Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Foundryside

I came across this book thanks to its mention in an essay about creative commentary through sci-fi/fantasy systems, in which it was lauded in the same breath as N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season. I am happy to report that it lives up to this comparison. The “magic” system of this book is incredibly unique and inspired, and Robert Jackson Bennett skillfully increases how complexly it is applied in a very rewarding way. His style is similar to Brandon Sanderson, with a nice balance of humor, despair, and optimism. And the best part is this book is basically a series of heists with ever increasing stakes and reality-warping magic! This would be a 5 star review if not for some politics regarding policing that feel outdated from a 2023 perspective and the handling of a certain characters’ trauma. I think that element could’ve been handled more tactfully. Ultimately, though, this book was quite the enjoyable read, and I’m excited to read the next installment!

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iforgotilivedhere's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I loved this book! It was so so good but I had problems near the end.

Near the end whenever Sancia and her crew are trying to get the imperiat and Clef back, we had a whole section of them just going over scientific and boring shit that could of been easily summarized in a paragraph or just a page.

That was really my only problem. I’m so exited to see how Sancia and Berenice’s relationship grows. I’m so exited for some good sapphic romance!!

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wrenthebard's review against another edition

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Why, in a fictional world with fictional locations, is a slur etymologically based on a real world location used? He could have said travelers. He could have said nomads. He could have said anything. Instead he chose a slur. I would have DNFed and returned it at that point if it wasn't a library book. Instead, I pressed on, and found lazy and mediocre writing. Phrases are repeated within sentences, worldbuilding is dumped through clumsy character dialogue, the editing is poor, the characters are shallow and not consistent (one claims to be vehemently opposed to killing, but proceeds to have no problems with it minutes later), the worldbuilding and magic system are the only things worth reading this book for. Even the contrived swearing is lazy; swears roll off the tongue, these don't. Not the worst book I've read this year. Not remotely the best. Compared to the other titles I've read this year, I'd call this firmly below average.

I wrote that much partway through reading. I've come to amend.

If you can use anything but rape, DON'T USE RAPE.

This has now passed into bad book territory. 75% through and I'm officially DNFing it. An extremely rare occurrence, which should say something.

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booksthatburn's review against another edition

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It introduces a disabled secondary character as an object lesson/warning to the protagonist, this character is disabled from mutilation and amputation during previous torture. I’d felt uneasy about how flippantly some topics were handled and then this confirms that my hesitance was well-founded.

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK. Wow. I am so surprised. I had no idea what to fully expect going into this book but did it DELIVER! Fantastic characters, great world building, epic heists, a unique and complex magic system, and I went through ALL of the emotions! I am not even kidding. I teared up multiple times, was on the edge of my seat with stress, smiled like an idiot, and laughed out loud. This is my kind of book through and through.
It starts out slower because there is so much that has to be set up in the initial chapters and first section of the book. But goodness, is it worth it for the vast wealth of story that you get farther in.

I stand by it that Clef is my favourite character. But I have such an immense appreciation fo Sancia, Gregor, Berenice, and even Orso! All of the characrers are developed so well, and they all have some kind of arc and growth throughout the story.
The heists are EPIC and the twists and turns? Goodness I was on the edge of my seat... figuratively. But this was so good. I am really looking forward to seeing where else this series goes! (If my heart can take it that is...)

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