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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
A beautiful set of short stories set in an intriguing world.
To start off, the background setting of this world, really entranced me. I like the idea of magic coming at a cost where the price is too high to pay (the Bramble). Unfortunately, as the four short stories went on, I grew more and more frustrated at the uselessness of all the characters. On the one hand, all four stories had at least a little bit of a theme of everyday good, decent people using small magic to make their lives a little better. As an everyday, regular person myself, I definitely identified with these people and rooted for them. I wanted to see their lives made better.
However, nothing anybody did in the story was to this end. Instead, it just propped up the rich and deceitful and honestly, that’s way too close to life in the real world. I think the first story, The Alchemist, kind of gave me false hope, and with the way it ended, I just couldn’t help, but think for the rest of the book that the other stories were just useless. Maybe, if that one had come at the end, it would have left a little bit of hopeful mystery. Instead, you see only the after effects that allow evil people in the upper class live in excess everybody still suffers, and lives in fear.
Even still, As the stories went on, I really hoped they would all tie in together, but they were truly just four completely unrelated stories. And the last story, the blacksmith’s daughter was a really dark way to end it.
My favorite story was The Executioness, and the only one I thought really illustrated the strength and resilience of the people of such an awful land, even though The Blacksmith’s Daughter tried.
Lastly, one pretty big negative was the whole detail in one of the stories about Bramble bodies, especially bodies of children, being used for prostitution. That was just too over the top. I had already gotten the vibe of how despicable the land was. I didn’t really need the extra shock value of that to convinced me.
However, nothing anybody did in the story was to this end. Instead, it just propped up the rich and deceitful and honestly, that’s way too close to life in the real world. I think the first story, The Alchemist, kind of gave me false hope, and with the way it ended, I just couldn’t help, but think for the rest of the book that the other stories were just useless. Maybe, if that one had come at the end, it would have left a little bit of hopeful mystery. Instead, you see only the after effects that allow evil people in the upper class live in excess everybody still suffers, and lives in fear.
Even still, As the stories went on, I really hoped they would all tie in together, but they were truly just four completely unrelated stories. And the last story, the blacksmith’s daughter was a really dark way to end it.
My favorite story was The Executioness, and the only one I thought really illustrated the strength and resilience of the people of such an awful land, even though The Blacksmith’s Daughter tried.
Lastly, one pretty big negative was the whole detail in one of the stories about Bramble bodies, especially bodies of children, being used for prostitution. That was just too over the top. I had already gotten the vibe of how despicable the land was. I didn’t really need the extra shock value of that to convinced me.
Short story collections are not for me 😭 these weren’t bad but I just couldn’t get into any of them.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The plot intrigued me at first even though it wasn’t well written. But the third story totally lost me. It was too graphic without a point of being that graphic. Do not recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Violence, Trafficking, Murder
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this book. Liked it, but wasn't blown over. It is written in four parts that alternate author; the parts take place in the same land, of course, but aside from that are quite independent. In my opinion the authors have worked well together to make the narrative voice consistent throughout, and it does feel a lot like a series of novellas. The book has an interesting premise and focuses on themes often less explored in shorter fantasy works: greed, corruption, inequality caused by magic. However, I didn't feel like it truly got anywhere. For me, there was no obvious climax, and the final part didn't seem to have a real sense of closure - I almost wondered if there was a fifth section. However, I did enjoy reading it. (For anyone who cares, my favourite part was either part 1 or 2.)
Ahoy there me mateys! I have loved Paolo Bacigalupi ever since I read the windup girl. So when I heard that he had co-written a book, I knew I had to pick it up. Just be aware that this is not one complete story but rather four interrelated short stories set in the same world. I am glad that me matey, Millie @ milliebotreads, warned me of this so I was prepared.
That said, I absolutely loved this book. The world and its magic is so very fascinating. Brambles are taking over the world and destroying everything in their path. They are spread by the use of magic and they kill. The solution seems easy. Just stop doing magic. And yet folk can’t seem to help themselves. A little spell to stop a sickness. A charm to fix physical defects. A magic bridge to span a river. The bigger the magic, the more the brambles grow. Every spell hurts. The four stories talk about the consequences of the brambles in various walks of life.
The four sections follow 1) an alchemist, 2) an executioness, 3) a child of Kahim, and 4) a blacksmith’s daughter. Personally, stories 1 and 4 were me favourite. The alchemist story set up the world in a wonderful way and I was highly invested in what would happen. The blacksmith’s daughter had unexpected turns throughout that kept me guessing.
All of the stories had unresolved endings and yet were satisfying. That be unusual for me. I would love to have further adventures of both the alchemist and the blacksmith’s daughter. I would also love to have more stories set in this amazing world. It was a quick read and I couldn’t put it down. I want more!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
That said, I absolutely loved this book. The world and its magic is so very fascinating. Brambles are taking over the world and destroying everything in their path. They are spread by the use of magic and they kill. The solution seems easy. Just stop doing magic. And yet folk can’t seem to help themselves. A little spell to stop a sickness. A charm to fix physical defects. A magic bridge to span a river. The bigger the magic, the more the brambles grow. Every spell hurts. The four stories talk about the consequences of the brambles in various walks of life.
The four sections follow 1) an alchemist, 2) an executioness, 3) a child of Kahim, and 4) a blacksmith’s daughter. Personally, stories 1 and 4 were me favourite. The alchemist story set up the world in a wonderful way and I was highly invested in what would happen. The blacksmith’s daughter had unexpected turns throughout that kept me guessing.
All of the stories had unresolved endings and yet were satisfying. That be unusual for me. I would love to have further adventures of both the alchemist and the blacksmith’s daughter. I would also love to have more stories set in this amazing world. It was a quick read and I couldn’t put it down. I want more!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
3.5 -- 4 novellas set in a magical land destroyed by the after effects of magic. No resolution, just a peak at four people whose lives are destroyed by the discovery of a way to detect those who used magic, and the tyrant controlling this discovery.
Will they go back to explore this world? I'd be happy to revisit, especially a full length story.
Will they go back to explore this world? I'd be happy to revisit, especially a full length story.