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aharonmims's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
alexus_curlz's review against another edition
Because I donated it to a little library in exchange for a sequel I needed !! (sea queen) WILL be buying this book again to actually finish it. Hoping someone else gets to love K. Eason’s work like I do.
Maybe the little librarian god will bless me with its return somewhere else. :) <3
Maybe the little librarian god will bless me with its return somewhere else. :) <3
maneatingclam's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
heytherekaity's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
crossingtheratterlin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
breezer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
krivens's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
2.0
Since I didn’t read the previous series, I think a lot of this was lost on me.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
[Potential bias alert: I know the author a little.]
This novel begins a new arc with new characters set in the same multiverse as the author's duology "The Thorne Chronicles." Where the earlier duology combined space opera with retold fairy tale, this book has a noir thriller feel: dark urban streets with menace aplenty. I liked it very much. While it is very far from a copy of the Murderbot stories by Martha Wells, it shares some of that verve, and, in one of its plot threads, a concern for beings that are part-organic, part-construct, stripped of rights.
First and foremost, which is true also of Eason's other work, I loved the characters, both the protagonists and the supporting cast. The narrative switches between two major and one supporting point-of-view characters. There's Lieutenant Iari, a templar sworn to defend against the (terrifying) Brood. There's Gaer, an ambassdor and arithmancer from the species Iari's side formerly fought against in a bitter war. There's Corso, once Iari's sergeant, now a civilian investigator. None are human, but all are essentially human. All three are great, though I have a special soft spot for Gaer. The characters are great, but it is the interactions between the characters, their chancy friendships that are best of all.
The story is compelling and atmospheric, throwing the reader headlong into its world from the first page. The prose is alive with wit, but never undermines its characters. The action scenes are flamboyant and distinctive. I love Eason's depiction of arithmancy -- also prevalent in "The Thorne Chronicles" -- as something that straddles the border between math and magic.
Four out of five arithmantic stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
This novel begins a new arc with new characters set in the same multiverse as the author's duology "The Thorne Chronicles." Where the earlier duology combined space opera with retold fairy tale, this book has a noir thriller feel: dark urban streets with menace aplenty. I liked it very much. While it is very far from a copy of the Murderbot stories by Martha Wells, it shares some of that verve, and, in one of its plot threads, a concern for beings that are part-organic, part-construct, stripped of rights.
First and foremost, which is true also of Eason's other work, I loved the characters, both the protagonists and the supporting cast. The narrative switches between two major and one supporting point-of-view characters. There's Lieutenant Iari, a templar sworn to defend against the (terrifying) Brood. There's Gaer, an ambassdor and arithmancer from the species Iari's side formerly fought against in a bitter war. There's Corso, once Iari's sergeant, now a civilian investigator. None are human, but all are essentially human. All three are great, though I have a special soft spot for Gaer. The characters are great, but it is the interactions between the characters, their chancy friendships that are best of all.
The story is compelling and atmospheric, throwing the reader headlong into its world from the first page. The prose is alive with wit, but never undermines its characters. The action scenes are flamboyant and distinctive. I love Eason's depiction of arithmancy -- also prevalent in "The Thorne Chronicles" -- as something that straddles the border between math and magic.
Four out of five arithmantic stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
magneticornot's review against another edition
Answers the age-old question “What if a half-orc paladin teamed up with Garrus Vakarian from Mass Effect to solve crime and fight monsters, using mech suits and math magic?”
namatata's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5