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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
This is one of the books that make me wish for more than 5 stars to rate it.
For me, rating it is as hard as it was with Name of the wind - not because it is in anyway similar to that - but in not being able to actually say just WHAT I enjoyed so much.
Trying to summarise this book is impossible to me, as it would sound boring and long winded... But it wasn't! I devoured it and it was so hard to put it down at bedtime or the end of lunchbreak, I might have been a tiny bid tired at work each day till I finished...
What surely makes this book special is being so damn different! I read so many fantasy novels - and non can be compared to this one. It isn't epic, but it definitely isn't popcorn fantasy. It is most definitely not grimdark - but it has some of the grimmest parts of humanity in it (and some flying heads). It isn't about action, but it never gets boring and it has some very fast paced scenes. It looks deeply within its characters, without giving too much detail.
It focusses on the main character and changing side characters, though even as they are changing you never have the feeling of them being unnecessary like it was in ASOIAF at times, were someone is introduced at great length just to die a moment later. It's more like doctor who, were every companion is important, no matter how long they stay.
The book changed itself with every new part of the tower, and it works! It doesn't feel inconsistent, but it surprises you at every turn. You'll never know what to expect next and it makes for a thrilling read!
As you see, I can't really put words on it - I can just urge you to go, buy or lend a copy and get reading and experiencing it for yourself! Especially if you are looking for something that feels fresh and new.
For me, rating it is as hard as it was with Name of the wind - not because it is in anyway similar to that - but in not being able to actually say just WHAT I enjoyed so much.
Trying to summarise this book is impossible to me, as it would sound boring and long winded... But it wasn't! I devoured it and it was so hard to put it down at bedtime or the end of lunchbreak, I might have been a tiny bid tired at work each day till I finished...
What surely makes this book special is being so damn different! I read so many fantasy novels - and non can be compared to this one. It isn't epic, but it definitely isn't popcorn fantasy. It is most definitely not grimdark - but it has some of the grimmest parts of humanity in it (and some flying heads). It isn't about action, but it never gets boring and it has some very fast paced scenes. It looks deeply within its characters, without giving too much detail.
It focusses on the main character and changing side characters, though even as they are changing you never have the feeling of them being unnecessary like it was in ASOIAF at times, were someone is introduced at great length just to die a moment later. It's more like doctor who, were every companion is important, no matter how long they stay.
The book changed itself with every new part of the tower, and it works! It doesn't feel inconsistent, but it surprises you at every turn. You'll never know what to expect next and it makes for a thrilling read!
As you see, I can't really put words on it - I can just urge you to go, buy or lend a copy and get reading and experiencing it for yourself! Especially if you are looking for something that feels fresh and new.
I was having out of bodies experiences while reading the a couple of chapters...
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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:
No
This is an excellent fantasy - unusual worldbuilding / location, effective pacing, and great characters. The core conflict is explored well in flashbacks and is successful at anchoring the emotional stakes and pulling the plot through the levels of the Tower as Senlin moves upwards. This gives the story a nicely episodic feel, as the situation changes regularly, but on the flip side, there are a number of things that come together at the end that make this feel like a satisfying novel even though the core conflict remains unresolved.
Initially whimsical worldbuilding by the end reveals a compelling internal logic, and all of the character motivations are clear and forceful; the story really moves by the end. All in all, it’s hard to find much fault here! My only real complaint is that one of the main character’s biggest decisions feels like a bit of a stretch that needed more time for him to think it over, but I can squint and see it, and all the rest tracks beautifully. This is pulp entertainment for sure, but it’s excellent pulp entertainment. I look forward to the next.
Initially whimsical worldbuilding by the end reveals a compelling internal logic, and all of the character motivations are clear and forceful; the story really moves by the end. All in all, it’s hard to find much fault here! My only real complaint is that one of the main character’s biggest decisions feels like a bit of a stretch that needed more time for him to think it over, but I can squint and see it, and all the rest tracks beautifully. This is pulp entertainment for sure, but it’s excellent pulp entertainment. I look forward to the next.
Brilliant
Just brilliant. Eighteen more words required to submit this review. Ten more unnecessary words when this book is just brilliant.
Just brilliant. Eighteen more words required to submit this review. Ten more unnecessary words when this book is just brilliant.
listening to these on audio is probably going to be the way to go with this series. bancroft comes up with the most wonderful & whimsical (albeit very dark as well) world within the tower of babel, and has a very descriptive writing style that i have trouble dealing with when physically reading; however, pairing up his narrative with the wonderful voice of the narrator makes the story come alive in a totally different way, it was a very immersive experience. i loved it, and can't wait to finally continue with this series!
I found this enjoyable and if the Tower is ridiculous, well, it's a delightful piece of nonsense. Plus bits are explained, and more might be in the rest of the series. Anyway, it's rollicking fun about a man on his honeymoon who loses his wife in a bustling market and spends the whole book attempting to find her in a vast, impossible Tower of Babel.
adventurous
funny