A prettily written story of devotion and the bonds of non traditional love. A quick perusal of other reviews tells me I drew many more spiritual referA prettily written story of devotion and the bonds of non traditional love. A quick perusal of other reviews tells me I drew many more spiritual references from this short than the first-page reviewers did. I find this interesting, even given the title alone. I actually wish that I hadn’t read into it. As a non-religious person, I like the reading that everyone else got better. When I look at it from a friendship/romance/dedication perspective, I think it’s a beautiful little tale.
In a story this short, a summary becomes nearly a retelling, and Mondal did a lovely job on their own. It is worth the read, but the allegory I took it for keeps it from being too shiny, on a personal level. ...more
A satisfyingly engrossing fantasy where the “quest” takes the form of a heist. It was engaging enough that the second installment is already queued upA satisfyingly engrossing fantasy where the “quest” takes the form of a heist. It was engaging enough that the second installment is already queued up in my TBR.
So, a heist fantasy! It's a super fun idea. I can't say that Six of Crows fully lived up to the promise of its premise, but it had a lot of good things going for it.
An (overly) competent young criminal – Kaz – gets offered a huge amount of money to plan a prison break. The mission is to rescue a scientist who has refined a drug that enhances the magical abilities of the Grisha. The drug is deadly and addictive, and the control it grants over magic users – to whoever can create and administer the drug – is dangerous.
Kaz assembles his team (though that process was a bit too short, I thought) of 6. Each character is interesting in their own right, and their motives are all unique and compelling.
I've not read anything in this 'verse before, but I didn't find that detracting. Although the setting itself is not terribly inventive, it is clearly very comfortable for Bardugo and she makes it easy to understand. Ditto for the magic system.
The MCs regularly remind us that they are YA, but honestly feel more solidly like adults with penchants for romantic angst. Although the pauses we take for this occasional turbulence feel out of place, they don't overpower the story, thank frick.
So yeah, I'd have enjoyed a bit more team assembly and planning. The heist itself starts to drag some when the characters split up; narrative convention apparently demands each group must have its stumbling blocks. This keeps the action from being snappy.
My biggest complaint is Kaz himself. Bardugo doles out backstory in a well-measured way, but nothing in Kaz's tragic past excuses the very tropey “won't-tell-anyone-anything” broken, distrustful arrogance that drives his actions. It gets tiresome. Heist leaders can be assholes, but they should at least be charismatic assholes.
Grumps aside I genuinely enjoyed the story, and am excited to see how it concludes....more
Review specifically for the Audiobook Edition My review of the story here
Compliments of and at the encouragement of Carol. I had an awesome time with tReview specifically for the Audiobook Edition My review of the story here
Compliments of and at the encouragement of Carol. I had an awesome time with this audiobook.
I listened to it immediately after physically reading my electronic copy, which was a unique experience; it's an odd thing contrasting my own inner interpretations of narrative/character voices with someone else's – especially when that person has more of the built-in characteristics than I do.
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith truly embodies the spirit and flavour of Aaronovitch's writing, but I suspect he would also be pretty outstanding reading the phonebook. He almost never actually sounds like he's reading, which is remarkably rare in my experience with audiobooks (so far I've only pegged Tim Gerard Reynolds as having the same talent), and his character voices are consistent, with a few of them being stand-out. His narration added a layer I didn't know I was missing in an already fantastic literary experience.
Thanks, Carol.! When I am ready for a full reread of the series I think I will do it on audio :D...more
“Holy paranormal activity, Nightingale – to the Jag mobile”
Oho. I am climbing fully on board for this river ride now! Whispers Underground was an ab
“Holy paranormal activity, Nightingale – to the Jag mobile”
Oho. I am climbing fully on board for this river ride now! Whispers Underground was an absolute hoot.
The third installment in this very British urban fantasy/police procedural hybrid has Peter Grant assigned to the Murder Squad in an investigation that will take him to some dark (and smelly) places.
I found the first two books of the Rivers of London series to be fun but somewhat inconsistently captivating, but in Whispers Underground most of the rough edges smoothed out and everything came together in satisfying cohesion.
I've always been impressed by the way Aaronovitch blends the two genres, but the way he approaches the procedural mystery is both particularly refreshing and, if I may borrow an -ism, an exercise in 'taking the piss':
“Not for them the detective's gut instinct or the intricate logical deductions of a sleuth savant. No, what the Met likes to do is throw a shitload of manpower at the problem and run down every single possible lead until it is exhausted, the murderer is caught, or the senior investigator dies of old age. As a result, murder investigations are conducted not by quirky Detective Inspectors with drink/relationship/mental problems but a bunch of frighteningly ambitious Detective Constables in the first mad flush of their careers.
Aaronovitch seems to be really hitting his stride for humour, too. His quippy narrative voice is uproarious but still leaves room for the story to flow unimpeded. Add to that a bunch of fanpeep service (including a Bill & Ted reference and a nod to Pratchett), the fact that Lesley is back in a starring role (after getting shafted last time around), a cast of support characters who are blossoming wonderfully and London itself commanding a role all its own, and this was just a ton of fun.
Whispers Underground ramps up my enjoyment of this series for sure, and I am excited to keep going. I actually followed my physical read of this book with a listen to the audio version, and I will shortly do a separate review, as it deserves its own bit of attention....more
Okay, so just follow me for a moment on this riff about one of life's greatest confusions and disappointments: I refer, of course, to the happily redunOkay, so just follow me for a moment on this riff about one of life's greatest confusions and disappointments: I refer, of course, to the happily redundant ditty 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year', when, along with marshmallows, glowing hearts and much mistletoeing, “there'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long long ago...”
because does...does anyone actually do that – tell ghost stories at Christmastime?!? Like, not just A Christmas Carol but scary ghost stories? And if you do...will you be my People?
Our novella opens at just such a Seasonal shindig, because apparently 1898 revelers knew how to do Christmas better. Our introductory (and almost immediately irrelevant) party so spends a series of evenings quaffing nog and smoking pipes and exchanging gruesome stories. Now at first Douglas is all like: nah, I can't tell you guys this story, “it's quite too horrible,” and full of “general uncanny ugliness and horror and pain,” but my kindred spirit or perhaps preincarnation cries out “How delicious!” and amid this and other exhortations, Douglas finally relents and submits, for the approval of the Victorian Yuletide Midnight Society...The Turning of the Screw
“I remember the whole beginning as a succession of flights and drops, a little seesaw of the right throbs and the wrong.”
So, yeah, there's a story attached to that fabulous little introduction. It is this messed up ambiguous tale that might be about ghosts. Or it might be about a young secluded governess going barmy. Or it might be about a couple of tragically disturbed little shits screwing with the adults around them. This ambiguity is I think the biggest draw of The Turn of the Screw; it's what makes it the powerhouse little potboiler that it is.
But...
The points of action and some important anguishing sit surrounded by great gobs of Victorian gush as though James (who was serializing this work) had a required word count larger than his story could, on its own merit, stretch to reach. This verbal denseness makes it all a bit tedious. Sure, one can pick out the scary and be affected by it, but the very act of sifting through all the words for those moments lessens their impact and makes the experience a bit exhausting.
Anyway. I'm off to start planning my new Christmas Tradition. Also taking suggestions for something cleverer and less already-used than 'The Midnight Society.'...more
Cute and fun. The stylistic choices are a bit too flourish-y and muddy up the pertinent story details, but it’s nonetheless an enjoyable jaunt. The stCute and fun. The stylistic choices are a bit too flourish-y and muddy up the pertinent story details, but it’s nonetheless an enjoyable jaunt. The story of a “pest control “ heroine and her automaton friend/assistant, it’s irreverent, steampunky and light. And short. ...more
In Merricat fashion, I could pull this book apart into powerful pieces of language, and hang them about my safest space – like strong, resonant wards In Merricat fashion, I could pull this book apart into powerful pieces of language, and hang them about my safest space – like strong, resonant wards – and then stand in the center to see how I'll thrum.
There is something exquisite about the way that Shirley Jackson writes; not just her phrasing, but her insightful observation, her layers of meaning and symbolism, and her seemingly innate familiarity with dark and disturbing.
This gothic tale of scandal and isolation is remarkably put together. It is off-putting, complicated, surprising and sometimes disappointing. I suspect Ms Jackson was aware of each of these things, and was deliberate in crafting her novel.
If it makes any sense, I can't say that I loved the story, but I certainly loved the book. Although I could write for ages about this slender little tome, I think that sentiment sums it up....more
I find myself in the same boat as I did with Red Rising: I listened to the (honestly fantastic) audio version of this book, when I know darn well thatI find myself in the same boat as I did with Red Rising: I listened to the (honestly fantastic) audio version of this book, when I know darn well that something about its style demands that I physically read it. I don't feel like I gave it the attention it deserves, so I don't feel right doing a proper review.
I know that I like it. Enough that I've already used a credit for the final book in this first trilogy, because I must. But someday I willread read it, and have a ton of opinions.
I can say that I liked it even better than the first. And I will say that I respect the motivation of the main character, a leader of a galaxy wide rebellion. It's not the almost unware indifference of the forced-into-it Katnisses, nor the prophesized savior-type hero. He's not an anti-hero or the bumbling apprentice altruistic savior-in-the-making. He's angry. He's motivated by rage and loss and unfairness. He is deliberate, and ruthless, but also full of depth. I like it....more
An urban fantasy odd-couple mystery. For the first perhaps quarter of the book it teetered on the edge of being awkwardly unremarkaPerfectly good fun.
An urban fantasy odd-couple mystery. For the first perhaps quarter of the book it teetered on the edge of being awkwardly unremarkable, but as I got used to it, and maybe as it got used to itself, it righted onto the side of pleasantly good.
Set a world where the fantastic hovers around the edges of everyday perception, Andy Caplet is a reporter on the verge of being sacked. He's lazy and selfish and also quite hapless. On his final assignment he's sent to get information from Inspector Hobbes on a recent crime. Hobbes has a reputation for getting the job done and keeping his beat safe, but Andy also quickly begins to suspect that there is something somewhat strange about the good Inspector.
It's a light read, once you get used to the writing style. And it is funny, in the most silly, groan-inducing sort of way...this happens to be right up my alley, so I chuckled a fair bit.
Nothing earth shattering here, but it's good fun. I look forward to the next book in the series, but I'm not in a huge rush to get to it....more
This book club read is one of those stories that would have fared better (for me) without reflection of any sort. I've no doubt at all that Colleen HoThis book club read is one of those stories that would have fared better (for me) without reflection of any sort. I've no doubt at all that Colleen Hoover has great skill as a writer. 'Verity' would have been a perfect vacation read, and had elements that made for fantastically lurid conversation. I was genuinely entertained the entire time I was reading; but...once I started picking at it, so I'd have more to say than “I was entertained” at our last meeting...the whole thing fell apart. Hard and fast and almost completely.
My biggest issue was the sheer implausibility of it all. I mean it literally. Not much in this book was believable when you actually stop to think about it. If I was feeling snarky and spoilery I'd share my jotted down notes, which became an exercise in finding creative ways to express incredulity. (I started with the standard “nopes” and “nu-uhs,” but ended with interesting experiments in profanity.) The contrivance involved in the basic setup alone required contortionist-level skill in the suspension of my disbelief: somehow, an independent self-published author (with only one under-performing book under her belt) is chosen to write the last three books in a best selling series (that she has never read,) whose author (the titular Verity) is now in a vegetative state following an accident. This (obviously) necessitates our heroine (Lowen) to (one week after her own mother has died, mind,) move in to Verity's house (because neither the publisher nor the Estate have ever heard of hotels) in order to sort through Verity's notes – something which could not possibly have been done by Verity's publisher, agent, editor, or husband. Lowen's new housemates are Verity and a full time nurse, (only just home from the hospital themselves), Verity's hot husband and Verity's young son.
This is just premise setup, and already it is all so freaking unlikely. But it doesn't stop. Among the things it had me questioning? Professional healthcare proficiency. Spousal communication. Book publishing practices. Hazardous lock placement. The power of an itchy nose. The outcome of an Ultimate Warrior type battle between human teeth and headboard wood.
Meh. This has already gone on longer than I wanted it to...I was really entertained by this book until I thought about it, and then I wasn't. There.
[as a book club note, though: some of this shit is messed up and makes for great conversation. This is also the sort of book that would be great to do as a read-along. The pacing is honestly phenomenal and some of the in-story reveals are great 'oh my god' moments. On the flip side, it means you'll be thinking while reading, which might wreck everything.]...more
A solid and delightful little cozy. Miss Marple takes a bit of a back seat while newlyweds Gwenda and Giles try to figure out what happened to GwennieA solid and delightful little cozy. Miss Marple takes a bit of a back seat while newlyweds Gwenda and Giles try to figure out what happened to Gwennie's step-mom Helen all those years ago.
Contains such gems as:
“I hope, thought Gwenda uneasily, that I'm not clairvoyant or anything...”
and
“ 'It really is very dangerous to believe people. I never have for years.'”
As always, it is Christie's succinct characterization that pleases me most. The mystery was certainly fair play, though I admit I got caught by a red herring near to the end. That's ok, though. I enjoy Agatha's victories nearly as much as I enjoy my own.
A note on chronology: I've always read Christie as I find her, in random titles picked up at book sales and second hand book stores, so I've paid little attention to the order in which they fall. This is touted as Miss Marple's last mystery, but it's clearly not...there is every indication that this particular case falls in the middle of her crime-solving activities, but the book itself was the last Marple published....more
“ 'I prefer to quit when I'm ahead,' Heraldin explained. 'You've a funny definition of ahead,' said Gorm. 'I prefer to define words in ways that sui
“ 'I prefer to quit when I'm ahead,' Heraldin explained. 'You've a funny definition of ahead,' said Gorm. 'I prefer to define words in ways that suit me,' said Heraldin.”
Having recently run (for the first time) a short-lived campaign for curious friends who had never played a table-top RPG before, I spent a lot of time thinking about crafting a world and an adventure from scratch, though I ultimately opted for Starter Kit. At some point in my imaginings, though, my mind turned to thoughts of the genre-standard Heroes Guild. I mean, it's a great starting point for all sorts of shenanigans, and it handily makes plausible any number of characters banding together for a common goal. Skilled adventurers for hire: What kind of world makes that sort of thing commonplace? What might that look like in a real-world setting, or with real-world ideologies running the show? Orconomics tackles exactly these questions, and so much more!
Nonstop wit and commentary balance masterfully with an adventurous quest through a magical land. This was so much fun to experience.
The book unfolds, on its topmost layer, like a fairly standard RPG might – if the players all had great comic appreciation and are okay with irreverence. There are eight (8!) main characters, each of a standard archetype: the stout battle-hardened, gold loving dwarf; the ageless nimble Elvin Ranger who forgets she has some medical skills; the Casanova bard with a shady background etc etc, and they evolve as most questing player-generated characters do – stubbornly holding onto their 'isms' while being shaped by their interactions and growing with every random encounter. I fell in love with most of them.
And there are layers... This is a quest story most certainly, and also a mocking but loving homage to the tropes of Quest Fantasy. Beyond the spoofery lies blatant satire, with a quieter underlying commentary on 'good' and 'right.' Beyond the challenges of the quest itself, greed, Corporation and subjugation emerge as the world's biggest foes.
The intellectual obstacles run deeper than they appear:
“ 'People always say that we must stand up for what is right' 'They're not talking to you!' barked Gorm. 'They're talking to people who don't believe in stupid things!'”
It's all uproarious and deftly done. The first in what looks to be a trilogy, there is some wrap-up in this first volume, but readers will most certainly want to continue straight on to the second installment.
[for my own self: hunt down a physical copy of this. The audio is really well done, but you've got a head like a ping-pong ball, and distractions kept you from appreciating this as much as you could have.]...more
Quietly and curiously engaging. Fifth Business is so observationally Human and, in effect, both impactive and entertaining. In my personal collection Quietly and curiously engaging. Fifth Business is so observationally Human and, in effect, both impactive and entertaining. In my personal collection of literary experiences, this is an intelligent and remarkable addition.
Serendipitously, another book has brought into my current focus the famous opening lines of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and now my thoughts on Fifth Business have become entwined with it. David Copperfield, of course, opens thusly: Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.”
Fifth Business, almost antithetically (though ultimately not so, we learn) starts with the supposition that our narrator, Dunstan Ramsay is NOT the hero of his own story. Indeed, the term 'Fifth Business' refers theatrically to the character in a story who is neither the hero nor villain, but is nonetheless essential as a facilitator for their stories: the best friend; the confidant; the advice giver; the buffoon...In his quest to present himself as such – or perhaps to protest that he is NOT – we follow Dunstan through nearly his entire life story. We begin in his childhood, enlist in WWI, keep care of a guilty responsibility, take residence as a professor in a boys' school, and travel the world in search of saints and magic. While essentially telling other peoples stories, Dunstan manages to have the sort of life that affects everyone around him, and is incredibly deep in discovery. Somewhat enigmatically, the tale is bookended on each side by a single dodged snowball.
Bah. The effect of that snowball on me, apparently, is a desire to dig out some sort of scholarly or analytical headgear, and to try and jam it on my pate no matter how ill-fitting it might be.
Enough of that nonsense. A true literary critic I am not.
But Fifth Business clearly invites a deep reading, and is entertaining and thought provoking in turn. There is a particularly beautiful and illuminating conversation between Dunny and Liesl towards the end that spoke deeply to me but is far too long to transcribe. (for my own reference, pg 220-227 of my own copy). Perhaps a bit boring by today's standards, there is a richness in this tale that rewards the thoughtful and patient. A quiet, Canadian delight.
Though this only book one in Deptford Trilogy, Fifth Business stands solidly on its own and can be considered a standalone. ...more
A fun gimmick made this horror story somewhat charming in its cheekiness. This, along with some strength of tone has kept a sense of Horrorstor in my A fun gimmick made this horror story somewhat charming in its cheekiness. This, along with some strength of tone has kept a sense of Horrorstor in my memory for quite some time, though the details are all but gone.
I think I missed out by choosing the audiobook format here, though it was well done. What others have described as a short read felt like a long listen, and I suspect the unique presentation of the physical book is one of its biggest draws.
Overall this was entertaining. I've worked enough retail to appreciate the dry humour of Hendrix's style and commentary, and the story kept me mostly engaged but certainly not immersed.
When all is said and done it is the gimmick that remains, and vague remembrances of tentacles and ominous strange furniture. I can't recall many story details, but honestly I have no complaints. I do remember that I had a good time....more
I struggled with the star rating on this one because when I was fully invested I found so much to like about Westside. My i some slight spoilers, maybe
I struggled with the star rating on this one because when I was fully invested I found so much to like about Westside. My immersion was spottier than I'd have liked, though, and a few outright frustrations keep me from fully endorsing it. That being said, overall I enjoyed this book.
Set in early 1900's Manhattan, it is a bit of a genre mash-up. Historical, yes. Fantasy, yes. Perhaps Historical Dark Fantasy? But it's a Mystery novel at its heart, with a grimy city and a flawed detective; Vice and greed are the biggest culprits, despite the weird horrors that cast shadows in this alter-world.
“A waiter sailed by and I relieved him of two highballs. I offered neither to my new friend. The white lights of Broadway shimmered through the gin like gasoline in gutter water.”
One might think that Akers is trying to do too much, but evocative descriptions really blend the genre crossing in a unique and admirable way. The walled-off Westside is strange with its overgrown trees and rushing waters. The curious state of decay and malfunction is fantastical, but fully lends itself to the gritty noire feel of a community regressed, unsafe and teetering on the brink of lawlessness.
A bit of grandiosity creeps into some of the interactions:
“ 'He was petulant, my husband, like a chocolate-stained child who stamps his foot and insists he hasn't been sneaking sweets.'”
“ 'The Seven Bloody Fists,' I said. 'He called us that because we were too broke to buy gloves.' Aiken twisted his hands into fists, and the ancient cracks in his knuckles glowed red. 'All winter, our hands were the color of a bad drunk's nose.'”
But these, too, are part of the charm. (And besides, who doesn't want to go through life tossing out descriptors like that? I do. I really do.)
Our main character Gilda – who solves tiny mysteries as a career (which is delightful) – is a potentially fascinating character study. She sticks to tiny mysteries because the pain of big problems has left her lost and alone and locked deep in her own pain. Her arc, and really the book itself, is encapsulated near the end:
“ 'But without the Copelands running back and forth between the two cities, the Westside will heal' 'Maybe. If it does, it will take some time before things are balanced out, and finding balance can be painful.' 'You're not the type who think things get better, are you?' 'Some situations are simply insane.'”
The book felt long. I'm not sure if it was longer than it needed to be, or just longer than I wanted. Perhaps it was long in the wrong places? There are certainly things I could have spent more time on, but there were stretches that dragged on where the action felt redundant. And for all its length, there were leaps of logic and too-easy conclusions that drew me out of things completely.
I'm looking forward to reading more by Akers. I feel like a bit of polish and experience will really sharpen his strengths. This is a notable debut, and I hope his craft grows along with his writing career....more
Oh my god this was ridiculous! Pointless! Surprisingly technical! Amazing!!
No big descriptors here. There are library police. A book theft. It’s drawnOh my god this was ridiculous! Pointless! Surprisingly technical! Amazing!!
No big descriptors here. There are library police. A book theft. It’s drawn brilliantly in a library. Only two books were menaced. And there is a phenomenal chase scene involving a card catalog that it is now my life goal to physically recreate.
Alternatively titled (in my brain): Phallus Accusations: One Aspiring Fun Guy's Field Guide to the Stinkhorn, and Other Adventures on the Welsh CountryAlternatively titled (in my brain): Phallus Accusations: One Aspiring Fun Guy's Field Guide to the Stinkhorn, and Other Adventures on the Welsh Countryside
Never mind my star rating for a moment, the writing in this book was fantastic. There is an off-ness spotted through the beginning that blooms and creeps and spreads, slowly covering everything with a dark moist foulness. The Woodwitch is sinister and deeply disturbing.
Andrew's girlfriend laughs when he is unable to consummate their relationship and one moment of shameful rage on his part lands her unconscious and needing dental surgery. Because they are coworkers, Andrew's boss suggests a leave for either one of them, and Andrew takes him up on both the offer of time off and the use of his country cottage in Wales. We readers are silent observers of Andrew and his dog Phoebe during this nearly month-long period of 'healing', which for Andrew in his solitude is anything but.
It's a fascinating and horrible study of obsession, guilt, and masculine shame. It is pervasively well done.
...it also had me pondering the addition of a 'but-did-I-actually-like-it?' shelf, for my Goodreads books.
Told with atmospheric setting descriptions and almost no dialogue, The Woodwitch is a slow burn. Modern writing seems more and more tailored for short attention spans and this book requires readers to take a step back from their want of instant action and bullet-point gratification.
Modern sensibilities might also find an added layer of discomfort in this work. Andrew battles through guilt for his actions, most certainly, but there is still an assumed normalcy to his reaction. Andrew's larger struggle is his shame from ridicule, his redemption from impotence.
It is an uneasy read. It is disturbing, horrifying.
Did I actually like it?
Well, yes. Yes I did. It is so very well done. But I also wish it would get out of my head. Now....more
Though not able to replace the Bartimeus Trilogy as my top choice from this author, the Lockwood and Co. books affirmA satisfying end to a fun series.
Though not able to replace the Bartimeus Trilogy as my top choice from this author, the Lockwood and Co. books affirm Stroud (in my mind) as a great YA author worth going out of my way for.
On a series-spanning note:
Lucy's ghost-riddled London is marvelously developed. The cheeky atmosphere of a world where adults – helplessly dependent on children to keep them safe from the spirits that lurk in the nighttime – try to keep control and prominence provides an interesting intellectual balance to the evocatively eerie nightscape that these children must brave to do their job.
Stroud does a solid job of keeping the books in YA territory with YA concerns, but never talks down to his intended demographic. He assumes that they are more than a swirling mess of hormones and thus are given heaps of their own agency and independence. Despite the adult politics and expectations of failure in-story, our main cast of characters have assumed their mantle of responsibility with aplomb and intelligence, without negating or shaming the tendency of tweens and teens to feel their feels and act their age.
There is a strong balance between the series-spanning story arc and the episodic day-to-day ghost hunts, though I'd have been happier for a bit more development (and resolution) on “The Problem” and the Fitts involvement.
I really really appreciated that while teen romance was an important plot point throughout the series with definite effects and consequences, it was never the plot itself.
Most of the characters evolved fairly organically through the five main books, including many of the secondary players. Lockwood himself was my main disappointment in that regard, though there seems to be the chance for growth for him beyond the story. I also felt like George deserved more applause and should have grown out of being the brunt of the jokes, but that might be because I identify with his trope the most.
Overall, there were ups and downs throughout the series; some definite drag at times, and some particularly entertaining stretches. I was often reminded that I was NOT the target audience for the narrative and had to patiently adult my way through another adult writing teen concerns. The audio narration was enthusiastic, which was mostly awesome.
The world is immersive, the imagery engrossing, and my tea consumption increased a solid 75% while I listened. I am glad it's all wrapped up – I am not sad to know the series is done – but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey....more
Made Things is fun; the sort of story that made you wish there was more to it, but clipped along so nicely that you are ultimately glad there wasn't.
TMade Things is fun; the sort of story that made you wish there was more to it, but clipped along so nicely that you are ultimately glad there wasn't.
There is something notably admirable in the way we are handed, essentially, a cut-scene from what could have been a fairly epic saga, if you ignore the ending. We land in the middle of the quest of the titular 'Made Things', magically imbued (and wonderfully inventive) little automata who simply want to find a way to survive and ideally even thrive. They find a kindred spirit in the human artisan Coppelia, who has learned to just barely survive by thievery in the magical and corrupt city of Loretz.
In such a tight little novella, we get a remarkable sense of setting, of character and of story. It is a complete little heist tale that has the hallmarks of a traditional fantasy with some cogs and magic-as-steam thrown in. There is a wide world of potential peeking around the edges of the main story, and Tchaikovsky seems content to leave all of those possibilities to the reader.
All that lurking potential, though, in a story that is really only a small scene from what feels like a grander quest, leaves one feeling like some opportunity has been missed. My biggest disappointment was the tidiness of the ending, a wrap-up that suggests that this one event was ultimately the end point for the whole thing, which just doesn't feel right.
Still, not every fantasy has to be an epic saga. This was charmingly enjoyable and mostly satisfying, without overstaying its welcome. ...more
Too much pretty-pretty in this book. Honestly, the language and the love story is gorgeous, and I want to reread it, but my brain just doesn't have thToo much pretty-pretty in this book. Honestly, the language and the love story is gorgeous, and I want to reread it, but my brain just doesn't have the energy for it this year at all.
I found myself wanting to know about all the things that were sidelined in favour of the romance, because the setting and the mechanisms seem so clever...
I know I can be a better reader for this story when I have the right energy for it. It's layered in beautiful words and smart allusions and the whole 'power-of-love-through-time' stuff. So, for now, I'll say that it wasn't what I wanted. I'm willing to try again to find the reward in what it offers. Some other time.
Editing to try and make the review show up on my timeline. ...more
Michelle F
>
Books:
reviewed
(231)
Loading...
