Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 16/06/2023
Published by: Hachette Audio UK
ISBN: B0BGM9V9XY
Cover:
This dramatic design nicely captures the mysterious atmosphere and genre of the story. I also like the nods to elements of the world.
Writing:
Through vivid details, an impressive world rich with magic, religion and politics is gradually established. However, I struggled with the disorientating way the complex worldbuilding is presented and the constant information dumps.
Opposites are not always in opposition; the day and night are equals.
Storyline:
Even with the unfolding political intrigue and mystery, the slow-paced storyline quickly drained my interest as a lot is told but not shown. On top of this, the heavy-handed foreboding soon got tiring and made the twists and turns of the story underwhelming.
Main character:
Much like the storyline, a lot is told but not shown about Lore, leaving her character with little depth. Besides this, Lore is yet another Chosen One and overpowered protagonist, with little done to make her relatable or easy to root for.
That’s the thing about the manipulated… They become the best manipulators.
Secondary characters:
Several characters popped in and out of the story, but none strongly appealed to me. This includes the two male leads who, despite their distinct personalities and backstories, seemed one-dimensional and dull.
Romance:
With little more than feelings of familiarity and attraction, Lore’s connection to the leads felt forced and shallow. This was particularly disappointing since the foundation is there for a delightful slow-burn and love triangle.
Narration & Audio:
The different voices Emily Ellet does for the characters are impressive and greatly enrich the story. Skilful changes in vocal tone also convey the emotions within the tale, but this hardly made the information-packed storyline more engaging.
To put it bluntly, I could not get into ‘The Foxglove King‘. The slow pace, convoluted worldbuilding, and one-dimensional characters made this a painful read. I would recommend The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna to those who love complex worldbuilding but want a fast-paced fantasy read.
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