Reviews

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

Only show reviews with written explanations

totalspan's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Expands the scope beyond the school setting of the prior entries and succeeds at making the world compelling and consistent with the established plot and lore. The pace whips along and we get a range of fun settings that might feel contrived if they weren't so thoroughly set up in book 2. Our protagonist is freshly re-traumatised so we get back some of the unhinged narrator tone of book 1, with the benefit of a supporting cast who can bring some outside perspective. Best character Liesel is back, and fucks. Tedious wet Chloe is ruthlessly sidelined. We love to see it. More like Naomi YESvic.

For most of the book I thought it wasn't about capitalism and I'd been exaggerating that theme in my previous readings, but then it's revealed to be *extremely* about capitalism, with bonus political implications for the previous books to boot. I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT ALL ALONG!!

taanireads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging hopeful informative relaxing 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

3.5

rachelhelmer's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

emldwiebe's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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

nicolecaryl12's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.75

Way better than I thought. The writing is so deadpan and passive aggressive it’s so good. A ton of good plot twists, a few I expected and a few I didn’t, thought about it at work. Thought I was going to get a devastating sad ending but it was so great and safisfying