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bkclub4one's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A Penny For Your Soul is about a town, Necropolis. It is populated by the undead, ghouls, necromancers and normal beings. From the beginning, we are made aware that something important is about to happen in this town. As the blurb suggests, a lot that happens in the book involves politics and the economy(read banking).
The story unfolds through multiple POVs which made the story a hundred pages longer than it was meant to be. The characters, although different and start at different points in the story ended up coming together at the end of the book for a rather anticlimactic ending.
I am always very careful whenever I request a book from an author or a publisher. I read the summary carefully and also the reviews just to know what I am getting in to. However, this time was different. I saw the words undead, ghouls, and humans then stopped. I could already picture it in my mind. I needed this book Asap!
Such a bad idea. I should have read the whole summary because then I would have known that this was an economic and political satire kind of book. I think this would have worked for me if the supernatural aspect was not involved.
A Penny For Your Soul is about a town, Necropolis. It is populated by the undead, ghouls, necromancers and normal beings. From the beginning, we are made aware that something important is about to happen in this town. As the blurb suggests, a lot that happens in the book involves politics and the economy(read banking).
The story unfolds through multiple POVs which made the story a hundred pages longer than it was meant to be. The characters, although different and start at different points in the story ended up coming together at the end of the book for a rather anticlimactic ending.
I am always very careful whenever I request a book from an author or a publisher. I read the summary carefully and also the reviews just to know what I am getting in to. However, this time was different. I saw the words undead, ghouls, and humans then stopped. I could already picture it in my mind. I needed this book Asap!
Such a bad idea. I should have read the whole summary because then I would have known that this was an economic and political satire kind of book. I think this would have worked for me if the supernatural aspect was not involved.
cowdisease125's review against another edition
5.0
There's a line, towards the end of this book, about the word 'genuinely' and how it's only rarely used, well, genuinely. This is one of those times. I genuinely couldn't wait to review this book.
I think you can tell that the author is a fan of Terry Pratchett. That is not to say that they have copied his style, oh no, they've merely sampled it an injected their own style in with it. It's dark and witty and full of one-liners that had me doing that exhale-laugh-through-my-nose thing that people do when they want to laugh out loud but can't because they're reading it secretly at work.
I particularly liked the footnotes where the author seemed to talk to the reader. It takes, I believe, a certain kind of writer to manage fourth-wall breaks in books without them being cringe-worthy. I also liked the world building. With some books and some authors, they take up great lengths of time and the story to build a world that they already want you to believe in and, let's face it, that can be tedious. With Penny for Your Soul, however, it doesn't do that. The world is already there and doesn't need chapter and verse setting it up because the story and the characters do that for you. What's that writing rule? Show don't tell? Yeah. That.
I really loved this book and it has some fabulous quotes, but I'll just leave you with my favourite because DAMN if it ain't me...
"It is better if I stand in awe of the finished project, preferably from away rather than try to take part in the artistic flow. But I and books are great friends..."
Lovely.
I think you can tell that the author is a fan of Terry Pratchett. That is not to say that they have copied his style, oh no, they've merely sampled it an injected their own style in with it. It's dark and witty and full of one-liners that had me doing that exhale-laugh-through-my-nose thing that people do when they want to laugh out loud but can't because they're reading it secretly at work.
I particularly liked the footnotes where the author seemed to talk to the reader. It takes, I believe, a certain kind of writer to manage fourth-wall breaks in books without them being cringe-worthy. I also liked the world building. With some books and some authors, they take up great lengths of time and the story to build a world that they already want you to believe in and, let's face it, that can be tedious. With Penny for Your Soul, however, it doesn't do that. The world is already there and doesn't need chapter and verse setting it up because the story and the characters do that for you. What's that writing rule? Show don't tell? Yeah. That.
I really loved this book and it has some fabulous quotes, but I'll just leave you with my favourite because DAMN if it ain't me...
"It is better if I stand in awe of the finished project, preferably from away rather than try to take part in the artistic flow. But I and books are great friends..."
Lovely.
shadda's review against another edition
5.0
This is a gothic fantasy/new weird story about politics, economics, art, the humanities, needle point, burocracy, and necromancy. While satirical, this book is not vicious. It doesn't scream or bleed or aim to start the revolution. There are no plucky but confused teens here, only adults who really should know better. In short, this is just the right story for my brand of book geek.
Also, there are footnotes.
Also, there are footnotes.
barb4ry1's review against another edition
4.0
My advice? Don't pay attention to the atrocious cover, focus on the enjoyable content.
Ashcomb knows how to blend humor, economy, and intrigue into a compelling mix. Her humorous barbs usually hit the mark, and she comprehends the fantasy tradition well enough to reshape it in imaginative ways.
The book could use some trimming but it's worth attention, especially if you look for something clever and funny. Ashcomb doesn't hide her love for Pratchett and you'll find this unique Pratchettesque vibe here. Important note: she doesn't copy him but it's clear her humor and the use of footnotes were inspired by the true master.
Ashcomb knows how to blend humor, economy, and intrigue into a compelling mix. Her humorous barbs usually hit the mark, and she comprehends the fantasy tradition well enough to reshape it in imaginative ways.
The book could use some trimming but it's worth attention, especially if you look for something clever and funny. Ashcomb doesn't hide her love for Pratchett and you'll find this unique Pratchettesque vibe here. Important note: she doesn't copy him but it's clear her humor and the use of footnotes were inspired by the true master.
xeni's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the author for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review!
I originally picked this one up to read during the month of October and fulfill my 'Necromancer POV' slot of my 2020-21 book bingo. This book ended up being so much more than that, though!
I really enjoyed the premise: a city-state-(island?) that exists as the only place where the dead continue to exist after death, and have extensive influence over the politics, economics and general to-do of daily life. Necropolis reminds me of a mix between Victorian England and Bas-Lag (of China Mieville fame): lots of poverty, economic turmoil, strict class structure, a budding police force with little actual power, and also many odd species (ghouls, ghosts, necromancers, zombies, and werewolves just to name a few) merge in a dark and gloomy city-scape. In a way Necropolis is as much a character of this world as any of the on-page folk. I was sad it didn't get more page time - I live for long and windy descriptions of places and how they work.
However this story doesn't revolve around the place as much as the cast. The highlight for me is easily Petula Upwood. She is a necromancer who's stated goal is to return back to her home country the following day on a boat she must not under any circumstances miss. Thus cue the whole plot attempting to thwart that. At first by a necessary emergency resurrection of the untimely dead head banker - Ira Waitworth. His necromancer ended up being murdered and no one seems to care too much. This is certainly a place where death is treated with callous disregard but also an extension of life (with all the capitalistic rights that go with it). Petula is dragged into Ira's conspiracy to throw Necropolis into economic turmoil for his own benefit, which the Mayor and the other political parties are all interested in wrangling to their own benefit. Petula shines in this book. I wish she had more page time since I love her and all her quirks: she prefers to read rather than get caught up in the politics; she even enjoys reading needlework books (anyone who doesn't just doesn't understand the true majesty found in Jacobean Crewelwork!)
I realized fairly quickly that I was out of my depth when it came to the economic turmoil and political upheaval plot line. I needed to put this book aside and go study fiances, economics, politics and all that pile of manure. I read a few books and watched a few documentaries and returned 6 months later to finally finish this work. I'm really glad I took the time off, since when I came back I actually understood what was going on in the city. And I'm really glad that the author decided not to dive too heavily into the world of derivatives, CDO's, leverage, etc. You can probably enjoy this book without understanding the basics of economics and how banks work, but it ended up being a richer experience for me when I did.
At some point I felt there were too many plot threads going on and I wasn't sure if they'd ever wrap up to anything satisfying. I can say that K A Ashcomb did a great job bringing everything together and in a manner that left me satisfied. I'm still not quite sure how such a late-stage-capitalism type city is at all enjoyable to live in for anyone who isn't at the top of the hierarchy. I have hopes that the place will move to a different direction after the events of this book.
Lastly, I want to address the writing style: it's at times over the top, with a lot of redundancies (e.g. a sentence as "It didn't take long for Mrs. Maybury to recover from the initial shock of being caught with her pants down, or at least caught with her guard down, which was the same thing for the woman." is common), a lot of puns, and overall a humorous tone. It didn't always work for me while I was reading, but when I was in the right mood I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were a few times I wasn't sure what was happening (), though as I worked my way into the wacky world and the odd characters it all cleared up for me.
I wonder how much the "first" book of this series influences the amount of information you have going into this world. K A Ashcomb said they are their own contained stories within the same world, however it might be that more of the world is explained in the other book. I am keen on reading the other book, if only because it's set in Leporidae Lop and Petula's constant vague references to her homeland are driving me a little bit crazy.
I originally picked this one up to read during the month of October and fulfill my 'Necromancer POV' slot of my 2020-21 book bingo. This book ended up being so much more than that, though!
I really enjoyed the premise: a city-state-(island?) that exists as the only place where the dead continue to exist after death, and have extensive influence over the politics, economics and general to-do of daily life. Necropolis reminds me of a mix between Victorian England and Bas-Lag (of China Mieville fame): lots of poverty, economic turmoil, strict class structure, a budding police force with little actual power, and also many odd species (ghouls, ghosts, necromancers, zombies, and werewolves just to name a few) merge in a dark and gloomy city-scape. In a way Necropolis is as much a character of this world as any of the on-page folk. I was sad it didn't get more page time - I live for long and windy descriptions of places and how they work.
However this story doesn't revolve around the place as much as the cast. The highlight for me is easily Petula Upwood. She is a necromancer who's stated goal is to return back to her home country the following day on a boat she must not under any circumstances miss. Thus cue the whole plot attempting to thwart that. At first by a necessary emergency resurrection of the untimely dead head banker - Ira Waitworth. His necromancer ended up being murdered and no one seems to care too much. This is certainly a place where death is treated with callous disregard but also an extension of life (with all the capitalistic rights that go with it). Petula is dragged into Ira's conspiracy to throw Necropolis into economic turmoil for his own benefit, which the Mayor and the other political parties are all interested in wrangling to their own benefit. Petula shines in this book. I wish she had more page time since I love her and all her quirks: she prefers to read rather than get caught up in the politics; she even enjoys reading needlework books (anyone who doesn't just doesn't understand the true majesty found in Jacobean Crewelwork!)
I realized fairly quickly that I was out of my depth when it came to the economic turmoil and political upheaval plot line. I needed to put this book aside and go study fiances, economics, politics and all that pile of manure. I read a few books and watched a few documentaries and returned 6 months later to finally finish this work. I'm really glad I took the time off, since when I came back I actually understood what was going on in the city. And I'm really glad that the author decided not to dive too heavily into the world of derivatives, CDO's, leverage, etc. You can probably enjoy this book without understanding the basics of economics and how banks work, but it ended up being a richer experience for me when I did.
At some point I felt there were too many plot threads going on and I wasn't sure if they'd ever wrap up to anything satisfying. I can say that K A Ashcomb did a great job bringing everything together and in a manner that left me satisfied. I'm still not quite sure how such a late-stage-capitalism type city is at all enjoyable to live in for anyone who isn't at the top of the hierarchy. I have hopes that the place will move to a different direction after the events of this book.
Lastly, I want to address the writing style: it's at times over the top, with a lot of redundancies (e.g. a sentence as "It didn't take long for Mrs. Maybury to recover from the initial shock of being caught with her pants down, or at least caught with her guard down, which was the same thing for the woman." is common), a lot of puns, and overall a humorous tone. It didn't always work for me while I was reading, but when I was in the right mood I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were a few times I wasn't sure what was happening (
Spoiler
like when Mrs. Maybury's fingers were bitten off all of a sudden - it came out of left field and didn't fit flow-wise into the story, but in retrospect I can see why it was done that wayI wonder how much the "first" book of this series influences the amount of information you have going into this world. K A Ashcomb said they are their own contained stories within the same world, however it might be that more of the world is explained in the other book. I am keen on reading the other book, if only because it's set in Leporidae Lop and Petula's constant vague references to her homeland are driving me a little bit crazy.
laragomes's review against another edition
3.0
*3,5*
It took me a minute to get into this book. But as soon as I did I manage to really appreciate it! It was funny, the world was beautifully well crafted, incredibly morbid and so well thought through. The characters are amazing - I may not care for everyone and wish for a second death to a couple, but what matters is that Petula is my spirit animal and I love her -. The writing was fun and actually got me laughing out loud in a few precious moments, and the footnotes were just amazing, one of the best things, I loved them!
Ok. Considering all that, one might ask: "Why 3,5 stars and not 5 or 4?"
Well, this book is not my new bible or anything so, it would be a solid 4 star for me. But there was one aspect of this book that annoyed me more than it should, but it'll most likely not be noticed by almost anyone else. Is just that, you see, I'm an accounting student. Therefore, i know the abc of economics. And so, i found that the whole economy problem - which is a big theme in this book - wasn't really well constructed. (Plus, being only a student I had to seek validation to appease my states of confusion what led to a less continuous read, once i had to do a bit of researching and consulting with some colleagues).
WARNING - The following section may bore you to death. If you just don't care for the economy, just jump to after the "END OF RAMBLING ABOUT ECONOMICS". Thank you.
The thing is that you are told multiple time throughout this book of how bad the economy is, rather then shown how bad it is. It takes a long time for someone to explain what is the problem here, and i don't think it was that clearly explained neither. At some points, characters would say of how they have been in this crisis for years, without saying what exactly was said crises. And then someone else would say that it would take one bubble bursting to everything go to hell. Although the economy of the period before a bubble bursting does not seem to be going bad, usually there is great surprise because everyone just thinks everything is fine. What contradicts the whole "the economy has been bad for years" discourse that a lot of the characters take. (And also, I'll say that there was a type of debt bubble, but it wasn't really the main problem. The crises wouldn't be classified as a Speculative Bubble, and mentioning this bubble wasn't that necessary and made everything more confusing).
I feel like - in mine not so profound knowledge of economics - what should have gone a little more in consideration, is that a big part of the economy is who knows what, and what people believe in. Such aspect was overlooked, especially in the end of this book. And not being able to tell what information was known to all, and what information were known only to this specific group of people, was really a downside of this book for me. You know. The accountant.
I wont go over all the key points that made, in my opinion, the economic situation a bit of a mess - in the sense of, What type of crises, and in what stage of it are we dealing with here? - Mainly because it would make this review way too long and only an accountant or economist would understand and see if they agree or not. But i'll leave this one observation of this thing that I feel like it was overlooked. It does contain spoilers for the end of the book though.
So at the end of the book. Morris decides to do the "right" thing. And says this to everyone to hear:
"All of us were lying about our assets, giving more money out than there was to be given, and without caring where we gave it or if it was ever going to be paid back"
Now. The thing with the economy is that is really about behavior. And is about who knows what. Again, I won't go over every single aspect that bothered me. But this one I found it worthy to note. After everything is set and done, Petula becomes mayor and people were back living their lives, and the economy was still doing bad, but no specifics. The thing is, Morris just told everyone who wanted to hear, about how they have been giving loans of money they didn't have. Considering that Banks make loans using the money of their customers. And, for what I've gather, the "economy problem" was basically inflation duo to the overheating of the economy by the excess of loans - made with money they didn't have -. After Morris tells everyone how they weren't really controlling the whole loaning situation, there would be a "Bank Run", also known as the collapse everyone was fearing this whole time, the equivalent of the "bubble bursting" if you will, leading to a recession and a Baking crises.
END OF RAMBLING ABOUT ECONOMICS
Regardless of all that. A "Penny for your soul" was an interest book. Even though my entertainment level was diminish by my frustration as an accountant - And that I refuse to believe that Morgan's father had every single loan he’d given paid in full - I do have to recognize that it was really good! I Loved the whole necromantic/dead vibe to it. The world building was smartly done and i'm forever impress with it. I'd love to read another book based on Necropolis, maybe with more vampires and other beings. (What just goes to show how enjoyable reading about this world is!). So I'll say that, if you are not an economist, and have a thing for the fantastical, the magical, and the slightly dead. Chances are that you'll like this book!
It took me a minute to get into this book. But as soon as I did I manage to really appreciate it! It was funny, the world was beautifully well crafted, incredibly morbid and so well thought through. The characters are amazing - I may not care for everyone and wish for a second death to a couple, but what matters is that Petula is my spirit animal and I love her -. The writing was fun and actually got me laughing out loud in a few precious moments, and the footnotes were just amazing, one of the best things, I loved them!
Ok. Considering all that, one might ask: "Why 3,5 stars and not 5 or 4?"
Well, this book is not my new bible or anything so, it would be a solid 4 star for me. But there was one aspect of this book that annoyed me more than it should, but it'll most likely not be noticed by almost anyone else. Is just that, you see, I'm an accounting student. Therefore, i know the abc of economics. And so, i found that the whole economy problem - which is a big theme in this book - wasn't really well constructed. (Plus, being only a student I had to seek validation to appease my states of confusion what led to a less continuous read, once i had to do a bit of researching and consulting with some colleagues).
WARNING - The following section may bore you to death. If you just don't care for the economy, just jump to after the "END OF RAMBLING ABOUT ECONOMICS". Thank you.
The thing is that you are told multiple time throughout this book of how bad the economy is, rather then shown how bad it is. It takes a long time for someone to explain what is the problem here, and i don't think it was that clearly explained neither. At some points, characters would say of how they have been in this crisis for years, without saying what exactly was said crises. And then someone else would say that it would take one bubble bursting to everything go to hell. Although the economy of the period before a bubble bursting does not seem to be going bad, usually there is great surprise because everyone just thinks everything is fine. What contradicts the whole "the economy has been bad for years" discourse that a lot of the characters take. (And also, I'll say that there was a type of debt bubble, but it wasn't really the main problem. The crises wouldn't be classified as a Speculative Bubble, and mentioning this bubble wasn't that necessary and made everything more confusing).
I feel like - in mine not so profound knowledge of economics - what should have gone a little more in consideration, is that a big part of the economy is who knows what, and what people believe in. Such aspect was overlooked, especially in the end of this book. And not being able to tell what information was known to all, and what information were known only to this specific group of people, was really a downside of this book for me. You know. The accountant.
I wont go over all the key points that made, in my opinion, the economic situation a bit of a mess - in the sense of, What type of crises, and in what stage of it are we dealing with here? - Mainly because it would make this review way too long and only an accountant or economist would understand and see if they agree or not. But i'll leave this one observation of this thing that I feel like it was overlooked. It does contain spoilers for the end of the book though.
So at the end of the book. Morris decides to do the "right" thing. And says this to everyone to hear:
"All of us were lying about our assets, giving more money out than there was to be given, and without caring where we gave it or if it was ever going to be paid back"
Now. The thing with the economy is that is really about behavior. And is about who knows what. Again, I won't go over every single aspect that bothered me. But this one I found it worthy to note. After everything is set and done, Petula becomes mayor and people were back living their lives, and the economy was still doing bad, but no specifics. The thing is, Morris just told everyone who wanted to hear, about how they have been giving loans of money they didn't have. Considering that Banks make loans using the money of their customers. And, for what I've gather, the "economy problem" was basically inflation duo to the overheating of the economy by the excess of loans - made with money they didn't have -. After Morris tells everyone how they weren't really controlling the whole loaning situation, there would be a "Bank Run", also known as the collapse everyone was fearing this whole time, the equivalent of the "bubble bursting" if you will, leading to a recession and a Baking crises.
END OF RAMBLING ABOUT ECONOMICS
Regardless of all that. A "Penny for your soul" was an interest book. Even though my entertainment level was diminish by my frustration as an accountant - And that I refuse to believe that Morgan's father had every single loan he’d given paid in full - I do have to recognize that it was really good! I Loved the whole necromantic/dead vibe to it. The world building was smartly done and i'm forever impress with it. I'd love to read another book based on Necropolis, maybe with more vampires and other beings. (What just goes to show how enjoyable reading about this world is!). So I'll say that, if you are not an economist, and have a thing for the fantastical, the magical, and the slightly dead. Chances are that you'll like this book!
sara_m_martins's review
2.5
you find yourself in a metropolitan city, but this one if filled with all types of magical creatures and undead people. think Ankh-Morpork but more New York, more gothic, more zombie-ish.
you follow a cast of characters, starting at an assassination, that meet and unmeet at several points in the story, until they all come together for the climax of the story.
the writing and tone of it were very similar to what you find on discworld, as i've mentioned Ankh-Morpork before.
i personally did not care for most of the characters - i thought most of them were purposefully dislikable, but everyone loves Petulla, our main character, so maybe i'm just in the minority here. i just don't care for her "i love books and am apathetic about society" schtick. this is such a character based story that this hurt my enjoyment of it. the most compelling characters were the ghouls, and their civilization - their aesthetic is a lot more airy and greek-like, even if they live underground. dark vs light academia perhaps? i digress. Petula and Agatha should be a couple, that's all i have to say; although an argument can be made for Petula being in the aroace spectrum.
i liked the satire regarding the political process, even if i got a bit lost at times. i did NOT get the economy part... how are they in a Terrible Economic Crisis For Years and there is also a bubble going on? from the text you can infer the bubble is going on but has not burst: if you have a bubble everything should be fine. only when it bursts it all goes to shit... also, i'm unsure which economical system each faction was trying to bring to the table, so i never got who was decent at economics. there was also some satire regarding the issue of equality and diversity on several fronts, which the city isn't great at, but it's one of the arcs.
Thank you to the author and Booktasters for providing me for a copy of this book for review.
you follow a cast of characters, starting at an assassination, that meet and unmeet at several points in the story, until they all come together for the climax of the story.
the writing and tone of it were very similar to what you find on discworld, as i've mentioned Ankh-Morpork before.
i personally did not care for most of the characters - i thought most of them were purposefully dislikable, but everyone loves Petulla, our main character, so maybe i'm just in the minority here. i just don't care for her "i love books and am apathetic about society" schtick. this is such a character based story that this hurt my enjoyment of it. the most compelling characters were the ghouls, and their civilization - their aesthetic is a lot more airy and greek-like, even if they live underground. dark vs light academia perhaps? i digress. Petula and Agatha should be a couple, that's all i have to say; although an argument can be made for Petula being in the aroace spectrum.
i liked the satire regarding the political process, even if i got a bit lost at times. i did NOT get the economy part... how are they in a Terrible Economic Crisis For Years and there is also a bubble going on? from the text you can infer the bubble is going on but has not burst: if you have a bubble everything should be fine. only when it bursts it all goes to shit... also, i'm unsure which economical system each faction was trying to bring to the table, so i never got who was decent at economics. there was also some satire regarding the issue of equality and diversity on several fronts, which the city isn't great at, but it's one of the arcs.
Thank you to the author and Booktasters for providing me for a copy of this book for review.
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