Reviews with content warning for Colonisation - The Bedlam Stacks

This was such a strange book. I don't even really know how to review it? There wasn't a lot of character development. And I feel like there were some plot holes maybe. Definitely confusion because I think I missed some things or the meaning of some things.

I think my biggest issues though was for a book set in Peru, there was basically no Spanish? I can't even remember if the word "gracias" came up. Which really bothered me. It always just had something to note if the person said something in English, Spanish, or Quechua. According to the notes at the back, this author took months of Spanish so why aren't there phrases and words throughout?
Anyways. That really bothered me.

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clarabooksit's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

4.75

I have no words for how much I loved The Bedlam Stacks. I want to live inside its pages forever.

I adored this book. The history, the magic, the adventure, the characters, the life that this book breathes—everything is just so achingly good.

Pulley’s writing is lush, intricate and beguiling. She has a stunning ability to infuse mundane things with energy and life so that her worlds and characters feel full and real but never boring. This story builds and builds, the tension slow and subtle, and the characters revealed in every detail. And the relationship at its heart is perfection.

If you like all the atmosphere, lovely writing and incredible world- and character-building, you need to read this book. It’s historical fantasy, queer, very British, and set primarily in the Peruvian mountains. Danger, mystery, confounding magic, and intelligent characters fill up every page.

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lizzie24601's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-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? Yes

5.0

No one does it like Natasha Pulley...

I can't think of a book in the past few years that has brought me more joy than this or The Watchmaker of Filigree Street. She uses pretty much the same trope in both (Merrick and Thaniel are basically the same person) in different settings - but the trope and the settings are so lushly illustrated that it works amazingly well both times. This book in particular fascinated me since I'd recently read Amazon Beaming by Petru Popescu so the beautiful Andean setting drew me in right away. As usual, Pulley draws out the magical mystery slowly and seductively, taking the time to build up the characters' love and relationships, and finds ingenious new ways to explain all of the magic through science. The time she took to visit and research the Peruvian Andes is evident and the indigenous characters feel fleshed out and genuine. I think I've found one of my new favorite books with this one.

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pineapplesurvivor's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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