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skywalkerem's review
4.0
This book at one point has one of my favorite tropes of all time - spies/criminals/etc not knowing how to interact with children. Haha. It's been a while since I've felt so invested or sucked into a story. I laughed, I cried, I yelled in shock at some plot points. Although some plot points Hurt, I am having a fantastic time with this series. I also love the complicated characters and character relationships. They feel real enough that I have trouble describing them.
bespectacledbibliophile's review
5.0
Exiting the glamorous nightclubs and the rising tension of Amberlough had me a bit skeptical, I'll admit. There was something about that slightly seedy cabaret setting that really drew me in, and the idea of immersing myself in a now-fully-fascist setting was daunting to say the least given current events.
As it turns out, I had nothing to worry about with Armistice.
The plot of Armistice was much more direct than it was in Amberlough. Lara Elena Donnelly kept everything moving forward, even when the pacing lagged a little midway. Everything had a driving force—would Cordelia be discovered? Would Aristide stop running or find out what happened to Cyril? How would Lillian resolve the tension between her professional life and her personal? It wasn't snappy action, but was always moving toward these questions, and that was great.
And Cordelia. Oh, Cordelia. I didn't love her in the first book, but she is absolutely my favorite in this one. She's not necessarily the smartest in every room, but she's always got something going. It's not the fact that she's no longer dancing in a club that made me love her so much in this book; it's that her best qualities, her determination especially, get to stand out.
If I'd received more Amberlough, I would have been happy, but Armistice sent me flying directly toward a conclusion that I am now thoroughly ready for. Book 3 cannot come soon enough.
As it turns out, I had nothing to worry about with Armistice.
The plot of Armistice was much more direct than it was in Amberlough. Lara Elena Donnelly kept everything moving forward, even when the pacing lagged a little midway. Everything had a driving force—would Cordelia be discovered? Would Aristide stop running or find out what happened to Cyril? How would Lillian resolve the tension between her professional life and her personal? It wasn't snappy action, but was always moving toward these questions, and that was great.
And Cordelia. Oh, Cordelia. I didn't love her in the first book, but she is absolutely my favorite in this one. She's not necessarily the smartest in every room, but she's always got something going. It's not the fact that she's no longer dancing in a club that made me love her so much in this book; it's that her best qualities, her determination especially, get to stand out.
If I'd received more Amberlough, I would have been happy, but Armistice sent me flying directly toward a conclusion that I am now thoroughly ready for. Book 3 cannot come soon enough.
skyeoak's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
oliviak07's review
4.0
Much like the alluring visuals and narrative in Donnnelly's first book of "The Amberlough Dossier" series, "Armistice" is a week-long holiday brimming with the elements of espionage and show business that readers of the saga have come to know and love.
The narration of Mary Robinette Kowal is wholly sublime, it would even make Ari tip his hat in approval. Whether she is speaking as a third party narrator, conversing as Ari and Mab from the north, chatty as Cordelia and Stephen from the urban areas of Amberlough, or voicing the intense exchanges between Lilian and Flagg: she does so with the distinction of a veteran voice actor. No two characters are exactly the same, even if they are from the same region. There are little to no instances where the chaotic collage of voices in the same scene overwhelm the listener. Overall her casting was a genius choice.
We also see a great deal of character development in this third of the "Dossier". Initial goals, dreams, and ideals are exposed, (finally) acted upon, and even fully dismissed. We witness just how deep the true colors run in our scheming cast of players, and how much they will risk for the ones they love. My genuine hope is to see this delightful depth continue in "Amnesty", even as the story of Ospie ruled Gedda comes to a close.
I am doing my best to treasure the final book in the trilogy, given how I started it so soon after completing "Armistice". But given what remains at stake in the final chapters of second third of the trilogy, the temptation to devote my entire day to the audiobook is too great. Nevertheless, if Donnelly's characters have taught me anything it is that patience is well rewarded....even if it is an utter pain in the ass.
The narration of Mary Robinette Kowal is wholly sublime, it would even make Ari tip his hat in approval. Whether she is speaking as a third party narrator, conversing as Ari and Mab from the north, chatty as Cordelia and Stephen from the urban areas of Amberlough, or voicing the intense exchanges between Lilian and Flagg: she does so with the distinction of a veteran voice actor. No two characters are exactly the same, even if they are from the same region. There are little to no instances where the chaotic collage of voices in the same scene overwhelm the listener. Overall her casting was a genius choice.
We also see a great deal of character development in this third of the "Dossier". Initial goals, dreams, and ideals are exposed, (finally) acted upon, and even fully dismissed. We witness just how deep the true colors run in our scheming cast of players, and how much they will risk for the ones they love. My genuine hope is to see this delightful depth continue in "Amnesty", even as the story of Ospie ruled Gedda comes to a close.
I am doing my best to treasure the final book in the trilogy, given how I started it so soon after completing "Armistice". But given what remains at stake in the final chapters of second third of the trilogy, the temptation to devote my entire day to the audiobook is too great. Nevertheless, if Donnelly's characters have taught me anything it is that patience is well rewarded....even if it is an utter pain in the ass.
mossyforest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katums's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
ruth_rb's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
casmith512's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emhamill's review
5.0
I have been waiting for this book to arrive, and was definitely not disappointed.
I love Aristide so much, but definitely missed Cyril's presence. I think that was probably the whole point, that we miss Cyril as much as Ari does. I adore Cordelia, stripper turned guerrilla leader, in her new, even-more-gritty-than-before personality. And diplomat Lillian, Cyril's younger sister, is a Mama Bear of formidable proportion.
The bulk of this book is set in a sultry, middle-eastern style climate as even more intrigue plays out against this backdrop. It's fantastic. It doesn't have the decadent Berlin-feeling atmosphere Amberlough had, more of a Casablanca-ish feel here. Just waiting for the Ospies to get theirs. Can't wait for the next one!
I love Aristide so much, but definitely missed Cyril's presence. I think that was probably the whole point, that we miss Cyril as much as Ari does. I adore Cordelia, stripper turned guerrilla leader, in her new, even-more-gritty-than-before personality. And diplomat Lillian, Cyril's younger sister, is a Mama Bear of formidable proportion.
The bulk of this book is set in a sultry, middle-eastern style climate as even more intrigue plays out against this backdrop. It's fantastic. It doesn't have the decadent Berlin-feeling atmosphere Amberlough had, more of a Casablanca-ish feel here. Just waiting for the Ospies to get theirs. Can't wait for the next one!
bridrizzle72's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5