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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
4.0/5.0
Only one more star than previous entries but markedly better.
So glad I decided to continue with the series. This is Seth in a groove. He has improved in all facets in this book. The content is better, the plot, the tension, the cunning. It's all here and it is potential realized. Finally getting fantasy elements. The first two were unclear to why it was marketed as fantasy but Seth had a plan and that I admire. We got the full answer on Baru's affliction but I have to say for it seeming like a major part of her character I felt like that part of the story was underdeveloped or ignored. It almost seems like he had bigger plans for this and the storyboard had changed somehow, but was still integral to the plot. So parts of it felt forced but otherwise this is a pretty dang good story. Tau-Indi Bosoka again being my favorite character outside of Baru. They are marvelous and I enjoy them on every appearance.
Only one more star than previous entries but markedly better.
So glad I decided to continue with the series. This is Seth in a groove. He has improved in all facets in this book. The content is better, the plot, the tension, the cunning. It's all here and it is potential realized. Finally getting fantasy elements. The first two were unclear to why it was marketed as fantasy but Seth had a plan and that I admire. We got the full answer on Baru's affliction but I have to say for it seeming like a major part of her character I felt like that part of the story was underdeveloped or ignored. It almost seems like he had bigger plans for this and the storyboard had changed somehow, but was still integral to the plot. So parts of it felt forced but otherwise this is a pretty dang good story. Tau-Indi Bosoka again being my favorite character outside of Baru. They are marvelous and I enjoy them on every appearance.
Look, I love this series. I love the world and I love the characters and it makes me feel all sorts of big feelings. I don’t even want to recommend it to people because I’m not willing to hear any nuanced or negative or neutral takes on it. I need the fourth/final book. That’s all I’m saying.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, Baru Cormorant. This series as a whole was not my favorite in terms of the writing. Its choppy, disjoint nature brings a jolting experience which can be thrilling at times and jarring at others. But the *concept* of the book kept me deeply intrigued. I have never read a book like this, full of layers of strategy. The main character is a "savant" and yet so lovably stupid at times. The creativity of the book sometimes feels like trope bloat, at other times strokes of genius. It is a creative spin on near-epic fantasy and I appreciated it enough to finish the trilogy.
The events of the final book bring it to a satisfying close while keeping intrigue high. It mimics the first books' style in presenting events in one light without the underlying motives, to undermine them later when the motives are discovered.
The events of the final book bring it to a satisfying close while keeping intrigue high. It mimics the first books' style in presenting events in one light without the underlying motives, to undermine them later when the motives are discovered.
This book felt overly long at times, especially in the middle, but it managed to tie itself together very well at the end and is potentially one of the best books I have read this year (I have to let it stew for a bit). This series is by far the most unique I have ever read in the way it feels so adjacent to reality while still being so so different. I loved that in the acknowledgments Seth said "it gives me special delight to invent things which probably could happen on Earth, had things gone a different, stranger way" and I love that he enjoys writing that as much as I enjoy reading it. I'll be here eagerly waiting for book 4, and anything that might come after from Seth.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Goated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one took me multiple borrows from the library to finish just because of how thick it was, but godfuckingdamn, this book is absolutely wild, in the best kind of way. Baru's plots both come to fruition and deepen even further over the course of this book, and I have to tip my hat to her own plans allowing for her to be lobotomized. The dark clockwork of empire as seen here is astounding, and it all almost gets thrown off because Baru's fucking parents decide to show up after not seeing them for quite some time, which lbr, would throw anyone off. I genuinely thought this was going to end with this book, though about a third of the way through I wasn't sure how he was gonna pull it off, so I'm happy we get another book. It might take you a while, but put the time in, and it'll reward you and then some. Great read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
All the dominos that didn't fall in Monster fall here, one after the other. I read it straight through in a day and a half. Lots of internal screaming (from me) (also from Baru).
adventurous
dark
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