Scan barcode
lyndiane's review against another edition
5.0
If I was asked to use a single word to describe this book, I would have to settle for surreal.
Apart from the opening pages, the remainder of the events take place over the course of a single night. The narrative is densely packed with loads of detail, much of which is set in a realm accessed via a dream state, and a fair bit of concentration is required to keep track of the story.
The writing is brilliant, and I found myself in a constant flux of horror, relief, amazement and shock at how easily we are deceived, especially when we are being told what we most want to hear.
The book ends with a great deal more to be expected in the sequel, but for once I won't grab the next book in line. I need a sanity break!
Apart from the opening pages, the remainder of the events take place over the course of a single night. The narrative is densely packed with loads of detail, much of which is set in a realm accessed via a dream state, and a fair bit of concentration is required to keep track of the story.
The writing is brilliant, and I found myself in a constant flux of horror, relief, amazement and shock at how easily we are deceived, especially when we are being told what we most want to hear.
The book ends with a great deal more to be expected in the sequel, but for once I won't grab the next book in line. I need a sanity break!
arktosaur's review against another edition
4.0
I actually surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it. Steeped, almost drowning, in surrealism and references and symbolism, it took me a while to grok what was going on, to piece together the lore and the shape of the world that Wright was creating, but when things started to click it became really fascinating.
I have a few issues with some of the story elements as they were presented, including the brief implication that homosexuality was as "evil" as say, trampling on a cross, but I'm not altogether sure I interpreted that correctly or, even if I did, how much could be chalked up to the old-time-y religion laws being a thing.
The characters were, for the most part, interesting if not a little archetypical, but what really shines is the world-building and the writing. Definitely looking forward to reading the second half of the story, since this book ended quite suddenly and there seems to be a lot of the story yet to tell.
I have a few issues with some of the story elements as they were presented, including the brief implication that homosexuality was as "evil" as say, trampling on a cross, but I'm not altogether sure I interpreted that correctly or, even if I did, how much could be chalked up to the old-time-y religion laws being a thing.
The characters were, for the most part, interesting if not a little archetypical, but what really shines is the world-building and the writing. Definitely looking forward to reading the second half of the story, since this book ended quite suddenly and there seems to be a lot of the story yet to tell.
scotoma's review against another edition
4.0
First part of a fantasy duology about a family that guards the borders between our mundane reality and the fantastic realms that wait beyond, whose legacy is mostly forgotten in the waking world and who themselves are on the precipice of dying out. As so often with these type of stories, something evil is lurking to come back, but the first book isn’t about the primeval villain attacking, but rather this Saruman-type character (formerly one of the best of the good guys turned evil thinking his way is the only to save everyone and he knows best) trying to get control of the house the family guards, to open the gate between worlds.
I find Wright’s style highly enjoyable, he likes to drown the reader in world-building details that run the gamut of classical fantasy, old myths, various allusion and his own spin on all things fantasy, pulling monsters and gods and other creatures out of his hat like it was nothing, making all of them feel fresh and original and not derivative in any way.
The main bulk of the book is about two outsiders who get roped into the conflict which is all about the villain trying to get access to the house of Everness, attacking it with all his varied powers. As it is only half of a whole, it ends on a cliffhanger, and wow it’s a dozy one. Definitely recommended, can’t wait to read how it all plays out.
I find Wright’s style highly enjoyable, he likes to drown the reader in world-building details that run the gamut of classical fantasy, old myths, various allusion and his own spin on all things fantasy, pulling monsters and gods and other creatures out of his hat like it was nothing, making all of them feel fresh and original and not derivative in any way.
The main bulk of the book is about two outsiders who get roped into the conflict which is all about the villain trying to get access to the house of Everness, attacking it with all his varied powers. As it is only half of a whole, it ends on a cliffhanger, and wow it’s a dozy one. Definitely recommended, can’t wait to read how it all plays out.
More...