Scan barcode
roannasylver's review
5.0
"How long had Arathiel hung to the side, a spectre watching events unfold, uncertain he deserved to participate? Not anymore."
* * *
This is another book where I'm not even certain how to begin. There is so much good, so much importance.
This is not a ghost story. But this is a story about what it is to be a ghost. To live on the fringes (of society, disenfranchised and ignored), of human interaction (keeping to the sidelines, the shadows, keeping silent, watching as others live their lives but never joining them), and of enormous times of upheaval. In all of these cases, there comes a time when the invisible are seen, when the silent speak, and when ghosts become vitally, desperately alive.
And that is my abstract, borderline-incoherent description of the emotional heart of City of Strife.
The less-figurative heart would probably be Cal.
I loved him before I even read the whole book. Snippets were enough to convince me of his awesomeness, and made me very much want the entire thing. I love this sweet, warm, funny, chubby, adorable, perceptive, welcoming, clever, brave luck-priest so much. I love the fact that he subverts just about every awful preconception and stereotype of aromantic asexual characters as being cold, aloof, uncaring, un-living, "inhuman." (He's not human, but a lot of people aren't in this book - and a lot ARE aro/ace and amazing.)
I hate how he's often treated by the people around him (though I'm confident Larryn at least will get better about this and at least he's actively Trying), and in a couple updates said I should just make a sign that reads "STOP BEING MEAN TO CAL" and hold it up at opportune moments. (I STILL MIGHT.) I hate the stark injustices and pain inflicted (often by unequal, unbalanced and un-compassionate systems) that so many people in this book have to endure, whether from institutional prejudice, or outright abuse.
But I love how they're portrayed. (As things to be overcome not by sucking it up and enduring, but by coming together and sharing strength, resources and support.) I love how everything is so very connected, and the smallest and most disparate events turn out to be integral. A city's civil war nearly starts because a cruel wizard abuses his apprentice. The place was a powder keg already, but this IS the final straw, and it very well should be. "Small" evils like this are no less deadly than the "big" ones. They should mean war. There should be revolution. Ghosts should be revealed and dirty deeds done in the shadows dragged to the light.
I just can't gush enough about the character interactions either. The friendships, established and growing bonds are so wonderfully tangible and sweet and *important.* A good piece of the core cast is aro/ace and their connections (growing queerplatonic and otherwise) are shown as every single bit as important as romantic and sexual relationships.
(Speaking of romance though, Diel and Jaeger have my heart entirely and I can't get enough of them. I don't think I ever could! For a while I was actually worried something awful would happen to them simply because I've been burned so badly by so many books that when I love a ship TOO MUCH, I start to worry. This can't possibly be real, we can't possibly get to keep them? But we do. And I'm honestly more grateful than I've been in a long time.)
I just love everyone so much. I love Arathiel's searching and trying to regain equilibrium and find pieces he recognizes of a life interrupted. I love Hasryan's fragile trust and determination to power through horrible pain, and even his reluctance to believe he's safe, and doesn't have to. I love Branwen's brilliance for disguises and subterfuge, changing the course of a city without confrontation or bloodshed, and I love HER powerful love for her family. I love Nevian and Varden and Vellien and Camilla (AND LARRYN, YES) and all their brilliant, interwoven connections, and if I started on any of them I'd never stop.
I just want more. And I hope you read and want more too.
* * *
This is another book where I'm not even certain how to begin. There is so much good, so much importance.
This is not a ghost story. But this is a story about what it is to be a ghost. To live on the fringes (of society, disenfranchised and ignored), of human interaction (keeping to the sidelines, the shadows, keeping silent, watching as others live their lives but never joining them), and of enormous times of upheaval. In all of these cases, there comes a time when the invisible are seen, when the silent speak, and when ghosts become vitally, desperately alive.
And that is my abstract, borderline-incoherent description of the emotional heart of City of Strife.
The less-figurative heart would probably be Cal.
I loved him before I even read the whole book. Snippets were enough to convince me of his awesomeness, and made me very much want the entire thing. I love this sweet, warm, funny, chubby, adorable, perceptive, welcoming, clever, brave luck-priest so much. I love the fact that he subverts just about every awful preconception and stereotype of aromantic asexual characters as being cold, aloof, uncaring, un-living, "inhuman." (He's not human, but a lot of people aren't in this book - and a lot ARE aro/ace and amazing.)
I hate how he's often treated by the people around him (though I'm confident Larryn at least will get better about this and at least he's actively Trying), and in a couple updates said I should just make a sign that reads "STOP BEING MEAN TO CAL" and hold it up at opportune moments. (I STILL MIGHT.) I hate the stark injustices and pain inflicted (often by unequal, unbalanced and un-compassionate systems) that so many people in this book have to endure, whether from institutional prejudice, or outright abuse.
But I love how they're portrayed. (As things to be overcome not by sucking it up and enduring, but by coming together and sharing strength, resources and support.) I love how everything is so very connected, and the smallest and most disparate events turn out to be integral. A city's civil war nearly starts because a cruel wizard abuses his apprentice. The place was a powder keg already, but this IS the final straw, and it very well should be. "Small" evils like this are no less deadly than the "big" ones. They should mean war. There should be revolution. Ghosts should be revealed and dirty deeds done in the shadows dragged to the light.
I just can't gush enough about the character interactions either. The friendships, established and growing bonds are so wonderfully tangible and sweet and *important.* A good piece of the core cast is aro/ace and their connections (growing queerplatonic and otherwise) are shown as every single bit as important as romantic and sexual relationships.
(Speaking of romance though, Diel and Jaeger have my heart entirely and I can't get enough of them. I don't think I ever could! For a while I was actually worried something awful would happen to them simply because I've been burned so badly by so many books that when I love a ship TOO MUCH, I start to worry. This can't possibly be real, we can't possibly get to keep them? But we do. And I'm honestly more grateful than I've been in a long time.)
I just love everyone so much. I love Arathiel's searching and trying to regain equilibrium and find pieces he recognizes of a life interrupted. I love Hasryan's fragile trust and determination to power through horrible pain, and even his reluctance to believe he's safe, and doesn't have to. I love Branwen's brilliance for disguises and subterfuge, changing the course of a city without confrontation or bloodshed, and I love HER powerful love for her family. I love Nevian and Varden and Vellien and Camilla (AND LARRYN, YES) and all their brilliant, interwoven connections, and if I started on any of them I'd never stop.
I just want more. And I hope you read and want more too.
gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
It took me a long time to really get into this book and that might be partly on me, and partly on the constantly changing POV’s. Normally the latter wouldn’t be an issue but there are at least 10 narrators of this story with the POV changing with each chapter. It’s a lot to ask of a reader, to keep up with these changes. Unfortunately, my brain was not wholly engaged for the first part, at least not until the stories started to overlap. That’s when it got interesting. And that’s when it ended in a cliffhanger. Aargh!
I don’t have the patience to tackle book 2, not right now anyway. But I can see myself returning to this world when I’m ready to dismiss other life distractions and fully engage with the story. I think it’s an interesting and entertaining read overall, and I truly liked many of the characters. The format won’t be for everyone but if the ever changing POVs aren’t off-putting, you’ll find a lot to like here.
It took me a long time to really get into this book and that might be partly on me, and partly on the constantly changing POV’s. Normally the latter wouldn’t be an issue but there are at least 10 narrators of this story with the POV changing with each chapter. It’s a lot to ask of a reader, to keep up with these changes. Unfortunately, my brain was not wholly engaged for the first part, at least not until the stories started to overlap. That’s when it got interesting. And that’s when it ended in a cliffhanger. Aargh!
I don’t have the patience to tackle book 2, not right now anyway. But I can see myself returning to this world when I’m ready to dismiss other life distractions and fully engage with the story. I think it’s an interesting and entertaining read overall, and I truly liked many of the characters. The format won’t be for everyone but if the ever changing POVs aren’t off-putting, you’ll find a lot to like here.
thirdspin's review
concept is intriguing but the writing style is unimaginative and pedantic.
sternenwesen's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing. I loved all the representation, I loved how real world political issues played into it. It felt like a complex fantasy rpg game in the best way (probably because the idea originated when the author was dming). The characters are complex and interesting and I love the way they interact throughout ths book.
At the beginning I was scared I would confuse all of the characters but they all had very distinct names, voices and arcs and in the end it was really easy to understand who was who and to keeo up with all the interacting plotlines.
Im very much looking forward to reading the rest of this series!!!!
At the beginning I was scared I would confuse all of the characters but they all had very distinct names, voices and arcs and in the end it was really easy to understand who was who and to keeo up with all the interacting plotlines.
Im very much looking forward to reading the rest of this series!!!!
loganslovelylibrary's review against another edition
4.0
This book explores a fascinating new world fraught with interesting relationships and ideas about sexuality, gender identity, and race within a fantasy world. Very unique, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
mousie's review
I think I wasn't in the right mood for this at the right time, might revist later and see if I feel differently
araleith's review
This book is not a bad book! It's just apparently not the book my brain needs right now. Will likely give it another go later.
alexthereadingdragon's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0