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petalperfume's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A read so intense, it left me swayed. I sat brooding as I pondered, for indeed this is a read with plenty of gossamer lines in the web. I didn't quite understand the alchemy of it all; the state of the prophesied city and the roads that lead to it, too slippery catch. The spell-work lay shrouded in a queer anonymity. The mathematics mystifying. Evidently, I am not quite bright. In spite of my incapacity to comprehend the science, the story was striking. One of familial feeling, intangible and potent. One of the innate care of life, in spite of the blades brought to pale skin at seventeen. One of the improbable, impossible potential tapped to good vein to save the last ember. It diminishes to a final spark; it it bursts to a blaze by the end, the human nature of love exultant and attainable. Reminding us to feed our own flame, lest we let the coal glow grow dull.
readcharlotte's review against another edition
2.0
This just didn't work for me on many levels. I initially got some Good Omens vibes, just without the humor. Ultimately a great concept, but it just fell so flat. The plot was strange, the fantastical/sci-fi elements were poorly hashed out, and the villains were caracatures. I think this would have worked SO much better as YA.
paperpaladin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I tried Middlegame a few years back and didn't get much further than the first chapter. Needing to fill out a square for Book Bingo and boy am I glad that I did. Though the book says it is about alchemy what this book is really about is how people treat each other. This is explored through the twin living embodiment of the doctrine of ethos. They are magical twins created in a lab and the seperated in an attempt for their alchemist creator to have full control over them and use their power to remake the world in his own image.
I love both Roger and Dodger. I think McGuire does an excellent job of showing them throughout the decades of their lives. Their emotions feel so real and clear. I like how there relationship develops and deepens over the course of the book. The side characters are also well done. Reed is a fantastic villain who has the right amount of nuance to not be deplorable the whole time, while Lee is equal parts terrible and terrifying. Erin is also interesting and I liked how she acted with the twins.
McGuire's writing is beautiful and wondrous as always. Her prose balances whimsy and concrete facts well giving it her unique feel. My main complaint with her Wayward Children books is that she often ends rather abruptly. This book has a little bit of that near the end but it is mostly the skipping of a travel montage which I am fine with.
This will likely be a contender for my book of the year. If you like the Wayward Children series or loosely explained alchemical magic, this is the book for you.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
I love both Roger and Dodger. I think McGuire does an excellent job of showing them throughout the decades of their lives. Their emotions feel so real and clear. I like how there relationship develops and deepens over the course of the book. The side characters are also well done. Reed is a fantastic villain who has the right amount of nuance to not be deplorable the whole time, while Lee is equal parts terrible and terrifying. Erin is also interesting and I liked how she acted with the twins.
McGuire's writing is beautiful and wondrous as always. Her prose balances whimsy and concrete facts well giving it her unique feel. My main complaint with her Wayward Children books is that she often ends rather abruptly. This book has a little bit of that near the end but it is mostly the skipping of a travel montage which I am fine with.
This will likely be a contender for my book of the year. If you like the Wayward Children series or loosely explained alchemical magic, this is the book for you.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
bookswithnicole's review against another edition
5.0
After about 100 pages in I became completely obsessed and read it every chance I could
okevamae's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book. As ever, Seanan McGuire has managed to create a fully realized world of magic that blends seamlessly with a real-world modern setting and feels absolutely real, with well-rounded characters who you want to root for even as they make heartbreaking mistakes that put their flaws on display.
I should mention that unless you already know what the Doctrine of Ethos is, you'll need to pay close attention to the first part of the book, or you'll end up very confused by the repeated mentions of it (like me!) There's also some non-linear storytelling, which personally I love, but I know some people can't stand it, so if that's not your cup of tea maybe skip this one.
I should also mention that although Seanan McGuire is well-known in recent years for her YA Wayward Children series, this is most definitely an adult novel. Content warning for attempted suicide, self-harm, violence, and murder - but if you've read and enjoyed any of her other adult novels, it's probably nothing you can't handle.
I should mention that unless you already know what the Doctrine of Ethos is, you'll need to pay close attention to the first part of the book, or you'll end up very confused by the repeated mentions of it (like me!) There's also some non-linear storytelling, which personally I love, but I know some people can't stand it, so if that's not your cup of tea maybe skip this one.
I should also mention that although Seanan McGuire is well-known in recent years for her YA Wayward Children series, this is most definitely an adult novel. Content warning for attempted suicide, self-harm, violence, and murder - but if you've read and enjoyed any of her other adult novels, it's probably nothing you can't handle.
dumb_library's review against another edition
4.0
I’m finding it SO difficult to rate this book. I loved it, but I can’t lie and say I understood any of it? I want to give it 5 stars for the sheer fact that the characters and writing overwhelmed me in a great way. However, I understood about 20% of the plot of this book. That might be the point, though? I can summarize this book like the jacket does, but I cannot for the life of me explain what the hell happened in this book. The more I read, the more confusing it got. I still loved it, though????? AHHHH I don’t know!!
ashtheaudiomancer's review against another edition
I normally love Seanan McGuire, but one just isn't working for me. Maybe I'll revisit it eventually, but I'm taking it off my shelf for now.
okjaaaaa's review against another edition
5.0
i'm confused. but in the best way possible - holy shit.
asreadbykat's review against another edition
5.0
True Rating: 5/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Flash-detailed attempted suicide, Murder, references to forced C-sections and genetic engineering, body horror (?), psychological trauma
My Thoughts
"Few things are more dangerous than a scientist with something to learn."
Seanan McGuire is one of those authors I know I love, and yet I continuously forget it until I stumble on one of their works again. "Middlegame" has been on my radar for at least a year now; so many booktubers had added this to one of their favorite books lists, and the premise absolutely intrigued me.
We have Roger and Dodger, two children with specialties: Dodger is a genius who can breathe life into math, and Roger can find the language to work around any situation. They also happen to be the result of an alchemical experiment by James Reed, a man who wants to use his master's teachings to use the two children to become a god.
The synopsis of this story doesn't really give a hint to what the reader is getting into. This story is very much character driven. While there is a plot, that plot hinges on the actions and thoughts of our two main characters. If you don't like a slower paced plot that jumps around, that can get confusing and then make sense, that follows characters from children to adulthood -this isn't the book for you. The book itself is almost like a "science experiment" in how it's written, but that's part of what makes it so fascinating.
McGuire's writing is really in the spotlight in this novel. There are so many passages I marked simply because of how they were phrased, or what was said. They were works of art on their own, adding a beautiful element to an otherwise grisly story. There are even terrifying scenes that are written beautifully. It feels like every sentence has a purpose, and that's one of the best feelings to get when reading.
McGuire's experience also comes into play with the twists and turns of the story. Rather than feeling jarring, they feel natural, inevitable. Even when I knew a twist was coming, I still had my jaw drop at several moments and had to think, "NOW IT MAKES SENSE!" McGuire kept this up all the way to the end of the story, and not once did it get annoying or feel like it was too much.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book and recommend to anyone who wants a slower, more character-driven sci-fi/fantasy novel.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Flash-detailed attempted suicide, Murder, references to forced C-sections and genetic engineering, body horror (?), psychological trauma
My Thoughts
"Few things are more dangerous than a scientist with something to learn."
Seanan McGuire is one of those authors I know I love, and yet I continuously forget it until I stumble on one of their works again. "Middlegame" has been on my radar for at least a year now; so many booktubers had added this to one of their favorite books lists, and the premise absolutely intrigued me.
We have Roger and Dodger, two children with specialties: Dodger is a genius who can breathe life into math, and Roger can find the language to work around any situation. They also happen to be the result of an alchemical experiment by James Reed, a man who wants to use his master's teachings to use the two children to become a god.
The synopsis of this story doesn't really give a hint to what the reader is getting into. This story is very much character driven. While there is a plot, that plot hinges on the actions and thoughts of our two main characters. If you don't like a slower paced plot that jumps around, that can get confusing and then make sense, that follows characters from children to adulthood -this isn't the book for you. The book itself is almost like a "science experiment" in how it's written, but that's part of what makes it so fascinating.
McGuire's writing is really in the spotlight in this novel. There are so many passages I marked simply because of how they were phrased, or what was said. They were works of art on their own, adding a beautiful element to an otherwise grisly story. There are even terrifying scenes that are written beautifully. It feels like every sentence has a purpose, and that's one of the best feelings to get when reading.
McGuire's experience also comes into play with the twists and turns of the story. Rather than feeling jarring, they feel natural, inevitable. Even when I knew a twist was coming, I still had my jaw drop at several moments and had to think, "NOW IT MAKES SENSE!" McGuire kept this up all the way to the end of the story, and not once did it get annoying or feel like it was too much.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book and recommend to anyone who wants a slower, more character-driven sci-fi/fantasy novel.
teresa_beatrice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5