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zoeelizabethk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Guns of the Dawn is one of the most harrowing and powerful books I've ever read and addresses the complexities and horrors of war and the narratives civilians and soldiers are told about war.
While this is not strictly historical fantasy as it's not technically set in our world, it's clear Tchaikovsky was heavily inspired by WWI and WWII as well as the Napoleonic wars, and the Gulf Wars. I've read accounts as a history student of wartime and battle and the terrible atrocities. But fiction and memoir have a powerful way of revealing the ordinary people caught in the midst of vying powers and the very human emotions and struggles that come with that. Guns of the Dawn is not a book that follows the warring kingdoms and the politics and machinations. Instead we see the war through common soldiers' eyes as they are moved around - sometimes like chess pieces, sometimes simply as cannon fodder. And yet the lowly remain loyal to their powers that be because of the narrative fed to them. And nothing is scarier than that. But in the end, how can a civilian or a soldier decide between patriotism and loyalty and what is right?
For me, the thematic work in Guns of the Dawn was the most impactful, but Tchaikovsky does equally well in his characterization and his writing. All together, Tchaikovsky has crafted an impressive and thought provoking book that I will be thinking about for years to come.
If you're wondering about whether you should pick up this book, this book would be great for people who like All Quiet on the Western Front, Deathless, Ursula Le Guin's sci-fi, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and the Temeraire books. I would also highly recommend it for those who
- love historical fiction/historical fantasy
- like military fantasy
- like character focused stories
- don't mind some meandering plot (Tchaikovsky does a great job giving you enough direction to stay anchored even when the plot meanders a bit)
I can't wait to try more of Tchaikovsky's work soon.
While this is not strictly historical fantasy as it's not technically set in our world, it's clear Tchaikovsky was heavily inspired by WWI and WWII as well as the Napoleonic wars, and the Gulf Wars. I've read accounts as a history student of wartime and battle and the terrible atrocities. But fiction and memoir have a powerful way of revealing the ordinary people caught in the midst of vying powers and the very human emotions and struggles that come with that. Guns of the Dawn is not a book that follows the warring kingdoms and the politics and machinations. Instead we see the war through common soldiers' eyes as they are moved around - sometimes like chess pieces, sometimes simply as cannon fodder. And yet the lowly remain loyal to their powers that be because of the narrative fed to them. And nothing is scarier than that. But in the end, how can a civilian or a soldier decide between patriotism and loyalty and what is right?
For me, the thematic work in Guns of the Dawn was the most impactful, but Tchaikovsky does equally well in his characterization and his writing. All together, Tchaikovsky has crafted an impressive and thought provoking book that I will be thinking about for years to come.
If you're wondering about whether you should pick up this book, this book would be great for people who like All Quiet on the Western Front, Deathless, Ursula Le Guin's sci-fi, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and the Temeraire books. I would also highly recommend it for those who
- love historical fiction/historical fantasy
- like military fantasy
- like character focused stories
- don't mind some meandering plot (Tchaikovsky does a great job giving you enough direction to stay anchored even when the plot meanders a bit)
I can't wait to try more of Tchaikovsky's work soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Murder, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Kidnapping, Torture, and Rape
belovedsnail's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It isn’t a perfect book, but I found it very nearly a perfect read. Tchaikovsky sets us up for what should be a high swords and sorcery book, but he unrelentingly only lets us know what Emily, his main character knows. No devices to provide the backstory, just the war unrolling through the eyes of a soldier.
Emily is a bit of a Mary Sue and I found the ending rather too predictable and neatly sewn up. But still, impressive.
Emily is a bit of a Mary Sue and I found the ending rather too predictable and neatly sewn up. But still, impressive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Torture
princelou's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Sexual assault
bookswithclementine's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Suicide
kkarl3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Wow, what a story. Light on the fantasy (not in a bad way), heavy on the themes. Tchaikovsky tells a story that speaks of the realistic impacts and veiled motivations of war.
Potential thematic spoilers:
Can you really trust everything you are told by the leaders pushing an entire country to war? Is the charm of a leader and a history of loyalty alone worth fighting for? If you take up the mantle, who will you be when all the fighting is over? Is being a hero all that people think it is? At what point do you begin to think for yourself?
All of these questions and more Tchaikovsky explores in great depth throughout this story.
I loved the mysterious setting that the war is fought in and the tactics used by both sides. I loved the conversations this book put on the table and the character development in such a hectic and violent time. This book will make you critically think about your own beliefs and loyalties. I loved the journey this took me on. Well worth your time. Emily Marshwic is a character that will live in my mind for a long while.
Potential thematic spoilers:
Can you really trust everything you are told by the leaders pushing an entire country to war? Is the charm of a leader and a history of loyalty alone worth fighting for? If you take up the mantle, who will you be when all the fighting is over? Is being a hero all that people think it is? At what point do you begin to think for yourself?
All of these questions and more Tchaikovsky explores in great depth throughout this story.
I loved the mysterious setting that the war is fought in and the tactics used by both sides. I loved the conversations this book put on the table and the character development in such a hectic and violent time. This book will make you critically think about your own beliefs and loyalties. I loved the journey this took me on. Well worth your time. Emily Marshwic is a character that will live in my mind for a long while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Gun violence
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol, Classism, Genocide, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Suicide, Misogyny, and Torture
iono's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Torture
lacyparrish's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This wasn't a good or a bad book, just average. I had hopes for an interesting political ending but was dashed in the last half of the last chapter. Emily as a character kept my interest and since her POV is the one driving the book, I wasn't too upset that the surrounding cast was left partially developed. I read this along with a YouTube book club, so we'll see what the thoughts are later this month with the livestream happens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Sexual assault and Torture
Minor: Suicide
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