Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
I don't want to go into it too much because it's not one of those 'deep thinking,' books, in which case I mean, I really enjoyed not having to take notes every two or three lines. It let me enjoy the book as just a fun read through. Now that I'm trying to think of a reason for it, maybe it's because there's just one main character you're following, as opposed to those really cliched fantasy books where you end up following stories for six different characters and all their hundred sequels and spin offs..
No. This book was an amazing experience. It's worded so beautifully, and it was hearing the summary that got my attention. About someone who goes into a tower, and there's so many different unexplored floors, that each one can literally be anything. And of course, a secret part of me loves the chivalry (I'm doing this all for my wife), I'm sensitive, okay!?
Senlin is so normal in a way that makes it relatable. You can understand when sometimes he feels sympathy while having to make hard choices. The only time I started drifting off is towards the end, when it looked like he was getting stuck on one floor for a long time, and I was getting bored with how jaded he was becoming. I understand how the environment has an effect on hardening him, but I was really excited to see some of the other floors.
Another thing is, I was enjoying how realistic it was when it came to Senlin interacting with people around him, but more towards the end, it starts to take this wilder fantastic approach, adding more main characters to the 'party,' like those other fantasy books I mentioned. I'm so ready for the sequels, I just hope it doesn't go too far from being relatable, which I complain about with all the other books, that it's hard to relate to characters sometimes.
No. This book was an amazing experience. It's worded so beautifully, and it was hearing the summary that got my attention. About someone who goes into a tower, and there's so many different unexplored floors, that each one can literally be anything. And of course, a secret part of me loves the chivalry (I'm doing this all for my wife), I'm sensitive, okay!?
Senlin is so normal in a way that makes it relatable. You can understand when sometimes he feels sympathy while having to make hard choices. The only time I started drifting off is towards the end, when it looked like he was getting stuck on one floor for a long time, and I was getting bored with how jaded he was becoming. I understand how the environment has an effect on hardening him, but I was really excited to see some of the other floors.
Spoiler
We only ended up seeing like, four floors max, including the base one.Another thing is, I was enjoying how realistic it was when it came to Senlin interacting with people around him, but more towards the end, it starts to take this wilder fantastic approach, adding more main characters to the 'party,' like those other fantasy books I mentioned. I'm so ready for the sequels, I just hope it doesn't go too far from being relatable, which I complain about with all the other books, that it's hard to relate to characters sometimes.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At times the writing lingers on one subject a bit longer than is like but overall I loved to world building and complex characters.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
DNF.
Made it to page 154 and something about this book just ckicked in a bad way for me. I am not interested in these characters or this world.
This review is not to say the book is bad, it's just not for me.
Made it to page 154 and something about this book just ckicked in a bad way for me. I am not interested in these characters or this world.
This review is not to say the book is bad, it's just not for me.
Has a boring 1st half but really picks up in the second
When I started reading I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the experience especially due to the high praise I had heard. The plot felt a lot like linear action games in which the story moves forward in defined levels through the most thinly contrived ways. And the levels of the tower too felt very gimmicky, as in it looked like the world was built for a book and never seemed like it could appear organically.
But in the 3rd part a lot of the previous problems get addressed and the whole plotting structure changes. Really it feels more like an origin book that is setting up the future adventures to come. I would have jumped straight to the next book if I didn't find the price to be prohibitive!
Definitely recommended, especially if you are interested in steampunk!
When I started reading I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the experience especially due to the high praise I had heard. The plot felt a lot like linear action games in which the story moves forward in defined levels through the most thinly contrived ways. And the levels of the tower too felt very gimmicky, as in it looked like the world was built for a book and never seemed like it could appear organically.
But in the 3rd part a lot of the previous problems get addressed and the whole plotting structure changes. Really it feels more like an origin book that is setting up the future adventures to come. I would have jumped straight to the next book if I didn't find the price to be prohibitive!
Definitely recommended, especially if you are interested in steampunk!
Excellently written. A naive schoolteacher from the countryside loses his wife in a Kafkaesque tower where one must exploit or be exploited. Remains whimsical and lighthearted, optimistic despite the Tower's decidedly uncharitable view of human nature. I didn't think I'd enjoy this story because the constant tribulations of the protagonist provoked my anxiety, but the writing carried me through and I'm excited to read the rest of the series. I adored the setpiece in the final chapter, which brought the book to a triumphant close.
I loved this!! The world building is very unique, half the time I was confused but in a good way, cause the main character was as well. All the ringdoms were so different from one to the next, it was so cool. And this was only the beginning, can't wait to get even further up. I also really liked all the characters, they felt very individual. I like that we have a clear goal to work towards, that isn't always the case in adult fantasy.
dark
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Trafficking
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Slavery
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Alcohol