Scan barcode
june_s's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
humvee's review against another edition
5.0
Another rich fantasy setting and compelling characters from Martha Wells!
I love Martha Wells' incredible imagination. Whether she's writing in a scifi (Murderbot Dairies), Steampunk-ish (the later Ile-Rein sagas) or fantasy (the earlier Ile-Rein sagas, Books of the Raksura, City of Bones, Wheel of the Infinite) setting. The worlds of her imagination are well thought out and internally consistent. They have a richness that many other authors can only envy. And then she populates them with interesting, flawed characters you wish you could meet in real life. And finally, she writes a story arc that is never boring or predictable! Wheel of the Infinite has hints of Cambodian and other southeast asian culture, mixed in with Tibetan or Nepalese Buddhist culture, and a smattering of her own made up anthropology. This interesting setting then has us following a mature and flawed but powerful priestess as she returns to the city of her birth, after a seven year exile. Trouble is brewing in her city, and she must help solve the mystery before it's too late! I loved this story and it's characters, and would be happy if Martha Wells brings us back to this world someday....
I love Martha Wells' incredible imagination. Whether she's writing in a scifi (Murderbot Dairies), Steampunk-ish (the later Ile-Rein sagas) or fantasy (the earlier Ile-Rein sagas, Books of the Raksura, City of Bones, Wheel of the Infinite) setting. The worlds of her imagination are well thought out and internally consistent. They have a richness that many other authors can only envy. And then she populates them with interesting, flawed characters you wish you could meet in real life. And finally, she writes a story arc that is never boring or predictable! Wheel of the Infinite has hints of Cambodian and other southeast asian culture, mixed in with Tibetan or Nepalese Buddhist culture, and a smattering of her own made up anthropology. This interesting setting then has us following a mature and flawed but powerful priestess as she returns to the city of her birth, after a seven year exile. Trouble is brewing in her city, and she must help solve the mystery before it's too late! I loved this story and it's characters, and would be happy if Martha Wells brings us back to this world someday....
aiight's review against another edition
1.0
I wish I could give it more stars but there's just nothing to this book. I love Martha Wells' Murderbot series, but this book has all of the weaknesses of that series and more without any of the strengths. The main characters are hardly developed and the side characters are completely forgettable. The setting, though painstakingly described in some cases, is without any flavor and also feels forgettable. The plot is weak and yet drives all the characters so there is zero suspense at any point in the book. The entire work is disappointingly insipid. I'm already forgetting everything about it.
keross72's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
archergal's review against another edition
4.0
Well, this was a nice surprise! Although I'm not sure WHY I was surprised. I know that Martha Wells writes well. But this book was intriguingly unusual to me. The setting was a bit exotic. I kept thinking of Angkor Wat in her descriptions of the city. The protagonist was a strong female character. She had a love interest, but she rescued him about as often as he rescued her.
The bit about the world basically being something that was recreated in a small scale but which affected the large scale was pretty interesting to me.
The ending did get tied up a little quickly, I thought, but it was fine, mostly.
Interesting characters, intriguing ideas, unusual setting, competent woman. Yup, that's what I like.
The bit about the world basically being something that was recreated in a small scale but which affected the large scale was pretty interesting to me.
The ending did get tied up a little quickly, I thought, but it was fine, mostly.
Interesting characters, intriguing ideas, unusual setting, competent woman. Yup, that's what I like.
mimosaeyes's review against another edition
4.0
Ever read a book and know from the first few pages that you're in good hands? That's how I feel about Martha Wells. Prior to picking up this book, I'd read her Murderbot novellas, and I wondered if I'd like this since the genre and atmosphere are quite different. As it turns out, without a doubt I am a fan!
The mythology of this fictional world is deep and absorbing, and the characters are likeable and feel real. Maskelle, our protagonist, is a woman in her late 40s, which is refreshing if you've read one too many YA books with leading ladies in their teens or early 20s. (I write, as a 20-something-year-old myself.) She's cool and competent but also Tired (TM), which makes sense given her backstory.
A word of praise for the romance arc between Maskelle and Rian. Somehow, even though he basically starts following and protecting her after their first meeting, it doesn't feel like instalove, and even though they sleep together within the first third of the book, it doesn't feel too fast. In fact, it feels so natural and understated. I think it's because they aren't declaring their eternal love and devotion for each other, and drama doesn't arise because of their developing relationship. The romantic and sexual tension is conveyed in a subtle and mature way.
The plot is a cool concept, and wraps up really satisfyingly. I can see that this makes a good standalone fantasy novel, but I would happily read a continuation of this story.
The mythology of this fictional world is deep and absorbing, and the characters are likeable and feel real. Maskelle, our protagonist, is a woman in her late 40s, which is refreshing if you've read one too many YA books with leading ladies in their teens or early 20s. (I write, as a 20-something-year-old myself.) She's cool and competent but also Tired (TM), which makes sense given her backstory.
A word of praise for the romance arc between Maskelle and Rian. Somehow, even though he basically starts following and protecting her after their first meeting, it doesn't feel like instalove, and even though they sleep together within the first third of the book, it doesn't feel too fast. In fact, it feels so natural and understated. I think it's because they aren't declaring their eternal love and devotion for each other, and drama doesn't arise because of their developing relationship. The romantic and sexual tension is conveyed in a subtle and mature way.
The plot is a cool concept, and wraps up really satisfyingly. I can see that this makes a good standalone fantasy novel, but I would happily read a continuation of this story.
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
rebeccazh's review against another edition
this was really good. i'm glad i tried it. i loved the plot twist at the end, and i loved Maskelle -- women who are competent and assured, with a history of power are my favorite type of heroines.
anchaliel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-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
curiouscat26's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
A gorgeous fantasy adventure is a setting inspired by Angkor Wat, in which two people fall in love and then immediately have to team up to save the world. The romance is no-frills, as these are characters who have been around the block before and discover that their various scars fit together with a sigh of relief. The ensemble cast in the form of a puppet-wielding theater troupe is fun, too.