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wazbar's review
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This is the second novel in the Seven Citadels tetralogy. A description of the series' plot makes it sound like archetypical, maybe even forgettable high fantasy, but in my opinion the author's style and execution gives it more impact than I expected.
Even more than the first, I think this book balances a couple of different modes, from mythic to novelistic/humanistic. The juxtaposition works for me, though it might not for others. To me, it helps the characters feel emotionally true despite the fantastic elements.
Speaking of which, I continue to like the dynamic of the primary and secondary protagonists, but I found myself unexpectedly compelled by the tertiary one, Gidjabolgo. He's bitter and fractious and unpleasant but also pathetic and calculating and I find I really like his place in the group.
The weakest part of the book for me is the pretty stereotypical portrayal of the swamp and steppe peoples. Nothing was egregious—except perhaps the latter's custom of blood sacrifices—but it all just felt pretty dated. There was definitely an attempt to show things from their perspectives, and I think it was a partial success, but it still had a very white anthropologist vibe, to me.
Even more than the first, I think this book balances a couple of different modes, from mythic to novelistic/humanistic. The juxtaposition works for me, though it might not for others. To me, it helps the characters feel emotionally true despite the fantastic elements.
Speaking of which, I continue to like the dynamic of the primary and secondary protagonists, but I found myself unexpectedly compelled by the tertiary one, Gidjabolgo. He's bitter and fractious and unpleasant but also pathetic and calculating and I find I really like his place in the group.
The weakest part of the book for me is the pretty stereotypical portrayal of the swamp and steppe peoples. Nothing was egregious—except perhaps the latter's custom of blood sacrifices—but it all just felt pretty dated. There was definitely an attempt to show things from their perspectives, and I think it was a partial success, but it still had a very white anthropologist vibe, to me.
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