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Under the Northern Sky #2
The Spider
Control of the land under the Northern Sky rests in the balance as two fierce races collide in the sequel to The Wolf , a thrilling and savagely visceral epic fantasy from Leo Carew, an author who "will remind readers of George R. R. Martin, David Gemmell, or . . . Joe Abercrombie." ( Booklist)
Roper, the Black Lord of the north, may have vanquished the Suthern army at the Battle of Harstathur. But the greatest threat to his people lies in the hands of more shadowy forces.
In the south, the disgraced Bellamus bides his time. Learning that the young Lord Roper is planning to invade the southern lands, Bellamus conspires with his Queen to unleash a weapon so deadly it could wipe out Roper's kind altogether.
And at a time when Roper needs his friends more than ever, treachery from within puts the lives of those he loves in mortal danger . . .
For more from Leo Carew, check
Under the Northern Sky
The Wolf
The Spider
Roper, the Black Lord of the north, may have vanquished the Suthern army at the Battle of Harstathur. But the greatest threat to his people lies in the hands of more shadowy forces.
In the south, the disgraced Bellamus bides his time. Learning that the young Lord Roper is planning to invade the southern lands, Bellamus conspires with his Queen to unleash a weapon so deadly it could wipe out Roper's kind altogether.
And at a time when Roper needs his friends more than ever, treachery from within puts the lives of those he loves in mortal danger . . .
For more from Leo Carew, check
Under the Northern Sky
The Wolf
The Spider
544 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2019
About the author
Leo Carew
5 books395 followersThe third of four children, Leo Carew grew up in the centre of London, in the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Inspired by audiobooks, he developed a late interest in reading and began trying his hand at writing soon afterwards.
Carew read Biological Anthropology at Jesus College, Cambridge, after which he pursued a long-standing love of cold and wild places to the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard - Old Norse for 'The Cold Edge.' Here, he lived in a tent for a year, training and working as an Arctic guide, and subsequently an explorer. This was also when he revisited a novel he had begun at the age of 12, which was rewritten as The Wolf, the first book in his Under the Northern Sky trilogy.
A reluctant return to London followed to pursue a career as an army medic, during which he completed the sequels - The Spider, and The Cuckoo. Carew currently works as a British Army doctor, plotting his next book, and his next expedition to high north, south or altitude.
Carew read Biological Anthropology at Jesus College, Cambridge, after which he pursued a long-standing love of cold and wild places to the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard - Old Norse for 'The Cold Edge.' Here, he lived in a tent for a year, training and working as an Arctic guide, and subsequently an explorer. This was also when he revisited a novel he had begun at the age of 12, which was rewritten as The Wolf, the first book in his Under the Northern Sky trilogy.
A reluctant return to London followed to pursue a career as an army medic, during which he completed the sequels - The Spider, and The Cuckoo. Carew currently works as a British Army doctor, plotting his next book, and his next expedition to high north, south or altitude.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 18, 2023
While a clear step down from the first entry in this series - this book was still very fun and I look forward to reading the conclusion to the trilogy soon.
Watch my video review by clicking here.
Watch my video review by clicking here.
May 4, 2024
I have a full discussion video about this (and the series) on my youtube channel - link in my bio.
In a nutshell, I adored the first book and loved The Spider just as much, if not more. The world-building is some of the best I've ever seen, grounding the plot in a way that adds incredible weight and depth to it. The text takes the time to examine every layer upon which the story is built - the cultures, belief systems, institutions, history, political structures, etc. - creating a rich foundation for a complex and compelling tale about the grand clashes of culture, as well as the smaller, but no less significant, clashes of personality and motivations.
If you haven't picked up these books, do yourself a favor and give them a go. But, only if you want to read something truly excellent.
In a nutshell, I adored the first book and loved The Spider just as much, if not more. The world-building is some of the best I've ever seen, grounding the plot in a way that adds incredible weight and depth to it. The text takes the time to examine every layer upon which the story is built - the cultures, belief systems, institutions, history, political structures, etc. - creating a rich foundation for a complex and compelling tale about the grand clashes of culture, as well as the smaller, but no less significant, clashes of personality and motivations.
If you haven't picked up these books, do yourself a favor and give them a go. But, only if you want to read something truly excellent.
July 3, 2019
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Spider is the long-awaited sequel to The Wolf. Following his success at the Battle of Harstathur, Lord Roper reigns over the Anakim, but is acutely aware that Suthern forces are a threat to the long-term future of the Northern people. With that, a plan develops to wipe out the entire Suthern race, safe-guarding the longevity of the Northern people. With weakened forces at his disposal, to be successful, Roper will have to befriend a savage race of people, the Unhieru, a difficult challenge for anyone, let alone the Black Lord.
With an intricate network of spies, including some very close to Lord Roper, the disgraced Bellamus feeds information to the Suthern Queen, protecting her and her people, along with conspiring to let loose a deadly weapon, so potent that it could wipe out the northerners altogether. This book tells the story of a true battle, north versus south, with a winner-take-all outcome.
The Spider is a wonderfully-written book and follows directly on where The Wolf left off. The journey into the South with the legions of troops is expertly described, putting you right in the middle of the scene. You get a real sense of pride with the troops, and with every dead-end that they experience, you get a true feel for how their morale just keeps ebbing away. With everything to fight for, you will want to keep reading this book, right to the end, riding alongside Roper and his men as they are seemingly thwarted with each attempt to take down the Sutherners. The twists and turns, along with the fantastic descriptive writing of Leo Carew will mean you are in this for the long-haul. I for one cannot wait for the next instalment.
The style of writing is one that I really enjoy reading; that is the chapters are quite short, making it easy to “pick up for ten minutes”. The difficult part is putting it back down again. If you haven’t read The Wolf, I would strongly recommend reading that first as there are many references to events from that book. Whilst you could read this book without reading The Wolf first, reading the first of the series adds context to events that might otherwise have passed you by. The Spider is a fantasy masterpiece that you will enjoy from front cover to back.
The Spider is the long-awaited sequel to The Wolf. Following his success at the Battle of Harstathur, Lord Roper reigns over the Anakim, but is acutely aware that Suthern forces are a threat to the long-term future of the Northern people. With that, a plan develops to wipe out the entire Suthern race, safe-guarding the longevity of the Northern people. With weakened forces at his disposal, to be successful, Roper will have to befriend a savage race of people, the Unhieru, a difficult challenge for anyone, let alone the Black Lord.
With an intricate network of spies, including some very close to Lord Roper, the disgraced Bellamus feeds information to the Suthern Queen, protecting her and her people, along with conspiring to let loose a deadly weapon, so potent that it could wipe out the northerners altogether. This book tells the story of a true battle, north versus south, with a winner-take-all outcome.
The Spider is a wonderfully-written book and follows directly on where The Wolf left off. The journey into the South with the legions of troops is expertly described, putting you right in the middle of the scene. You get a real sense of pride with the troops, and with every dead-end that they experience, you get a true feel for how their morale just keeps ebbing away. With everything to fight for, you will want to keep reading this book, right to the end, riding alongside Roper and his men as they are seemingly thwarted with each attempt to take down the Sutherners. The twists and turns, along with the fantastic descriptive writing of Leo Carew will mean you are in this for the long-haul. I for one cannot wait for the next instalment.
The style of writing is one that I really enjoy reading; that is the chapters are quite short, making it easy to “pick up for ten minutes”. The difficult part is putting it back down again. If you haven’t read The Wolf, I would strongly recommend reading that first as there are many references to events from that book. Whilst you could read this book without reading The Wolf first, reading the first of the series adds context to events that might otherwise have passed you by. The Spider is a fantasy masterpiece that you will enjoy from front cover to back.
December 19, 2022
Definitely better than The Wolf but there's just something missing for me overall. I'd say this is more like a 3.5? I really like the setting and the part of history this is set in and as much as it reminds me of The Last Kingdom and Vikings in really missing some characters I care about. There's nobody in this cast of characters that does anything for me. The plot is interesting, the dialogue is well done and the combat is engaging, especially that fight near the end... You know the one.
April 16, 2023
The Spider by Leo Carew is the second book in the "Under the Northern Sky" trilogy and takes place immediately after the events of its predecessor, The Wolf. It's an engaging story and worthy sequel that I definitely enjoyed, although not as much as I went in expecting to.
One of my favorite aspects of the first book was the political intrigue that exists within the Anakim race in the North. I found that was really well-handled and had me invested all the way through. I was really looking forward to seeing more of that in its sequel here, but I actually feel like we got quite a bit less of that, which I found a little bit disappointing. That said, where this book does take the story is rather interesting. The Spider layers in much more background on the anthropology of the different groups in the North and the South and you can really feel the author's passion for these topics in how he develops his world. I thought the glimpses we got of this in the first book were intriguing and I was thrilled to see that further expanded upon here in book 2. This book definitely feels like a "middle book" in the sense that while there are major events that are happening, most of what is occurring feels like setup for the final book. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but does result in some parts of this one feeling a little repetitive and slow. However, there are a number of smaller moments here that really helped develop a few of the characters in a way that I was hoping for after I finished The Wolf. In regard to the writing itself, it continues to be easily-readable and solid. I haven't found it too flowery or too plain for my personal tastes at all. Furthermore, the threads Leo Carew sets up are interesting and are not entirely where I expected the story to head, in a good way. There are some twists and turns throughout this one that really kept me invested in the story and the action was very engaging. Particularly, a larger battle scene towards the end.
Overall, I'm certainly happy I continued with this series. While it definitely isn't a new all-time favorite or the most unique fantasy series out there, I have found that it has a sense of freshness and enough "left-turns" that have kept me intrigued thus far. With the way this book left off, I'm extremely curious to see how everything concludes in the final book of the trilogy, The Cuckoo.
7/10
One of my favorite aspects of the first book was the political intrigue that exists within the Anakim race in the North. I found that was really well-handled and had me invested all the way through. I was really looking forward to seeing more of that in its sequel here, but I actually feel like we got quite a bit less of that, which I found a little bit disappointing. That said, where this book does take the story is rather interesting. The Spider layers in much more background on the anthropology of the different groups in the North and the South and you can really feel the author's passion for these topics in how he develops his world. I thought the glimpses we got of this in the first book were intriguing and I was thrilled to see that further expanded upon here in book 2. This book definitely feels like a "middle book" in the sense that while there are major events that are happening, most of what is occurring feels like setup for the final book. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but does result in some parts of this one feeling a little repetitive and slow. However, there are a number of smaller moments here that really helped develop a few of the characters in a way that I was hoping for after I finished The Wolf. In regard to the writing itself, it continues to be easily-readable and solid. I haven't found it too flowery or too plain for my personal tastes at all. Furthermore, the threads Leo Carew sets up are interesting and are not entirely where I expected the story to head, in a good way. There are some twists and turns throughout this one that really kept me invested in the story and the action was very engaging. Particularly, a larger battle scene towards the end.
Overall, I'm certainly happy I continued with this series. While it definitely isn't a new all-time favorite or the most unique fantasy series out there, I have found that it has a sense of freshness and enough "left-turns" that have kept me intrigued thus far. With the way this book left off, I'm extremely curious to see how everything concludes in the final book of the trilogy, The Cuckoo.
7/10
November 29, 2022
3.5 stars
Again, this was a tough one to rate because I wonder if the issue is me as the reader and not the book. I enjoyed this one a bit more than book one but I am still finding this series daunting.
The story itself is not necessarily complicated but the writing style felt dry. This is a very character focused series and I unfortunately did not necessarily connect with them as much as I would have liked. While this is classified fantasy, this is not a magical story. I feel that this book will most appeal to readers who love a detailed story with a historical fiction style narrative.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Again, this was a tough one to rate because I wonder if the issue is me as the reader and not the book. I enjoyed this one a bit more than book one but I am still finding this series daunting.
The story itself is not necessarily complicated but the writing style felt dry. This is a very character focused series and I unfortunately did not necessarily connect with them as much as I would have liked. While this is classified fantasy, this is not a magical story. I feel that this book will most appeal to readers who love a detailed story with a historical fiction style narrative.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
June 16, 2023
The Wolf I gave 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This one I liked better ..I give it 4 Stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
But as a whole both books…
so far the rating is 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love the setting, some characters more than others! Intrigued at times!
This one I liked better ..I give it 4 Stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
But as a whole both books…
so far the rating is 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love the setting, some characters more than others! Intrigued at times!
February 17, 2022
4.5 stars
April 7, 2024
the ending. WHY? Why. Leo? Why?
April 24, 2024
Another great entry in a criminally underappreciated series. I don't think this entry was as strong as The Wolf due to a minor case of middle book syndrome, though the conclusion of the book was much more substantial and surprising than other second entries in trilogies I've read. The character work and worldbuilding remain top notch, but the middle portion of the book is a bit meandering for my taste. I can't wait to start The Cuckoo, and then more importantly do a reread of the full series.
May 11, 2023
After finishing The Wolf, I was eager to dive into this one, and after finishing The Spider, I am now very eager to dive into the final book of the trilogy. My only issues with the first book were some pacing problems and how accelerated the character development was for Roper. In this one, those complaints have been remedied.
At face value, this book tells a simple story; an army from one nation invades another nation that previously invaded them. Within this main story arc, we get interesting characters, tense moments, and some great worldbuilding. Despite the story not bringing anything new to the genre, Carew has found a way to so easily engross me in this story. I typically love fantasy novels that try for something completely different, so reading a book where an invading army seeks to destroy their enemy seems dull, but I loved just about every moment of this one.
When I finished The Wolf, I was clearly rooting for one side, as I feel the reader is supposed to. The Anakim were invaded by the Sutherner's, and in this book, the Anakim themselves are the aggressive force. Carew writes some of the best battle scenes I have ever read, truly capturing the emotion of his characters in the heat of the moment. Whether it be a panicked soldier who just lost his footing or a commanding officer who feels uncertainy, not knowing whether he has doomed his troops, the way battle is depicted in this book feels so realistic. It's one thing to write the action itself well (which the author does), but it's another to truly encapsulate every aspect of war, and this is where Carew shines for me.
I also have fallen in love with this world. Again, it isn't just a mere "north and south," though it does appear that way at first. The world has a complex history and is filled with many races, each of which have their own traditions. I love the focus on these traditions, and how members of different races take in the differences.
Really my only complaint is that I find the main villain to be pretty lackluster, and I find that the characters of the story should be more aware of what is going on (can't say much more in order to avoid spoilers). I will say though, the feel of this book is very similar to that of book one. If you were on the fence about The Wolf, I don't see this one winning you over, despite how much I enjoyed it.
The Spider sets up the finale well, while also telling a fantastic story within the 480 pages this one contains. I found the entire ride to be interesting and a great entry to a series that began with a strong foundation.
At face value, this book tells a simple story; an army from one nation invades another nation that previously invaded them. Within this main story arc, we get interesting characters, tense moments, and some great worldbuilding. Despite the story not bringing anything new to the genre, Carew has found a way to so easily engross me in this story. I typically love fantasy novels that try for something completely different, so reading a book where an invading army seeks to destroy their enemy seems dull, but I loved just about every moment of this one.
When I finished The Wolf, I was clearly rooting for one side, as I feel the reader is supposed to. The Anakim were invaded by the Sutherner's, and in this book, the Anakim themselves are the aggressive force. Carew writes some of the best battle scenes I have ever read, truly capturing the emotion of his characters in the heat of the moment. Whether it be a panicked soldier who just lost his footing or a commanding officer who feels uncertainy, not knowing whether he has doomed his troops, the way battle is depicted in this book feels so realistic. It's one thing to write the action itself well (which the author does), but it's another to truly encapsulate every aspect of war, and this is where Carew shines for me.
I also have fallen in love with this world. Again, it isn't just a mere "north and south," though it does appear that way at first. The world has a complex history and is filled with many races, each of which have their own traditions. I love the focus on these traditions, and how members of different races take in the differences.
Really my only complaint is that I find the main villain to be pretty lackluster, and I find that the characters of the story should be more aware of what is going on (can't say much more in order to avoid spoilers). I will say though, the feel of this book is very similar to that of book one. If you were on the fence about The Wolf, I don't see this one winning you over, despite how much I enjoyed it.
The Spider sets up the finale well, while also telling a fantastic story within the 480 pages this one contains. I found the entire ride to be interesting and a great entry to a series that began with a strong foundation.
September 9, 2024
Most of the POVed Anakim in this book confuse naivety with "looking for the best in people", and I can't respect them. 😩 For example:
Let's release a highly manipulative prisoner we know to be evil because he says he'll help us. So glad we kept him alive because people can change. uwu.
When I tell you, he did not, in fact, change... How could he possibly have changed after "two whole weeks" of soft (sitting in a warm tent, playing chess, being asked an optional questionnaire) interrogation?? When anyone above the age of 25 points out this method is ineffective and preposterous, the convict is defended!!! This is what we call Stockholm Syndrome; you're sick, get help.
From start to finish, the Anakim ride one emotional wave to another and convince themselves they're so intelligent for looking at the bigger picture. Yet reason is countlessly abandoned for ignorance and incompetence, and they're shocked each time at the Ls they have to ingest.
It's Roper against the entire world, including me 🤣 If this was real life, the amount of dust he's eaten would be considered an appetizer. I also don't appreciate the ✨not like other girls✨ bit he has going on. Impatiently waiting for him to grow tf up and heed his elders.
From start to finish, the Anakim ride one emotional wave to another and convince themselves they're so intelligent for looking at the bigger picture. Yet reason is countlessly abandoned for ignorance and incompetence, and they're shocked each time at the Ls they have to ingest.
It's Roper against the entire world, including me 🤣 If this was real life, the amount of dust he's eaten would be considered an appetizer. I also don't appreciate the ✨not like other girls✨ bit he has going on. Impatiently waiting for him to grow tf up and heed his elders.
July 9, 2019
what a cover!! Both this and 'The Wolf' have eye catching designs that leave the casual observer in no doubt whatsoever that this book is rich, fantastical and so worth investing time and money in.
''I fear for the Black Kingdom.We have so many devious and powerful enemies.We are fewer year on year. And Bellamus's tactics on Harstathur,and at the battle on the flood plains, show that they're finding ways to fight us.Along with my usual prayers for my loved ones,for perspective,faith,and thanksgiving for all that I have,I pray for our kingdom.I truly fear for her.''
This is the crux of this difficult second novel-in it the author has to take the worlds created in book 1, build on them, invite new readers in and also advance the plot and Leo Carew does not just do this, he blows the reader away with the planning and intricacies of Albion. He has been there. He knows all his characters inside and out, and reading it you are so very happy to go along with him.
'The Wolf' was a smorgasbord of battle field scenes, death and war ending with Lord Roper defeating his southern enemies at the Battle of Harstathur, driving them back and reasserting his dominance and his domain. However, a great leader in warfare is not always a great leader outside of this and you can smell the unease in him of 'what do I do next?' He is almost willing the next battlefield into existence but firts he has to work out who to trust and this is a far from easy task.
Was his greatest mistake in leaving his enemy, Bellamus, alive? Northern King,(Lord Roper of the Anakim) versus Southern (Suthern) Queen Aramilla ably plied with ideas by Bellamus has the potential to come across as a Thrones/Tolkien-esque fan fiction but it absolutely does not. AND THERE ARE GIANTS!!Always there for a book with giants in!
I am a huge GRRM fan, less so of Tolkien who I personally find does not stand up to repeated re-readings. So when a book series comes along which is vaunted as being by 'the next George RR Martin' you tend not only to be sceptical but also feel it's a tad unfait to be labelled as such.
Again it's only this reader's opinion, but I actually find it more readable than 'A Game Of Thrones'- to clarify, it took me mere days to read this whilst I am on 'A Clash Of Kings' and have been for months. Leo Carew dives straight into his story of intrigue, double crossing, warfare and the fall and rise of kingdoms. He's not the next GRRM, he is the first Leo Carew and I would place bets on there being authors in the next couple of years being referred to as the new him.
Looking forward to volume 3 of the series and finding put what happens next , how will vengeance be wreaked and where. Who will survive this clash is anyone's guess and I for one cannot wait for the next battle !!!
Highly recommended to any fan of epic fantasy, start with 'The Wolf', chased down with 'The Spider' and stick around for the third course !
''I fear for the Black Kingdom.We have so many devious and powerful enemies.We are fewer year on year. And Bellamus's tactics on Harstathur,and at the battle on the flood plains, show that they're finding ways to fight us.Along with my usual prayers for my loved ones,for perspective,faith,and thanksgiving for all that I have,I pray for our kingdom.I truly fear for her.''
This is the crux of this difficult second novel-in it the author has to take the worlds created in book 1, build on them, invite new readers in and also advance the plot and Leo Carew does not just do this, he blows the reader away with the planning and intricacies of Albion. He has been there. He knows all his characters inside and out, and reading it you are so very happy to go along with him.
'The Wolf' was a smorgasbord of battle field scenes, death and war ending with Lord Roper defeating his southern enemies at the Battle of Harstathur, driving them back and reasserting his dominance and his domain. However, a great leader in warfare is not always a great leader outside of this and you can smell the unease in him of 'what do I do next?' He is almost willing the next battlefield into existence but firts he has to work out who to trust and this is a far from easy task.
Was his greatest mistake in leaving his enemy, Bellamus, alive? Northern King,(Lord Roper of the Anakim) versus Southern (Suthern) Queen Aramilla ably plied with ideas by Bellamus has the potential to come across as a Thrones/Tolkien-esque fan fiction but it absolutely does not. AND THERE ARE GIANTS!!Always there for a book with giants in!
I am a huge GRRM fan, less so of Tolkien who I personally find does not stand up to repeated re-readings. So when a book series comes along which is vaunted as being by 'the next George RR Martin' you tend not only to be sceptical but also feel it's a tad unfait to be labelled as such.
Again it's only this reader's opinion, but I actually find it more readable than 'A Game Of Thrones'- to clarify, it took me mere days to read this whilst I am on 'A Clash Of Kings' and have been for months. Leo Carew dives straight into his story of intrigue, double crossing, warfare and the fall and rise of kingdoms. He's not the next GRRM, he is the first Leo Carew and I would place bets on there being authors in the next couple of years being referred to as the new him.
Looking forward to volume 3 of the series and finding put what happens next , how will vengeance be wreaked and where. Who will survive this clash is anyone's guess and I for one cannot wait for the next battle !!!
Highly recommended to any fan of epic fantasy, start with 'The Wolf', chased down with 'The Spider' and stick around for the third course !
July 2, 2024
Adresses interesting themes and questions and has intriguing moments of worldbuilding while completely lacking any kind of relatable or interesting character or plotline at all.
Well, I haven't written a rant in a while, but here we are. I wasn't the biggest fan of book one, but it was fine - unique worldbuilding, an interesting concept, high stakes and all that. What it lacked were good characters, and that gets even worse here. What's more, the protagonists show a behaviour that can only be summarised with good old Tywin Lannister's "Madness. Madness and stupidity." First and foremost of the many dumb decisions made by them is, of course, to capture the personified biggest threat to the Anakim there ever was and then not immediately kill him. It doesn't make any sense, it's incredibly stupid, and will of course have repercussions.
The whole Queen-subplot is a waste of time and space, armies "suddenly" spawn way south even though they must make do without their outriders, and Roper, who is praised as a brilliant commander by his way too convincing wife, is leading an invasion without taking care of supply lines.
Rubbish.
Also, an important subplot deals with the titular character, the spy, who is unmasked already at the start, so the sense of betrayal that's coming for Roper once he's officially revealed does not affect the reader at all.
And, again, even though I've been following these characters for about a thousand pages now, I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THIS FRICKIN WORLD. All of the Sutherners could be erased and I wouldn't care. Same goes for the Anakim.
Two stars for the very engaging battle sequence at the end, everything else was very underwhelming. I'll read the final book because I'm dumb and already bought it, but not anytime soon.
Well, I haven't written a rant in a while, but here we are. I wasn't the biggest fan of book one, but it was fine - unique worldbuilding, an interesting concept, high stakes and all that. What it lacked were good characters, and that gets even worse here. What's more, the protagonists show a behaviour that can only be summarised with good old Tywin Lannister's "Madness. Madness and stupidity." First and foremost of the many dumb decisions made by them is, of course, to capture the personified biggest threat to the Anakim there ever was and then not immediately kill him. It doesn't make any sense, it's incredibly stupid, and will of course have repercussions.
The whole Queen-subplot is a waste of time and space, armies "suddenly" spawn way south even though they must make do without their outriders, and Roper, who is praised as a brilliant commander by his way too convincing wife, is leading an invasion without taking care of supply lines.
Rubbish.
Also, an important subplot deals with the titular character, the spy, who is unmasked already at the start, so the sense of betrayal that's coming for Roper once he's officially revealed does not affect the reader at all.
And, again, even though I've been following these characters for about a thousand pages now, I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THIS FRICKIN WORLD. All of the Sutherners could be erased and I wouldn't care. Same goes for the Anakim.
Two stars for the very engaging battle sequence at the end, everything else was very underwhelming. I'll read the final book because I'm dumb and already bought it, but not anytime soon.
November 22, 2023
Whilst not personally a fan of the quick reveal of the main antagonist, the book is thoroughly enjoyable and packed with action, mystery, and tension. However, if the antagonist was kept a secret until the end of the book it would have allowed for a more clever plot progression and a sense of unease and mystery for the reader, thus keeping it gripping.
Nevertheless, the author has done a great job keeping the story moving in a sensible and fit for the characters way. As usual, the battles and fights are written with brilliant detail and with gripping momentum and tension holding you tight until the very end. The characters feel real and truthful and that is only built upon.The clever plotwork, politics and war motifs are omnipresent in the book, which something I thoroughly enjoy.
I am only giving this book 4 starts due to the above-mentioned information in the first paragraph.
Nevertheless, the author has done a great job keeping the story moving in a sensible and fit for the characters way. As usual, the battles and fights are written with brilliant detail and with gripping momentum and tension holding you tight until the very end. The characters feel real and truthful and that is only built upon.The clever plotwork, politics and war motifs are omnipresent in the book, which something I thoroughly enjoy.
I am only giving this book 4 starts due to the above-mentioned information in the first paragraph.
Read
May 16, 2024DNF at 30%. I'm not interested at the moment. I'll probably retry the whole series at some point.
June 13, 2019
Review to follow for the tour.
May 4, 2023
Edit :3,5/5
I think I'm gonna have an unpopular opinion by saying I liked book 1 more than book 2. I found book 1 more fresher and I really enjoyed the plot of The Wolf. Some aspects of the plot of The Spider were very well done and brought some of my favourite moments in the series so far. But large parts engaged me a bit less. One plotline in particular ended a bit disappointing for me.
To be clear I still liked this book and I'm looking forward to read book 3 of the series. Carew has created with the Anakim a very interesting culture/society that is well thought out. He is also not afraid to let his main characters go through some things and let the characters screw up and not always succeed with no issue or cost. This might not be the most riveting propaganda for this series but I still firmly believe these are worth the time !
I think I'm gonna have an unpopular opinion by saying I liked book 1 more than book 2. I found book 1 more fresher and I really enjoyed the plot of The Wolf. Some aspects of the plot of The Spider were very well done and brought some of my favourite moments in the series so far. But large parts engaged me a bit less. One plotline in particular ended a bit disappointing for me.
To be clear I still liked this book and I'm looking forward to read book 3 of the series. Carew has created with the Anakim a very interesting culture/society that is well thought out. He is also not afraid to let his main characters go through some things and let the characters screw up and not always succeed with no issue or cost. This might not be the most riveting propaganda for this series but I still firmly believe these are worth the time !
January 21, 2021
Just read it !!!!!!
June 27, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser
Continuing on the story from The Wolf, THE SPIDER by Leo Carew, did not disappoint as I was sucked back into a unique world where treachery hides behind every corner and war is just a way of life.
As the war continues to rage between the Anakim and the Sutherners, Lord Roper cannot stop to enjoy his victory as his people are in more danger than ever. But can he trust those that he needs to depend on, and will he be able to protect those that matter most to him as his enemies plans take on an even deadlier edge?
As always with Leo Carew's writing, the imagery is majestic as every battle scene, every conversation, every scene jumps to life off the page and comes alive like a movie in front of your eyes. The characters and their relationships felt more developed in this book and I became even more invested in what would happen and who could be trusted. This is definitely a large story but there is not an unnecessary word used and every page holds your attention from beginning to end.
THE SPIDER by Leo Carew puts the epic into epic fantasy and deserves to be on the bookshelves with the best of the genre because it is simply that good. A must for fantasy fans everywhere.
Continuing on the story from The Wolf, THE SPIDER by Leo Carew, did not disappoint as I was sucked back into a unique world where treachery hides behind every corner and war is just a way of life.
As the war continues to rage between the Anakim and the Sutherners, Lord Roper cannot stop to enjoy his victory as his people are in more danger than ever. But can he trust those that he needs to depend on, and will he be able to protect those that matter most to him as his enemies plans take on an even deadlier edge?
As always with Leo Carew's writing, the imagery is majestic as every battle scene, every conversation, every scene jumps to life off the page and comes alive like a movie in front of your eyes. The characters and their relationships felt more developed in this book and I became even more invested in what would happen and who could be trusted. This is definitely a large story but there is not an unnecessary word used and every page holds your attention from beginning to end.
THE SPIDER by Leo Carew puts the epic into epic fantasy and deserves to be on the bookshelves with the best of the genre because it is simply that good. A must for fantasy fans everywhere.
August 20, 2021
4.5 ⭐ rounded up. Where's book three? *grabby hands*
September 21, 2021
The first quater was a slow start, but I really liked the setting of the school in the mountains. Also a nice twist to witness the typical school-where-the-warriors-are-coming-from-arc from a outsider perspective. The story really picks up at the halfway point and I finished it in one go from there on, looking forward to the next part !
March 12, 2019
For those new to these books:
The Spider is a continuation of the story that was first introduced in The Wolf. It is set in a world where two different groups war on one another the Anakim and Sutherners. The Sutherners are like present day humans but the Anakim are something else; my theory is that they shared a common ancestor but have taken different evolutionary paths. There are vast differences between these groups and the twist to these stories is that you see things primarily through the Anakim point of view. I find the Anakim to also be far more sympathetic and honorable than the Sutherners. This is a military fantasy series with heart. What I mean by that is there are many books that are within this genre that can be dour and pessimistic even if they are still amazing and well written (such as The Black Company and Malazan). These books are filled with brave and honorable men and women (with a few notable exceptions) that make reading it almost uplifting compared to the grimmer books I tend to favor.
For those who have read The Wolf:
You know the thing about making a deal with the devil? He always comes to collect. This book is about the consequences of Roper’s arrangement that he made with Vigtyr, is the previous book, and Ropers decision to free the entire island from Suthern control. I was expecting the book to be like the previous book: Bellamus vs Roper (master tactician vs mater tactician) and, while that it still a major part of the story, it is a different sort of war. I applaud the author for trying something new and not having this story be a repeat of the last one. There is also a mystery that they need to solve which was interesting because the reader already knows who is ultimately responsible for it (it was given in this book’s prologue and in the last pages of the previous book); still it was interesting to watch the characters try to connect to dots for themselves and I thought Inger was a nice addition to the cast. I think, ultimately, I enjoyed The Wolf a little more than this book (due to the nature of the type of battles and war that is waged), but also realize that middle books can be very tricky and am a little more lenient with them. I was also given an uncorrected proof to read so perhaps I will revise my opinion when I read the finished copy. I thought it was a still strong sequel and look forward to the next book. I think readers are going to love getting more information on Unhierea (a location) and getting to spend more time with Roper, Pryce, Grey and Keturah.
I was given an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.
The Spider is a continuation of the story that was first introduced in The Wolf. It is set in a world where two different groups war on one another the Anakim and Sutherners. The Sutherners are like present day humans but the Anakim are something else; my theory is that they shared a common ancestor but have taken different evolutionary paths. There are vast differences between these groups and the twist to these stories is that you see things primarily through the Anakim point of view. I find the Anakim to also be far more sympathetic and honorable than the Sutherners. This is a military fantasy series with heart. What I mean by that is there are many books that are within this genre that can be dour and pessimistic even if they are still amazing and well written (such as The Black Company and Malazan). These books are filled with brave and honorable men and women (with a few notable exceptions) that make reading it almost uplifting compared to the grimmer books I tend to favor.
For those who have read The Wolf:
You know the thing about making a deal with the devil? He always comes to collect. This book is about the consequences of Roper’s arrangement that he made with Vigtyr, is the previous book, and Ropers decision to free the entire island from Suthern control. I was expecting the book to be like the previous book: Bellamus vs Roper (master tactician vs mater tactician) and, while that it still a major part of the story, it is a different sort of war. I applaud the author for trying something new and not having this story be a repeat of the last one. There is also a mystery that they need to solve which was interesting because the reader already knows who is ultimately responsible for it (it was given in this book’s prologue and in the last pages of the previous book); still it was interesting to watch the characters try to connect to dots for themselves and I thought Inger was a nice addition to the cast. I think, ultimately, I enjoyed The Wolf a little more than this book (due to the nature of the type of battles and war that is waged), but also realize that middle books can be very tricky and am a little more lenient with them. I was also given an uncorrected proof to read so perhaps I will revise my opinion when I read the finished copy. I thought it was a still strong sequel and look forward to the next book. I think readers are going to love getting more information on Unhierea (a location) and getting to spend more time with Roper, Pryce, Grey and Keturah.
I was given an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.
March 22, 2021
Disappointing how in this second book the Black Lord is suddenly making such idiotic decisions, just to move the story along. Apparently he likes his enemies more than he loves his own family and peers.
Annoying.
Annoying.
April 3, 2023
That ending wth 😭
May 29, 2024
3.5 stars but had to round down this time.
In so many ways another really great book with terrific characters and an engaging world to fall in love with. Roper is so driven, Pryce such an absolute hero, Grey the loyal legionary, Tekoa’s family have bite- it goes on.
As with book 1, however, there was difficulty in consistency and decision making I just couldn’t quite get over. Taking both books into account together, some things just weren’t quite real.
In book 1 we are introduced to Vigtyr as a ruthless ultimate swordsman who can get ANYthing done. He manipulates the law, multiple trials, ranking members of society and has a network of spies and everyone seems to be in his pocket. He proves this in book 1 and book 2 is set up to be his revenge on Roper.
However, book 2 fails to deliver this. Vigtyr, when we get to see him in more detail, fails to deliver anything in this book. He sends 1 assassin after Roper’s brothers (who knows his face and name) with 2 accomplices and after months he sends no one else to help or change anything.
He also goes to the Southerners camp with no real protection or plan or fail safe and it doesn’t go too well. In fact he is basically Bellamus’ lackey and doesn’t do much thinking for himself.
Despite living for revenge on Roper, he makes no plans against him in book 2, kills no one after chapter 1 and is disappointing. It would have been easy to kill roper and walk off if he had wanted to. Or kill his wife. Or send more assassins. And what happened to his network of people in his pocket or getting things done?
I struggled with 7+ foot tall people with bone armour and regular armour fighting against regular humans in book 1 and this was exacerbated in book 2. The giants come and, although yes they are attacked by some ballistae, a thousand of them go in armour through a breach in the wall and I couldn’t quite believe they wouldn’t smash the city apart on their own. These guys are 8+ feet tall at least, able to cause terror literally by making a sound and they wear heavy armour. And a thousand of them, with lots more in reserve..
I also struggled with everyone telling Roper that Bellamus would manipulate him and then Roper letting it happen, but that was more minor.
His wife wanting to go to plague land with her dad while carrying the heir to the throne was also crazy - but no one mentioned the heir or that it would be killing the baby. Just felt ridiculous.
However, there is great characterisation in the heroes, and some absolute legends there. Looking forward to book 3 which I hope will be more believable.
In so many ways another really great book with terrific characters and an engaging world to fall in love with. Roper is so driven, Pryce such an absolute hero, Grey the loyal legionary, Tekoa’s family have bite- it goes on.
As with book 1, however, there was difficulty in consistency and decision making I just couldn’t quite get over. Taking both books into account together, some things just weren’t quite real.
In book 1 we are introduced to Vigtyr as a ruthless ultimate swordsman who can get ANYthing done. He manipulates the law, multiple trials, ranking members of society and has a network of spies and everyone seems to be in his pocket. He proves this in book 1 and book 2 is set up to be his revenge on Roper.
However, book 2 fails to deliver this. Vigtyr, when we get to see him in more detail, fails to deliver anything in this book. He sends 1 assassin after Roper’s brothers (who knows his face and name) with 2 accomplices and after months he sends no one else to help or change anything.
He also goes to the Southerners camp with no real protection or plan or fail safe and it doesn’t go too well. In fact he is basically Bellamus’ lackey and doesn’t do much thinking for himself.
Despite living for revenge on Roper, he makes no plans against him in book 2, kills no one after chapter 1 and is disappointing. It would have been easy to kill roper and walk off if he had wanted to. Or kill his wife. Or send more assassins. And what happened to his network of people in his pocket or getting things done?
I struggled with 7+ foot tall people with bone armour and regular armour fighting against regular humans in book 1 and this was exacerbated in book 2. The giants come and, although yes they are attacked by some ballistae, a thousand of them go in armour through a breach in the wall and I couldn’t quite believe they wouldn’t smash the city apart on their own. These guys are 8+ feet tall at least, able to cause terror literally by making a sound and they wear heavy armour. And a thousand of them, with lots more in reserve..
I also struggled with everyone telling Roper that Bellamus would manipulate him and then Roper letting it happen, but that was more minor.
His wife wanting to go to plague land with her dad while carrying the heir to the throne was also crazy - but no one mentioned the heir or that it would be killing the baby. Just felt ridiculous.
However, there is great characterisation in the heroes, and some absolute legends there. Looking forward to book 3 which I hope will be more believable.
May 24, 2024
What a fantastic sequel! It didn't let up on the amount of political intrigue or the battle strategy. There were so many cool things that happened in this book, and certain images were way beyond haunting (the trees with all of the Skiritai falcon feathers). I love that this series does not shy away from killing off characters which is why I was so engrossed; anyone could die at any moment. No one is safe. And booooooy do we get that. I wept because of this book. Also, the last battle is PERFECT. I was almost to the point of hyperventilation because so much was happening. This paired with the constant planning and enemies surprising each other throughout these two books just added so much to the emotional stakes of the whole thing. I haven't felt this nauseous from anxiety about characters dying in battles since seasons 1-4 of Game of Thrones.
My one gripe is how trustful Roper was in this book. And WHY? After everything that he went through with Uvoren in the first book, why would he just trust people blindly? Like Vigtyr, whom Roper knows is pissed at him for not giving him a position. And Bellamus? Dude, just because someone is an interesting enemy does not mean that they won't stab you in the back. The feeling is not always mutual, and Bellamus was a SPYMASTER; of course he'll have plans.
Pryce will always be my favorite. I don't care, and I need them to follow through on their threats about Vigtyr. Tear that S.O.B. apart.
My one gripe is how trustful Roper was in this book. And WHY? After everything that he went through with Uvoren in the first book, why would he just trust people blindly? Like Vigtyr, whom Roper knows is pissed at him for not giving him a position. And Bellamus? Dude, just because someone is an interesting enemy does not mean that they won't stab you in the back. The feeling is not always mutual, and Bellamus was a SPYMASTER; of course he'll have plans.
Pryce will always be my favorite. I don't care, and I need them to follow through on their threats about Vigtyr. Tear that S.O.B. apart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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