This was a light read, just surprising enough to keep me going, with lovely writing and clever insights about the nature of consent and connection. ThThis was a light read, just surprising enough to keep me going, with lovely writing and clever insights about the nature of consent and connection. The relationship between the two main characters was moving and lovely, and the ending not what I expected... which is rare enough in a romance novella!
I quite enjoyed the fact that everything turned out to be just a step away from what it seemed. The demons were a fun an original concept; the villains shifted just at the last moment, to make me wonder if they were going to be the real antagonists; the nature of the story and the stakes kept moving, in a way that felt intriguing rather than confusing.
If I wanted this to be even better, I might wish for more distinctive voices for the characters; as the POV shifts between the two protagonists every 3-4 pages or so, and their narrative styles are quite similar, it can become a little confusing at times. Also, the beginning is a tad abrupt, and could feel contrived; it feels like the main reason for the hero's dad to 'give' him a pet demon is mostly to set the plot in motion, rather than something that would flow organically from what we know of the characters. But don't let that put you off; motivations are gradually appear to be more complex than they seemed, and while very abrupt beginnings aren't my preferred style, it's fine when the story and immersion start in earnest soon after. I had a lot of fun, in the end!
Merged review:
This was a light read, just surprising enough to keep me going, with lovely writing and clever insights about the nature of consent and connection. The relationship between the two main characters was moving and lovely, and the ending not what I expected... which is rare enough in a romance novella!
I quite enjoyed the fact that everything turned out to be just a step away from what it seemed. The demons were a fun an original concept; the villains shifted just at the last moment, to make me wonder if they were going to be the real antagonists; the nature of the story and the stakes kept moving, in a way that felt intriguing rather than confusing.
If I wanted this to be even better, I might wish for more distinctive voices for the characters; as the POV shifts between the two protagonists every 3-4 pages or so, and their narrative styles are quite similar, it can become a little confusing at times. Also, the beginning is a tad abrupt, and could feel contrived; it feels like the main reason for the hero's dad to 'give' him a pet demon is mostly to set the plot in motion, rather than something that would flow organically from what we know of the characters. But don't let that put you off; motivations are gradually appear to be more complex than they seemed, and while very abrupt beginnings aren't my preferred style, it's fine when the story and immersion start in earnest soon after. I had a lot of fun, in the end!...more
An intense, gripping read. The world-building was vivid, and in turns marvellous and ominous; as for the plot, it was just familiar enough to carry meAn intense, gripping read. The world-building was vivid, and in turns marvellous and ominous; as for the plot, it was just familiar enough to carry me along, but unpredictable enough that the suspense was maintained to the end.
Thematically-speaking, I loved that the novel focused on a struggling, oppressed community, and that it took time to reflect on the economic structures of oppression, on the kind of solutions available, and on their difficulties. As for the plot, it had an excellent antagonist, a character who felt deeply flawed, but convincing at the same time; human, but without excuses. It made for a complex relationship with the heroine, one that kept me wondering to the end how it would all finish.
It usually bothers me a little when fantasy characters seem to come up with modern systems of thought all by themselves in a mediaeval setting. However, in this case, although the protagonist seems to reason and react very much like a modern, feminist young woman, it didn't feel out of place: instead, her convictions seem to have sprung naturally from her personal experience and circumstances, as a woman forced into gruelling labour in order to help her community survive. This reinforced the sympathy I felt for her. I also really liked the fact that her struggles were real: she screws up more than once in the novel, with dire consequences, for herself and others; and for all her cleverness, she never sounds like she understands more about the world than everybody else's.
Really really good, an unusual take on high fantasy that nonetheless works very well. Instead of the sweeping scope and settings that tend to be more Really really good, an unusual take on high fantasy that nonetheless works very well. Instead of the sweeping scope and settings that tend to be more common in the genre, this novel focuses on a much smaller, more intimate setting, and successfully blends the codes of high fantasy and horror: you get a good glimpse of politics and grand world-building (gods, kings and wars of succession play an important part in the story), but the plot itself is centred on a much narrower place and cast of characters, and plays with conventions and expectations very successfully.
I tend to enjoy fantasy novels that shows awareness of political stakes while focusing on low-born characters, and this one pulled it off very well. One of the characters is a traveller, actress and con artist, and it was a joy to read about her, and to discover how her story grew intertwined with the much larger stakes in the background. It made the novel even denser and more vivid.
An original and highly enjoyable book on the whole. ...more
Read this in a single setting. This felt tight and flowed really really well; the various mysteries (of the world, and of the narrator's family) carryRead this in a single setting. This felt tight and flowed really really well; the various mysteries (of the world, and of the narrator's family) carry the plot along beautifully. I loved how the perspective of the young narrator was rendered; it was very readable and never seemed contrived, yet it was also very successful at showing glimpses of the adult world Nereus didn't fully understand. The world-building is gorgeous, too. I heartily recommend it!...more
Very, very good. Though this is billed as horror, it's closer to a chilling, surreal take on domestic life, the relationships between men and women, fVery, very good. Though this is billed as horror, it's closer to a chilling, surreal take on domestic life, the relationships between men and women, family... A few stories are explicitly fantastical, but all of them offer new, disturbing takes on horror tropes, like werewolves, zombies or serial killers. The general effect is dark, nightmarish, but also layered and truly riveting. It's horror at its best: exploring the dark side of the mundane, representing daily life in a way that is very slightly off, that often makes you question who is the monster and who is the victim, and the limit between nightmares and reality. Truly outstanding, and worth a read regardless of whether you only read literary fiction or are a horror fan....more
A very enjoyable novel, loosely based on 17th-century France. While this isn't strictly meant as a historical fantasy, I absolutely loved how this novA very enjoyable novel, loosely based on 17th-century France. While this isn't strictly meant as a historical fantasy, I absolutely loved how this novel captured some really important bits of French culture, especially in relation to the place of food. Here, chefs could be compared to wizards and priests, the gods are primarily gods of food, and food plays a central role in the book's cosmogony. Original as it is, it actually works extremely well, as cosmological concepts stem from culinary concepts (for instance, the goddess of milk is, by extension, the goddess of fertility and all growing things). This creates a dense, immersive world, where the mundane and the magial coexist seamlessly.
The world-building isn't the only appeal of this novel, however. It is, at heart, a story of family, and mending family ties broken by a tyrannical regime. The characters (main and secondary) are compelling, their struggles feel real and don't fall into conventional or predictable patterns.
A wonderful historical novel about a little-known episode of the history of sciences: the first discovery of a method for general anaesthesia. The booA wonderful historical novel about a little-known episode of the history of sciences: the first discovery of a method for general anaesthesia. The book focuses on an even less-known part: the women in the home of the doctor in question, their rivalry, the way society reduces them to being petty and catty because that's the only weapon it gives them, while the men around them are free to explore greatness. The book doesn't beat you on the head with its message; on the contrary, for much of the novel, the tone is so neutral you could imagine that the author endorses the situation the main character is placed in. It is only near the end, with the help of a secondary character, that the statement is made in full, and the reader is pushed to realise the horror of the characters' circumstances (and to have more compassion for both the protagonist and her arch-rival). In the end, discourses on women, sciences and what makes history are braided together, and the author leaves the reader to derive their own messages from her story. ...more
Ariyoshi is one of my new favourite authors. She excels at the art of crafting characters who are products of their time, yet make a statement about gAriyoshi is one of my new favourite authors. She excels at the art of crafting characters who are products of their time, yet make a statement about gender roles and the plight of women in past or contemporary times. This one shows the slow descent into dementia of a man, and how his daughter-in-law ends up having to care for him even though he's despised her all her life. It doesn't give simple answers or reduce characters and situations to statements; rather it's a sharp observation of the state of a society and its failing, and of the complexity of family relationships. You can reasonably call it a masterpiece. ...more
Not a big YA reader as a rule, but this one was an exception! Great characters, a fascinating setting inspired by the historical Sect of Assassins, anNot a big YA reader as a rule, but this one was an exception! Great characters, a fascinating setting inspired by the historical Sect of Assassins, and a twisted plot that's ultimately about choices and finding the power to shape our fate in a world that tries to fit individuals into pre-destined paths. Really enjoyed it. ...more
Surprisingly good! This is an original novel, in that most of the plot consists in world-building, and in explaining the minutiae of court intrigue thSurprisingly good! This is an original novel, in that most of the plot consists in world-building, and in explaining the minutiae of court intrigue through the eyes of the new emperor. It this sounds boring, it shouldn't, at least to readers (like me) who enjoy a lot of political intrigue and elaborate fantasy cultures. The story follows the new emperor as he tries to both adjust to his role and adjust it to make it conform to his moral standards.
The characters are less complex than the world itself; their relationships are somewhat simple (though this may simply be due to the fact that, per his status, the main character remains isolated for much of the novel) and there isn't much in the way of psychological or ethical complexity. Nonetheless, this was a very fine read. ...more
Very nice read, engaging, with sympathetic characters. The magic system is the most memorable part (it involves bones, as the title suggests, and is qVery nice read, engaging, with sympathetic characters. The magic system is the most memorable part (it involves bones, as the title suggests, and is quite similar to programming organic robots for specific tasks; it also shapes the entire political system of the book, as the bones in question have to be taken... somewhere :) ). Vivid and intriguing, with some unsolved mysteries that promise interesting sequels....more
Very enjoyable, slightly old-school fantasy with lots of humour and a few slightly more serious aspects (not many, but enough to make it a solid read)Very enjoyable, slightly old-school fantasy with lots of humour and a few slightly more serious aspects (not many, but enough to make it a solid read). Takes place in a corrupt city and features a kind of fantasy mafioso who, one short novel after another, navigates the greed and cynicism of the upper classes while learning to grow, if not a conscience, at least a vague awareness of the plight of those who carry the country on their backs. Rife with intrigue, jokes and twisty characters. ...more
Great sequel, which carries on the plot developed in book one rather seamlessly, picking up on unobtrusive details from the first novel readers may noGreat sequel, which carries on the plot developed in book one rather seamlessly, picking up on unobtrusive details from the first novel readers may not have noticed and building the new plot from there. ...more
Loved this! It has everything I needed to have a good time: fast-paced plot, cons and liars and rogues, a swashbuckling, mysterious hero, plot twists Loved this! It has everything I needed to have a good time: fast-paced plot, cons and liars and rogues, a swashbuckling, mysterious hero, plot twists galore, and all of this set in a complex, extremely convincing world that manages to be both entirely different from our own and very easily relatable. I'm a big fan of novels that aren't about how kings and princesses are really the good guys and we should spend our free time staring at their antics and hoping they win the day, and in that regard, this book brought complete satisfaction: individual aristocrats may have some redeeming qualities, but on the whole, the oligarchy is represented as corrupt and cynical, and the real heroes are the ones that come from the bottom, not the top.
If I had asked someone to write a fantasy book tailored to my exact tastes, it would probably have been this one :)...more
A very nice read. I particularly enjoyed the complex politics, how having a tyrant in the book does not merely mean that there's a bd guy to root agaiA very nice read. I particularly enjoyed the complex politics, how having a tyrant in the book does not merely mean that there's a bd guy to root against, but implies that there are going to be warring factions, strategy, political alliances... That was my favourite aspect of the novel.
I quite enjoyed the vivid world-building, as well. The imagery is sometimes lush, sometimes awe-inspiring and sometimes nightmarish. The central romance was convincing too, though not my favourite part; the characters felt surprisingly less complex than the world they lived in. Not poorly done by any means, but on the conventional side, more often than not. Which doesn't mean it wasn't an enjoyable read; it's just that as far as I'm concerned, the set-up, world-building and politics were rather more memorable than the romance and character-oriented bits of the plot....more
I wasn't at all familiar with this author. This was an excellent surprise! A book that focuses on the lives of the poorest inhabitants of a fantasy ciI wasn't at all familiar with this author. This was an excellent surprise! A book that focuses on the lives of the poorest inhabitants of a fantasy city, for whom eking out a living is at least as important as whatever intrigue goes on in the palaces of the upper class. The perspective was extremely well done. It's not uncommon to ifnd books that feature lower-class characters; however many of these also have a strong focus on what happens in the aristocracy, in the end. Here, most of the plot is seen through the viewpoint of poor girls who live hand-to-mouth and are mostly concerned with their own lives; and yet it's never made to seem petty or naive. On the contrary, the details of what it's like to live in a pseudo-medieval city through the year are prominent: where to find foo, how to stay warm in winter, how to get a roof over your head... This doesn't mean that there's no plot; quite the opposite. But the focus is successfully different from many fantasy novels, and the characters, who often have better things to do than watching aristocrats squabble, are particularly vivid and memorable. ...more
Had fun with this one! The magic system is original, the pacing good, it's unapologetic entertainment. There are a couple of twists tha give it more lHad fun with this one! The magic system is original, the pacing good, it's unapologetic entertainment. There are a couple of twists tha give it more life and depth than it might otherwise possess.
Couldn't help smiling a bit at the fact that this is yet another books that continuously harps on how women are intrinsically better at magic than men, yet somehow, the majority of prominent mages are male and there's absolutely no hint that the social roles of men and women are any different from our world... But it wasn't obnoxious (save perhaps for that one moment when (view spoiler)[the main female character is captured, made powerless and dolled up in a slinky dress because the bad guy wants to have sex with her (hide spoiler)]), and I have pleasure reading throughout. ...more
4 stars because we need books about Africa, and about Black people, and police violence and refugees. Worth a read for that reason alone :)
Enjoyable n4 stars because we need books about Africa, and about Black people, and police violence and refugees. Worth a read for that reason alone :)
Enjoyable novel otherwise. It's fast-paced and there's real suspense throughout, with the two main characters locked in an impossible situation. I'm not the right audience for YA, as a rule, and my criticism mainly has to do with personal tastes... My problem with much YA (it was the case here) is that, in trying to make characters relatable, it very often glosses over cultural differences to make everyone as much like a contemporary American teenager as possible. This isn't to say you can't write good books with that premise! I had fun reading this one, but the reason why I'm attracted to SFF in the first place (books that create new environments, cultures, ways of thinking about the world and society and the self...) were absent; it was mostly like reading a romp featuring modern young people in costume.
Still, the characters were sympathetic, the concept excellent and the book a lot of fun on the whole. Even though the particulars were often predictable (ah, the sexual-tension-laden fighting lesson scene...) I absolutely hadn't guessed how it would end.
For people who enjoy that kind of fiction, it's well worth picking up book 2. ...more
Catnip alert :D For this occasional gamer, this novel was so much fun, just an enormously entertaining ride from start to finish. It just had everythiCatnip alert :D For this occasional gamer, this novel was so much fun, just an enormously entertaining ride from start to finish. It just had everything I wanted (but didn't know I wanted), the cursed hero who becomes a slave, sea voyages, shady Dark Elf assassin types (they're not called dark elves, but you can see where they're coming from), random resurrections, super cool witches, minimal amount of angst (though there's some violence and trauma in the novel), and as a bonus, characters who are completely laid-back about their sexuality. Plus cool fights, cool magics, villains you want to punch, trips through the deathlands... More please!...more
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