You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
One of the 2017 Hugo nominations for best novelette.
The back story and the world and the mechanics of the magic doesn't fully make sense. I think this is an instance where the story is too ambitious to be contained in a novelette. The writing and the characters are both enjoyable and could easily have sustained more pages. The "present day author" premise is also great, but the author doesn't integrate it into the story the way I expected.
The back story and the world and the mechanics of the magic doesn't fully make sense. I think this is an instance where the story is too ambitious to be contained in a novelette. The writing and the characters are both enjoyable and could easily have sustained more pages. The "present day author" premise is also great, but the author doesn't integrate it into the story the way I expected.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really wish I could give this four stars, but the plot feels drowned out by worldbuilding and it's too short for that.
The premise is interesting - a kingdom where rulers draw their power from gems and they need a lapidary to keep them under control. Unfortunately, we only get to witness the downfall of this and, despite most of the novella being spent on worldbuilding, we don't really get a clear picture of how that power works.
The premise is interesting - a kingdom where rulers draw their power from gems and they need a lapidary to keep them under control. Unfortunately, we only get to witness the downfall of this and, despite most of the novella being spent on worldbuilding, we don't really get a clear picture of how that power works.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because it was too short! In less than 100 pages, Wilde built an interesting world. I'd love to see more stories in it.
I felt like this could have been longer and the ending could have been more developed. Sadly feels unfinished.