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misterwisp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A lively strong debut! There is good stuff here. The biggest strength is probably the smooth fast pacing and how easy it is to read. The characters are another strong point. The main character feels well rounded as a person and has witty and stubborn streaks that make for an enjoyable time. He's an underdog type trying to run from his past yet continuing to get himself into trouble. The supporting characters are equally distinct in their own ways with their own voices. The fantasy setting is well written and does enough of it's own thing creatively to stand out. It's built up in the writing organically without reliance on prolonged exposition. There is regular action keeping things moving.
The plot arc wraps up in a satisfying way while still providing a compelling case to check out the sequel. Everything is done pretty well and nothing stands out as a real low point. It's worth checking out!
The plot arc wraps up in a satisfying way while still providing a compelling case to check out the sequel. Everything is done pretty well and nothing stands out as a real low point. It's worth checking out!
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
alannajane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3.25 stars.
Audiobook is very well read.
First, I hate the main character. The sidekick(s) are absolutely delightful and the story is a fairly fast- paced, fun adventure to save the world (or at least prevent a war). It’s definitely a well-written book.
Compared to the average urban fantasy adventure, the world-building is great. Each piece of the puzzle slides into a perfectly-shaped space held for it. There are levels upon levels. Ten years ago (before I knew that so much more was both possible and available), I might have loved this book wholeheartedly.
But here’s the thing, writers holding great privilege in our culture always seem to bring the systemic failures that keep everyone else marginalized, along into the worlds they create. Sure, there are loads of strong, capable women in this story…. But why create a whole new world that brings deep-seated patriarchy, late-stage capitalism, racism, ableism into it? Why does every white, male author always drag the worst parts of our society into the worlds they build? Why do they attempt to demonstrate equality with a handful of strong female characters, but ensure that women have fleeting influence and that most social constructs in their worlds ultimately denote obvious constraints against them? Why relegate all females outside if the few great characters to either sex objects or domestics? It’s so utterly boring, unimaginative and aimed at a certain audience.
Why can I pick up a fantasy or sci.fi written by someone of another gender, or from the Global Majority, or by a disabled and/or queer author, and be immersed into a TRULY different world?
Ok. Now, the main character is abrasive, nauseatingly patriarchal and always either drunk or hungover. It’s vile. As much as I adore the side characters who aid him in this adventure, I would have given up this audiobook prior to finishing it had I not been reading an AudioARC. We don’t need another James Bond or macho amateur PI. This story could have worked just as well (better) with an inclusive, not drunk, semi-lost/confused main who actually showed some character development. Honestly, I would have been incredibly excited for the next book in that case.
Ultimately, this book is a textbook urban fantasy, well-written AND maintaining each and every stereotype, trope and social injustice that makes our own world so difficult for so very many. The main character uses wine as therapy.
Huge gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio for the generous gift of this AudioARC, in exchange for my overbearingly honest review.
Audiobook is very well read.
First, I hate the main character. The sidekick(s) are absolutely delightful and the story is a fairly fast- paced, fun adventure to save the world (or at least prevent a war). It’s definitely a well-written book.
Compared to the average urban fantasy adventure, the world-building is great. Each piece of the puzzle slides into a perfectly-shaped space held for it. There are levels upon levels. Ten years ago (before I knew that so much more was both possible and available), I might have loved this book wholeheartedly.
But here’s the thing, writers holding great privilege in our culture always seem to bring the systemic failures that keep everyone else marginalized, along into the worlds they create. Sure, there are loads of strong, capable women in this story…. But why create a whole new world that brings deep-seated patriarchy, late-stage capitalism, racism, ableism into it? Why does every white, male author always drag the worst parts of our society into the worlds they build? Why do they attempt to demonstrate equality with a handful of strong female characters, but ensure that women have fleeting influence and that most social constructs in their worlds ultimately denote obvious constraints against them? Why relegate all females outside if the few great characters to either sex objects or domestics? It’s so utterly boring, unimaginative and aimed at a certain audience.
Why can I pick up a fantasy or sci.fi written by someone of another gender, or from the Global Majority, or by a disabled and/or queer author, and be immersed into a TRULY different world?
Ok. Now, the main character is abrasive, nauseatingly patriarchal and always either drunk or hungover. It’s vile. As much as I adore the side characters who aid him in this adventure, I would have given up this audiobook prior to finishing it had I not been reading an AudioARC. We don’t need another James Bond or macho amateur PI. This story could have worked just as well (better) with an inclusive, not drunk, semi-lost/confused main who actually showed some character development. Honestly, I would have been incredibly excited for the next book in that case.
Ultimately, this book is a textbook urban fantasy, well-written AND maintaining each and every stereotype, trope and social injustice that makes our own world so difficult for so very many. The main character uses wine as therapy.
Huge gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio for the generous gift of this AudioARC, in exchange for my overbearingly honest review.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Confinement, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Blood, and Murder