3.96 AVERAGE

slow-paced

this was a very unusual and fascinating book. not like my favorite thing in the world, but really interesting and cool. glad to have read it.

I think any reader going in should be warned not to expect action or adventure in any measure. This is a slow paced, experiential novel.
adventurous mysterious slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious tense slow-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

Tremendous. 

This is most likely just a "me" problem, rather than an issue with the book, but I really couldn't follow much of that story and if you asked me to tell you what the plot was, I would be at a loss. In the end I was just reading it just to get to the end, not because I felt like I couldn't put it down. None of the characters really drew me in, and I couldn't tell what the whole point of the story was meant to be. But like I said that might be just me and my inability to follow the story.
adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous funny informative mysterious slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I am very seriously considering giving this 5⭐️ but I fear I need to sleep on it first.
I've been putting off this book for a while mostly because of it's length - I was scared to commit to it in case I didn't like it. And in general I'm not particularly a fan of yappy books - I find elaborate descriptions very dull a lot of the times. But all my fears and predispositions were gone within the first 50 pages. I really enjoyed Clarke's prose - I found myself giggling at times and at others regretting that I didn't bring a pencil to underline beautiful qoutes. Yes the novel is quite slow paced, but as it progressed I found myself really caring for most of the characters (emphasis on most, couldn't be persuaded even with money to care for Lascelles or Drawlight) and how much all of their stories were intertwined. Overall, had a really good time reading this and I'm beyond proud of myself for completing such a lengthy book!
adventurous funny mysterious reflective 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: Complicated

I read once and gave it 5 stars.  This second reread felt like homework.