Scan barcode
saraelizabeth9's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ana3333's review
5.0
Well, Samatar's done it again. Just like A Stranger in Olondria, this was nonsensical, failed to engage me at all for quite a while, and then somehow convinced me it's literally one of the best books in existence in the last couple chapters alone.
Overall, the prose and narrative structure could be best described as "intentionally dense" or perhaps "actively hostile towards the reader." There's piles of different viewpoints hopping around, the plot is basically flashbacks inside of flashbacks inside of flashbacks, about 1/15th of the story is excerpts from random made-up books, and every time a story starts to look promising, the plot whirls away to an entirely different place.
Most of the book was read in a sort of meditative state, where I had no clue what was going on or how anything connected to anything else, and all I could do was focus on one paragraph at a time and enjoy Samatar's absolutely stellar prose. I kept picking it up briefly and putting it down to read something more restful, because it felt like a lot of work.
However, much like a magic eye puzzle, you eventually reach a point where your brain sort of rotates the plot into another dimension, everything clicks into place, and it's perfect. For me, that point was Seren's entire section and the end of Siski's section. Those parts flowed so smoothly and said so many intriguing things that I felt like I read for a few hours straight without even stopping to breathe.
Ultimately, the whole experience of reading this was entirely unique, and it's a book I'll fondly remember and will definitely reread again at some point.
Overall, the prose and narrative structure could be best described as "intentionally dense" or perhaps "actively hostile towards the reader." There's piles of different viewpoints hopping around, the plot is basically flashbacks inside of flashbacks inside of flashbacks, about 1/15th of the story is excerpts from random made-up books, and every time a story starts to look promising, the plot whirls away to an entirely different place.
Most of the book was read in a sort of meditative state, where I had no clue what was going on or how anything connected to anything else, and all I could do was focus on one paragraph at a time and enjoy Samatar's absolutely stellar prose. I kept picking it up briefly and putting it down to read something more restful, because it felt like a lot of work.
However, much like a magic eye puzzle, you eventually reach a point where your brain sort of rotates the plot into another dimension, everything clicks into place, and it's perfect. For me, that point was Seren's entire section and the end of Siski's section. Those parts flowed so smoothly and said so many intriguing things that I felt like I read for a few hours straight without even stopping to breathe.
Ultimately, the whole experience of reading this was entirely unique, and it's a book I'll fondly remember and will definitely reread again at some point.
stevequinn's review
4.0
Very very good. Really 4.5 stars. Most of this is a beautifully written book that shows you the down time between major events In a fantasy saga. You see the effects of the wars and other happenings on everyday people and the major characters. And then it gets cool and weird at the end. Look forward to reading more from this author.
lilacandgray's review
4.0
This book is incredibly difficult to rate. I found some of the prose in the first part labyrinthine—albeit fitting for the narrator—but once the book transitioned genres, I was hooked. Sofia Samatar has created a complex world, and I’m curious to read more from her.
theliteratecondition's review
5.0
Beautifully written; engaging themes; fascinating characters; immersive and brilliant = an excellent book! The gorgeous prose adds more richness to the tapestry of these four characters--woven in relation to, in conflict with, because of and despite each other and the war. Even though "The Winged Histories" is sequel to "A Stranger in Olondria" you do not need to read one to enjoy the other, though reading both is well worth it--the layers and counter points and deepening of history helps the reader see the many ripples an act of rebellion, an act of faith, an act of love or hate can set into motion.
sarakas's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Poetic prose and present intermingled with past, with memories. The prose lures you in like the light of an anglerfish, but instead of being some deep sea creature’s next meal, you are engulfed by the lives of each of the women telling their own stories, as well as the larger story of the empire and the war and its aftermath. “The History of Music” is my favorite section, the most poetic, the most beautiful. A woman attempting to write a new song, grappling with her own history: her loves and fears and traumas; her loneliness and happiness. It’s very beautiful.
anakuroma's review
4.0
TW: death, blood, war, war crimes, eati g of a pet horse, abuse, abandonment, homophobia, romance between first cousins
Though not written in verse this book is poetic, with ever-changing styles in style, timeline shifts, and prose. Four stories that merge and flow between each other that really are an experience to read more than the story at times.
Though not written in verse this book is poetic, with ever-changing styles in style, timeline shifts, and prose. Four stories that merge and flow between each other that really are an experience to read more than the story at times.
aurelin's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aw21594377's review
3.0
I could appreciate the writing style and that it was a well-done book, but didn't particularly enjoy it. I don't remember almost any of the plot or characters.