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elliott_roi's review
4.5
Loved this book! Rich world-building, interesting characters, and omg that ending!!!
sarahgayflint's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
songwind's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book immensely.
The star of this book is the world building. The setting is reminiscent of North Africa or perhaps the Middle East, which sets it apart from many books right away. In addition, there are tantalizing references to science fiction concepts like FTL travel and genetic manipulation, leading one to wonder about the history of this place.
In the tradition of Tolkien, this book also makes use of various languages and dialects to stand in for the setting's various tongues. It helps the similarities and differences between the various characters stand out without spelling them out, a nice trick.
The star of this book is the world building. The setting is reminiscent of North Africa or perhaps the Middle East, which sets it apart from many books right away. In addition, there are tantalizing references to science fiction concepts like FTL travel and genetic manipulation, leading one to wonder about the history of this place.
In the tradition of Tolkien, this book also makes use of various languages and dialects to stand in for the setting's various tongues. It helps the similarities and differences between the various characters stand out without spelling them out, a nice trick.
mayenk's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Sadly, not for me. I felt that at the halfway point, the book broke apart from there.
rubiscodisco's review
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A charming little story with an interesting fantasy world that makes you want to know more. The main character is quite likeable, and the relationship with the supporting characters, including the love interest, shows a good hand at depicting interpersonal relationships.
Where the author falls short is in his awkward prose - his sentence construction is, at several points, un-intuitive and hard to understand. There's a way for the words to run smoothly and leap off the page, and he doesn't have the knack for it.
Where the author falls short is in his awkward prose - his sentence construction is, at several points, un-intuitive and hard to understand. There's a way for the words to run smoothly and leap off the page, and he doesn't have the knack for it.
questionablechilli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tiarala's review against another edition
I didn’t love this, but I want more. I want to know this universe, this mythology. There’s a rich world here and I was unsatisfied with how much I learned about it. I also found it extremely hard to follow. Over and over I’d roll back the audiobook because I felt like I missed something, and never quite getting what I was looking for. I’m eager to read A Taste of Honey to see if maybe Wilson just isn’t my jam, but I so want it to be. I just want more.
pachec_oh_no's review
4.0
This short novel was very interesting. It's a little outside my wheelhouse, but also distinctly within it at the same time. A queer historical fantasy with good worldbuilding, intense and interesting magic, and high stakes. Except it's ALSO one of the more poetic things I have read lately. The prose is lilting and musical, calling on rich, deep imagery to tell a story about love and hardship and sacrifice and loss. It was so musical, in fact, that the flowery language made it a little difficult to understand what was happening sometimes. This might be a product of having read the audiobook, but the switches between present narration and past memory or just wandering soliloquy was difficult to follow. Coupled with the somewhat ambiguous ending, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book because I don't think I fully understand it. That said, it was beautiful, and I am glad I read it.