Hakara and Rasha each had such distinctive stories I enjoyed both of them. Each time I would be reading one point of view, on reaching the end of the chapter I would be so immersed into the story that I would desperately want more of it and would be momentarily disappointed when the character for the next chapter would change, but then would be sucked into that story and the cycle would start all over again.
This to me is the sign of a great fantasy as I often favour one/certain point of views over the other, so when my attention can be held by any of the characters I always find this to be the sign of a top tier book. The previously mentioned characters are not the only ones with point of views either. Mullayne, Nioanen, and Sheuan are characters also introduced with their own points of view, and each of them had me just as enthralled as the original two points of view did.
The thing that I found incredible about each different point of view in The Gods Below, is that they each bring something distinctively different to the story, and each essential to peace together the world and the overall story going on. I was so utterly fascinated with what they all brought to the overall plot and how they each managed to reveal something about the Gods, from different perspectives which allowed the reader to see the full picture and not just one biased point of view. The world building was just so fascinating and I loved how each character pieced together different aspects of it. There is also the interesting, yet mysterious concept of aether and how it affects Gods and humans so differently. Seeing how humans work around this, and what it does to them if they breathe it in.
The Gods. Ohh my god. I felt like the Gods weren’t anything like what one would usually imagine when presented with that idea. They were fascinating and spooky in equal measures. They gave me the heebie jeebies at times (I’m looking at you Khluehnn) and had me questioning everything I’ve ever thought of Gods in past books. But in such a fascinating way. I can’t even get started on the Restoration and all that it entails and means because I’ll be here writing and theorizing forever, but once again, it left me questioning so many things and needing to know the real purpose behind it. Why it takes some people and changes others, what this really means that Khluehnn doesn’t tell his subjects and what he is truly trying to get out of it. So. Many. Questions. The gems. The barriers. The Shattering. I just need more now.
I’ll be real. I’m a sucker for a certain type of fictional male character. So, when I say I was an immediate fan of Thassir, there’s no exaggeration. He entered the scene and I immediately knew he was going to be my favourite. And this held true the entire book. I need all the Thassir and I only wish he had been in more of the book frankly.
Suffice it to say I loved this start to a new trilogy. The ending left me with so many questions and a need to know more about the world Andrea Stewart has created in this new series. I cannot wait for more and only wish the next book was already available.
