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lizzderr's review against another edition
5.0
This lyrical, poignant novella is an absolutely stunning work of art. Lemberg takes deep feelings about gender, love and family, aging, and death, and weaves them together into a captivating tale of two friends’ journey across the desert in search of answers, and so much more. I got to hear Lemberg read the poem in which this novella has its origins earlier this month, but I would still call this my first proper sojourn into the Birdverse, and what a thrilling introduction it was. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
alliemackie's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful, rich queer fairytale. I cannot wait for more from the Birdverse!
foxwish's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Torture, Death, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Self harm
pearlc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a delightful story that felt very fairytalesque as it followed two 60 somethings on a journey to find themselves. The story rests on their friendship and the commonalities between them as much as the differences. Ultimately the theme of embracing change as the way forward in life is a good one.
aliu6's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Uiziya has waited forty years for her aunt to return so she can finish learning how to make the four great weaves. For the sake of his lover, the nameless man temporarily known as nen-sasaïr has waited forty years to transform into his true body. Both seek Uiziya's aunt, Benesret; Uiziya wants guidance, nen-sasaïr wants a name. They travel across the desert together, only to get caught up in a more dangerous quest to challenge the Ruler of Iyar and take back his greatest treasure.
This book was really different, and in a good way. It's set in a world where people are born with deepnames that determine the strength of their magic. The four great weaves are of wind, sand, hope, and death, and a weave of wind allows its user to transform into their true body. There are different cultures of people, with different customs, especially relating to whether women are allowed to have magic.
Concept-wise, I really loved the book. It has obvious allusions to aspects of the LGBTQIA community, and it really makes you think and see things in a different way. Plot-wise, the story is quite interesting and never felt like it was dragging. I will say that it was a little basic. This book definitely triggered a lot of thoughts, but I don't think that much actually happened. The complexities come from the storytelling, and I was back and forth between loving it and being annoyed by it.
The story alternates between first person POV for Uiziya and nen-sasaïr. To be honest, this was a bit jarring for me in the beginning. The POV switches quite often, with some events being retold from both POVs, and it was kind of hard for me to keep track, especially when there wasn't much difference in their voices for me.
The author made certain stylistic choices (e.g. lots of repetition of phrases) that made the book read almost like poetry. I liked this for the most part, although it seemed excessive at times.
Another thing about the book is that it really throws you right into the deep end. I was quite confused for the beginning of the book, and little by little, pieces about the world came together. I understand the logic behind allowing readers to discover the world for themselves, but it was a little much when I just wanted a relaxing read.
All in all, I would recommend this book. It's a quick read and will make you think afterwards.
** I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Uiziya has waited forty years for her aunt to return so she can finish learning how to make the four great weaves. For the sake of his lover, the nameless man temporarily known as nen-sasaïr has waited forty years to transform into his true body. Both seek Uiziya's aunt, Benesret; Uiziya wants guidance, nen-sasaïr wants a name. They travel across the desert together, only to get caught up in a more dangerous quest to challenge the Ruler of Iyar and take back his greatest treasure.
This book was really different, and in a good way. It's set in a world where people are born with deepnames that determine the strength of their magic. The four great weaves are of wind, sand, hope, and death, and a weave of wind allows its user to transform into their true body. There are different cultures of people, with different customs, especially relating to whether women are allowed to have magic.
Concept-wise, I really loved the book. It has obvious allusions to aspects of the LGBTQIA community, and it really makes you think and see things in a different way. Plot-wise, the story is quite interesting and never felt like it was dragging. I will say that it was a little basic. This book definitely triggered a lot of thoughts, but I don't think that much actually happened. The complexities come from the storytelling, and I was back and forth between loving it and being annoyed by it.
The story alternates between first person POV for Uiziya and nen-sasaïr. To be honest, this was a bit jarring for me in the beginning. The POV switches quite often, with some events being retold from both POVs, and it was kind of hard for me to keep track, especially when there wasn't much difference in their voices for me.
The author made certain stylistic choices (e.g. lots of repetition of phrases) that made the book read almost like poetry. I liked this for the most part, although it seemed excessive at times.
Another thing about the book is that it really throws you right into the deep end. I was quite confused for the beginning of the book, and little by little, pieces about the world came together. I understand the logic behind allowing readers to discover the world for themselves, but it was a little much when I just wanted a relaxing read.
All in all, I would recommend this book. It's a quick read and will make you think afterwards.
** I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
saracat's review against another edition
4.0
I first want to thank NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC.
There are several common approaches to introducing readers to new worlds and universes: learning about the world through the eyes of someone who also doesn't know about the world, explicit explanations especially at the beginning, and discovery as we simply experience the world. Lemberg adopts the last of these for their book. And while you can tell that the universe is well developed beyond what we experience in this book, there are times when the reader has to stay very focused to keep up with all the intricacies of what, why and how things are happening. And yet, there are also simple points that are repeated several times and thus they begin to feel redundant. That being said, the concepts and ideas of this story are so beautiful and poignant, that the issues mentioned are often easy to overlook.
The two main characters feel well developed and have many dimensions to them. However, there are times that their actions seem to be a bit awkward because it feels as if the actions were chosen not because they were most natural for the characters, but because it helped move the plot forward. Even though this is the case at times, each scene taken alone paints such wonderful pictures of another world which I would love to visit again.
Since I read the ARC version, I am very hopeful that the few points that keep me from giving it a 5 star now will be improved so that I can later change it to a 5 star.
There are several common approaches to introducing readers to new worlds and universes: learning about the world through the eyes of someone who also doesn't know about the world, explicit explanations especially at the beginning, and discovery as we simply experience the world. Lemberg adopts the last of these for their book. And while you can tell that the universe is well developed beyond what we experience in this book, there are times when the reader has to stay very focused to keep up with all the intricacies of what, why and how things are happening. And yet, there are also simple points that are repeated several times and thus they begin to feel redundant. That being said, the concepts and ideas of this story are so beautiful and poignant, that the issues mentioned are often easy to overlook.
The two main characters feel well developed and have many dimensions to them. However, there are times that their actions seem to be a bit awkward because it feels as if the actions were chosen not because they were most natural for the characters, but because it helped move the plot forward. Even though this is the case at times, each scene taken alone paints such wonderful pictures of another world which I would love to visit again.
Since I read the ARC version, I am very hopeful that the few points that keep me from giving it a 5 star now will be improved so that I can later change it to a 5 star.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
Powerful, magical, lyrical, and beautifully original, The Four Profound Weaves is one of those books where you linger over each paragraph, admiring the flow of words almost as much as the flow of ideas. R.B. Lemberg weaves – quite literally – a tale of change that encompasses the transformation of bodies, families, and identities.
This is not a coming-of-age tale but one of facing-your-own-mortality, an epic fantasy featuring two elderly characters from different cultures, connected by their changes, their magic, and their families. Uiziya changed when she was young, becoming a woman in a culture that accepts and embraces her, which welcomes her as part of a community. Nen-sasair changed much later in life, becoming a man rejected by his culture and his lovers, an outcast who struggles to find his place. Both are seeking Benesret, exiled for weaving death, leading them to the Ruler of Iyar, a madman who seeks to end the ultimate change, death.
Gender permeates every page of this, from cultures to people to magic. We are introduced to a culture where gender is fluid, where men and women mix openly, where women weave magic but must give up both agency and magic in marriage; and another where gender is rigid and segregated, a world where men are isolated and veiled, where women live and love together, forbidden to sing or build.
Like gender, magic infuses every page of this as well, beginning with the mythology of Bird and Kimri (which I’m curious to know about) and ending with the magic of weaving. Flying carpets and ravenous diamondflies. Weaves of change and hope. The magic of death, of bones, of lives stolen and spirits captured. It’s a beautiful story, but a dark and sorrowful one as well, marked by pain, sacrifice, and love.
While I don’t re-read a lot of books, I’m looking forward to sitting down and immersing myself in the paperback of The Four Profound Weaves once it’s released. There’s such a depth of meaning to it all, I’m confident I’ll uncover a whole other reading.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/07/23/book-review-the-four-profound-weaves-by-r-b-lemberg/
This is not a coming-of-age tale but one of facing-your-own-mortality, an epic fantasy featuring two elderly characters from different cultures, connected by their changes, their magic, and their families. Uiziya changed when she was young, becoming a woman in a culture that accepts and embraces her, which welcomes her as part of a community. Nen-sasair changed much later in life, becoming a man rejected by his culture and his lovers, an outcast who struggles to find his place. Both are seeking Benesret, exiled for weaving death, leading them to the Ruler of Iyar, a madman who seeks to end the ultimate change, death.
Gender permeates every page of this, from cultures to people to magic. We are introduced to a culture where gender is fluid, where men and women mix openly, where women weave magic but must give up both agency and magic in marriage; and another where gender is rigid and segregated, a world where men are isolated and veiled, where women live and love together, forbidden to sing or build.
Like gender, magic infuses every page of this as well, beginning with the mythology of Bird and Kimri (which I’m curious to know about) and ending with the magic of weaving. Flying carpets and ravenous diamondflies. Weaves of change and hope. The magic of death, of bones, of lives stolen and spirits captured. It’s a beautiful story, but a dark and sorrowful one as well, marked by pain, sacrifice, and love.
While I don’t re-read a lot of books, I’m looking forward to sitting down and immersing myself in the paperback of The Four Profound Weaves once it’s released. There’s such a depth of meaning to it all, I’m confident I’ll uncover a whole other reading.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/07/23/book-review-the-four-profound-weaves-by-r-b-lemberg/
verimythe's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
hannah_fink_'s review against another edition
4.0
While I do think this book can be understood and enjoyed by someone who hasn't read the rest of the Birdverse, after finishing this book, I think that would have enhanced my experience.
The Four Profound Weaves is set in a universe with a magic system based on weaving the four profound weaving types, but there's a quest that must be completed. I picked this book up because I heard it was really LGBT inclusive and the magic system was based on weaving.
As a weaver, I wanted the actual act of weaving or working at a loom to play a greater role in the overall story. In terms of plot, it felt like a lot got jammed into a novella, but if you're like me and read for world building and characters, I think you'll really enjoy this!
The Four Profound Weaves is set in a universe with a magic system based on weaving the four profound weaving types, but there's a quest that must be completed. I picked this book up because I heard it was really LGBT inclusive and the magic system was based on weaving.
As a weaver, I wanted the actual act of weaving or working at a loom to play a greater role in the overall story. In terms of plot, it felt like a lot got jammed into a novella, but if you're like me and read for world building and characters, I think you'll really enjoy this!
hsinjulit's review against another edition
3.0
Content warnings: heavy theme of trans rejection (misgendering, deadnaming, general transphobia), blood, death, bones, loss of spouse
This story deserves a better rating for its theme and execution, but given that I was close to DNFing due to the heavy transphobia one of the main characters was going through, it was a very uncomfortable read that I simply couldn’t rate it higher.
The Four Profound Weaves is an adventure of Uiziya e Lali (63, trans) searching for her aunt Benesret to teach her the craft of weaving from death and the nameless man (64, trans, polyam?), nen-sasaïr, wanting Benesret to name him after his change.
Being transgender is one of the most important things in this novella. While the word “trans” is never used in the fantasy setting, it is clear that both characters are binary transgender. Told in both first-person POV, neither character is particularly likable, and at times, reactions to events and dialogues were slightly abrupt, yet the narration was very slow. Though this is part of a series, reading it as a standalone, as I did, wasn’t confusing.
I admit that I reached my limit a little before the 50% mark and semi-skimmed the rest of the book. It also took me two more days than I had anticipated because I had trouble pushing through. The misgendering and trans rejection running throughout the whole story had made it painful and discomforting to read. The worst thing is that there is no found family, only the two mains who accept each other. It certainly doesn’t help that nen-sasaïr couldn’t/didn’t do much about that. He delayed his transition for a woman he loved, someone who couldn’t accept him for who he is, and I am still very angry about this.
The struggle of socially growing into who one is meant to be is very real and strong in The Four Profound Weaves. I love that this story with two trans main characters in a fantasy setting exists, but reading it was too upsetting for me to rate it as it deserves. I rate on the enjoyment and love I have for a book, and honestly, it probably should be lower. Yet this story is important, a depiction of trans struggle, that I do not want to rate it solely on rereadability. Read at your discretion.
The Four Profound Weaves is about finding one’s true self, Uiziya for her craft and the nameless man for his manhood, within oneself and not seeking validation from the outside. While the journey is difficult, everything is guaranteed to come full circle.
I received an e-ARC from Tachyon Publications via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“Are you ready to weave from death?” — Benesret
This story deserves a better rating for its theme and execution, but given that I was close to DNFing due to the heavy transphobia one of the main characters was going through, it was a very uncomfortable read that I simply couldn’t rate it higher.
The Four Profound Weaves is an adventure of Uiziya e Lali (63, trans) searching for her aunt Benesret to teach her the craft of weaving from death and the nameless man (64, trans, polyam?), nen-sasaïr, wanting Benesret to name him after his change.
Being transgender is one of the most important things in this novella. While the word “trans” is never used in the fantasy setting, it is clear that both characters are binary transgender. Told in both first-person POV, neither character is particularly likable, and at times, reactions to events and dialogues were slightly abrupt, yet the narration was very slow. Though this is part of a series, reading it as a standalone, as I did, wasn’t confusing.
The Four Profound Weaves. A carpet of wind, a carpet of sand, a carpet of song, and a carpet of bones. Change, wanderlust, hope, and death.
I admit that I reached my limit a little before the 50% mark and semi-skimmed the rest of the book. It also took me two more days than I had anticipated because I had trouble pushing through. The misgendering and trans rejection running throughout the whole story had made it painful and discomforting to read. The worst thing is that there is no found family, only the two mains who accept each other. It certainly doesn’t help that nen-sasaïr couldn’t/didn’t do much about that. He delayed his transition for a woman he loved, someone who couldn’t accept him for who he is, and I am still very angry about this.
“You see other lives as easy because you don’t see them. You see your story as complex and hard because you know it best.” — Uiziya
The struggle of socially growing into who one is meant to be is very real and strong in The Four Profound Weaves. I love that this story with two trans main characters in a fantasy setting exists, but reading it was too upsetting for me to rate it as it deserves. I rate on the enjoyment and love I have for a book, and honestly, it probably should be lower. Yet this story is important, a depiction of trans struggle, that I do not want to rate it solely on rereadability. Read at your discretion.
The Four Profound Weaves is about finding one’s true self, Uiziya for her craft and the nameless man for his manhood, within oneself and not seeking validation from the outside. While the journey is difficult, everything is guaranteed to come full circle.
I received an e-ARC from Tachyon Publications via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.