main characters anymore, I am a bit reluctant. But I guess I will give it a try.

Got this book set as I read the first two books in a collection set,read them, loved them, I had to know more. The finale for this series was good, but you do start to dislike characters that you wouldn't think so at first. There's a heck of a lot of death and despair at times but it is worth a read, there's a second set of books set in the same world that I'll be reviewing next.

With an amazing story, you become highly attached to the characters and really connect with the book. I struggled to put this saga down and were extremely upset to have finished. This book will leave a lasting impact and is by far, one of the best saga's I have had the pleasure of reading!

A fun series to read but really pushes fantasy to the limit in some areas. Some of the characters seem a bit irrelevant, and when they die it doesn't really make any difference, either emotionally, or to the plot - but overall a pretty good read to pass time on a rainy day (or on the beach)