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wildfaeriecaps's review
5.0
Oh man, this was such a satisfying book! I'll be hiding this review in case of spoilers but.. throughout both trilogies I was never certain that Edwin really existed outside of Elizabeth. Was it her imagination? A child's way of reconciling the masculine and feminine inside of her coupled with the vanishing acts performed in the traveling show? I was probably five chapters in when I decided that it wasn't a present-future (or past-present, even) chapter swapping but rather two separate and distinct people. AND HOLY COW! That changed everything. This book was so emotionally charged and heart wrenching for me. I spent so much time worried about the outcome and the future of these fictional characters that it literally destroyed my ability to sleep at night. And then that ending! Seeing Elizabeth (and Farthing) come to accept herself for who she really is - it was just so beautiful!
A satisfying ending. And yet, I would happily read a dozen more books set in this world. I want more. I want it all.
A satisfying ending. And yet, I would happily read a dozen more books set in this world. I want more. I want it all.
briauna_a's review
5.0
Perfection. Twist, turns, the struggle of loving people while defending what you believe is right, loved every page.
annieb123's review
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Fugitive and the Vanishing Man is an alternate history epic and the third book in the Map of Unknown Things series by Rod Duncan. Due out 14th Jan 2020 from Angry Robot, it's 400 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This was a compelling read and a beautifully well engineered and plotted denouement to a really enjoyable series. It is ostensibly an alternate timeline fantasy but there are so many more themes explored here: the notion of family, loyalty, personal freedom at what price, and always against a backdrop of war and espionage. The prose is evocative and immersive. There were several times while reading that I looked up to find that I had been completely unaware of the passing of time and an hour had slid by unawares.
It had been a while since I read the other books in this series and I didn't have any trouble following the plot. I suspect it would work fine as a standalone (but I strongly recommend the author's other works, so read them all).
I like the intelligence and fearlessness of the twin protagonists. This is quite a personal story, set against a background of politics and war.
Definitely one of my best reads this year. Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Fugitive and the Vanishing Man is an alternate history epic and the third book in the Map of Unknown Things series by Rod Duncan. Due out 14th Jan 2020 from Angry Robot, it's 400 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This was a compelling read and a beautifully well engineered and plotted denouement to a really enjoyable series. It is ostensibly an alternate timeline fantasy but there are so many more themes explored here: the notion of family, loyalty, personal freedom at what price, and always against a backdrop of war and espionage. The prose is evocative and immersive. There were several times while reading that I looked up to find that I had been completely unaware of the passing of time and an hour had slid by unawares.
It had been a while since I read the other books in this series and I didn't have any trouble following the plot. I suspect it would work fine as a standalone (but I strongly recommend the author's other works, so read them all).
I like the intelligence and fearlessness of the twin protagonists. This is quite a personal story, set against a background of politics and war.
Definitely one of my best reads this year. Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
annarella's review
5.0
It's a bit bizarre starting a series with the 3rd instalment but I fell in love with the cover and couldn't resist.
I can say I'm happy I requested this ARC because I discovered an amazing series and found this book engrossing and enjoyable.
This instalment is character driven, there's a lot going on with lost relation and the need the meet again.
The world building is amazing and complex, the plot is well crafted and the character are interesting and well crafted.
I hope this won't be the last instalment because I want to read more about these great characters and this amazing world.
It was an excellent read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I can say I'm happy I requested this ARC because I discovered an amazing series and found this book engrossing and enjoyable.
This instalment is character driven, there's a lot going on with lost relation and the need the meet again.
The world building is amazing and complex, the plot is well crafted and the character are interesting and well crafted.
I hope this won't be the last instalment because I want to read more about these great characters and this amazing world.
It was an excellent read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
spikegelato's review
4.0
Elizabeth Barnabus, our intrepid adventurer, having made it to the Free States of America, is pursued, caught, and eventually escapes the custody of Gas-Lit Empire agents. She flees to a kingdom in Oregon, where a power-hungry monarch has plans for eastward conquest. Only a grand illusion and an assist from a long-lost ally can save her skin and keep the world from falling into ruin.
This is the sixth and final(?) adventure for Elizabeth and these books have been really enjoyable. This specific trilogy has improved with each subsequent installment, with each book exploring a new frontier and story type. Book 1 was a seafaring tale, Book 2 a revenge story, and Book 3 now deals with court intrigue and politics. While I’m less interested in the world-altering events that Elizabeth continues to be mixed up with, her personal journey is the hook that keeps me coming back for more. The smaller moments of this book that deal with Elizabeth finding her identity, her family, and her real place in the world are exceedingly well done.
In all, this is a satisfying conclusion to a six-book, two-trilogy saga that has been supremely entertaining and well-told by an author with a wonderful flair for storytelling.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.
This is the sixth and final(?) adventure for Elizabeth and these books have been really enjoyable. This specific trilogy has improved with each subsequent installment, with each book exploring a new frontier and story type. Book 1 was a seafaring tale, Book 2 a revenge story, and Book 3 now deals with court intrigue and politics. While I’m less interested in the world-altering events that Elizabeth continues to be mixed up with, her personal journey is the hook that keeps me coming back for more. The smaller moments of this book that deal with Elizabeth finding her identity, her family, and her real place in the world are exceedingly well done.
In all, this is a satisfying conclusion to a six-book, two-trilogy saga that has been supremely entertaining and well-told by an author with a wonderful flair for storytelling.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.
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