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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
This book immediately pulled me in and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. I love how we learned about the world through the characters interactions within it. Rather than info dumping. (There was a small moment of that, but it worked within the context of the story). The magic system is so interesting and complex and the characters were all like-able in their own ways. Wow wow wow
The fast pace and action gave me whiplash. I finished it in 3 days. I don’t recommend, I can taste colors now. This was so much fun, such an interesting magic system and it was so so clever.
I really loved this book! The setting, characters, magic system, plot.. everything worked for me. I struggle a bit with fantasy sometimes but this book was so easy to get into, not overwhelming at all with the explanations and exposition. Definitely highly recommend!
This book was lots of fun. I was a little skeptical of some of the fantasy bits at first—I mean, a talking key?—but it all turns out to be a fascinating world that I want to learn more about. And I love the characters. RJB seems to have a knack for making characters feel distinctive and nuanced in a fairly action-packed story. 4.25/5 feels more accurate.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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:
Complicated
I got this ARC from a goodreads giveaway and I am very happy I did. This book blew me away. It instantly caught my attention and I read all 503 pages in a day and a half. While magic via sigils isn't a new concept the way it's done in this book feels fresh. It also feels very analytical, like a programming language. I wouldn't be surprised if Robert Jackson Bennett is a programmer. The book takes place in the fictional city Tevanne which is ruled by merchant houses. And while we spend most of the time in this city with only the occasional snippet of other places, the world feels huge and well thought out. There is something very Dune-like in the vastness of the lore. I was sad when I got to the end because I wanted to keep reading about this world and since this book isn't even out yet I am going to have to wait even longer for book 2.
I loved the author's most recent novel "The Tainted Cup" so I picked this up. I craved the compelling writing I found in that book, but I didn't find it here. The way that all the characters talk is very juvenile, even the centuries old "key" and the old scriver. Lots of describing things as "insane" and "crazy".
One thing I couldn't get out of my head was the concept of the formerly enslaved heroine knowing how to read. Did someone teach her how to read inbetween a mad-scientist's experimentation and doing contractual theiving?
I tried to give it a chance, but it started to feel like a slog at 58%.
One thing I couldn't get out of my head was the concept of the formerly enslaved heroine knowing how to read. Did someone teach her how to read inbetween a mad-scientist's experimentation and doing contractual theiving?
I tried to give it a chance, but it started to feel like a slog at 58%.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury
this book is the epitome of holding ur hand like a toddler and repeatedly spoon-feeding info (over explaining what's already obviously shown). Foundryside would be labeled YA if it's written by a woman.