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A review by shanaqui
The Potency Of Ungovernable Impulses by Malka Older
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Received to review via Netgalley
The third book in Malka Older's Mossa and Pleiti series, The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses sticks to the basic formula: an intro where Mossa appears (which gives us something of her situation and thoughts), followed by narration by Pleiti of the main plot.
For a good chunk of this one, Mossa and Pleiti are apart, and feeling more mismatched from each other in the previous book, due to a fit of depression on Mossa's part. Given that the chemistry between them is part of what I'm attracted to in these books (not just in relationship terms, but as two people playing off each other), it's not surprising that things picked up in pace once Mossa arrived in the story, though she and Pleiti continue to be out of step with each other. It feels like there's a reckoning still to come there -- or a constant, ever-shifting dance of adaptation and compromise, which might in the end be more realistic.
One thing I noticed a lot in this installment was the use of language. There were a lot of borrowed words I didn't immediately know the meaning of, which I don't remember happening in the previous two books. Mostly it's clear by context (or similarity to an English word), but once or twice I was stymied enough to try to look up a translation, which I definitely didn't have to do with the previous books. I wonder if I was just flowing with it better, in the past? But it definitely struck me very strongly this time.
My overall impression was that this book was a bit longer than the other two, and the pace didn't quite work for me -- but that should be taken with a pinch of salt since I still read it in half a day, in just four reading sessions! It might not be my favourite of the series, but I enjoyed it.
The third book in Malka Older's Mossa and Pleiti series, The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses sticks to the basic formula: an intro where Mossa appears (which gives us something of her situation and thoughts), followed by narration by Pleiti of the main plot.
For a good chunk of this one, Mossa and Pleiti are apart, and feeling more mismatched from each other in the previous book, due to a fit of depression on Mossa's part. Given that the chemistry between them is part of what I'm attracted to in these books (not just in relationship terms, but as two people playing off each other), it's not surprising that things picked up in pace once Mossa arrived in the story, though she and Pleiti continue to be out of step with each other. It feels like there's a reckoning still to come there -- or a constant, ever-shifting dance of adaptation and compromise, which might in the end be more realistic.
One thing I noticed a lot in this installment was the use of language. There were a lot of borrowed words I didn't immediately know the meaning of, which I don't remember happening in the previous two books. Mostly it's clear by context (or similarity to an English word), but once or twice I was stymied enough to try to look up a translation, which I definitely didn't have to do with the previous books. I wonder if I was just flowing with it better, in the past? But it definitely struck me very strongly this time.
My overall impression was that this book was a bit longer than the other two, and the pace didn't quite work for me -- but that should be taken with a pinch of salt since I still read it in half a day, in just four reading sessions! It might not be my favourite of the series, but I enjoyed it.