You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A 101 class consciousness primer in fantasy clothes.
Story 1: People powerful under the status quo: are generally a**holes - because that's who gets to power; and are literally invested in the status quo.
Story 2: There are multiple ways rich/powerful people will use to restrict access to power - claiming the world cannot afford the consequences of the masses having power. They mostly suck.Especially when you seize power and end up having to do it as well.
Story 3: People without power are forced into risky situations which fundamentally rob them of free will. They can only gain wealth and a measure of acclaim through great deeds, and then only in death.
Story 4: Rich people were the bad guys all along! *Shocked face* Trauma can make people do things against the interest of friends. Great deeds don't always succeed.
Writing about this has made me like it less. It's fairy tale grim dark - where the grim dark is at a societal level. Fundamentally nothing improves. The protagonists at best spend the rest of their life struggling and on the run. Society is still broken.
I think I was hoping that this used the brambles as a reified metaphor to talk about climate change and, using the fantasy lens, offer suggestions or commentary beyond "We're all doomed, due to people at all levels of society making understandable selfish decisions, with the only possible responses being genocide & brainwashing or autocracy, both of which will get pushback"
Story 1: People powerful under the status quo: are generally a**holes - because that's who gets to power; and are literally invested in the status quo.
Story 2: There are multiple ways rich/powerful people will use to restrict access to power - claiming the world cannot afford the consequences of the masses having power. They mostly suck.
Story 3: People without power are forced into risky situations which fundamentally rob them of free will. They can only gain wealth and a measure of acclaim through great deeds, and then only in death.
Story 4: Rich people were the bad guys all along! *Shocked face* Trauma can make people do things against the interest of friends. Great deeds don't always succeed.
Writing about this has made me like it less. It's fairy tale grim dark - where the grim dark is at a societal level. Fundamentally nothing improves. The protagonists at best spend the rest of their life struggling and on the run. Society is still broken.
I think I was hoping that this used the brambles as a reified metaphor to talk about climate change and, using the fantasy lens, offer suggestions or commentary beyond "We're all doomed, due to people at all levels of society making understandable selfish decisions, with the only possible responses being genocide & brainwashing or autocracy, both of which will get pushback"
Thanks, guys. I was looking for a nice, escapist novel. Instead, I get a book that confronts me with some disturbing truths: when some engage in magic (tech / electricity / etc.), it causes a negative environmental effect elsewhere. Yep, I might want to simply heal a sick kid, but when I do, the consequences of my actions may cause another child to be sick elsewhere in the world. It's important to think about, I know. But definitely not for those who want to escape current realities and read about something comforting! (BTW - As always, well written and well plotted.)
'The Tangled Lands' is made up of four standalone novellas tied together by a common land and a common problem. The overuse of magic has given rise to a bramble that is encroaching on the cities and destroying everything in its path. The worldbuilding is beautiful . It allows the stories to breathe. The people and their predicaments are also interestingly presented. It’s a good read, but never goes beyond a good read. I enjoyed all four stories, but none of them really stood out.
Like a few other readers I was caught unaware that this was a collection of short stories set in the same universe but this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I had been drawn to this book by Paolo but it turns out I enjoyed Tobia's stories more, especially the first one. Felt like there was a lot of allegory and symbolism about capitalism, greed, global warming, etc but thankfully never overpowered the story and I could just be putting my own biased spin on the tales. Generally I found this to be an entertaining yet stimulating read that managed to hit refresh on a number of fantasy tropes. Especially appreciated the manner in which they had strong female characters in most of the stories.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some of this I've read before. Good and interesting. But too dark for me to be completely enjoyable. Torture both physical and mental and usually fairly unnecessary. The world is fairly well thought out and the magic system feels consistent. Pretty strong use of female characters as well.
dark
tense
medium-paced
really liked the stories, and the writing style. Couldn't put it down!
This was a hard book to rate, because of the vast quality difference between stories. The Alchemist and The Executioness have been written and re-visited for many years, making them more interesting and complex than the other two stories in the book. I’m excited to see more stories from Khaim!
4.5 stars
Is there more? I can’t get enough of this. The world building was magnificent, especially for such a short novel. The writing was excellent, the characters were great, the plot was mesmerising.
I took a while to get back into the story once we switched characters, but the ever-changing POVs didn’t impact too negatively.
The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars is because I felt like the ending was too abrupt. I wish the stories linked together in some way, but I did enjoy the way we left this world.
I’m hoping for some more novellas, and I’ll keep an eye out for more from these authors.
Is there more? I can’t get enough of this. The world building was magnificent, especially for such a short novel. The writing was excellent, the characters were great, the plot was mesmerising.
I took a while to get back into the story once we switched characters, but the ever-changing POVs didn’t impact too negatively.
The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars is because I felt like the ending was too abrupt. I wish the stories linked together in some way, but I did enjoy the way we left this world.
I’m hoping for some more novellas, and I’ll keep an eye out for more from these authors.