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bookdrag0n's review against another edition
5.0
You can read this and other reviews on my book blog at https://www.thebookdragondotblog.wordpress.com
This is the second book in Francesca Forrest’s Tales of Polity series. I messed up, and actually read this one before the first book! The cover was just so pretty I couldn’t help myself ;). But despite my over-eagerness, this novella works perfectly well as a standalone. There is no need to read the first book, first! Now, on to the review:
Decommissioner Thirty-Seven, known as Sweeting to her friends–which happen to almost exclusively be the decommissioned Sweet Harbor Gods–is a bit of a screw up. One of her previous decommissionings of a Sweet Harbor God did not go quite as planned, and everyone knows that she is to blame. Now, it’s up to her to defend that same God-turned-mortal against accusations that he is messing with a development project in his old stomping grounds. But as she gets more and more involved, the tales becomes more and more convoluted–and dangerous. Is she willing to risk the rest of her reputation just to find answers? Even when the case seems to be closed?
Francesca Forrest introducers her readers to a completely new world, where polytheism is not only appreciated and followed by the masses, but the Gods can actually be seen and spoken with. Her ability to make readers feel completely at home in an unfamiliar world, full of Gods, mortals, and cool sci-fi-like technology is unparalleled. I had no difficulty fitting right into the world and its culture as if I’d been there my whole life.
The characters are also compelling, with just a touch of mystery and darkness to Sweeting, keeping readers engaged throughout for not only the main plot, but also to understand her character. The big reveal of her past is worth every page turn. Readers will feel frustration, affection, fear, and desperation, just as Sweeting does. So be prepared to experience a range of emotions in this tiny novella!
Overall, this novella is perfect for anyone wanting a short but moving read. The characters, writing style, and plot are all perfectly balanced, creating a rather poignant experience.
This is the second book in Francesca Forrest’s Tales of Polity series. I messed up, and actually read this one before the first book! The cover was just so pretty I couldn’t help myself ;). But despite my over-eagerness, this novella works perfectly well as a standalone. There is no need to read the first book, first! Now, on to the review:
Decommissioner Thirty-Seven, known as Sweeting to her friends–which happen to almost exclusively be the decommissioned Sweet Harbor Gods–is a bit of a screw up. One of her previous decommissionings of a Sweet Harbor God did not go quite as planned, and everyone knows that she is to blame. Now, it’s up to her to defend that same God-turned-mortal against accusations that he is messing with a development project in his old stomping grounds. But as she gets more and more involved, the tales becomes more and more convoluted–and dangerous. Is she willing to risk the rest of her reputation just to find answers? Even when the case seems to be closed?
Francesca Forrest introducers her readers to a completely new world, where polytheism is not only appreciated and followed by the masses, but the Gods can actually be seen and spoken with. Her ability to make readers feel completely at home in an unfamiliar world, full of Gods, mortals, and cool sci-fi-like technology is unparalleled. I had no difficulty fitting right into the world and its culture as if I’d been there my whole life.
The characters are also compelling, with just a touch of mystery and darkness to Sweeting, keeping readers engaged throughout for not only the main plot, but also to understand her character. The big reveal of her past is worth every page turn. Readers will feel frustration, affection, fear, and desperation, just as Sweeting does. So be prepared to experience a range of emotions in this tiny novella!
Overall, this novella is perfect for anyone wanting a short but moving read. The characters, writing style, and plot are all perfectly balanced, creating a rather poignant experience.
silentrequiem's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
naturalistnatalie's review
5.0
**I received an ARC of this novella in exchange for my honest review.**
Forrest fulfills her promises laid out in The Inconvenient God. Thirty-Seven is involved in another unconventional decommissioning, but she makes sure the right thing is done. Thirty-Seven strongly believes that she should do the right thing, the truth will out, and she needs to fulfill her promises to her few friends. She has to decide whether it's more important to follow the rules or do what is right. She chooses to do what is right, and luckily doesn't suffer for that choice.
This book felt much more like a southeast Asian setting than the last book. The culture is based around expansion of territory by sea, and is undergoing significant development of the little space they have. It's also very much a "Do what you're told because I said so" kind of culture. I found it sad that the local divinities were being decommissioned and folded into Abstractions. Abstractions are so generic and boring. I think that's the point. The Polity is trying to unify many people spread over a large area. People need to worship the same ideas, and that's not possible if every region has it's own local deities. The Polity is flattening the diversity in their society.
We also find out why Thirty-Seven goes by her number instead of her name. Her parents were branded and terrorists and she took her grandparents' name as a child. However, she learns that the Polity version of her parents' deaths might not actually describe the events of that night. I hope that means there's more to come in this fascinating world!
Forrest fulfills her promises laid out in The Inconvenient God. Thirty-Seven is involved in another unconventional decommissioning, but she makes sure the right thing is done. Thirty-Seven strongly believes that she should do the right thing, the truth will out, and she needs to fulfill her promises to her few friends. She has to decide whether it's more important to follow the rules or do what is right. She chooses to do what is right, and luckily doesn't suffer for that choice.
This book felt much more like a southeast Asian setting than the last book. The culture is based around expansion of territory by sea, and is undergoing significant development of the little space they have. It's also very much a "Do what you're told because I said so" kind of culture. I found it sad that the local divinities were being decommissioned and folded into Abstractions. Abstractions are so generic and boring. I think that's the point. The Polity is trying to unify many people spread over a large area. People need to worship the same ideas, and that's not possible if every region has it's own local deities. The Polity is flattening the diversity in their society.
We also find out why Thirty-Seven goes by her number instead of her name. Her parents were branded and terrorists and she took her grandparents' name as a child. However, she learns that the Polity version of her parents' deaths might not actually describe the events of that night. I hope that means there's more to come in this fascinating world!
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