Alex Steele

An excellent introduction to a sadly below-average series.
This book works because it doesn't really do much.
It's an entertaining but simple introductory story. It's fast-paced, has decent humor, and has an interesting enough plot to keep me engaged. While general the worldbuilding is well done, it mostly raises questions without providing many answers.
This is completely fine for the first book of a series that is so clearly meant to be read as a single story but through the magic of already having read the second one I have to say that the answers to the questions were all underwhelming, clichéed, and tired tropes.
So while I don't really have much to criticize about this first book I still can not recommend the series. It's just not worth it if you are looking for anything with the slightest bit of originality.
It wouldn't be fair to call the characters completely two-dimensional but their motivations even with their inner conflicts and flawed personalities felt just hackneyed to no end.
It doesn't feel like they face unique personal challenges but just what heroes that are destined to save the world and make great sacrifices in the process always have to face yadda yadda bla bla.… (meer)