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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
got this an an ARC; just like City of Stairs books, Bennett creates a surprising and scary fictional world and populates it with real thinking, feeling characters the reader cares about. I hesitate between a 3 and 4 for this one, because there were some pacing infelicities that felt like some parts were too repetitive and the author could have achieved just as much or more without so much of the same leaping from roofs on a chase through the campos (again...)
adventurous
funny
slow-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:
No
When the key starts talking, I hear a stand-up comedian. Something in between Eddie Murphy and the crustacean in that Disney movie with the Ariel story minus the death and sadness. Keeping in mind that the key in question is an ancient sentient artifact, and that the world in which it exist is a mix between Renaissance Venice and Ayn Rand's idea of heaven with magic, I hope you'll forgive me for putting the book down, kinda forever (no, I am not honest here. If I find a hardcover copy for free, I may use it to prop my tablet.)
I should have seen it coming. The walled, guarded waterfront from where nobody could escape short of a daring, dangerous, ingenious master plan going perfectly... Oh look she threw a magic version of a bomb in the yard and, of course, all the guards including their cunning, famous boss run to the explosion, leaving the entrance, well, unguarded. After the boss himself had heard something suspect in the SAFE vault. Yeah sure, Jane. This was the second scene of the first chapter. I should never have made it to the part with the talking key.
A pity, though. The idea of industrialised magic based on reality overwriting was extremely cool, which is why I kept reading after noticing:
- the juvenile use of language
- the improbable plot-solving mechanisms (see bombs in the yard) already abundant in the first ten pages (whoa)
- the total lack of flesh on the bones of the setting: we are TOLD that the city looks like this and that, never SHOWN
- the Katniss-copycat heroine (aaaargh). Sorry guys, I grew up reading adult literature since I was too young to do a lot of other things, even by problematic teenager standards. No YA in this house.
That key talking like that, though, was too much. I give in. What a waste.
I should have seen it coming. The walled, guarded waterfront from where nobody could escape short of a daring, dangerous, ingenious master plan going perfectly... Oh look she threw a magic version of a bomb in the yard and, of course, all the guards including their cunning, famous boss run to the explosion, leaving the entrance, well, unguarded. After the boss himself had heard something suspect in the SAFE vault. Yeah sure, Jane. This was the second scene of the first chapter. I should never have made it to the part with the talking key.
A pity, though. The idea of industrialised magic based on reality overwriting was extremely cool, which is why I kept reading after noticing:
- the juvenile use of language
- the improbable plot-solving mechanisms (see bombs in the yard) already abundant in the first ten pages (whoa)
- the total lack of flesh on the bones of the setting: we are TOLD that the city looks like this and that, never SHOWN
- the Katniss-copycat heroine (aaaargh). Sorry guys, I grew up reading adult literature since I was too young to do a lot of other things, even by problematic teenager standards. No YA in this house.
That key talking like that, though, was too much. I give in. What a waste.
Foundryside. I liked this. I liked this a lot. I don’t know what it is about inanimate objects that can talk, but count me in!
Straight-talking key, sure! Overly committed shackles, okay! Slightly confused lock, you betcha! I’m here for it.
Robert Jackson Bennett also did a great things with his characters in this one. He masterfully changed my opinions on certain characters throughout the story to the point where I really don’t know if a couple of them are good or bad guys! What are their secrets!?
The only drawback for me is I think I want it to be a little more serious. A little more bloody. There’s a lot of humour in this book which I love. But it needs to go a step further.
However, the plot drew me in right away, and was a fast-paced, quick witted story that didn’t really stop. I’m left with all the questions and oh, how convenient, the next one is already sitting in my shelf waiting to be read! Thank you, past Sarah, for buying the second book before knowing if you’d like the first
Straight-talking key, sure! Overly committed shackles, okay! Slightly confused lock, you betcha! I’m here for it.
Robert Jackson Bennett also did a great things with his characters in this one. He masterfully changed my opinions on certain characters throughout the story to the point where I really don’t know if a couple of them are good or bad guys! What are their secrets!?
The only drawback for me is I think I want it to be a little more serious. A little more bloody. There’s a lot of humour in this book which I love. But it needs to go a step further.
However, the plot drew me in right away, and was a fast-paced, quick witted story that didn’t really stop. I’m left with all the questions and oh, how convenient, the next one is already sitting in my shelf waiting to be read! Thank you, past Sarah, for buying the second book before knowing if you’d like the first
This book absolutely rips. Some early exposition and some strongly forecast twists (among several very fun surprises) are the only real weaknesses. Best fantasy heist book I’ve read, too.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-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
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
No
Review from the head: Great worldbuilding and magic system (similar system to Brandon Sanderson's The Emperor's Soul actually) check, Heist - check, Exciting plot with deeper themes (e.g. unchecked capitalism is bad) - check, Queer rep - check, I cried - check. Gotta be 5 stars.
Review from the heart: HOW IS THIS NOT MORE POPULAR??!? JUST READ IT OK!!! *Throws it aggressively at your head*
Review from the heart: HOW IS THIS NOT MORE POPULAR??!? JUST READ IT OK!!! *Throws it aggressively at your head*
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes