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annalise's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
irish's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kiiouex's review
4.0
it is nice to read a fantasy novel that is complex and interesting but not unrelentingly grimdark
I liked this one a lot! The world is interesting, all four characters are fun and likeable (though the fourth is clearly the weakest of the bunch), I like the Gage and I like the Dead Man and I like both queens and their households and the weird dual-night world they live in. It is a bit of a shame that the book is all set up for war in future books, but it was a very enjoyable read and I'm going to pick up the sequels.
I liked this one a lot! The world is interesting, all four characters are fun and likeable (though the fourth is clearly the weakest of the bunch), I like the Gage and I like the Dead Man and I like both queens and their households and the weird dual-night world they live in. It is a bit of a shame that the book is all set up for war in future books, but it was a very enjoyable read and I'm going to pick up the sequels.
impalalove's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting premise, and while the descriptions were lovely, it felt like it was moving particularly slowly; especially considering the fact that this is the first part to a trilogy.
fairybookmother's review
4.0
Elizabeth Bear's The Stone in the Skull is the start to a lush fantasy trilogy that felt a lot at times to be the fantasy counterpart to Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness as it explores gender and identity against the backdrop of political intrigue and upheaval. I hadn't realized it is the start to a sequel trilogy of a previous series of Bear's. While I think that I probably could have benefited from being a little more familiar with the world before diving into this one, I don't feel like I was alienated in any way from the enjoyment of The Stone and the Skull's story because this story is set several decades after the first trilogy. My only issue with the book was that it took too long for the heart of the story to really reveal itself. I was more than halfway through the book before I felt as if I could connect with almost any of the characters. My favorite characters, however, are the Gage and the Dead Man, so I'm looking forward to seeing how their story progresses in the rest of the trilogy!
Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for the review copy!
Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for the review copy!
rachelini's review
3.0
As the start to a trilogy, as character development and interesting hints of what's to come, 4.5 stars. As its own book, disappointing and without momentum. I definitely want to read the full trilogy, but I struggled somewhat to care about this book.
ptaradactyl's review
4.0
Mostly enjoyed it, although there are a few small things that frustrated me. The world and the characters are fascinating.
Spoiler
listen to you attack dog! Chaeri is up to no good!catastrophic_books's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-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
4.5
tyrshand's review
3.0
This novel succeeds most with its lush descriptions. I don't think anyone could deny that it has that. The author certainly loves her world building and I found in refreshing that it is based off of something other than the standard European influences. Now, I did not read her prior trilogy and am not sure how much it would tie into this -- other than being set in the same world.
I enjoyed her four main characters well enough, but found it a bit odd that as much as we get to know them, it felt as if their relationships to each other (the ones who met, anyway) were mostly glossed over. Obviously the Dead Man and the Gage had a lot more of their entwined backstory revealed, but at the same time, a lot was left out. The multiple love plots that show up felt rather insta-love. So the powers of description did not seem to be focused on character interactions near as much as it was on the world.
The magic system was fascinating, as well as the effects that it had on society and people. The hints of religion were also interesting.
So, with all these pluses, why only three stars? Well, while objectively quite a bit happened, it felt as if not much happened. The novel felt longer to me than it was and as if it took forever to get to major plot points. There wasn't much resolution, either, because by the time the biggest events happened it was time for book two, apparently. I will likely continue with the series, but no guarantees. I'm interested to see what happens, but the pacing was tough for me.
I should say, however, that lately I don't have as much patience for books with multiple POVs. They make me feel as if every time something is about to happen, it all gets delayed by someone else. Do, if you enjoy multiple POVs, I bet you wouldn't have the issues I did with the novel.
What a beautiful cover, though!
I enjoyed her four main characters well enough, but found it a bit odd that as much as we get to know them, it felt as if their relationships to each other (the ones who met, anyway) were mostly glossed over. Obviously the Dead Man and the Gage had a lot more of their entwined backstory revealed, but at the same time, a lot was left out. The multiple love plots that show up felt rather insta-love. So the powers of description did not seem to be focused on character interactions near as much as it was on the world.
The magic system was fascinating, as well as the effects that it had on society and people. The hints of religion were also interesting.
So, with all these pluses, why only three stars? Well, while objectively quite a bit happened, it felt as if not much happened. The novel felt longer to me than it was and as if it took forever to get to major plot points. There wasn't much resolution, either, because by the time the biggest events happened it was time for book two, apparently. I will likely continue with the series, but no guarantees. I'm interested to see what happens, but the pacing was tough for me.
I should say, however, that lately I don't have as much patience for books with multiple POVs. They make me feel as if every time something is about to happen, it all gets delayed by someone else. Do, if you enjoy multiple POVs, I bet you wouldn't have the issues I did with the novel.
What a beautiful cover, though!