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llamyllama's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
Honestly, I was confused throughout this book. I had no idea who is who and what is what. It's almost a reminiscence of reading Da Vinci Code for the first time, where I had no idea what is going on due to the onslaught of different languages and fancy term. However, I absolutely adore Da Vinci Code. Thus, it is not a surprise that I really enjoy this book too.
What really captured my attention were the characters. I never really realized I'm a sucker for the found family trope. This book definitely delivers, with an impressive BIPOC and queer representation. I adore all characters except for Tristan, which turned out to have a significant role at the end and I had zero feelings for him.
I feel like it could be better if there were little to no foreshadowing during the heist. It was too obvious to me that things are not going to go down nicely, and that dampers my expectations as I was mentally preparing for the damage control. The impact would be greater for me if I had not see it coming.
Overall, I really enjoy it. I will check out the next book to see how it progresses.
Honestly, I was confused throughout this book. I had no idea who is who and what is what. It's almost a reminiscence of reading Da Vinci Code for the first time, where I had no idea what is going on due to the onslaught of different languages and fancy term. However, I absolutely adore Da Vinci Code. Thus, it is not a surprise that I really enjoy this book too.
What really captured my attention were the characters. I never really realized I'm a sucker for the found family trope. This book definitely delivers, with an impressive BIPOC and queer representation. I adore all characters except for Tristan, which turned out to have a significant role at the end and I had zero feelings for him.
I feel like it could be better if there were little to no foreshadowing during the heist. It was too obvious to me that things are not going to go down nicely, and that dampers my expectations as I was mentally preparing for the damage control. The impact would be greater for me if I had not see it coming.
Overall, I really enjoy it. I will check out the next book to see how it progresses.
the_berries_books's review against another edition
2.0
Dialogue gave corny action movie and too boring and the confusing/unexplained lore made this book a snoozefest
maris_tattoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
a_strix_named_strix's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't tell the characters apart much, unfortunately. Hypnos followed by Laila were probably my favorite characters (give us Hypnos's POV!).
Séverin was, unfortunately, pretty bland.
Zofia was autistic and Polish-Jewish, both of which I am. Unfortunately, her Jewishness never seemed to mean much. There weren't even any references to Shabbat (also called Sabbath/Shabbos depending on language), where for an entire day we are prohibited from working. No references to bar mitzvahs, or bat mitzvahs (which weren't ceremonially recognized with bat mitzvot ceremonies until fairly recently, AKA after the book's time period. What's her thoughts on that?). She prays at one point. WHICH ONE??? Sh'ma? It's only ever how she's Jewish that matters. She's not the norm! Russia doesn't like Jews. Okay? Jews are said to steal everything by the populace? Cool worldbuilding. Seems in line with real Jewish stereotypes. We never see how she feels about being Jewish in this political climate. Does she hate it and resent herself? Does she love it and never want to be Christian/"the norm" (then why doesn't she do anything Jewish?)? Is she mixed on it?
She also is someone who can Forge, but is Jewish in a predominantly Christian society. Both religions believe in the Tower of Babel, but how does she interact with the other religion's influence? She doesn't, because it is tacked on to be another difference.
There is only ONE (1) Jewish thing she deals with, or remembers, or interacts with. No tattoos in Jewish cemeteries? Cool! A real thing. That gave me hope, but no. Of course we can't have that!
Also, why isn't there any discussion of how Houses Kore and Nyx, despite believing in and their world being seemingly dependent on the idea of the Abrahamic idea of the Tower of Babel, use Greek imagery? It seems similar to medieval European attitudes toward Greco-Roman myth and other stories set in that era, like Troilus and Cresyde, but there's never any exploration there. It's small, but it kinda bugs me.
Shouldn't the aformentioned dependance on Babel produce a more hardline Christian attitude in the Order? Could've been interesting to explore with Zofia, but again, NO.
This felt like book 2. Everyone knows each other, everyone fits together, but I don't yet.
This book is fine, not good, but fine, with fine characters, fine prose, and fine worldbuilding. It's a labyrinth of interesting ideas and roads not taken, and this pains me. I was excited, but in the end it didn't pay off.
Séverin was, unfortunately, pretty bland.
Zofia was autistic and Polish-Jewish, both of which I am. Unfortunately, her Jewishness never seemed to mean much. There weren't even any references to Shabbat (also called Sabbath/Shabbos depending on language), where for an entire day we are prohibited from working. No references to bar mitzvahs, or bat mitzvahs (which weren't ceremonially recognized with bat mitzvot ceremonies until fairly recently, AKA after the book's time period. What's her thoughts on that?). She prays at one point. WHICH ONE??? Sh'ma? It's only ever how she's Jewish that matters. She's not the norm! Russia doesn't like Jews. Okay? Jews are said to steal everything by the populace? Cool worldbuilding. Seems in line with real Jewish stereotypes. We never see how she feels about being Jewish in this political climate. Does she hate it and resent herself? Does she love it and never want to be Christian/"the norm" (then why doesn't she do anything Jewish?)? Is she mixed on it?
She also is someone who can Forge, but is Jewish in a predominantly Christian society. Both religions believe in the Tower of Babel, but how does she interact with the other religion's influence? She doesn't, because it is tacked on to be another difference.
There is only ONE (1) Jewish thing she deals with, or remembers, or interacts with. No tattoos in Jewish cemeteries? Cool! A real thing. That gave me hope, but no. Of course we can't have that!
Also, why isn't there any discussion of how Houses Kore and Nyx, despite believing in and their world being seemingly dependent on the idea of the Abrahamic idea of the Tower of Babel, use Greek imagery? It seems similar to medieval European attitudes toward Greco-Roman myth and other stories set in that era, like Troilus and Cresyde, but there's never any exploration there. It's small, but it kinda bugs me.
Shouldn't the aformentioned dependance on Babel produce a more hardline Christian attitude in the Order? Could've been interesting to explore with Zofia, but again, NO.
This felt like book 2. Everyone knows each other, everyone fits together, but I don't yet.
This book is fine, not good, but fine, with fine characters, fine prose, and fine worldbuilding. It's a labyrinth of interesting ideas and roads not taken, and this pains me. I was excited, but in the end it didn't pay off.
halierivers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I flew through the first 80% of this book but then we hit a really bad drag when we should have been racing to the end.
Worldbuilding was lots of fun. And I really liked most of the characters with their own motives and talents. I actually liked Sevren the least as it felt as if he got very little depth compared to the others who felt fully fleshed out. I also didn’t relate to Tristan that much.
And at least one of the romantic subplots didn’t really make much sense to me. I liked both characters a lot, but not together.
I will probably read the second, but I am skeptical that it will be better or enough to make me read the finale.
Also I really feel like the editor for this book dropped the ball. There are a handful of scenes I am 90% sure got character names confused. And it broke immersion immediately each time.
Worldbuilding was lots of fun. And I really liked most of the characters with their own motives and talents. I actually liked Sevren the least as it felt as if he got very little depth compared to the others who felt fully fleshed out. I also didn’t relate to Tristan that much.
And at least one of the romantic subplots didn’t really make much sense to me. I liked both characters a lot, but not together.
I will probably read the second, but I am skeptical that it will be better or enough to make me read the finale.
Also I really feel like the editor for this book dropped the ball. There are a handful of scenes I am 90% sure got character names confused. And it broke immersion immediately each time.
fatherfireball's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
cuethebooksaudio's review against another edition
4.25
5.0 for the text
3.5 for the narration/terrible directing of the audiobook
3.5 for the narration/terrible directing of the audiobook