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peterkeep's review against another edition
4.0
As other people have already said, Three Parts Dead is a WEIRD book. It was extremely original, and kind of caught me off guard. I had to change the way I've been reading to adapt to this kind of story - instead of reading and constantly thinking ahead about what events might lead to, or what certain characters will likely do next, I was forced to take a back seat and just enjoy the ride.
With a story this original, it was impossible to even try to think ahead as to what could be coming around the corner. Instead, I paid attention to the story Gladstone was telling and enjoyed myself a lot. It's a bit of murder-mystery mixed with a legal drama, all in the backdrop of the strangest urban fantasy world I've encountered. After 50 pages, I still didn't know a lot of what was going on in the "big picture," but I was enjoying everything presented in front of me.
Gladstone didn't over-explain anything - if anything, he left me constantly questioning what a reference was, how characters were connected, or what the implications of different actions were. In time, everything gets connected and cleared up really well. The story starts with a relatively small scope, following Tara as she figures out her life after her strange exit from school. As it continues, it zooms out to become an expansive thriller set in a robust world with a cast of characters good, evil, and somewhere in between.
One of my favorite parts of the book, though, was the social commentary. A lot of times, when authors want to make a political statement in their writing, they write about social issues - gender roles, social policies, civil rights issues, etc. Gladstone, again, is quite original in his narrative on global finance. It's a topic not touched on much, and the way he weaves his criticisms of modern financial systems into his story is really great. He isn't heavy-handed, and instead uses hiscriticisms observations (I shouldn't put words into his mouth) of modern financial systems as a really cool part of his worldbuilding.
I think out of all of the cool things in this book, there's a pretty easy theme: this book is just so unique. It was a nice refreshing detour from the same kinds of tropes and ideas that show up in fantasy.
With a story this original, it was impossible to even try to think ahead as to what could be coming around the corner. Instead, I paid attention to the story Gladstone was telling and enjoyed myself a lot. It's a bit of murder-mystery mixed with a legal drama, all in the backdrop of the strangest urban fantasy world I've encountered. After 50 pages, I still didn't know a lot of what was going on in the "big picture," but I was enjoying everything presented in front of me.
Gladstone didn't over-explain anything - if anything, he left me constantly questioning what a reference was, how characters were connected, or what the implications of different actions were. In time, everything gets connected and cleared up really well. The story starts with a relatively small scope, following Tara as she figures out her life after her strange exit from school. As it continues, it zooms out to become an expansive thriller set in a robust world with a cast of characters good, evil, and somewhere in between.
One of my favorite parts of the book, though, was the social commentary. A lot of times, when authors want to make a political statement in their writing, they write about social issues - gender roles, social policies, civil rights issues, etc. Gladstone, again, is quite original in his narrative on global finance. It's a topic not touched on much, and the way he weaves his criticisms of modern financial systems into his story is really great. He isn't heavy-handed, and instead uses his
I think out of all of the cool things in this book, there's a pretty easy theme: this book is just so unique. It was a nice refreshing detour from the same kinds of tropes and ideas that show up in fantasy.
steinbachw11's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good, but very complicated and confusing. To be honest, it was really hard to follow at some points. I understand that every author has their own take on fantasy and that he was creating this whole new world (haha Aladdin) where gods exist on earth and people use the craft. I suppose I just didn't get a good enough definition of the craft and how it worked. It seemed like people could just do whatever with it from stealing people's faces to flying. I just have trust issues with all encompassing power, it's a little boring after a while.
But it reminds me a lot of [b:The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms|6437061|The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (The Inheritance Trilogy, #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1303143211s/6437061.jpg|6626657] with a little bit of [b:The Immortal Crown|16156357|The Immortal Crown (Age of X, #2)|Richelle Mead|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1382539176s/16156357.jpg|21995801]. Gods always make a mess of the world don't they?
But it reminds me a lot of [b:The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms|6437061|The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (The Inheritance Trilogy, #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1303143211s/6437061.jpg|6626657] with a little bit of [b:The Immortal Crown|16156357|The Immortal Crown (Age of X, #2)|Richelle Mead|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1382539176s/16156357.jpg|21995801]. Gods always make a mess of the world don't they?
claudiearseneault's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
team_worm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
knittingreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
Three parts dead presents one of the more interesting cosmologies and settings I've run across in a while. A world where gods not only exist, but frequently war with mortal magic users.
Craft underlines many things in Gladstone's world, which evokes the world of superstition and folklore where any act might have significance.
Craft underlines many things in Gladstone's world, which evokes the world of superstition and folklore where any act might have significance.
beckaboo1220's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
itsfreelancer's review against another edition
4.0
After hearing a lot of good stuff about this series, i finally picked it up. And immediately thrust into a world that I had to piece together gradually. There is no back story, at least not as you race along the tale. And specially not when you start with the protagonist hurtling down the sky, thrown by her teachers for God knows what. Yes, that is how it begins.
A murdered God, two apparent women sorcerers and a mystery to solve. This was a brilliant whodunit tale with characters you'd hate to love. The only problem? The rest of the books are not chronological and might very well have different characters.
Sigh.
4 stars.
A murdered God, two apparent women sorcerers and a mystery to solve. This was a brilliant whodunit tale with characters you'd hate to love. The only problem? The rest of the books are not chronological and might very well have different characters.
Sigh.
4 stars.