Reviews

Blood of the Mantis by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Only show reviews with written explanations

disreputable_cog's review against another edition

3.0

It’s inevitable I guess that in a 10-book series, some of the books are going to be a bit weaker. I didn’t find this one as engaging as the first two, and this was in large part because the various plotlines felt too independent from each other. The Salarno plotline especially felt like a sideshow that didn’t go anywhere, even if it did serve to expand the world of the series closer to the intriguing Spiderlands (though not really into them, I guess that’s coming in future books).

This book felt like its main purpose was to position a bunch of the plot threads for the next book, which I suppose it did. It didn’t really do much in the way or character development, with the possible exceptions of the two wasps involved in the heist plotline. I would have liked to learn more about the Skater kinden and the mysteries going on in their lakes (though maybe this will be explored in future books).

Not much more was revealed about the way magic works or why everyone has bug magic, so count me unsatisfied about that. The Apt/Inapt distinction was explored in greater detail but not the cause of it. I want answers and I’m willing to forgive a weak installment after how strong the first two were, so I will probably read on.

amaranth8's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

strider's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

barse's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

daelly's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

fishface's review

Go to review page

4.0

What an improvement on the last instalment!

Personally, I much prefer it when the story isn’t focused on battles, so this was my cup of tea.

In Blood of the Mantis the “world” of the series gets much wider: our characters move out of the Lowlands and Empire, and explore more of the surrounding cities and environments. Lots of sexy world building and new insect inspired peoples (yay!). I’m not sure where the overarching plot is heading at the moment, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

Also Taki and Axrad is the enemies to lovers I need in my life so fingers crossed that happens in the future ;)