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klara_o's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shimauchiha's review
3.0
The Chimera series as a whole was great, this book as the "thrilling conclusion" was underwhelming. For one thing, it was neither particularly thrilling nor really a conclusion.
The characters of this series are still wonderful, but there weren't nearly enough instances of them just interacting with each other in this book, and few of them really got the chance to shine that they deserved.
Where the previous books were fast-paced, fun, heist-type stories, this one was less of a heist and more of your average fantasy story, and like so many average fantasies, the world-building began to feel a little thin at times.
I have a suspicion that this was never meant to be a trilogy, but a longer series but the author's contract wasn't extended. If that were the case, I still applaud her for giving us some form of a conclusion in this book, even if it felt a bit tenuous. There are still plenty of questions about the world left unanswered. It still felt more like the end of one adventure than the end of a story. But you get a sense of what may be in store for the characters in the future, and in the end, I would choose that over getting answers to plot questions any day.
I would still read this series if I went back in time (though perhaps I would not spend my time on this one). The first two books are really great fun reads with a great godfather-like Italy-inspired setting and fantastic characters (and great positive sex-worker representation). You don't come across that every day.
The characters of this series are still wonderful, but there weren't nearly enough instances of them just interacting with each other in this book, and few of them really got the chance to shine that they deserved.
Where the previous books were fast-paced, fun, heist-type stories, this one was less of a heist and more of your average fantasy story, and like so many average fantasies, the world-building began to feel a little thin at times.
Spoiler
(Did anyone really buy the logic behind how Donato's magic was any different from any of the other Chimera in terms of making him susceptible to "the enemy"'s influence? Did anyone really understand the mechanics of why his presence for some reason gave normal people the ability to turn into snifflers? etc....)I have a suspicion that this was never meant to be a trilogy, but a longer series but the author's contract wasn't extended. If that were the case, I still applaud her for giving us some form of a conclusion in this book, even if it felt a bit tenuous. There are still plenty of questions about the world left unanswered. It still felt more like the end of one adventure than the end of a story. But you get a sense of what may be in store for the characters in the future, and in the end, I would choose that over getting answers to plot questions any day.
I would still read this series if I went back in time (though perhaps I would not spend my time on this one). The first two books are really great fun reads with a great godfather-like Italy-inspired setting and fantastic characters (and great positive sex-worker representation). You don't come across that every day.
lizzieuch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nicola_95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dondi's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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
5.0
The perceived flaws in the characters -in their world- are largely what drives this excellent work. In Cate Glass' third book of the Chimera trilogy, she weaves an entirely new, more complicated, variously complex tale by her talents at character development, world-building and plot devices.
Cate Glass -aka Carol Berg (her real name), which she also writes as- does a really phenomenal job equally balancing all of the elements that make the story brilliant and compelling from beginning to end. She is a gifted author, and this book, in addition to the others in the trilogy, is truly a gift. If you like fantasy at all, check out the Chimera trilogy. You can read any of these books on their own, but reading them in order is immensely satisfying.
Cate Glass -aka Carol Berg (her real name), which she also writes as- does a really phenomenal job equally balancing all of the elements that make the story brilliant and compelling from beginning to end. She is a gifted author, and this book, in addition to the others in the trilogy, is truly a gift. If you like fantasy at all, check out the Chimera trilogy. You can read any of these books on their own, but reading them in order is immensely satisfying.
cupiscent's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There's so much I enjoy about this series. The Italian-city-state-esque setting is so very well realised, and the central character is a delightfully complex lady with many facets, and a magical power that's endlessly fascinating. Developing more in this one are the underpinnings of the magical worldbuilding, which interpose interestingly with what is commonly known in the world. And, of course there's always a complicated heist that's got solid political underpinnings (in keeping with the strong Machiavellian overtones).
The strength of all those aspects can be judged by the fact I've read three of these now - and really enjoyed them - even though there are also some aspects of the storytelling style that really don't work for me! The first-person narration is quite slow and thorough, in keeping with the character, who considers everything and weighs it all up. There's a lot of description, more than I prefer in general, and the style of chatter is more in keeping with the setting than it's not, which I sometimes find a little slow and grinding. It spends a lot of time in the detail of happenings, and somehow even though the emotional repercussions are thoroughly considered, they're less felt. (I'm not quite sure why, but the only time this book landed for me emotionally was in the last chapter, but possibly that's because of my personal biases.)
But anyway, none of that overbalances my enjoyment of the overall piece, and the books as a whole. Though this one is, as they've all been, quite episodic and open-ended, I gather from the book packaging that this will be the last one, presumably because they haven't sold as well as the publisher would like.
The strength of all those aspects can be judged by the fact I've read three of these now - and really enjoyed them - even though there are also some aspects of the storytelling style that really don't work for me! The first-person narration is quite slow and thorough, in keeping with the character, who considers everything and weighs it all up. There's a lot of description, more than I prefer in general, and the style of chatter is more in keeping with the setting than it's not, which I sometimes find a little slow and grinding. It spends a lot of time in the detail of happenings, and somehow even though the emotional repercussions are thoroughly considered, they're less felt. (I'm not quite sure why, but the only time this book landed for me emotionally was in the last chapter, but possibly that's because of my personal biases.)
But anyway, none of that overbalances my enjoyment of the overall piece, and the books as a whole. Though this one is, as they've all been, quite episodic and open-ended, I gather from the book packaging that this will be the last one, presumably because they haven't sold as well as the publisher would like.
aphelia88's review against another edition
4.0
#1 [b:An Illusion of Thieves|59045288|An Illusion of Thieves (Chimera, #1)|Cate Glass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1632217705l/59045288._SX50_.jpg|61236419]: my review 5⭐
#2 [b:A Conjuring of Assassins|59352252|A Conjuring of Assassins (Chimera, #2)|Cate Glass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634289290l/59352252._SX50_.jpg|68438885] my review 5⭐
This is a difficult book to rate. If it was just another installment of the series, it would have been a 5⭐ for me. But billed on the back blurb - in large letters no less - as "The thrilling finale for the Chimera Team" - as a trilogy ending, it is very disappointing.
And yet, this is still a Carol Berg (writing under her alias as Cate Glass) book, and she is one of my all-time favourite authors - and as such, it's still high quality writing. There is just a lot of wasted potential and loose ends - but those might possibly (hopefully!) be tied up in a second linked trilogy, as she sometimes does. I have been unable to find anything online about future plans.
You can see my dilemma.
But I trust Carol Berg, so a trilogy ending that was more of a 3⭐ for me for the unresolved central mysteries I've upgraded to a 4⭐, based on the anticipation that this is part of a plan and exactly how Berg designed the series.\ to unfold. I was beginning to think this trilogy might be linked to her other works (particularly The Sanctuary Duet and the Lighthouse Duet - also known as The Cartamandua Legacy) somehow, but then it makes no sense to publish them under an alias.
At any rate, I still highly recommend this trilogy, especially for readers new to Carol Berg: it's a bit lighter than some of her other books and is a quick, captivating read.
This final (maybe?!) installment is more action-oriented than the previous two, and that means the enjoyable camaraderie and friendship between the very different personalities that make up the Chimera - the heart of this story - is not as much in evidence, as there is no time. The task is perilous, and the plot is very complex and twisty-turny, so the less said the better.
If you've enjoyed the first two books, you will like this one too, just prepare yourself for an unresolved ending. Perhaps the problem for me as a reader is simply that I love this world and these characters too much to let them go! I really hope Berg writes more Chimera adventures.
As always, I look forward to reading whatever she writes - under any name! - next
#2 [b:A Conjuring of Assassins|59352252|A Conjuring of Assassins (Chimera, #2)|Cate Glass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634289290l/59352252._SX50_.jpg|68438885] my review 5⭐
This is a difficult book to rate. If it was just another installment of the series, it would have been a 5⭐ for me. But billed on the back blurb - in large letters no less - as "The thrilling finale for the Chimera Team" - as a trilogy ending, it is very disappointing.
And yet, this is still a Carol Berg (writing under her alias as Cate Glass) book, and she is one of my all-time favourite authors - and as such, it's still high quality writing. There is just a lot of wasted potential and loose ends - but those might possibly (hopefully!) be tied up in a second linked trilogy, as she sometimes does. I have been unable to find anything online about future plans.
You can see my dilemma.
But I trust Carol Berg, so a trilogy ending that was more of a 3⭐ for me for the unresolved central mysteries
Spoiler
if sniffers are still human and how exactly they sense magic, if the gods and goddesses are really returning, what Teo's mission really is and what it is his people once guarded.At any rate, I still highly recommend this trilogy, especially for readers new to Carol Berg: it's a bit lighter than some of her other books and is a quick, captivating read.
This final (maybe?!) installment is more action-oriented than the previous two, and that means the enjoyable camaraderie and friendship between the very different personalities that make up the Chimera - the heart of this story - is not as much in evidence, as there is no time. The task is perilous, and the plot is very complex and twisty-turny, so the less said the better.
If you've enjoyed the first two books, you will like this one too, just prepare yourself for an unresolved ending. Perhaps the problem for me as a reader is simply that I love this world and these characters too much to let them go! I really hope Berg writes more Chimera adventures.
As always, I look forward to reading whatever she writes - under any name! - next
diesmali's review
3.0
A good series, fine individual books. I wish they had been less episodic and more of a single story. But it works and I enjoyed it. The end leaves me somewhat unsatisfied when it comes to resolutions.
All-in-all 3.5 stars.
All-in-all 3.5 stars.
katieconrad's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0