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Age of Asango #2
Age of Asango: Book II
Four and a half years after the events of book one, Cassian is called to serve in the Denigoth military and must contend with the corrupt forces that wish to see him dead, as well as with his starborn brother, Dimitris. Gretis has honed Kota into an incredibly skilled warrior, but she remains terrified of the awesome power the sleeps within him as the time looms nearer and nearer when she must draw it out. Livia and Iona must begin to face the consequences of who and what each of them truly is.
- GenresFantasy
539 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2018
40 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2018
Book two of the Age of Asango series is another exciting novel full of the hash realities of .... reality. It’s an amazingly composed tale with an enticing plot line that never leaves you bored.
Out of the many fantasy novels I have read, this series is right up there with the award winners, ranging from the dead to dragons, it’s an original and extremely well written book that excels in capturing and holding the readers attention. While for a regular reader it’s not a challenging read, the similarities between the conflict of this fictional world and our own can teach us a thing or two about what we are doing and what we should be doing in the face of the large scale problems that occur in our modern society.
Out of the many fantasy novels I have read, this series is right up there with the award winners, ranging from the dead to dragons, it’s an original and extremely well written book that excels in capturing and holding the readers attention. While for a regular reader it’s not a challenging read, the similarities between the conflict of this fictional world and our own can teach us a thing or two about what we are doing and what we should be doing in the face of the large scale problems that occur in our modern society.
October 19, 2018
I followed this book chapter to chapter on Wattpad. the wait for it was thrilling and it never ever disappointed. asango and his friends embark on such dark and incredible adventures. the plot. the story. the characters. everything is so incredibly amazing and I have nothing but the praise. I keep wanting to give important points from the book but ALL of the content is just so damn good. you can pick this book up and go all day and finish it and k guarantee you. it won't disappoint.
October 17, 2018
Amazing book. Was there all the way while he wrote it on Wattpad, and each chapter was never a disappointment. This whole series is one of the best in my book
(This is DarthSchrik btw, couldn’t access my old account for some reason)
(This is DarthSchrik btw, couldn’t access my old account for some reason)
December 18, 2020
I’m really enjoying this series and part 2 does not disappoint! Great story telling and interesting characters. It’s got super powerful beings, dragons, magic, mystery and intrigue. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss this epic tale.
January 22, 2019
A good read
All of the characters from the first book are back and their travails and triumphs continue. The second book introduces some perils for the hero's then leaves you hanging, seemingly solving the impossible situation only to leave them on thin ice before the end the book. I don't like it when authors take your emotions hostage like this but now I have to read last book!
All of the characters from the first book are back and their travails and triumphs continue. The second book introduces some perils for the hero's then leaves you hanging, seemingly solving the impossible situation only to leave them on thin ice before the end the book. I don't like it when authors take your emotions hostage like this but now I have to read last book!
February 23, 2021
A lot of chuckles and insane laughter
This book was crazy awesome. I loved the writing style. This book never meandered into boredom territory. Can't wait for the next book.
This book was crazy awesome. I loved the writing style. This book never meandered into boredom territory. Can't wait for the next book.
April 12, 2022
(Review for books 1 and 2.)
Wow. This book and its sequel blew me away. It's fast-paced, and those last few chapters—incredible! Some authors will drag out exciting moments, making readers wait until the end before delivering the climax, but Matt Russell has climatic moments occur quickly and consistently. You’re left astounded by the end, wondering how Russell manages to increase tension throughout an entire book while giving climaxes left and right.
The story follows three main characters: Cassian (a genius magician), Iona and Livia (two female slaves), and Kota (a non-human). I usually dislike jumping between characters, but I don’t mind it for this book and its sequel because the chapters are short and engaging. I'd say Cassian's chapters are the most exciting in this book, but by book two, all characters leave you breathless.
‘sigh’ With that being said, I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending this series to most my family, friends, or students. I read book 1 and loved it enough that I justified book 2 as long as I had a permanent marker in hand (no judgment, friends!). I tend to be a little sensitive, though, so read my content notes for yourself, and you can decide if this series works for you.
CONTENT
1) Caveat: this series is incomplete, and it's unclear if Matt will ever finish it. My guess is that he never will; it’s been too long. BUT I still think it's worth reading the two books that are published. Don't miss out on the entire meal just because the dessert is burned.
2) There is swearing (damnation, gods, no f-words). The language becomes a bit much in book 2. There are multiple expletives a page. Also, the title Messiah is used liberally in book 2. If you are Christian and dislike the misrepresentation of that word, then beware. I personally don’t think Russell meant it to be read in a blasphemous sense. He meant it to mean “someone who saves”.
3) The women are slaves and are slapped around (by females, mostly). Livia is called a whore (she isn’t one), and it is implied that other female slaves are usually sold into sex labor (Iona and Livia are not). Before Iona is purchased, a fellow slave recommends that she spread rumors of having sores in her nether areas. That way, she won’t be sold into the stews.
4) There is conversation in the book about how the church (fantasy religion) is opposed to gay and lesbian couples. Cassian reveals that many church leaders are hypocrites and have had gay relationships themselves.
5) Book 2 has some heavy, gruesome violence—heads being torn off of monsters, men being shredded to pieces, blood spewing, etc. There are also some implied torture scenes. You don’t see the torture, just the aftermath.
5) The books are self-published, so there are some minor, infrequent mistakes throughout, but they can be forgiven. Matt did a great job on his own!
THE GOOD
Lest you read this review and think the books are morally degenerate, I’d like to say a few more words about the good you’ll find in them. These books promote hope, forgiveness, family, loyalty, kindness, the worth of every life, friendship, equality, and meekness. I personally love that Asango meets a man who becomes a pseudo-father to him. Their relationship, particularly when Cassian becomes hardened by loss, felt real and priceless. Cassian had to learn to let go of his hate, and that journey was cathartic to read.
Iona and Kota were both optimistic despite the Xenophobic tendencies of people around them. Livia was strong, despite her speech impediment. And people changed! That’s what really moved me. Inherently-flawed characters overcame their greatest weaknesses, and it gave me hope for myself.
Wow. This book and its sequel blew me away. It's fast-paced, and those last few chapters—incredible! Some authors will drag out exciting moments, making readers wait until the end before delivering the climax, but Matt Russell has climatic moments occur quickly and consistently. You’re left astounded by the end, wondering how Russell manages to increase tension throughout an entire book while giving climaxes left and right.
The story follows three main characters: Cassian (a genius magician), Iona and Livia (two female slaves), and Kota (a non-human). I usually dislike jumping between characters, but I don’t mind it for this book and its sequel because the chapters are short and engaging. I'd say Cassian's chapters are the most exciting in this book, but by book two, all characters leave you breathless.
‘sigh’ With that being said, I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending this series to most my family, friends, or students. I read book 1 and loved it enough that I justified book 2 as long as I had a permanent marker in hand (no judgment, friends!). I tend to be a little sensitive, though, so read my content notes for yourself, and you can decide if this series works for you.
CONTENT
1) Caveat: this series is incomplete, and it's unclear if Matt will ever finish it. My guess is that he never will; it’s been too long. BUT I still think it's worth reading the two books that are published. Don't miss out on the entire meal just because the dessert is burned.
2) There is swearing (damnation, gods, no f-words). The language becomes a bit much in book 2. There are multiple expletives a page. Also, the title Messiah is used liberally in book 2. If you are Christian and dislike the misrepresentation of that word, then beware. I personally don’t think Russell meant it to be read in a blasphemous sense. He meant it to mean “someone who saves”.
3) The women are slaves and are slapped around (by females, mostly). Livia is called a whore (she isn’t one), and it is implied that other female slaves are usually sold into sex labor (Iona and Livia are not). Before Iona is purchased, a fellow slave recommends that she spread rumors of having sores in her nether areas. That way, she won’t be sold into the stews.
4) There is conversation in the book about how the church (fantasy religion) is opposed to gay and lesbian couples. Cassian reveals that many church leaders are hypocrites and have had gay relationships themselves.
5) Book 2 has some heavy, gruesome violence—heads being torn off of monsters, men being shredded to pieces, blood spewing, etc. There are also some implied torture scenes. You don’t see the torture, just the aftermath.
5) The books are self-published, so there are some minor, infrequent mistakes throughout, but they can be forgiven. Matt did a great job on his own!
THE GOOD
Lest you read this review and think the books are morally degenerate, I’d like to say a few more words about the good you’ll find in them. These books promote hope, forgiveness, family, loyalty, kindness, the worth of every life, friendship, equality, and meekness. I personally love that Asango meets a man who becomes a pseudo-father to him. Their relationship, particularly when Cassian becomes hardened by loss, felt real and priceless. Cassian had to learn to let go of his hate, and that journey was cathartic to read.
Iona and Kota were both optimistic despite the Xenophobic tendencies of people around them. Livia was strong, despite her speech impediment. And people changed! That’s what really moved me. Inherently-flawed characters overcame their greatest weaknesses, and it gave me hope for myself.
March 17, 2019
Summary: I really liked everything about this fantasy book - highly recommended. Interesting characters, a convoluted plot, and a great premise. Book 2 as good as book 1. After Robert Jordans untimely death I never meant to read another incomplete series - cemented when I read Patrick Rothfuss Name of the wind series and realised book 3 would never appear. This series is as good as those (!!) and book 3, final in the series is not available ... should be out in June (2019), so should be good.
Plotline: Many threads winding around an overall story with plots and counter plots. Yes and quite a bit of action
Premise: Still a lot to learn about this but a full blown complex magic system with trapped dragons , Gods and much more.
Writing: Great characterisations and the reader is right there in the action
Ending: Oh yes. So much more to come its frustrating its stopped.
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Many threads winding around an overall story with plots and counter plots. Yes and quite a bit of action
Premise: Still a lot to learn about this but a full blown complex magic system with trapped dragons , Gods and much more.
Writing: Great characterisations and the reader is right there in the action
Ending: Oh yes. So much more to come its frustrating its stopped.
Pace: Never a dull moment!
May 28, 2020
AMAZING! When is the third one coming out? Couldn't find any reliable information online. I need to read it!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews