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abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
what a book! only rivaled in excitement and strangeness by the first in this trilogy, and sure to give great satisfaction in the third one. Yes, there is a cliff hanger.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
5.0
Pen’s a survivor. Returning to school, she dreads showing her scarred face among her classmates and them finding out about her and Salt. Her best friend Beth isn’t around much anymore either; what Fil wished for her is transforming her into a daughter of the city. Then Pen sees her reflection in the school bathroom, the other her who she has come to call a friend, and she’s in trouble. She must find a way to get beyond the mirrors and find Parva before it’s too late.
Oh poor Pen. My heart breaks for her in the opening chapters. As if she didn’t have enough to go through in The City’s Son, she has the horror of high school with a scarred face. But before you start writing that hate mail to Tom, this is a book to rescue Pen; I’m not sure anything else but what happens in this story would have done it, but by gods, it does.
London-Under-Glass is the city created by our reflections, with the Mirrorstocracy created out of the infinite reflections of a person caught between two mirrors. But as well as the upper ruling class, there are the half-faced, created out of fragments of reflections. And the half-faced are perfectly symmetrical. This means that their perception of beauty is also a mirror to ours. Instead of symmetry being the pinnacle of beauty, it makes them ugly. Imperfections are beautiful.
So as well as being a creative and fantastical adventure in the mirror world, it also cleverly explores self-image, class systems and the ridiculousness of celebrity. If you can’t gaze upon your own face, should you base your self-worth on how others see you? Pen’s own experiences in our world are reflected and turn upside down in the experiences of those who are shunned in London-Under-Glass. It’s always good to see things from the other side.
Meanwhile, Beth takes the backseat a little but her world is changing too. Their stories cross over and tangle together…and the end of the book will have you reaching for your time machine.
Oh poor Pen. My heart breaks for her in the opening chapters. As if she didn’t have enough to go through in The City’s Son, she has the horror of high school with a scarred face. But before you start writing that hate mail to Tom, this is a book to rescue Pen; I’m not sure anything else but what happens in this story would have done it, but by gods, it does.
London-Under-Glass is the city created by our reflections, with the Mirrorstocracy created out of the infinite reflections of a person caught between two mirrors. But as well as the upper ruling class, there are the half-faced, created out of fragments of reflections. And the half-faced are perfectly symmetrical. This means that their perception of beauty is also a mirror to ours. Instead of symmetry being the pinnacle of beauty, it makes them ugly. Imperfections are beautiful.
So as well as being a creative and fantastical adventure in the mirror world, it also cleverly explores self-image, class systems and the ridiculousness of celebrity. If you can’t gaze upon your own face, should you base your self-worth on how others see you? Pen’s own experiences in our world are reflected and turn upside down in the experiences of those who are shunned in London-Under-Glass. It’s always good to see things from the other side.
Meanwhile, Beth takes the backseat a little but her world is changing too. Their stories cross over and tangle together…and the end of the book will have you reaching for your time machine.
carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
This book surpasses the previous one and I didn’t think that was possible! Gripping, exciting fantasy - now for the third!
meganstreb's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this, and felt it went a bit more in depth with the issues of the world the story inhabits. Nothing like a look at the corporate push of beauty ideals within a dystopic universe to inspire the kiddos, eh?
I'm sure I would have devoured this as a teenager as well.
I'm sure I would have devoured this as a teenager as well.
tacanderson's review against another edition
4.0
The worst part about reading this book is that it's not available yet in the US. The first book [b:The City's Son|13490791|The City's Son (The Skyscraper Throne, #1)|Tom Pollock|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1331420070s/13490791.jpg|18364451] is available but the US cover is heinous compared to the UK version. I blame the cover for it's lack of reception in the US. I actually don't know what the reception in the US was, but whatever it was it wasn't good enough.
Another reason I don't think the reception was that good was because I'm pretty certain a different publisher will be releasing the next book in the US. Which is why the UK version has been out for a while and the US version still hasn't arrived.
Whenever it comes out you need to read it. [a:Tom Pollock|3000519|Tom Pollock|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1339685877p2/3000519.jpg] is going to have a wonderful carer ahead of him and his second book builds wonderfully off his fist. The third and final in this trilogy promises to be epic. The good news for you in the US that haven't read the first one is that you know hoe time to read it before [b:The Glass Republic|16045366|The Glass Republic (The Skyscraper Throne, #2)|Tom Pollock|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348514607s/16045366.jpg|21823649] comes out. Which I'm told an announcement is eminent.
Another reason I don't think the reception was that good was because I'm pretty certain a different publisher will be releasing the next book in the US. Which is why the UK version has been out for a while and the US version still hasn't arrived.
Whenever it comes out you need to read it. [a:Tom Pollock|3000519|Tom Pollock|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1339685877p2/3000519.jpg] is going to have a wonderful carer ahead of him and his second book builds wonderfully off his fist. The third and final in this trilogy promises to be epic. The good news for you in the US that haven't read the first one is that you know hoe time to read it before [b:The Glass Republic|16045366|The Glass Republic (The Skyscraper Throne, #2)|Tom Pollock|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348514607s/16045366.jpg|21823649] comes out. Which I'm told an announcement is eminent.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Loved reading this book, loved being in this world again, and this was such a great adventure!
bolynne's review against another edition
3.0
****I was given a copy of this by NetGalley and Quercus (US) publishing in exchange for an honest review!****
I want to preface this as well with the fact that when I requested this book I did not know it was the second in a series (oops) and I wasn't able to get my hands on a copy of the first, so I basically just looked up a few things to get the gist of where I'm starting with this one.
Thankfully, even though the world is a little complex to kinda jump into with no first-book training wheels, it didn't take too long to feel out. I know I would have been more invested with Beth's character if I'd read the first as well, but I still enjoyed her snippets in this since she is so closely linked to Pen.
Oh, Pen. I really, really enjoyed her story here and the parts of the London-Under-Glass that were reflected upon in this book. The unique perception of beauty was very interesting and well done and I'm glad Espel was there to basically give us as readers a guided tour of all the things surrounding this aspect at the same time educating Pen.
I'm definitely interested in reading the next installment and will continue to try to get my hands on a copy of the first. A+ World, A+ characters, A+ action/story.
I want to preface this as well with the fact that when I requested this book I did not know it was the second in a series (oops) and I wasn't able to get my hands on a copy of the first, so I basically just looked up a few things to get the gist of where I'm starting with this one.
Thankfully, even though the world is a little complex to kinda jump into with no first-book training wheels, it didn't take too long to feel out. I know I would have been more invested with Beth's character if I'd read the first as well, but I still enjoyed her snippets in this since she is so closely linked to Pen.
Oh, Pen. I really, really enjoyed her story here and the parts of the London-Under-Glass that were reflected upon in this book. The unique perception of beauty was very interesting and well done and I'm glad Espel was there to basically give us as readers a guided tour of all the things surrounding this aspect at the same time educating Pen.
Spoiler
Their relationship as well was very well written and felt very natural between them. I'm just hoping it doesn't end up falling victim to the trope of no gay happy endings because one of them dies in the next book. I'm glad that the little conversation of whether Pen falling for Espel meant that Pen is "into girls" and Pen saying it means she is "into her". It felt honest and doesn't erase the fact that she might be bisexual or even pansexual. Which is fine, because maybe she doesn'tknow the full spectrum of her sexuality yet and that's fine.I'm definitely interested in reading the next installment and will continue to try to get my hands on a copy of the first. A+ World, A+ characters, A+ action/story.
jocelynlindsay's review against another edition
5.0
Lately, I start a series and never get beyond book one. I just can’t. Especially if I really enjoyed book one. I’m afraid. Afraid of disappointment. Like when you go to your favorite restaurant and order the same meal because you know it’s totally awesome and one day you decide to order something else because ordering the same thing every night for five years makes you sort of boring. But when they bring the different meal you take a bite and instantly think “I should have stuck with what I always order.” That’s how I’ve been feeling about series. And since everything is practically a series these days, I’ve been eating a lot of the same meal.
A couple weeks ago I was in one of those I’m-feeling-kind-of-boring-maybe-I-should-order-something-different-off-the-menu moods. I went in search of The Glass Republic and discovered it hasn’t been published in the US yet. Number three had just been published in the UK, and it appeared that I would have to wait to get my hands on TGP, and that just wouldn’t do. Three cheers for the interwebs. I ordered it from over the water and when it arrived on my table I sort of looked at it, hoped I wasn’t going to be disappointed, and took the first bite.
Finished this morning. It was all I could do to put it down last night and get some sleep. I feared if I powered through I wouldn’t enjoy the last bits. And I was right. This morning I finished the feast and licked my fingers clean of the wonderful word frosting.
Of the two I’ve read so far, this is by far the stronger telling. Pen is a girl who has been violated on many levels, shattered you might say. When I last saw Pen at the end of book one and learned book two would be from her perspective, I couldn’t help but wince. It was one of the things that held me back from getting too excited. I wasn’t quite sure how Pollock was going to handle such a potentially messy subject. Not only does Pollock demonstrate his brilliant imagination in building the world, a dazzling ability to execute said world, but he handled a character who had been nearly destroyed in the last novel with compassion and courage. He stood out of the way and let her find herself on her own terms.
For me, this is a beautiful little gem of a novel that tells a very satisfying second-in-a-trilogy story and makes me hungry for the third course. I could go on and on, but. . . I’m going to leave it here and order number three.
As far as I’m concerned, Pen has earned her place in the ranks with Alice, Dorothy, Coraline, Zanna, Deeba, and all the other girls and young women who go looking for their lost selves in strange lands.
A couple weeks ago I was in one of those I’m-feeling-kind-of-boring-maybe-I-should-order-something-different-off-the-menu moods. I went in search of The Glass Republic and discovered it hasn’t been published in the US yet. Number three had just been published in the UK, and it appeared that I would have to wait to get my hands on TGP, and that just wouldn’t do. Three cheers for the interwebs. I ordered it from over the water and when it arrived on my table I sort of looked at it, hoped I wasn’t going to be disappointed, and took the first bite.
Finished this morning. It was all I could do to put it down last night and get some sleep. I feared if I powered through I wouldn’t enjoy the last bits. And I was right. This morning I finished the feast and licked my fingers clean of the wonderful word frosting.
Of the two I’ve read so far, this is by far the stronger telling. Pen is a girl who has been violated on many levels, shattered you might say. When I last saw Pen at the end of book one and learned book two would be from her perspective, I couldn’t help but wince. It was one of the things that held me back from getting too excited. I wasn’t quite sure how Pollock was going to handle such a potentially messy subject. Not only does Pollock demonstrate his brilliant imagination in building the world, a dazzling ability to execute said world, but he handled a character who had been nearly destroyed in the last novel with compassion and courage. He stood out of the way and let her find herself on her own terms.
For me, this is a beautiful little gem of a novel that tells a very satisfying second-in-a-trilogy story and makes me hungry for the third course. I could go on and on, but. . . I’m going to leave it here and order number three.
As far as I’m concerned, Pen has earned her place in the ranks with Alice, Dorothy, Coraline, Zanna, Deeba, and all the other girls and young women who go looking for their lost selves in strange lands.
lulustjames's review against another edition
5.0
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I previously read the first book of this series, The City’s Son, back in April and I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of a YA version of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. So, when I was approached to review the sequel, I was extremely excited! I wanted to know how the story continued for Beth without Fil, and how Pen was able to piece her life back together. Let me tell you, The Glass Republic by Tom Pollock completely BLOWS the first book out of the water. It was such an exciting read that really added so much depth to a character that wasn’t really looked into that much in the first book of the trilogy. We get to look at a new facet of this amazing world Pollock has created and the story itself is wonderful!
When we ended The City’s Son, Fil had been reborn as a pavement priest with no memory of his past life, or of Beth, who had seemingly taken his place as the child of Mater Viae. Beth’s best friend Pen, meanwhile, was recovering from her horrific barbed wire and brainwashing attack, as well as her sexual assault. In The Glass Republic by Tom Pollock, the story switches its focus away from the recently fought war, and away from Beth (mostly), to focus on Pen. This was such a brave act by Pollock as having to go write about Pen’s PTSD is something extremely difficult, yet he managed to do so quite well. Her reaction to what she endured seemed real, and her desire to cling to her mirror-sister Parva, while at the same time keeping her best friend Beth at arm’s length, all make perfect sense for someone who endured what she did. So, when Pen decides to travel to London-Under-Glass on her own to investigate her mirror-sister’s disappearance, it comes as no surprise. She needs to prove to herself she can do it on her own. And mostly, she does. What I especially loved was that my hunch on her sexual preferences from the first novel were seemingly confirmed here in the second (yay!)
The pacing, which was an issue in the first novel, was flawless in this novel. It read quickly, and every single chapter and passage held purpose. Pollock continued to build upon the world he created in the first novel, but does it through the story this time, which worked extremely well. Beth’s tiny side story is great and leaves me excited for the final story of the trilogy, Our Lady of the Streets. The ending this time was well deserved and yet, still had me frustrated because I WANTED IT TO CONTINUE! I didn’t want to stop reading, which is a great thing to say of a book.
If you’ve read The City’s Son and enjoyed it, then you definitely need to pick up The Glass Republic by Tom Pollock. It takes what was introduced in the first novel and just builds so beautifully upon it without breaking pace or story. Cannot wait for the last book of the trilogy!
// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. //
booksavvyreviews's review against another edition
3.0
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Admittedly, I didn't read the first book, which meant as I read this book I realized it was essential that I did. I read on and found myself utterly lost, confused and if someone asked me what the book was about I'd have grimaced and scratched my head as I did my best to sum it up.
That was my fault, partially. It's not written in a way to give you a glimpse of what happened in the prior book.
I still don't grasp the entire story, but what I did come to learn is that this book is about Pen, a disfigured teenage girl who knows the truth of the world - that there is another world behind the mirrors. The Mirrorstocracy. Something happens to her mirror-sister [her reflection,] and Pen is willing to do whatever it takes to get her back, even make a dangerous deal.
The world aspect to the book is really amazing. Detailed, its own entity and the oddities and laws of the world versus the harsh and cruel reality of the world we live in. I have to applaud Pollock for his world building and the developments because he breathed a life into the world behind the mirror.
As far as the characters went I found myself wanting more from them. I became confused and often between Pen and Parva - they're mirror-sisters but I kept having to remind myself who was who and who was from where. It also didn't help that all of their personalities were interchangeable and maybe that was what stopped me from truly connecting with the characters, or maybe it was because I missed the first book, whatever it was there was a disconnect for me.
The overall idea was so unique and weird, a little creepy but delightful! I just wish I could have gotten into this story more than I did. I believe fans of Gaiman, Pratchett, and Carroll - or basically all things creeptastically adventurous would enjoy this.
Admittedly, I didn't read the first book, which meant as I read this book I realized it was essential that I did. I read on and found myself utterly lost, confused and if someone asked me what the book was about I'd have grimaced and scratched my head as I did my best to sum it up.
That was my fault, partially. It's not written in a way to give you a glimpse of what happened in the prior book.
I still don't grasp the entire story, but what I did come to learn is that this book is about Pen, a disfigured teenage girl who knows the truth of the world - that there is another world behind the mirrors. The Mirrorstocracy. Something happens to her mirror-sister [her reflection,] and Pen is willing to do whatever it takes to get her back, even make a dangerous deal.
The world aspect to the book is really amazing. Detailed, its own entity and the oddities and laws of the world versus the harsh and cruel reality of the world we live in. I have to applaud Pollock for his world building and the developments because he breathed a life into the world behind the mirror.
As far as the characters went I found myself wanting more from them. I became confused and often between Pen and Parva - they're mirror-sisters but I kept having to remind myself who was who and who was from where. It also didn't help that all of their personalities were interchangeable and maybe that was what stopped me from truly connecting with the characters, or maybe it was because I missed the first book, whatever it was there was a disconnect for me.
The overall idea was so unique and weird, a little creepy but delightful! I just wish I could have gotten into this story more than I did. I believe fans of Gaiman, Pratchett, and Carroll - or basically all things creeptastically adventurous would enjoy this.