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shrikebait's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I want to start by recognizing that so much time, love, and attention to detail went into making this book happen. The world is vastly different from our own in creative and sometimes shocking ways. From the roots of language to the inheritance of magic, no detail is spared.
I went into this book understanding it would be an undertaking. Initially, I was patient with the very detailed worldbuilding, figuring it would all pay off later. I don't mind long books if the extra pages do the plot justice.
Unfortunately, Merchants has a TON of worldbuilding for the sake of worldbuilding. Great if that's your thing, but I really prefer learning about the world as it becomes relevant to the plot. For example, I don't need to know, in detail, the math behind currency conversion or what specific fantasy fruits make up a city's landscaping if it has no significance to the plot. To me, this amounts to information overload and makes the story drag. I was ultimately surprised at how little happened by the end of the book given the page count.
I also tried to be patient with the characters. Fantasy cultures can have wildly different mores than my own, and that's okay! But I really, really struggle with some of these characters' choices. Murder, kidnapping, and brainwashing are perfectly fine if the ends justify the means...?
I also did not love how preoccupied the adult main characters are with sex. I love the sex-positive themes and emphasis on consent. I do not love hearing every sexual fantasy that pops into the characters' heads, especially in wildly inappropriate circumstances.
Merchants of Light and Bone has a lot of good going for it, but I struggled to stay engaged. I wonder if shorter stories set within the same world would be a better balance between worldbuilding and plot.
Thank you to the author and to BookSirens for the chance to check this book out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I went into this book understanding it would be an undertaking. Initially, I was patient with the very detailed worldbuilding, figuring it would all pay off later. I don't mind long books if the extra pages do the plot justice.
Unfortunately, Merchants has a TON of worldbuilding for the sake of worldbuilding. Great if that's your thing, but I really prefer learning about the world as it becomes relevant to the plot. For example, I don't need to know, in detail, the math behind currency conversion or what specific fantasy fruits make up a city's landscaping if it has no significance to the plot. To me, this amounts to information overload and makes the story drag. I was ultimately surprised at how little happened by the end of the book given the page count.
I also tried to be patient with the characters. Fantasy cultures can have wildly different mores than my own, and that's okay! But I really, really struggle with some of these characters' choices. Murder, kidnapping, and brainwashing are perfectly fine if the ends justify the means...?
I also did not love how preoccupied the adult main characters are with sex. I love the sex-positive themes and emphasis on consent. I do not love hearing every sexual fantasy that pops into the characters' heads, especially in wildly inappropriate circumstances.
Merchants of Light and Bone has a lot of good going for it, but I struggled to stay engaged. I wonder if shorter stories set within the same world would be a better balance between worldbuilding and plot.
Thank you to the author and to BookSirens for the chance to check this book out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Slavery, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Incest, Confinement, Child death, Suicide, Blood, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, Deportation, Abortion, Transphobia, Ableism, Pregnancy, Grief, Death, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Dysphoria, Domestic abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, Religious bigotry, Racism, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Deadnaming
Minor: War and Bullying
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