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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
4.5/5 stars
This series is just so good. I love the writing and the world and the characters. I really enjoyed how each book focused on a different character, but they were familiar because they were in the previous books. I liked seeing the different perspectives and getting to know them. The character development in this instalment was great. I really enjoyed seeing Sigrud's journey and how the whole story concluded.
Overall, this was a great novel exploring the human experience, power, corruption, grief and how we can move on from it. Such a great series and I definitely recommend.
This series is just so good. I love the writing and the world and the characters. I really enjoyed how each book focused on a different character, but they were familiar because they were in the previous books. I liked seeing the different perspectives and getting to know them. The character development in this instalment was great. I really enjoyed seeing Sigrud's journey and how the whole story concluded.
Overall, this was a great novel exploring the human experience, power, corruption, grief and how we can move on from it. Such a great series and I definitely recommend.
The beginning is non-stop action though there's a fair amount of philosophy dump near the end. I liked the aero-tram bit, reminded me of [a:Jack Vance|5376|Jack Vance|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207604643p2/5376.jpg]. Sigrud has to be one of the most conflicted characters in SF. A good, if a bit grim, story.
You cannot read this as a standalone, it will be very confusing. Read the series in sequence.
You cannot read this as a standalone, it will be very confusing. Read the series in sequence.
I feel like this is by far the weakest of the Divine Cities trilogy, though still a pretty good book (call it a 3.75 or so). How to put it... the writing and world-building is still golden, the plot gripping, the action scenes well paced. But...
Fundamentally, it doesn't have that element of ontological mystery that the other books had. I had *no* idea how City of Stairs or City of Blades would end, as they were twisty, extremely complex stories. City of Miracles, on the other hand, over-foreshadows. Pretty much as soon as a certain character's powers are revealed, at around the 50% mark, you can make some good guesses as to how the story will end. And so it does.
The other issue is that our main villain is, bluntly, not scary. The antagonists of the first two novels were absolutely terrifying, both the supernatural monsters and the people behind them (Book 2 was especially good here). In comparison, Nokov lacks a certain gravitas. He's a tragic character, and I understand that, but my attitude towards him is more one of vague annoyance. He doesn't quite *click*.
So, not bad, not bad at all, but it doesn't have the 'wow' factor of the first two novels.
Fundamentally, it doesn't have that element of ontological mystery that the other books had. I had *no* idea how City of Stairs or City of Blades would end, as they were twisty, extremely complex stories. City of Miracles, on the other hand, over-foreshadows. Pretty much as soon as a certain character's powers are revealed, at around the 50% mark, you can make some good guesses as to how the story will end. And so it does.
The other issue is that our main villain is, bluntly, not scary. The antagonists of the first two novels were absolutely terrifying, both the supernatural monsters and the people behind them (Book 2 was especially good here). In comparison, Nokov lacks a certain gravitas. He's a tragic character, and I understand that, but my attitude towards him is more one of vague annoyance. He doesn't quite *click*.
So, not bad, not bad at all, but it doesn't have the 'wow' factor of the first two novels.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I love the world Bennett has created for this series because it's full of bizarre, crumbling wonders and odd, miraculous artifacts that are remnants of a time when gods ruled the world. It's dark and gritty without being soul-crushing or angsty. The characters are diverse and complex.
I'm sure you've already read the book summary, so it won't be too spoilery of me to say that Shara Komayd dies in this book. In fact, it's the first thing that happens and it's what sets up the plot. Sigrud je Harkvaldsson then decides to take matters into his own hands and track down Shara's killers.
Despite this being Sigrud's vengeance story, he's actually got a whole lot of amazing women helping him on his quest. There are actually more women of importance in this book than men. I found that stunning and refreshing.
In short, this was a great book. I assume it is the final book in the series, because it certainly feels like a satisfying, if bittersweet, ending point. This is such a great world that I kind of wish there had been more books in the series. Then again, it's nice to have a series that's all high points and a strong ending.
I love the world Bennett has created for this series because it's full of bizarre, crumbling wonders and odd, miraculous artifacts that are remnants of a time when gods ruled the world. It's dark and gritty without being soul-crushing or angsty. The characters are diverse and complex.
I'm sure you've already read the book summary, so it won't be too spoilery of me to say that Shara Komayd dies in this book. In fact, it's the first thing that happens and it's what sets up the plot. Sigrud je Harkvaldsson then decides to take matters into his own hands and track down Shara's killers.
Despite this being Sigrud's vengeance story, he's actually got a whole lot of amazing women helping him on his quest. There are actually more women of importance in this book than men. I found that stunning and refreshing.
In short, this was a great book. I assume it is the final book in the series, because it certainly feels like a satisfying, if bittersweet, ending point. This is such a great world that I kind of wish there had been more books in the series. Then again, it's nice to have a series that's all high points and a strong ending.
At last! The final novel in this amazing trilogy! What I love about this series is that each novel takes place a few years after the previous one, and it focuses on a different character each time; this means that you can manage to read it as a standalone if you are strapped for time - though I would recommend reading the entire series in order to really understand everything. In the first book, the protagonist was Shara Komayd. In the second, it was Mulagesh. And now, we hear from Sigrud, who was always one of my favorites.
It was definitely a good thing that I read the previous books in the series because the magnanimity of the truths revealed in this novel was just ... WOW. And you really can't understand how amazing these are unless you read the previous novels. So while I'm sure you can enjoy and understand what is happening in this novel without reading anything else in the series, I would strongly advise against that; take the time and read the first 2 books before getting into this one, so that you can truly fall in love with this serie like I have!
Sigrud.... I love him. This book did him such justice. His personality is just so .... amazing and one cannot help but appreciate him for his kindness, his loyalty, and his ruthlessness. He comes off as simple but the more you read, the more you see his complexity. The author definitely did an amazing job when creating Sigrud! I also loved all of the other characters that were a part of this story; each one was unique and had so much depth that you felt like you truly knew them!
The story and world-building in this novel are incredible but I expected nothing less from the author of this series. I wasn't expecting all of the mysteries to be revealed in the way it did, which was a really awesome surprise. I really can't complain at all about anything in terms of the story, characters, or world-building.
This was a stunning conclusion to an epic series and I strongly urge anyone looking for an awesome fantasy series to read this series. You will not be disappointed!
I received this novel from Blogging for Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was definitely a good thing that I read the previous books in the series because the magnanimity of the truths revealed in this novel was just ... WOW. And you really can't understand how amazing these are unless you read the previous novels. So while I'm sure you can enjoy and understand what is happening in this novel without reading anything else in the series, I would strongly advise against that; take the time and read the first 2 books before getting into this one, so that you can truly fall in love with this serie like I have!
Sigrud.... I love him. This book did him such justice. His personality is just so .... amazing and one cannot help but appreciate him for his kindness, his loyalty, and his ruthlessness. He comes off as simple but the more you read, the more you see his complexity. The author definitely did an amazing job when creating Sigrud! I also loved all of the other characters that were a part of this story; each one was unique and had so much depth that you felt like you truly knew them!
The story and world-building in this novel are incredible but I expected nothing less from the author of this series. I wasn't expecting all of the mysteries to be revealed in the way it did, which was a really awesome surprise. I really can't complain at all about anything in terms of the story, characters, or world-building.
This was a stunning conclusion to an epic series and I strongly urge anyone looking for an awesome fantasy series to read this series. You will not be disappointed!
I received this novel from Blogging for Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I put off finishing this for ages because I didn't want the series to be over.
So, so good. I have some qualms (as always), but overall very happy. I love this world so much.
Mugladesh is the best.
This series would make such a badass movie/tv show but I'm afraid they'd ruin it.
So, so good. I have some qualms (as always), but overall very happy. I love this world so much.
Mugladesh is the best.
City of Miracles - Robert Jackson Bennett City of Miracles is the final book in the trilogy that starts with City of Stairs and continues with City of Blades, though it's set 13 years after the previous book in the series. As I get older, I find myself appreciating books which have grown-up characters at their heart, not just some pre-ordained teenager's quest and City of Miracles continues to give me what I want - what I've described to people as 'grumpy olds doing stuff'. Sure, there are teenagers here too but they're the supporting cast rather than the centre of things in a lot of ways.
The books are set in a world where miracles were once commonplace and the first book takes place in the direct aftermath of a war which has led to the death of the majority of the Divinities which once provided those miracles. The second and third books are about various things trying to fill the void left by those Divinities, either with a warrior class which had previously served them returning unexpectedly or with the offspring of said Divinities trying to claw their way to power.
The main character in City of Miracles is Sigrud, who also appears in the previous books, and who'd fled to self-imposed exile in the previous volume. As we meet him again, we discover he's been waiting for a sign he can return, which had never come, and now the person he'd expected to call him back has been killed. This assassination is all part of the plan of Nokov, who is attempting to gather power by killing other divine children and apparently Sigrud has to plan a significant plan in foiling his rise to power.
I really enjoyed City of Miracles, which rounded off the series very nicely, and I look forward to seeing more novel-length stuff from this author - I also plan to nominate the series for next year's Best Series Hugo.
The books are set in a world where miracles were once commonplace and the first book takes place in the direct aftermath of a war which has led to the death of the majority of the Divinities which once provided those miracles. The second and third books are about various things trying to fill the void left by those Divinities, either with a warrior class which had previously served them returning unexpectedly or with the offspring of said Divinities trying to claw their way to power.
The main character in City of Miracles is Sigrud, who also appears in the previous books, and who'd fled to self-imposed exile in the previous volume. As we meet him again, we discover he's been waiting for a sign he can return, which had never come, and now the person he'd expected to call him back has been killed. This assassination is all part of the plan of Nokov, who is attempting to gather power by killing other divine children and apparently Sigrud has to plan a significant plan in foiling his rise to power.
I really enjoyed City of Miracles, which rounded off the series very nicely, and I look forward to seeing more novel-length stuff from this author - I also plan to nominate the series for next year's Best Series Hugo.
“A better world comes not in a flood, but with a steady drip, drip, drip. Yet it feels at times that every drop is bought with sorrow and grief.”
What a series this has been. A series that looks like a blend of fantasy, mystery, adventure but one that on careful interpretation, shows us a reflection of the world that we live in. We can just enjoy this as a wonderful piece of writing or we can imbibe its lessons, learn from the characters and try to better ourselves.
“A woman so esteemed and so notorious and so influential that everyone seems to be waiting on history to get around to judging her so they can figure out how to feel about her tenure as prime minister.”
After loving the first two books in the series, I just had to read the final one as soon as I could get my hands on it. But what a surprise it was, also especially dreadful, when I read the synopsis which said that Shara Komayd is dead. Now that’s usually not how books go. You don’t kill main characters at the beginning of the book. This made the book heartbreaking even before I began reading.
“What a crime it is that creatures of hope and justice fade from this world, he thinks, while those like me live on.”
If I felt that bad, imagine the horror that Sigrud feels when he learns the news of her assassination after 13 years of exile spent waiting for a word from her. He decides on his path immediately – revenge – not that we would expect anything less from him. But this path leads him to much more – Shara’s last operation, divine children trying to keep themselves alive, world unknowingly bracing for another battle of the divinities and the ultimate truth about Tatyana.
“But freedom and human happiness has a direct relationship to the number of people who have power over their own world, their own lives. Far too many people still have no say in how they live.”
This book describes Sigrud’s guilt, misery and heartache in such fashion that it’s difficult not to be moved by it. The lives of the divine children are so devastating to read about. There is a lot more miracles to learn about here, more magic, more divine power than we have seen before that time and reality seem warped. I also loved Shara’s presence in this book; her hopes, her dreams, her struggle to make a better world. I was so happy when the world gives her the honor she deserves. The ending is not all what I expected but it’s so apt that now I feel it couldn’t have been anything else. The ending doesn’t aim for perfection but then, the real world is never perfect; just full of possibilities and it’s the people who decide whether to use them in a positive or negative light. And the book left me with tears in my eyes. As I always say, I love books or movies that make me cry. What a fitting end to an amazing world of fantasy.
“Change is a slow flower to bloom. Most of us will not see its full radiance. We plant it not for ourselves, but for future generations.”
“Civilization progresses – one innovation at the right time, changing the very way the world changes. It just needs one big push to start the momentum.”
What a series this has been. A series that looks like a blend of fantasy, mystery, adventure but one that on careful interpretation, shows us a reflection of the world that we live in. We can just enjoy this as a wonderful piece of writing or we can imbibe its lessons, learn from the characters and try to better ourselves.
“A woman so esteemed and so notorious and so influential that everyone seems to be waiting on history to get around to judging her so they can figure out how to feel about her tenure as prime minister.”
After loving the first two books in the series, I just had to read the final one as soon as I could get my hands on it. But what a surprise it was, also especially dreadful, when I read the synopsis which said that Shara Komayd is dead. Now that’s usually not how books go. You don’t kill main characters at the beginning of the book. This made the book heartbreaking even before I began reading.
“What a crime it is that creatures of hope and justice fade from this world, he thinks, while those like me live on.”
If I felt that bad, imagine the horror that Sigrud feels when he learns the news of her assassination after 13 years of exile spent waiting for a word from her. He decides on his path immediately – revenge – not that we would expect anything less from him. But this path leads him to much more – Shara’s last operation, divine children trying to keep themselves alive, world unknowingly bracing for another battle of the divinities and the ultimate truth about Tatyana.
“But freedom and human happiness has a direct relationship to the number of people who have power over their own world, their own lives. Far too many people still have no say in how they live.”
This book describes Sigrud’s guilt, misery and heartache in such fashion that it’s difficult not to be moved by it. The lives of the divine children are so devastating to read about. There is a lot more miracles to learn about here, more magic, more divine power than we have seen before that time and reality seem warped. I also loved Shara’s presence in this book; her hopes, her dreams, her struggle to make a better world. I was so happy when the world gives her the honor she deserves. The ending is not all what I expected but it’s so apt that now I feel it couldn’t have been anything else. The ending doesn’t aim for perfection but then, the real world is never perfect; just full of possibilities and it’s the people who decide whether to use them in a positive or negative light. And the book left me with tears in my eyes. As I always say, I love books or movies that make me cry. What a fitting end to an amazing world of fantasy.
“Change is a slow flower to bloom. Most of us will not see its full radiance. We plant it not for ourselves, but for future generations.”
“Civilization progresses – one innovation at the right time, changing the very way the world changes. It just needs one big push to start the momentum.”
This was such a good book. I was lucky enough to win an advance copy from the publisher, and I'm so glad I did. This is a very satisfying conclusion to the Divine Cities trilogy, especially if you're a fan of Sigrud (and who isn't?).
The book follows Sigrud across much of the world, including many places we've seen in the first two books, as well as several new locales. It all builds to a stunning conclusion that is bigger than anything in the first books. I can't recommend this book, and this series, enough.
The book follows Sigrud across much of the world, including many places we've seen in the first two books, as well as several new locales. It all builds to a stunning conclusion that is bigger than anything in the first books. I can't recommend this book, and this series, enough.