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fishsticks26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
ezrasupremacy's review against another edition
4.0
this was quite lovely, though i would neither put it on the same level as the other two books, nor do i entirely see why this wasn’t just its own book rather than book 1.5 in the series. i do think it had rather little to do with the other two, aside from two little appearances of keita.
either way, all the characters were just as lovely as i’ve come to expect from pulley’s writing, and the writing itself was wonderful. i honestly don’t think i would’ve read this book had it not been part of the series, really not up my alley usually, but the writing made it possible for me to float through this rather nicely.
overall i do say that if you go into this with the same expectations that you read the two “main” books with, you’ll be a little disappointed, but if you ignore that this is a good and extremely well plotted and researched read.
either way, all the characters were just as lovely as i’ve come to expect from pulley’s writing, and the writing itself was wonderful. i honestly don’t think i would’ve read this book had it not been part of the series, really not up my alley usually, but the writing made it possible for me to float through this rather nicely.
overall i do say that if you go into this with the same expectations that you read the two “main” books with, you’ll be a little disappointed, but if you ignore that this is a good and extremely well plotted and researched read.
bookish_emily's review against another edition
4.0
The Bedlam Stacks immerses the reader in the era of the East India Company, when trade was ruthless and the natural resources of less developed countries were being plundered. Merrick Tremayne has been out of the business because of an injury, but due to his extensive knowledge of plants and an old family connection to a remote Peruvian village he is recruited to travel to Peru for an important mission. He has been tasked with smuggling quinine cuttings out of the country in order to help treat the worsening malaria epidemic in India. When Merrick arrives in the tiny village he encounters unusual superstitions centered around incredibly lifelike statues and the salt line that separates the village from the forest. Equally mysterious is the village priest, Raphael, who appears to know more than he's saying.
The story winds its way through Merrick's journey, with occasional flashbacks to provide more of his history. A lovely tale of friendship and faith set in a fascinating world with just a hint of the fantastical, The Bedlam Stacks is perfect for fans of magical realism.
The story winds its way through Merrick's journey, with occasional flashbacks to provide more of his history. A lovely tale of friendship and faith set in a fascinating world with just a hint of the fantastical, The Bedlam Stacks is perfect for fans of magical realism.
hg_not_wells's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
brittwhitmore's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
listigalisa's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Obsessed with the slow way Pulley builds releathionships. This book got a bit slow in the second half, but still very very good.
claire518's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
zoefruitcake's review against another edition
4.0
Having loved The Watchmaker of Filigree Street it took me a little while to wrap my head around this different book but I was soon enchanted by the mysterious setting and the characters. Just the same as the previous book I found it hard to leave the world at the end of the book
snapbea's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
jofish's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
Slow. Takes its time. Overtones in there of a Heart of Darkness kinda way, but if I had something rose to read I would have given up.