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senorgoo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My only gripe is that some elements of this book were too sci-fi-y. I generally do not like when authors make up units of measurement for their worlds because my brain never computes that correctly and there was a lot of that in this book.
aebennettwrites's review
4.0
A fascinating tale! Lansdell weaves an intricate story that is compelling and melancholy. We are introduced to Oklas Sayve, a prominent educator and politician on the moon of Knyadrea. Oklas longs to effect change in the rigid society in which he lives, but finds himself thwarted at every turn. When he vows to help a political dissident evade capture, he doesn't realize he will soon be plunged into the dark underbelly of society -- and into the company of Prismer, one of many knyads forced to wear a mask and live in obscurity. Part adventure, part mystery - this book introduces readers to a new and frightening world that somewhat mirrors our own. (I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
meretseger5's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
raila_h's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
qjig's review against another edition
4.0
Set on the alien moon of Knyadrea, Far Removed is a deceptively simple story with a lot of hidden depth. This is not a novel filled with action, but a more personal tale of complex people in a complex world.
There are two main protagonists in this novel that could not be more different from each other. Oklas is a well-known politician, inventor, and director of the college that he founded. In all of these roles he attempts to effect change, giving Knyads of lower castes opportunities that are not normally afforded to them. Behind the scenes he also surreptitiously aids a resistance movement, providing them with technology and resources to fight against the dystopian-like government. Prismer is a maskad, her appearance drastically altered by the government for the crime of stealing art supplies, she is forced to wear a mask in public and become a social outcast. She wants nothing more than to be left alone to make her art in private. They interact frequently as Prismer works at the government offices and regularly aids Oklas in administrative tasks. A chance event will link them together in ways neither could predict.
At surface level the story of Oklas and Prismer is rather simple and straightforward. But it is used to examine complex topics such as classism, othering of those different from "normal" people, and other social injustices. Their story has a lot of hidden depth to it and drew me in more than I would have expected. Character-driven readers will find a lot to like in their stories. I would also like to note that this is not a romantic relationship. Knyads cannot reproduce and as such do not enter into what we would see as romantic relationships. It was nevertheless compelling to watch the barriers between the break down, both personal and societal.
The fascinating world was definitely a highlight of this novel for me. Far Removed takes place on Knyadrea a moon tidally locked to its planet known as Axis. There are no humans at all on Knyadrea, only the people known as Knyads. The Knyads are humanoid but different in almost every way from humans in appearance. They do not reproduce at all, but instead young Knyads wash up on shorelines from the sea. Their origins are unknown even to their own people. Knyads live in highly stratified society, and their opportunities are decided for them "at birth" based on what part of the shore they wash up on. Those who dare to challenge the status quo are turned into maskads on trumped up charges without trial. I am always looking for how authors envision changes to society based on the differences between their world and ours and I was not disappointed. You can tell the author put a lot of thought and care into the details of Knyadrea and it shows in the writing.
There are a couple of things that I wanted to note, which are not criticisms so much as things to be aware of. Going into this novel you should be okay with not having everything explained to you upfront. There are no mysteries left dangling, but even things like the appearance of Knyads isn't described to you early but is pieced together over the course of the novel, mostly through context. I thought it was handled extremely well but it a stylistic choice that not all readers may enjoy. The other thing is that I have absolutely no idea how this story is going to be resolved in a duology. While compelling and entertaining, this novel mostly felt like setup for the larger conflict. If you asked me at the end how many books would be in this series, I would have guessed 3 at a minimum, but more like 5 given the shorter length. I am actually fascinated and intrigued at what will happen in the second book of the duology because I cannot even guess at what the conflict will be, let alone how it will be resolved. I do trust the author though, given how well-written Far Removed is, and the sequel is a highly anticipated novel for me.
I really enjoyed reading this novel, it is an engaging story in a fascinating world. While it is sci-fi, there isn't a lot of advanced technology or complicated science. As such I think it has a broader appeal to it than some more hard sci-fi novels. If you enjoy character-driven plots with hidden depth to them, I encourage you to pick this book up, regardless of your experience with sci-fi.
There are two main protagonists in this novel that could not be more different from each other. Oklas is a well-known politician, inventor, and director of the college that he founded. In all of these roles he attempts to effect change, giving Knyads of lower castes opportunities that are not normally afforded to them. Behind the scenes he also surreptitiously aids a resistance movement, providing them with technology and resources to fight against the dystopian-like government. Prismer is a maskad, her appearance drastically altered by the government for the crime of stealing art supplies, she is forced to wear a mask in public and become a social outcast. She wants nothing more than to be left alone to make her art in private. They interact frequently as Prismer works at the government offices and regularly aids Oklas in administrative tasks. A chance event will link them together in ways neither could predict.
At surface level the story of Oklas and Prismer is rather simple and straightforward. But it is used to examine complex topics such as classism, othering of those different from "normal" people, and other social injustices. Their story has a lot of hidden depth to it and drew me in more than I would have expected. Character-driven readers will find a lot to like in their stories. I would also like to note that this is not a romantic relationship. Knyads cannot reproduce and as such do not enter into what we would see as romantic relationships. It was nevertheless compelling to watch the barriers between the break down, both personal and societal.
The fascinating world was definitely a highlight of this novel for me. Far Removed takes place on Knyadrea a moon tidally locked to its planet known as Axis. There are no humans at all on Knyadrea, only the people known as Knyads. The Knyads are humanoid but different in almost every way from humans in appearance. They do not reproduce at all, but instead young Knyads wash up on shorelines from the sea. Their origins are unknown even to their own people. Knyads live in highly stratified society, and their opportunities are decided for them "at birth" based on what part of the shore they wash up on. Those who dare to challenge the status quo are turned into maskads on trumped up charges without trial. I am always looking for how authors envision changes to society based on the differences between their world and ours and I was not disappointed. You can tell the author put a lot of thought and care into the details of Knyadrea and it shows in the writing.
There are a couple of things that I wanted to note, which are not criticisms so much as things to be aware of. Going into this novel you should be okay with not having everything explained to you upfront. There are no mysteries left dangling, but even things like the appearance of Knyads isn't described to you early but is pieced together over the course of the novel, mostly through context. I thought it was handled extremely well but it a stylistic choice that not all readers may enjoy. The other thing is that I have absolutely no idea how this story is going to be resolved in a duology. While compelling and entertaining, this novel mostly felt like setup for the larger conflict. If you asked me at the end how many books would be in this series, I would have guessed 3 at a minimum, but more like 5 given the shorter length. I am actually fascinated and intrigued at what will happen in the second book of the duology because I cannot even guess at what the conflict will be, let alone how it will be resolved. I do trust the author though, given how well-written Far Removed is, and the sequel is a highly anticipated novel for me.
I really enjoyed reading this novel, it is an engaging story in a fascinating world. While it is sci-fi, there isn't a lot of advanced technology or complicated science. As such I think it has a broader appeal to it than some more hard sci-fi novels. If you enjoy character-driven plots with hidden depth to them, I encourage you to pick this book up, regardless of your experience with sci-fi.
liviajelliot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Far Removed is a powerful, grand but personal sci-fi/fantasy with themes of power, societal expectations, identity, and changing circumstances. It is told in a polished, succinct yet beautiful prose, and from the PoV of two compelling yet wildly different characters.
In terms of setting and worldbuilding, this gets incredibly detailed while never being overwhelming. Lansdell has crafted a unique, distinctive race—the knyads—whose social and political structure has deep implications for the plot. However, all of this is presented in a straightforward way, though bits woven into the plot events. It is a pleasure to read because, beyond progressing through the plot, we're also discovering this unique society.
To know more about the knyad society, I'd definitely recommend picking up her novelette The Tidelings of Dras Sayve. It's not a prerequisite reading but it adds a lot of depth. However, The novelette is far darker than Far Removed.
In terms of plot and expectations, I found this to be quite a curious read. It begins as a clearly political plot, with a setup that seems to be large scale and with the potential to affect a lot of characters. However, as the story progresses (especially around the halfway mark), this takes a turn to be a more personal story.
To explain that, I'll review the PoVs and characters. We basically follow Oklas (a Deputy Minister) and Prismer (a low-cast low-rank worker). It seems from the start, that both are quite entrenched in their ways, positions, and world-views—but the plot challenges that, playing with the character's agency in a way that's real-life and shocking. It is done superbly, and the more the story progresses, the more Oklas and Prismer jump from the pages with their very human-like (or knyad-like in this case?) reactions.
Now, something to note with regards to character progression here are the content warnings. Although the story is <i>never</i> explicit, some harsh themes and moments are expertly presented and that made it far more terrifying and realistic. I'll explain in spoilers.
One key theme in the book is mutilation, in particular, disfigurement, and body dysmorphia. Due to worldbuilding and knyad-related characteristics, the disfigurement is not violent; the scene in question fades to black... but gosh Lansdell presents the dawning of realisation, the ensuing panic, and the posterior disbelief and misery in such a raw way that it was very difficult to read. It was quietly powerful, yet never explicit.
In addition to that, something to note is that one of the PoV characters has already undergone the disfigurement over a decade before the plot... so the theme of body dysmorphia, and how others look down upon the disfigured—called, in-book, as scumbled or Maskad (because they cover their faces with masks)—is ongoing. I do recommend caution when reading this because of it, though. The emotions are very well presented.
Moving forward with the characters, something I truly loved within this story are the quiet, domestic details Lansdell added to the character lives that make them popup from the page. For example, Prismer has a collection of meaningful scarves, an sculpture she's working on, while Oklas has some projects that interest him. These mini-mini-mini-sub-plots may not necessarily "go anywhere" but they add depth and make the characters feel round and believable. It is through those details that we can see their emotions and past, making them even more compelling.
Another detail I loved are the overarching themes, and how they are so subtly presented. Discrimination and classicism are at the forefront of knyad society, and are a big part of why the plot happens the way it happens; there is also a subtle hint at religion used to empower/disempower peopleBasically, believe to be in the image of their creator, Adecai, and so the disfigured Maskad knyads are believed to be not in the favour of their god... the problem is that the government is the one doing the disfigurement to—you likely guessed it—knyads who stand up against their corruption. , societal perception and how it makes beutify standards more pervasive, how poverty limits growth opportunities, and how talented yet poor people may never be allowed to access well-deserved life-changing opportunities.
Regardless, these themes are subtly presented, woven into the plot gently and with care. I loved the depth and presentation of such meaningful topics.
Finally, something to note is that this book doesn't really start with a clear inciting event or motivation. It's the type of story that will take you on a journey of unpredictables, because perceived agency and power are important concepts for the character's journey—and how they deal with that is key for their character progression.
Regardless, the set up is incredible, and by the end of this book we have <i>a lot</i> of things brewing up that should likely blow up in the next book.
In terms of setting and worldbuilding, this gets incredibly detailed while never being overwhelming. Lansdell has crafted a unique, distinctive race—the knyads—whose social and political structure has deep implications for the plot. However, all of this is presented in a straightforward way, though bits woven into the plot events. It is a pleasure to read because, beyond progressing through the plot, we're also discovering this unique society.
To know more about the knyad society, I'd definitely recommend picking up her novelette The Tidelings of Dras Sayve. It's not a prerequisite reading but it adds a lot of depth. However, The novelette is far darker than Far Removed.
In terms of plot and expectations, I found this to be quite a curious read. It begins as a clearly political plot, with a setup that seems to be large scale and with the potential to affect a lot of characters. However, as the story progresses (especially around the halfway mark), this takes a turn to be a more personal story.
To explain that, I'll review the PoVs and characters. We basically follow Oklas (a Deputy Minister) and Prismer (a low-cast low-rank worker). It seems from the start, that both are quite entrenched in their ways, positions, and world-views—but the plot challenges that, playing with the character's agency in a way that's real-life and shocking. It is done superbly, and the more the story progresses, the more Oklas and Prismer jump from the pages with their very human-like (or knyad-like in this case?) reactions.
Now, something to note with regards to character progression here are the content warnings. Although the story is <i>never</i> explicit, some harsh themes and moments are expertly presented and that made it far more terrifying and realistic. I'll explain in spoilers.
In addition to that, something to note is that one of the PoV characters has already undergone the disfigurement over a decade before the plot... so the theme of body dysmorphia, and how others look down upon the disfigured—called, in-book, as scumbled or Maskad (because they cover their faces with masks)—is ongoing. I do recommend caution when reading this because of it, though. The emotions are very well presented.
Moving forward with the characters, something I truly loved within this story are the quiet, domestic details Lansdell added to the character lives that make them popup from the page. For example, Prismer has a collection of meaningful scarves, an sculpture she's working on, while Oklas has some projects that interest him. These mini-mini-mini-sub-plots may not necessarily "go anywhere" but they add depth and make the characters feel round and believable. It is through those details that we can see their emotions and past, making them even more compelling.
Another detail I loved are the overarching themes, and how they are so subtly presented. Discrimination and classicism are at the forefront of knyad society, and are a big part of why the plot happens the way it happens; there is also a subtle hint at religion used to empower/disempower people
Regardless, these themes are subtly presented, woven into the plot gently and with care. I loved the depth and presentation of such meaningful topics.
Finally, something to note is that this book doesn't really start with a clear inciting event or motivation. It's the type of story that will take you on a journey of unpredictables, because perceived agency and power are important concepts for the character's journey—and how they deal with that is key for their character progression.
Regardless, the set up is incredible, and by the end of this book we have <i>a lot</i> of things brewing up that should likely blow up in the next book.
himalaya's review against another edition
4.25
this is suuuuper interesting! I really enjoyed it! I feel like I don’t read too many sff books with like, truly unique and new worldbuilding (that also have character/narratives that I enjoy)
I liked the slow paced worldbuilding-and-character focused narrative. Not everything is revealed about the world initially, but just naturally woven in. It’s all super interesting, from the knyad species and their society, to the biology and architecture details, and magic (which - is basically science using a particular substance). There’s lots of discussion about class and disability, too. There is a glossary at the end which is useful if you’re feeling confused initially!
Love the contrasts of the two main characters and how they interact with the world and their developing friendship - can’t wait to see where that goes. There’s a brief touch on the fact that since the species don’t procreate, relationships are different and less significant to them (though do exist). I really appreciate the focus on a complex non-romantic relationship.
also: I always love when I’m reading a fantasy/sci-fi book and people use bicycles. like just the normal kind.
also: I always love when I’m reading a fantasy/sci-fi book and people use bicycles. like just the normal kind.
theshaggyshepherd's review
4.0
The cover of this book has stood out to me ever since I first saw it and the premise sounded really interesting so I happily accepted a review copy. While it wasn’t exactly what I had expected, I’m still really glad to have read it and am looking forward to the second part of this duology.
What I really enjoyed was the incredible world the author created. It was absolutely fascinating and I’m honestly sad about having finished the book because I wanted to know more and more and more. This is a society and world I could read endless stories about. I did think that it was a bit confusing at first in terms of social strata and I admit I put it down at one point and took a longer break than planned because of it. But once I picked it back up and learned more and got re-immersed, I was hooked.
Another thing that was a little two-fold for me was that the description didn’t quite fit the book for me. It wasn’t wrong. Those things definitely happened. But they were over much sooner than anticipated with much of the book still left to go. And the rest of the book felt like it had less of a direction. I can envision the overall arc for the series, I think, but this book didn’t have as much structure on its own as I usually like. But despite that, I still loved the adventure of the first part (as hinted at in the description) and the developments in the second. That second part is what really made me feel so invested in this world. I just would’ve liked a bit more structure.
Overall though, like I said, I had a really good time with this book. I honestly miss reading about the characters and still think about them a good bit. I’m glad I have a short story downloaded for this series already.
What I really enjoyed was the incredible world the author created. It was absolutely fascinating and I’m honestly sad about having finished the book because I wanted to know more and more and more. This is a society and world I could read endless stories about. I did think that it was a bit confusing at first in terms of social strata and I admit I put it down at one point and took a longer break than planned because of it. But once I picked it back up and learned more and got re-immersed, I was hooked.
Another thing that was a little two-fold for me was that the description didn’t quite fit the book for me. It wasn’t wrong. Those things definitely happened. But they were over much sooner than anticipated with much of the book still left to go. And the rest of the book felt like it had less of a direction. I can envision the overall arc for the series, I think, but this book didn’t have as much structure on its own as I usually like. But despite that, I still loved the adventure of the first part (as hinted at in the description) and the developments in the second. That second part is what really made me feel so invested in this world. I just would’ve liked a bit more structure.
Overall though, like I said, I had a really good time with this book. I honestly miss reading about the characters and still think about them a good bit. I’m glad I have a short story downloaded for this series already.
quickspells's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Everything I say here is my own opinion.
Far Removed by C.B. Lansdell is a debut novel that sets its ambitions high. The book introduces a captivating world that stands out – and in the best way!
The story follows two main characters: Oklas Sayve, a bold politician and college director challenging his world's norms, and Prismer, a gifted artist grappling with her own struggles. Both undergo significant personal growth throughout the novel, as they're confronted with truths about themselves and their society, leading them to question the impact of their efforts.
I really connected with Prismer at the start, but surprisingly, Oklas really won me over by the end. The supporting characters, particularly Rosh and Ilu, also added real depth to the narrative and rounded out the world, and I really hope to see more of them in the next book.
Beyond the impressive world-building and well-crafted characters, Lansdell subtly addresses crucial social issues. However, one concern I have is that the book's approach to this might be too vague at times, in an attempt to make them relatable to a greater audience. While this approach has its merits, it could potentially dilute the overall focus.
Another challenge I encountered was the abundance of specialized jargon and explanations unique to the world. But, considering that this is a debut novel with a complex setting, I can forgive that as I look forward to the sequel.
Ultimately, Far Removed offers readers a thought-provoking and enjoyable experience. Lansdell is a talented writer, and I look forward to seeing more from her as she continues to develop her unique voice.
Far Removed by C.B. Lansdell is a debut novel that sets its ambitions high. The book introduces a captivating world that stands out – and in the best way!
The story follows two main characters: Oklas Sayve, a bold politician and college director challenging his world's norms, and Prismer, a gifted artist grappling with her own struggles. Both undergo significant personal growth throughout the novel, as they're confronted with truths about themselves and their society, leading them to question the impact of their efforts.
I really connected with Prismer at the start, but surprisingly, Oklas really won me over by the end. The supporting characters, particularly Rosh and Ilu, also added real depth to the narrative and rounded out the world, and I really hope to see more of them in the next book.
Beyond the impressive world-building and well-crafted characters, Lansdell subtly addresses crucial social issues. However, one concern I have is that the book's approach to this might be too vague at times, in an attempt to make them relatable to a greater audience. While this approach has its merits, it could potentially dilute the overall focus.
Another challenge I encountered was the abundance of specialized jargon and explanations unique to the world. But, considering that this is a debut novel with a complex setting, I can forgive that as I look forward to the sequel.
Ultimately, Far Removed offers readers a thought-provoking and enjoyable experience. Lansdell is a talented writer, and I look forward to seeing more from her as she continues to develop her unique voice.
mendthecat's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My year ends on a high note.
This is a quiet fantasy with so much to offer.
What I liked so much:
This is a quiet fantasy with so much to offer.
What I liked so much:
- The worldbuilding - there was no infodump. The world is slowly revealed to the reader.
- The world - i liked everything, from the origin of the knyads (nobody really knows how they are reproduced but they come from the water and later transform into bipedes) to the description of the city and buildings. Although I don't read a ton of fantasy and this may affect my judgement, this world felt creative.
- The themes - prejudice, guilt, forgiveness, friendship