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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I LOVED this. The end was too optimistic in too obvious of a way for my preference and the "big reveals" were similarly too obvious but other than that I really had so much fun. I love you vibes as strange as possible I love you ritual transgenderization I love you cavalierness with death. Hawthorn is my best friend. My only REAL complaint is that after the two repetitions of "it's been ages since any man went into the casket for another" I really was expecting/wanted a plot-relevant mellified-manning. Although now that I think about it Frin sort of did in a roundabout way. Cool book. Excited for Pechaček's future stuff.
I would like to thank Edelweiss and Tordotcom for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
DNF @ 20%
Ahhhh I really wanted to love this but unfortunately this narrative style is just not for me. If you loved Piranesi and City of Last Chances, you'd probably love this!
DNF @ 20%
Ahhhh I really wanted to love this but unfortunately this narrative style is just not for me. If you loved Piranesi and City of Last Chances, you'd probably love this!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such stunning and complex world building!! I was fascinated by the intricacies of the characters, the setting, and the social structure of this massive palace complex. It had so many surreal elements that I never felt totally comfortable in my grasp on the world, in such an exciting way. I felt like I was constantly finding extra treats and tidbits for this elaborate world. Despite all the surreal elements, I always felt like I was following the trajectory of the main story. It so deftly explores the delicate work of maintaining the balance between tradition and change. The characters were genuinely so well-developed. The importance of Yarrow's and Hawthorn's ideals, and what they hold dear, is established so solidly, and repeatedly. Yarrow's dedication to tradition, to the sanctity of her sisterhood, is contrasted with Hawthorn's commitment to people and the present, dismissing tradition insofar as she is able. Their continual recommitment to their opinions culminating in a reversal of their roles, Yarrow rejecting tradition, and Hawthorn wanting to embrace it, is just so beautiful. Just in general, such an excellent book.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A dystopian, vaguely steampunk (?) labyrinthine FUN and imaginative fantasy.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I don't know if I've read anything quite this fantastical before. Where does this inspiration for a world like this even come from. A world where there are awe-inspiring and fear-inducing ladies that rule over a palace the size of a small country. A world with a lot of references to flowers and bees. A world where honey is a precious substance with magical powers. Where regular old humans of "simple flesh" are a distinct minority and there are absolutely no rules about what someone needs to look like.
At its core The West Passage is a coming of age story of two protagonists on separate but interconnected quests and the trials they must encounter and changes they endure along the way. All of this is prompted by signs that an ancient threat is beginning to wake up and will threaten the palace again soon.
Read this if you want a book to make you feel like Alice after she falls through the looking glass, are in the mood for a solid fantasy story set in a medieval-esque setting and/or think it would be funny if the talking flowers in Alice In Wonderland swore. (There is a scene on a train where a flowered-bodied person drops the f-bomb a number of times and I found it hilarious.)
Don't read this if you mind some violence in your fantasy, will get upset if people switch gender or can't deal with reading a book where it might take a few re-reads to really grasp the weirdness of it all.
At its core The West Passage is a coming of age story of two protagonists on separate but interconnected quests and the trials they must encounter and changes they endure along the way. All of this is prompted by signs that an ancient threat is beginning to wake up and will threaten the palace again soon.
Read this if you want a book to make you feel like Alice after she falls through the looking glass, are in the mood for a solid fantasy story set in a medieval-esque setting and/or think it would be funny if the talking flowers in Alice In Wonderland swore. (There is a scene on a train where a flowered-bodied person drops the f-bomb a number of times and I found it hilarious.)
Don't read this if you mind some violence in your fantasy, will get upset if people switch gender or can't deal with reading a book where it might take a few re-reads to really grasp the weirdness of it all.
I don’t honestly know if I liked this or not.
It’s definitely weird.
The world building is bonkers.
It’s definitely weird.
The world building is bonkers.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Such a phenomenal read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I can see where this would not be everyone's cup of tea. If you love a good, meandering story where you genuinely get to know the world and everyone in it, with the politics of it and all, I recommend at least giving this a try!
The West Passage is such a unique and entrancing world. This carries a very unusual perspective and the world and it's political structure follow suit.
I genuinely had so much fun reading and exploring this world! While it felt like a very long read, I was never board and never wanted to put it down!
You primarily follow along with two perspectives (that of Kew and Pell). You'll meet to friends and even some foes, but you also grow with these two characters. Each goes through their own (very different) journey with the same goal.
There is so much lore packed into this book as well and in such a fascinating way! I do feel like the story was wrapped up nicely. However, I am definitely left wanting to stay here and learn so much more about each character and what lies ahead for them.
Thank you TOR publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read The West Passage early!
The West Passage is such a unique and entrancing world. This carries a very unusual perspective and the world and it's political structure follow suit.
I genuinely had so much fun reading and exploring this world! While it felt like a very long read, I was never board and never wanted to put it down!
You primarily follow along with two perspectives (that of Kew and Pell). You'll meet to friends and even some foes, but you also grow with these two characters. Each goes through their own (very different) journey with the same goal.
There is so much lore packed into this book as well and in such a fascinating way! I do feel like the story was wrapped up nicely. However, I am definitely left wanting to stay here and learn so much more about each character and what lies ahead for them.
Thank you TOR publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read The West Passage early!