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joosty's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gwenhwyfar's review against another edition
3.0
I read March's End by Daniel Polansky as an ARC via Netgalley. I really didn't know what to expect with this one going in. The dream-like back and forth between the real world and the March and between different periods in time was a little disorienting at first, but I figured I'd go with it, eventually realizing it was a Narnia-like situation but without the heavy-handed religious overtones and a far more damaged family and a far more weird magical realm. There's really not a lot of exposition, and I have a lot of questions about things that I'm not sure if I just missed the first time through or if it's genuinely unclear. The dream-like quality never goes away. The language in this story, especially during passages that take place in the March, is insane. Filled with proper nouns and lesser-known nouns and alliteration and harkening back to an imagination that is much older than the current age. I had to look up a lot of words. I added quite a few words to my 'favourites' in my dictionary app. To be clear, I never felt overwhelmed, rather it created the atmosphere I think/hope the author was going for. Language is probably this book's biggest strength. There were whole passages where, even if I only got the gist of it, sounded cool.
Overall, it's hard to say where I rank this book. I definitely enjoyed it and I can't be too critical of a book that taught me so many interesting words and used them in neat ways. I am not entirely sure I'm satisfied with the ending but I'm not entirely sure I ever fully understood what the hell was going on or even if I was supposed to. I might actually read this book again when it comes out proper. People who really enjoyed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke may be interested in this, it's not totally the same vibe but comparison could be made, vaguely. If you twisted my arm for a rating, I might say 7/10, which I'll round up to 4/5 for Goodreads.
Overall, it's hard to say where I rank this book. I definitely enjoyed it and I can't be too critical of a book that taught me so many interesting words and used them in neat ways. I am not entirely sure I'm satisfied with the ending but I'm not entirely sure I ever fully understood what the hell was going on or even if I was supposed to. I might actually read this book again when it comes out proper. People who really enjoyed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke may be interested in this, it's not totally the same vibe but comparison could be made, vaguely. If you twisted my arm for a rating, I might say 7/10, which I'll round up to 4/5 for Goodreads.
discerninggm's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
heathers_reads's review
3.0
The Harrows are a close knit family with great responsibility. They are rulers of a magical realm called The March, tasked with keeping the peace between mystical tribes made up of animals, toys, robots and all creatures of the imagination.
March’s End flips between timelines. Present day the family is distant and divided. The mother is old and sickly, two of the children have long since moved away, and only one child remained to take care of her mother and the realm. But the realm is in trouble, the tribes are at war, and the wall between the human world and mythical world is crumbling, causing chaos.
In the past timeline we get to see how the children discover The March realm, and the tragedies and drama that end up tearing them apart in present day. But it’s time for the children to return home and order to be restored.
This book was extremely unique, odd and chaotic. Think Narnia for adults with a lot more weirdness. The language had a timeless feel, and there was a stark contrast between the human world and The March realm that makes the reader long for something magical in their ordinary everyday life.
This book lightly covered themes of mental health, grief, loss and family ties.
This book is definitely unlike anything ive ever read, if you’d like an interesting fantastical read this may be for you!
Thank you @angryrobotbooks for a copy of this book!
March’s End flips between timelines. Present day the family is distant and divided. The mother is old and sickly, two of the children have long since moved away, and only one child remained to take care of her mother and the realm. But the realm is in trouble, the tribes are at war, and the wall between the human world and mythical world is crumbling, causing chaos.
In the past timeline we get to see how the children discover The March realm, and the tragedies and drama that end up tearing them apart in present day. But it’s time for the children to return home and order to be restored.
This book was extremely unique, odd and chaotic. Think Narnia for adults with a lot more weirdness. The language had a timeless feel, and there was a stark contrast between the human world and The March realm that makes the reader long for something magical in their ordinary everyday life.
This book lightly covered themes of mental health, grief, loss and family ties.
This book is definitely unlike anything ive ever read, if you’d like an interesting fantastical read this may be for you!
Thank you @angryrobotbooks for a copy of this book!
ninjamuse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny and War
Minor: Lesbophobia
raemy552's review
Loved the idea of this book but it’s really sad and not what I was expecting.
nathans_fantasy_reviews's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This review was originally published at the Before We Go Blog
I am admittedly a bit late in writing this review, and this might be one of my longest gaps between reading a book and writing the review. In this case, however, I think that the time to reflect on March’s End has really shown me how strong of a book this one really is and how prescient and powerful its messages resonated with me.
To put it simply, March’s End is another entry in the growing subgenre of adult portal fantasies that explore the darker side of children’s fantasy books. It joins Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children, Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, and Adrian Tchaikovsky’s And Put Away Childish Things in critiquing some of the naiveté of children’s portal fantasies by pulling back the curtain on the reality of falling down the rabbit hole or walking through a wardrobe. What results is probably the darkest and bleakest of any of the books that mentioned, which might turn off some readers. However, if you are one to really dig into complex character arcs that explore the outcomes of childhood trauma, March’s End is a book to keep your eye on.
Polansky explores the trauma that the children in portal fantasies face through these fantastical experiences and the expectations placed upon them. Portal fantasies (think Narnia or the original Oz books) tend to valorize the hero’s journey; young children embark on unexpected adventures in magical worlds, often becoming the leaders and decision makers of peoples, lands, and events that they previously could only have dreamed of. These children of celebrated for their intelligence, bravery, and might….all despite that fact that they are everyday children that are forced to confront unimaginably violent scenarios.
When we are first introduced to our main characters, they are adults dealing with the aftermath of their fantasy-world adventuring. They are the three Harrow siblings, whose family is the “protector” of the magical realm of March, and they have had radically different experiences as they have grown up both in March and the “real” world. Constance is the eldest and the heir apparent to leading March; a queer woman, she has an estranged wife and two children. Mary Ann, who was an insecure child, has no stable family life and no genuine accomplishments; she is a drifter. John, the youngest, is probably the most damaged from his youth, and may be way beyond the point of repair.
Polansky introduces us to the Harrow family using a dual timeline approach, jumping back and forth between their childhood adventures and their adult lives. In doing so, Polansky beautifully contrasts the childhood innocence of discovery with the jaded, broken, and defeating nature of adulthood. Jumping back and forth allows us to see how the Harrow children grew up to be the adults that they became, and how the world has shattered them. Defeating evil and becoming full-fledged members of a ruling family is no easy task, especially for young children going through the more “normal” trials of young adulthood. What ultimately emerges is a fascinating character study that examines the consequences of fantasy adventures without shying away from all of the darker elements.
March’s End is a “character book” through and through. Readers looking for a new portal fantasy world to explore may be a bit disappointed in what March’s End has to offer. The world of March has a dark and magical aura surrounding it, but it simultaneously feels a bit shallow and confusing. Polansky doesn’t spend too much time giving vivid descriptions of his various fantastical creatures, or delving too far into the politics of March, because the purpose of this book is to look at the longstanding consequences of childhood trauma. It is the three Harrow siblings and their journeys which are the true stars of this book, and the book is all the stronger for it.
When I normally read portal fantasy books like this, or really engage with any kind of fiction that has both a “real world” and a “fantasy world”, I am usually bored to tears by the “real world” stuff and just want to get to the magic. I had the complete opposite experience with March’s End. While Polansky does some really interesting things with magic and fantasy here, I could not wait to return to the Harrow children in their adult domestic lives. This is where March’s End really shines as we look to how hard Constance tries to be the “perfect” wife/mother while preparing to be the perfect queen of March, while her other siblings rebel against their situations both past and present. We don’t often get to see these issues really dissected in portal fantasies, making this a true standout.
If you are looking for a book that acts as a commentary on common tropes in children’s fantasy, but that isn’t quite as whiny as The Magicians, check out March’s End. It is a fantastic character examination wrapped up in a succinct standalone package that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.
Concluding Thoughts: Dark, adult reexaminations of childhood portal fantasies are becoming increasingly common, and March’s End is a worthy new addition. An examination of the long term familial trauma that portal fantasy adventures inflict on young bodies, Polansky introduces us to a trio of siblings with immense character depth and nuance that you cannot help but feel drawn to. The characters definitely outshine the fantasy, but this made for a much richer reading experience. It’s dark and at times a brutal read, but the journey is worth it.
I am admittedly a bit late in writing this review, and this might be one of my longest gaps between reading a book and writing the review. In this case, however, I think that the time to reflect on March’s End has really shown me how strong of a book this one really is and how prescient and powerful its messages resonated with me.
To put it simply, March’s End is another entry in the growing subgenre of adult portal fantasies that explore the darker side of children’s fantasy books. It joins Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children, Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, and Adrian Tchaikovsky’s And Put Away Childish Things in critiquing some of the naiveté of children’s portal fantasies by pulling back the curtain on the reality of falling down the rabbit hole or walking through a wardrobe. What results is probably the darkest and bleakest of any of the books that mentioned, which might turn off some readers. However, if you are one to really dig into complex character arcs that explore the outcomes of childhood trauma, March’s End is a book to keep your eye on.
Polansky explores the trauma that the children in portal fantasies face through these fantastical experiences and the expectations placed upon them. Portal fantasies (think Narnia or the original Oz books) tend to valorize the hero’s journey; young children embark on unexpected adventures in magical worlds, often becoming the leaders and decision makers of peoples, lands, and events that they previously could only have dreamed of. These children of celebrated for their intelligence, bravery, and might….all despite that fact that they are everyday children that are forced to confront unimaginably violent scenarios.
When we are first introduced to our main characters, they are adults dealing with the aftermath of their fantasy-world adventuring. They are the three Harrow siblings, whose family is the “protector” of the magical realm of March, and they have had radically different experiences as they have grown up both in March and the “real” world. Constance is the eldest and the heir apparent to leading March; a queer woman, she has an estranged wife and two children. Mary Ann, who was an insecure child, has no stable family life and no genuine accomplishments; she is a drifter. John, the youngest, is probably the most damaged from his youth, and may be way beyond the point of repair.
Polansky introduces us to the Harrow family using a dual timeline approach, jumping back and forth between their childhood adventures and their adult lives. In doing so, Polansky beautifully contrasts the childhood innocence of discovery with the jaded, broken, and defeating nature of adulthood. Jumping back and forth allows us to see how the Harrow children grew up to be the adults that they became, and how the world has shattered them. Defeating evil and becoming full-fledged members of a ruling family is no easy task, especially for young children going through the more “normal” trials of young adulthood. What ultimately emerges is a fascinating character study that examines the consequences of fantasy adventures without shying away from all of the darker elements.
March’s End is a “character book” through and through. Readers looking for a new portal fantasy world to explore may be a bit disappointed in what March’s End has to offer. The world of March has a dark and magical aura surrounding it, but it simultaneously feels a bit shallow and confusing. Polansky doesn’t spend too much time giving vivid descriptions of his various fantastical creatures, or delving too far into the politics of March, because the purpose of this book is to look at the longstanding consequences of childhood trauma. It is the three Harrow siblings and their journeys which are the true stars of this book, and the book is all the stronger for it.
When I normally read portal fantasy books like this, or really engage with any kind of fiction that has both a “real world” and a “fantasy world”, I am usually bored to tears by the “real world” stuff and just want to get to the magic. I had the complete opposite experience with March’s End. While Polansky does some really interesting things with magic and fantasy here, I could not wait to return to the Harrow children in their adult domestic lives. This is where March’s End really shines as we look to how hard Constance tries to be the “perfect” wife/mother while preparing to be the perfect queen of March, while her other siblings rebel against their situations both past and present. We don’t often get to see these issues really dissected in portal fantasies, making this a true standout.
If you are looking for a book that acts as a commentary on common tropes in children’s fantasy, but that isn’t quite as whiny as The Magicians, check out March’s End. It is a fantastic character examination wrapped up in a succinct standalone package that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.
Concluding Thoughts: Dark, adult reexaminations of childhood portal fantasies are becoming increasingly common, and March’s End is a worthy new addition. An examination of the long term familial trauma that portal fantasy adventures inflict on young bodies, Polansky introduces us to a trio of siblings with immense character depth and nuance that you cannot help but feel drawn to. The characters definitely outshine the fantasy, but this made for a much richer reading experience. It’s dark and at times a brutal read, but the journey is worth it.
adam_penny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hjswinford's review
4.0
Many reviews called this novel Narnia-esque, but I must disagree. It felt much more Wonderland-esque to me. The March is a weird place, "High Nonsense" if you know what I mean. There was a lot of really interesting stuff going on here. I love portal fantasy and I'm honestly never going to turn one down. This one was fun in that, yes, like Narnia, it was centered on a family who travels together back and forth and yet that family is broken.
I do wish that I'd been able to feel more oriented in the Wonderland-esque portions of the story. I am always down for just "being along for ride" in weird stories, but the "present day" part of the narrative was so clear and easy to follow that I felt disoriented when switching to the other timeline/setting. I can't help but assume this stylistic choice was an intentional one but I didn't really like it.
Overall, it's a 3.5 star read for me. I appreciate the chance taken with this narrative and there was a lot of good, despite the confusing.
I do wish that I'd been able to feel more oriented in the Wonderland-esque portions of the story. I am always down for just "being along for ride" in weird stories, but the "present day" part of the narrative was so clear and easy to follow that I felt disoriented when switching to the other timeline/setting. I can't help but assume this stylistic choice was an intentional one but I didn't really like it.
Overall, it's a 3.5 star read for me. I appreciate the chance taken with this narrative and there was a lot of good, despite the confusing.
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