Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Foundryside

This is such a good book and I'm really excited for this series. I loved the characters and the magic system and world building was so good. I think Cleff was my favorite character but they were all still really good.
I will say that there was something off-putting to me at first. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it had something to do with the voice whether it was the voice of the main character or the writing style or if it was the actual voice of the narrator, I'm not sure. But I was able to get used to it and get over it after a little bit.
I also didn't like the multiple threats of SA in this book. It seemed like every time the main character was in danger, she was also being threatened with rape. It happened like at least three times that I remember for sure and probably more than that and it was just really unnecessary. Like we get it, they're really bad men, but we don't need that referenced every time she's alone with one of them. It was frustrating and could be very triggering so be wary of that.
But other than those two things, I enjoyed this first book in the series. I thought the magic system was so interesting even though learning it did take some time and sometimes I still didn't understand how they were programming things and its intricacies - like sometimes it had to do with math and I was just lost haha - but I was able to understand it overall and in general so it didn't bother me too much.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series but I don't think my Libby has them so we'll see when that is.

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csommerlot's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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lira_the_recluse's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love a well conceived magic system and Foundry side has that in spades. Characters and the central mystery/plot were exquisite.

If I had a nickel every time I read a book in the last two months where

the villain was really the brilliant cast aside and assumed weak woman getting her revenge

I would have 3 nickels.

I do have some qualms. 1) occasionally the book equats being fat with being evil / greedy / lazy. 2) page breaks that don't change POV or skip any time.

Something like:
"Sancia reached into her pocket and threw the scribed sphere. A brilliant white flash lit up the room

...

When her eyes recovered, Sancia dove rushed the guard to grab his sword arm".

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courtmckenz's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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ajowens76's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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pbeeandj's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

While it's mainly a fantasy book, it has a cyberpunk feel due to its software engineering inspired magic system. Amongst the heists, assassins, politics and PTSD they manage to add a cute sapphic relationship, but it's certainly not the focus of the book. TW: Mentions and threats of sexual assault. Depictions of slavery. Gorey physics related deaths.

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jessicalauren22's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

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laraloops's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Very cool premise and world building throughout, the pacing is also great and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I found all the characters memorable, especially the main characters and the writing for them was funny as well. The themes of capitalism were well woven into the story and there were some amazing lines regarding the dehumanization that is integral to the system of capitalism. There are some triggers for this novel to keep an eye on if you are affected by anything in particular.

I do appreciate a novel that tears down the whole "we just need more female CEO's" concept. The ultimate antagonist of the novel is a woman who has gone through abuse but it very much does not justify her actions.

Having a novel that focuses on dehumanization and makes it part of the magic system was very very interesting to me. I especially like it when people make magic systems that are not only cool but are part of the fictional world and reflect on issues in our own world.

The overall descriptions of the magic/world were very intriguing to me and I am very excited to continue to read this trilogy and see what other revelations are in store.

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