Scan barcode
c_morning'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
geekwayne's review
3.0
'Any Other Name' by Emma Newman is the second book in the Split Worlds series. I first found out about this series in a series of weekly short stories that got sent out by the author. This book takes place after the first full volume, not the stories.
The series takes place between our world and the world of the fae. In that world, there are warring factions and families. This story has lots of characters and story threads that continue on from the last time.
This time Catherine has been forced into an arranged marriage and the circumstances are stranger and more binding than a normal human wedding, including her strange wedding ring. Based on the rules, she just wants out. Meanwhile, Max is looking in to the Agency and Sam is finding odd things out over in Mundanus. The main characters are ok, but the book really starts to be interesting when Lord Iris and Lord Poppy get involved. They are probably the more interesting characters.
You really shouldn't begin with this book. You should start with Between Two Thorns or you will founder in the early part of this book. There isn't a recap to get you caught up.
I like Emma Newman's writing and her worldbuilding. I found some of the men characters to be a bit interchangeable and (no pun intended) mundane. I'd like to read more in the series. Book Three is out and Book Four is on the way. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Angry Robot and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The series takes place between our world and the world of the fae. In that world, there are warring factions and families. This story has lots of characters and story threads that continue on from the last time.
This time Catherine has been forced into an arranged marriage and the circumstances are stranger and more binding than a normal human wedding, including her strange wedding ring. Based on the rules, she just wants out. Meanwhile, Max is looking in to the Agency and Sam is finding odd things out over in Mundanus. The main characters are ok, but the book really starts to be interesting when Lord Iris and Lord Poppy get involved. They are probably the more interesting characters.
You really shouldn't begin with this book. You should start with Between Two Thorns or you will founder in the early part of this book. There isn't a recap to get you caught up.
I like Emma Newman's writing and her worldbuilding. I found some of the men characters to be a bit interchangeable and (no pun intended) mundane. I'd like to read more in the series. Book Three is out and Book Four is on the way. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Angry Robot and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
halcyone's review
4.0
Originally posted at The Cozy Armchair.
I’ve had a really hard time writing this review. Margaret can attest to this because I made her sit on Skype with me and “cheer me on” (AKA: let me send funny videos to her) while I whined about how difficult it is to write reviews for sequels. I think my feelings about Any Other Name can be summed up in the following way: It was just as great as the first book, period. This makes me seem so nonchalant about the story, but I was super invested back when I read it. (This is definitely a lesson in not writing your reviews months after actually reading the book.)
Anyway, let’s get this review started:
Any Other Name picks up where Between Two Thorns left off, with Cathy on her way to her obligatory wedding to Will Iris. This kickstarts a series of changes in Cathy’s life that forces her to reevaluate her position in Aqua Sulis. Meanwhile, Sam is trying to return to his normal life but that turns out to be harder than it seems, especially as his wife grows more and more distant from him due to her job. Furthermore, Max and his gargoyle companion continue their investigation into all the Arbiter deaths.
As before, the set of rotating POVs keeps the story moving at a steady pace, which still might not be fast enough for some readers. I didn’t find it to be slow at all because I was so interested in the details of the worldbuilding and the characters that I didn’t mind the pace. On Cathy’s side, there’s more on the elaborate social setup of Aquae Sulis, and it’s just as oppressive and frustrating as before, but I liked learning the politics of the place especially as Will is pushed toward becoming Duke of Londinium.
Speaking of Will, he was definitely less likeable to me this time around, even though multiple external forces were acting on him to push him toward making shitty decisions and acting like a total asshat. I’m still conflicted about Will because he can be charming but he can also be such a tool. Although he tries to get Cathy to warm up to him, she continuously pushes him away because she does not want to live this life with him. Their relationship is extremely frustrating, and while I can see how her behavior puts him in a difficult position, some of his decisions regarding her are upsetting. Still, I can see how they are probably meant to come together in the end, so I’m curious to see how this will happen. They’re far from the average couple in the fantasy books I’ve read recently!
Max’s storyline is less interesting by far because it’s really hard to see how his investigations have anything to do with what is going on in Cathy and Sam’s worlds. Having no soul, he remains super hard to connect to, which I guess means Newman succeeded in characterizing him as a proper Arbiter. The gargoyle remains a favorite of mine; he plays the role of quirky sidekick well and is the only bright spot in Max’s dreary narrative.
Sam was excellent though. I really enjoyed the way his storyline is developing and the hints at the Iron fae. Let me assure you that he does cross paths with Cathy again. Their interactions were one of my favorite parts last time and we definitely get more in Any Other Name. Cathy stands strong on her own though. Although most of her POV includes some self pity, plans for escape, and other thoughts, she embarks on an investigation into her old governess, who was her inspiration for rebellion, that is really interesting. Beyond that, there are hints at a feminist underground in Aquae Sulis that I can’t wait to see explored later. (Okay, I make it sound more badass than it is, but Cathy does get told to stop thinking she is such a special snowflake, which was SO GOOD.)
While some questions from Between Two Thorns were answered, way more plot threads were introduced in Any Other Name and I’m really excited to see how they’re addressed in the next book. Considering the book ends on a pretty rough note, I imagine we’re in for quite a ride in the next installment.
I’ve had a really hard time writing this review. Margaret can attest to this because I made her sit on Skype with me and “cheer me on” (AKA: let me send funny videos to her) while I whined about how difficult it is to write reviews for sequels. I think my feelings about Any Other Name can be summed up in the following way: It was just as great as the first book, period. This makes me seem so nonchalant about the story, but I was super invested back when I read it. (This is definitely a lesson in not writing your reviews months after actually reading the book.)
Anyway, let’s get this review started:
Any Other Name picks up where Between Two Thorns left off, with Cathy on her way to her obligatory wedding to Will Iris. This kickstarts a series of changes in Cathy’s life that forces her to reevaluate her position in Aqua Sulis. Meanwhile, Sam is trying to return to his normal life but that turns out to be harder than it seems, especially as his wife grows more and more distant from him due to her job. Furthermore, Max and his gargoyle companion continue their investigation into all the Arbiter deaths.
As before, the set of rotating POVs keeps the story moving at a steady pace, which still might not be fast enough for some readers. I didn’t find it to be slow at all because I was so interested in the details of the worldbuilding and the characters that I didn’t mind the pace. On Cathy’s side, there’s more on the elaborate social setup of Aquae Sulis, and it’s just as oppressive and frustrating as before, but I liked learning the politics of the place especially as Will is pushed toward becoming Duke of Londinium.
Speaking of Will, he was definitely less likeable to me this time around, even though multiple external forces were acting on him to push him toward making shitty decisions and acting like a total asshat. I’m still conflicted about Will because he can be charming but he can also be such a tool. Although he tries to get Cathy to warm up to him, she continuously pushes him away because she does not want to live this life with him. Their relationship is extremely frustrating, and while I can see how her behavior puts him in a difficult position, some of his decisions regarding her are upsetting. Still, I can see how they are probably meant to come together in the end, so I’m curious to see how this will happen. They’re far from the average couple in the fantasy books I’ve read recently!
Max’s storyline is less interesting by far because it’s really hard to see how his investigations have anything to do with what is going on in Cathy and Sam’s worlds. Having no soul, he remains super hard to connect to, which I guess means Newman succeeded in characterizing him as a proper Arbiter. The gargoyle remains a favorite of mine; he plays the role of quirky sidekick well and is the only bright spot in Max’s dreary narrative.
Sam was excellent though. I really enjoyed the way his storyline is developing and the hints at the Iron fae. Let me assure you that he does cross paths with Cathy again. Their interactions were one of my favorite parts last time and we definitely get more in Any Other Name. Cathy stands strong on her own though. Although most of her POV includes some self pity, plans for escape, and other thoughts, she embarks on an investigation into her old governess, who was her inspiration for rebellion, that is really interesting. Beyond that, there are hints at a feminist underground in Aquae Sulis that I can’t wait to see explored later. (Okay, I make it sound more badass than it is, but Cathy does get told to stop thinking she is such a special snowflake, which was SO GOOD.)
While some questions from Between Two Thorns were answered, way more plot threads were introduced in Any Other Name and I’m really excited to see how they’re addressed in the next book. Considering the book ends on a pretty rough note, I imagine we’re in for quite a ride in the next installment.
emilyrandolph_epstein's review
4.0
I'm loving this series and the way Newman puts her characters into terribly difficult and unexpected positions.
rosieclaverton's review against another edition
4.0
The second book is where it all kicks off in The Split Worlds. The characters really feel alive, the plot never slows, and the relationships are thorny and tangled as a Rosa curse.
Couldn't put it down.
Couldn't put it down.
patchworkbunny's review
4.0
Cathy has plans to escape out the window the night before her wedding to William but her family have other ideas. She wakes up trying to remember what it was she was meant to do. Meanwhile, Sam is trying to get back to normal life and patch up his marriage but he’s not even sure he’s married to the same woman any more. There’s definitely something strange about her new employer.
It did take me a while to get into the first book, so it was great to just dive into the story, picking up the threads that were left hanging from Between Two Thorns. The gargoyle has less of a part to play this time, but he’s there alongside Max who is still trying to work out who is to blame for the destruction of his chapter. Again, there is a lot going on, but this works as part of a series.
Again, there’s a lot about the oppression of women in the Nether Society. If it were as simple as Cathy marrying her parents’ choice and having her own life, it would be easier to swallow. But her every action is monitored and controlled. The Iris family make Lord Poppy seem like a puppy (I wish there was more of Lord Poppy) and the tension rises as you can’t see how Cathy can win. However Cathy reluctantly sets up house and I loved the insight into the customs and goings on behind doors. Of course, Cathy plans to shake things up a bit.
This line stuck out for me because I was feeling a little bit sorry for William. He doesn’t have a choice in the marriage either and is in love with another woman. He brings forward the date to rescue Cathy from the abuse at the hands of her father and she throws it in his face. He is kind, and OK he has a bit on the side, but I found Cathy to be blinded by her own anger and couldn’t see that he was trying to make the most of a bad situation. He doesn’t even mind her reading books! I hope she is kinder to him in the next instalment as she seems to become aware of her selfishness.
I love the world and I love the little bits of humour. The best part is, I don’t have to wait another year for the final instalment which is due out in October. You can also read weekly shorts stories set in the same world for free at Split Worlds.
It did take me a while to get into the first book, so it was great to just dive into the story, picking up the threads that were left hanging from Between Two Thorns. The gargoyle has less of a part to play this time, but he’s there alongside Max who is still trying to work out who is to blame for the destruction of his chapter. Again, there is a lot going on, but this works as part of a series.
Again, there’s a lot about the oppression of women in the Nether Society. If it were as simple as Cathy marrying her parents’ choice and having her own life, it would be easier to swallow. But her every action is monitored and controlled. The Iris family make Lord Poppy seem like a puppy (I wish there was more of Lord Poppy) and the tension rises as you can’t see how Cathy can win. However Cathy reluctantly sets up house and I loved the insight into the customs and goings on behind doors. Of course, Cathy plans to shake things up a bit.
She’d said with such bitterness that women didn’t have any choices, but she didn’t realise that so few of the men did either.
This line stuck out for me because I was feeling a little bit sorry for William. He doesn’t have a choice in the marriage either and is in love with another woman. He brings forward the date to rescue Cathy from the abuse at the hands of her father and she throws it in his face. He is kind, and OK he has a bit on the side, but I found Cathy to be blinded by her own anger and couldn’t see that he was trying to make the most of a bad situation. He doesn’t even mind her reading books! I hope she is kinder to him in the next instalment as she seems to become aware of her selfishness.
I love the world and I love the little bits of humour. The best part is, I don’t have to wait another year for the final instalment which is due out in October. You can also read weekly shorts stories set in the same world for free at Split Worlds.
waclements7's review
4.0
Whoa. This is getting more and more complicated. I’m so glad I have the whole series at once. I so feel for both Cathy and Will. They’re both being manipulated. I still feel worse for Cathy.
ginnikin's review
The book did many things I didn't like, but it had established interesting characters (some--some bored the piss out of me) and situations, so I kept going. It really is a middle book, which is unfortunate.