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thebackcatalogue's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Zabé Ellor’s first foray into Adult SFF is an overly ambitious novel of revenge that doesn’t quite hit the mark. Characters often flip-flop between motivations, and his world overstuffed with elements. Silk Fire is a confusing read that doesn’t live up to the author’s ambitions. — Full Review on thebackcatalogue.substack.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Violence
Graphic: Sexual Content, Rape, Sexual Assault Depicted: Violence, Homophobia, Gendered Violence (on Men), Sexism, Gender Essentialism Mentioned: Forced Marriage (Male to Female)rcsreads's review
I was really excited to read this but it really needed a good edit. The world building is just poorly written information dump a lot of which doesn't make sense, people constantly have really forced, unnatural conversations which are clearly just there to give me information. The city planet has no sense of scale or geography and seemed to descend down a long way in ruins, it reminded me of mega city 1 but more nonsensical. Also, one district has been lost for like 10,000 years but they somehow haven't changed in anyway and still speak the same language.
The planet is a matriarchy but they've just given the women the most stereotypical toxic male behaviour and vice versa. I think they were trying to be clever and make a point but they have failed.
The sex scenes are badly written and terrible and I think the main character is supposed to be using sex for political purposes but they're really bad at it.
A good premise, badly executed.
The planet is a matriarchy but they've just given the women the most stereotypical toxic male behaviour and vice versa. I think they were trying to be clever and make a point but they have failed.
The sex scenes are badly written and terrible and I think the main character is supposed to be using sex for political purposes but they're really bad at it.
A good premise, badly executed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Violence, Trafficking, Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Vomit, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-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
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Damn this was brutal, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Y'all this book is incredibly. There is so much going on and I was thrilled by it. But also there are lots of sex scenes and very graphic ones so if that's not your thing, you probably don't want to read this. There is a shit ton of slow moving action, political intrigue, betrayal etc so you will need to strap in for this read. Think in terms of The Unbroken or The Priory of the Orange Tree.
Silk Fire is an epic fantasy world with a matriarchal society. This story follows Koré, a bastard to his aristocratic father. Koré has had to make his own way in a city that caters to the elite and wealthy. Disowned from his biological family, Koré has worked as a sex worker/courtesan and has made a reputation for himself as one of the best. When the Judge of the city begins to fall ill, Koré knows he'll stop at nothing to keep his father from being appointed the next judge. But a chance encounter with a dying god imbues him with magic-breathing powers and Koré finds himself hunted.
This was so good. I cannot sing enough praises about this book. I loved it so much. I will admit it did take a bit to get familiar with the names and the way this society worked. I wish I knew it was matriarchal from the get go, because once I figured that out so many things made so much more sense!!
There was so much betrayal though and damn it hurt me a little bit. I can't believe this is only a standalone. I have so many questions about what happens next. I loved the journey Koré went on with dealing with all the trauma he's suffered. I want to see more of him being happy. His triad makes me so happy and soft. I want more of it.
Also there be dragons here. You're welcome.
Rep: Mainly BIPOC cast. Polyamorous bisexual male MC, female love interest, achillean male love interest, trans female side character, various queer side characters.
CWs from the author: violence against sex workers, including threatened SA, groping, and one scene of dubcon. Discussions of historical colonization and genocide, cyclical violence. Child neglect, emotional and physical
CWs from me: Emotional abuse, sexual content (there are a lot of sex scenes), toxic relationship, violence, sexism, misandry, sexual assault, classism, child abuse, death, sexual violence, death of parent, murder, sexual harassment, war, violence, alcohol consumption, alcoholism, addiction, generalized trauma. Moderate: fire that doesn't burn, infertility, colonisation, genocide, child neglect. Minor: transphobia/transmisia, queerphobia/queermisia.
Damn this was brutal, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Y'all this book is incredibly. There is so much going on and I was thrilled by it. But also there are lots of sex scenes and very graphic ones so if that's not your thing, you probably don't want to read this. There is a shit ton of slow moving action, political intrigue, betrayal etc so you will need to strap in for this read. Think in terms of The Unbroken or The Priory of the Orange Tree.
Silk Fire is an epic fantasy world with a matriarchal society. This story follows Koré, a bastard to his aristocratic father. Koré has had to make his own way in a city that caters to the elite and wealthy. Disowned from his biological family, Koré has worked as a sex worker/courtesan and has made a reputation for himself as one of the best. When the Judge of the city begins to fall ill, Koré knows he'll stop at nothing to keep his father from being appointed the next judge. But a chance encounter with a dying god imbues him with magic-breathing powers and Koré finds himself hunted.
This was so good. I cannot sing enough praises about this book. I loved it so much. I will admit it did take a bit to get familiar with the names and the way this society worked. I wish I knew it was matriarchal from the get go, because once I figured that out so many things made so much more sense!!
There was so much betrayal though and damn it hurt me a little bit. I can't believe this is only a standalone. I have so many questions about what happens next. I loved the journey Koré went on with dealing with all the trauma he's suffered. I want to see more of him being happy. His triad makes me so happy and soft. I want more of it.
Also there be dragons here. You're welcome.
Rep: Mainly BIPOC cast. Polyamorous bisexual male MC, female love interest, achillean male love interest, trans female side character, various queer side characters.
CWs from the author: violence against sex workers, including threatened SA, groping, and one scene of dubcon. Discussions of historical colonization and genocide, cyclical violence. Child neglect, emotional and physical
CWs from me: Emotional abuse, sexual content (there are a lot of sex scenes), toxic relationship, violence, sexism, misandry, sexual assault, classism, child abuse, death, sexual violence, death of parent, murder, sexual harassment, war, violence, alcohol consumption, alcoholism, addiction, generalized trauma. Moderate: fire that doesn't burn, infertility, colonisation, genocide, child neglect. Minor: transphobia/transmisia, queerphobia/queermisia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, and Infertility
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
elizajaquays's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
When I heard bisexual dragon with a poly endgame relationship, I knew I had to pick this book up! It has absolutely gorgeous world-building and a whole cast of morally grey characters trying their best.
This is not a quick-paced action packed read, but rather one where you will need time to immerse yourself into the world. While Koré was quick to throw himself into the action, the book has a slow buildup in tension and I was about halfway in before I was completely hooked and at that point I wasn’t able to put it down.
Silk Fire’s strengths are definitely in the storytelling and the intricate weaving of motivations and goals that shift with every piece of new information. It’s primary weakness would be that the characters feel like cardboard props for the world building for the first third of the novel and the sex scenes manage to be both gratuitous and clinical at the same time.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading it and am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
This is not a quick-paced action packed read, but rather one where you will need time to immerse yourself into the world. While Koré was quick to throw himself into the action, the book has a slow buildup in tension and I was about halfway in before I was completely hooked and at that point I wasn’t able to put it down.
Silk Fire’s strengths are definitely in the storytelling and the intricate weaving of motivations and goals that shift with every piece of new information. It’s primary weakness would be that the characters feel like cardboard props for the world building for the first third of the novel and the sex scenes manage to be both gratuitous and clinical at the same time.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading it and am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Classism, Death of parent, and Sexism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Violence, Infidelity, Murder, War, and Alcoholism
Minor: Vomit
sophiareads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
1.0
Rating: 1/5 stars
Content Warnings: Violence, murder, on page sex scenes, sexual assault, slut shaming
Reading the blurb for this book had me really excited - it sounded fascinating and definitely my kind of thing. Unfortunately, in reality I really struggled to get through it. If I hadn't been going to review it, I likely would have given up and DNFed because I just found it quite exhausting to read. I was often confused about what was going on, and too much of what I did understand I wasn't a huge fan of.
Silk Fire is a real sci-fi/fantasy mashup, with world-building combining magical and technological elements. In this matriarchal society, Koré is a courtesan hell bent on getting revenge on his wealthy father, by sabotaging his run for political office. By chance, Koré is imbued with draconic power by a dying god, making him the last dragon - a new source of the previously finite supply of 'essence'. Koré navigates a world of political intrigue, with stakes rising with the appearance of a necromantic threat.
Though overall I really struggled with this book, there were some elements I enjoyed. This was mostly in the world-building. I thought the concept of essence was quite unique and interesting. I also appreciated the incorporation of queer characters. Koré, the main character, is bisexual, and many other leading characters are queer. Their queerness is important to their characters, but not all-encompassing, which was nice to see. I particularly liked the explanation of how trans characters fit in this world. The characters are complex (though sometimes a little too complex - all the back and forth double-crossing and betrayal was tough to follow at times) and I particularly liked Ria and Faziz, the two love interests.
However, I did have a fair few issues with the book. The story takes place in a matriarchal society, which had me a little on edge, since the author is a man. I do think women are better placed to write an effective matriarchal society, as we inherently better understand the nuances of patriarchy better than a man can. I definitely did have some issues with the portrayal of this type of gender power balance. I thought a lot of it was very on-the-nose, just taking the exact experiences of patriarchy and gender-swapping them. For example, there is talk of 'male representation in media' which is very much just taking criticisms of misogyny in media and swapping the pronouns. I just feel this is an inherently uninteresting way to portray a matriarchal society. It also grated on me a little that plenty of the nastier elements of real-life patriarchy are portrayed in this book, only gender swapped. Knowing that these descriptions of women perpetuating the terrible things that happen in real life TO women was written by a man made me a bit uncomfortable.
Silk Fire has a very complex plot, but the way it's written only serves to make it more confusing. This was a book I didn't find myself wanting to pick up to continue, because it felt like such a slog just trying to understand what was happening. Some other elements made it an awkward read - the dialogue is a real mix of the kind of language you'd usually find in fantasy books and also very modern, colloquial dialogue. I thought this was an interesting idea, but ultimately not well enough executed to make it anything more than disjointed and disorientating. While I definitely liked the concept of including fantasy elements alongside things like cameras, hoverships, and bad movies, I also felt like this just made the book feel like it didn't know what it wanted to be.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Sexual assault
lycanhood's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Okay, so this cover is incredible! Everything about it is amazing! As soon as I saw it I knew I had to get my hands on this book. The color palette, the dragon scales, the name! It's firing on all cylinders, the cover designer and artist deserve major props.
Unfortunately...I'm sorry to say that the book contained within the cover is a mess 😬 Let's get into it, spoiler-free (unless otherwise stated)...
This book takes place in a grim fantasy world sparkling with a mix of technology and magic, steeped in moral bankruptcy, political scheming, & cruel classism.
This world is divided into those who have and those who have not, and what they have and have not is a magical force called essence, kind of like life-force that all living beings naturally produce but that can also be collected, stolen, hoarded, and freely given between people. This essence enhances an individual's own life-force allowing them to live longer, be stronger, faster, smarter, more beautiful. And so of course it's hoarded by the rich and powerful.
The story's MC, Kore BrightStar, is an illegitimate bastard son living on the edges of this world's most elite society. He is a high-end courtesan that owns his own brothel and uses his unseemly connections & natural charm to politically maneuver revenge against his highborne father.
This book is trying to do ALOT. Probably too much. It is a non-stop political backstabbing twisty turney roller coaster that moves at a nonsensical breakneck pace. Especially in the beginning and the whole second half of this book it is hard to know what is actually going on a lot of the times. It can be difficult to know where you are in terms of setting. Scenes shift as quickly and unpleasantly as loyalties in this book. It's really a problem in terms of storytelling more so than in terms of plot. I think this plot sort of stripped down is not in itself bad, but the way it's being told narratively is unfortunate and frustrating to read.
The author tried to build this hybrid sci-fi fantasy world that mixes technology ancient magic, old feuds ancient myths, gods, rulers, dragons, nacromancers, political Intrigue, romance, flashbacks, sword fights, zombies, magic, daddy issues.... And it's not to say all of these things can't or shouldn't exist within one story or one book. In fact we know that they can and maybe should, BUT this is just things thrown at the wall. I can see how this if it were cleaned up and parsed out and sort of taken by a firm hand might have made a fantastic story and a really enriched kind of unique sci-fi hybrid world... This just isn't it. It's unpolished and confusing to look at. It's hard to have a real sense of the setting or the world outside of Kore's head & the blinding light of his emotions.
Kore is not a bad protagonist though he may come off as a bit overdramatic at times. Flip-flopping from one extreme to the next. But that can be forgiven in an angsty tortured soul protagonist, and he goes through real character development throughout the course of the story. If anything his character arc is the steady line in the storm of this book. The book is about Kore learning his own self-worth, what it means to be loved, and how to recognize that when it comes along.
The romance and the love interests are also not poorly done. In fact I would say if the book had slowed down, pulled back on the political reigns, focused a little bit more on the relationship(s) between Kore & his love interest it would have really benefited an emotional payoff towards the end. His love interests are interesting as complex as the breakneck pacing will allow them to be, noble but not innocent, and distinctly different from one another in a way that gives the polyamorous relationship depth. They both work as good matches for Kore, and I really wish this book had given us more of that and more of the three of them together. Because let's be honest I came here for the polyamory and let's be really honest I stayed here for the polyamory.
The truth is I almost stopped reading this book multiple times. Once very close to the beginning when I just was rubbed entirely the wrong way by the writing style. Because in those first few chapters there is absolutely no hand holding you are thrown into a political shark tank full of fantasy world terms, references, character/place names, and it is a total bombardment. However I stuck with it for the polyamory (and for the promise of dragons). And honestly it got a little bit better and I was genuinely enjoying it leading up to the halfway point, and then there's this big climactic thing that happens around chapter 16 and it honestly felt like the end of the book or a book. And then everything fell apart again and the plot gets really jumbly the pacing gets out of whack again and I had to force myself to finish the second half of the book.
If you're coming here for the dragons you're going to be disappointed. Not going into spoilers so I won't say much more than that but if you're here for the dragons this is not the place to be. If you're here for the polyamory there is that and it's not poorly done but there's not really enough of it. I wanted so much more of it and you have to get through so much political bull and like angsty daddy issue stuff, to get little enjoyable glimpses of the polyamory.
*To confirm, this book does contain a canon polyamorous relationship, between two men and a woman.*
Overall this book was pretty disappointing and right on the verge of DNF territory. I think the author had some really cool ideas for a fantasy world, and I think there is something to be said for the political plot line and intrigue but it's suffocating and overwhelming. The polyamorous relationship and the characters they're in had a lot of potential and we're at times enjoyable but there just wasn't enough of it. I don't think I'll be continuing on with this series if it is supposed to be a series (I have no idea). But I would consider reading this author again if I felt like they had maybe been more heavily edited and polished, because this book just needed a lot more love.
Trigger Warnings: graphic sex (lots of sex like in every other chapter there's sex), violence, War, classism, sexism, sexual violence, degrading sex, sex games, murder, fire, death of a parent, child abuse, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, name calling, gore, brutality
Unfortunately...I'm sorry to say that the book contained within the cover is a mess 😬 Let's get into it, spoiler-free (unless otherwise stated)...
This book takes place in a grim fantasy world sparkling with a mix of technology and magic, steeped in moral bankruptcy, political scheming, & cruel classism.
This world is divided into those who have and those who have not, and what they have and have not is a magical force called essence, kind of like life-force that all living beings naturally produce but that can also be collected, stolen, hoarded, and freely given between people. This essence enhances an individual's own life-force allowing them to live longer, be stronger, faster, smarter, more beautiful. And so of course it's hoarded by the rich and powerful.
The story's MC, Kore BrightStar, is an illegitimate bastard son living on the edges of this world's most elite society. He is a high-end courtesan that owns his own brothel and uses his unseemly connections & natural charm to politically maneuver revenge against his highborne father.
This book is trying to do ALOT. Probably too much. It is a non-stop political backstabbing twisty turney roller coaster that moves at a nonsensical breakneck pace. Especially in the beginning and the whole second half of this book it is hard to know what is actually going on a lot of the times. It can be difficult to know where you are in terms of setting. Scenes shift as quickly and unpleasantly as loyalties in this book. It's really a problem in terms of storytelling more so than in terms of plot. I think this plot sort of stripped down is not in itself bad, but the way it's being told narratively is unfortunate and frustrating to read.
The author tried to build this hybrid sci-fi fantasy world that mixes technology ancient magic, old feuds ancient myths, gods, rulers, dragons, nacromancers, political Intrigue, romance, flashbacks, sword fights, zombies, magic, daddy issues.... And it's not to say all of these things can't or shouldn't exist within one story or one book. In fact we know that they can and maybe should, BUT this is just things thrown at the wall. I can see how this if it were cleaned up and parsed out and sort of taken by a firm hand might have made a fantastic story and a really enriched kind of unique sci-fi hybrid world... This just isn't it. It's unpolished and confusing to look at. It's hard to have a real sense of the setting or the world outside of Kore's head & the blinding light of his emotions.
Kore is not a bad protagonist though he may come off as a bit overdramatic at times. Flip-flopping from one extreme to the next. But that can be forgiven in an angsty tortured soul protagonist, and he goes through real character development throughout the course of the story. If anything his character arc is the steady line in the storm of this book. The book is about Kore learning his own self-worth, what it means to be loved, and how to recognize that when it comes along.
The romance and the love interests are also not poorly done. In fact I would say if the book had slowed down, pulled back on the political reigns, focused a little bit more on the relationship(s) between Kore & his love interest it would have really benefited an emotional payoff towards the end. His love interests are interesting as complex as the breakneck pacing will allow them to be, noble but not innocent, and distinctly different from one another in a way that gives the polyamorous relationship depth. They both work as good matches for Kore, and I really wish this book had given us more of that and more of the three of them together. Because let's be honest I came here for the polyamory and let's be really honest I stayed here for the polyamory.
The truth is I almost stopped reading this book multiple times. Once very close to the beginning when I just was rubbed entirely the wrong way by the writing style. Because in those first few chapters there is absolutely no hand holding you are thrown into a political shark tank full of fantasy world terms, references, character/place names, and it is a total bombardment. However I stuck with it for the polyamory (and for the promise of dragons). And honestly it got a little bit better and I was genuinely enjoying it leading up to the halfway point, and then there's this big climactic thing that happens around chapter 16 and it honestly felt like the end of the book or a book. And then everything fell apart again and the plot gets really jumbly the pacing gets out of whack again and I had to force myself to finish the second half of the book.
If you're coming here for the dragons you're going to be disappointed. Not going into spoilers so I won't say much more than that but if you're here for the dragons this is not the place to be. If you're here for the polyamory there is that and it's not poorly done but there's not really enough of it. I wanted so much more of it and you have to get through so much political bull and like angsty daddy issue stuff, to get little enjoyable glimpses of the polyamory.
*To confirm, this book does contain a canon polyamorous relationship, between two men and a woman.*
Overall this book was pretty disappointing and right on the verge of DNF territory. I think the author had some really cool ideas for a fantasy world, and I think there is something to be said for the political plot line and intrigue but it's suffocating and overwhelming. The polyamorous relationship and the characters they're in had a lot of potential and we're at times enjoyable but there just wasn't enough of it. I don't think I'll be continuing on with this series if it is supposed to be a series (I have no idea). But I would consider reading this author again if I felt like they had maybe been more heavily edited and polished, because this book just needed a lot more love.
Trigger Warnings: graphic sex (lots of sex like in every other chapter there's sex), violence, War, classism, sexism, sexual violence, degrading sex, sex games, murder, fire, death of a parent, child abuse, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, name calling, gore, brutality
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Classism, Death, Violence, and War
bkwrm1317's review
Big thanks to NetGalley + Rebellion Publishing for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Really interesting premise with a beautiful cover (dragons + dinosaurs + spaceships? + matrilineal/matriarchal society + political intrigue + polyamory + trans folk + sex work + magic of a sort + lots more) and interesting universe. Unfortunately, this is a DNF for me due to pacing + muddled narrative (some chapters kept me on the line/made me turn the page, but then I'd stumble into one that felt chaotic and incredibly difficult to follow). This is an ambitious book whose execution felt lacking for me and/or could benefit from intensive editing for greater clarity for the reader.
Some additional that had me struggling with this read included:
- lots of info dumping that didn't end up providing clarity about the universe or setting (as a reader I want to know the things I need to know, and am happy with unfamiliar/universe-specific words for things that I'll figure out with context but that balance was off with this one)
- execution of the gender role reversal bit (love the concept here, but the execution felt like a simple 180 of clichéd understandings of gender roles for this reader)
Also note: not for the faint of heart (please read TWs before picking this one up), but potentially the right fit for folks who enjoy heavier SFF and are comfortable with the type of content covered by TWs.
Really interesting premise with a beautiful cover (dragons + dinosaurs + spaceships? + matrilineal/matriarchal society + political intrigue + polyamory + trans folk + sex work + magic of a sort + lots more) and interesting universe. Unfortunately, this is a DNF for me due to pacing + muddled narrative (some chapters kept me on the line/made me turn the page, but then I'd stumble into one that felt chaotic and incredibly difficult to follow). This is an ambitious book whose execution felt lacking for me and/or could benefit from intensive editing for greater clarity for the reader.
Some additional that had me struggling with this read included:
- lots of info dumping that didn't end up providing clarity about the universe or setting (as a reader I want to know the things I need to know, and am happy with unfamiliar/universe-specific words for things that I'll figure out with context but that balance was off with this one)
- execution of the gender role reversal bit (love the concept here, but the execution felt like a simple 180 of clichéd understandings of gender roles for this reader)
Also note: not for the faint of heart (please read TWs before picking this one up), but potentially the right fit for folks who enjoy heavier SFF and are comfortable with the type of content covered by TWs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Murder
Sex worker protagonist, lots of consent + sexual violence issues (not implied with a sex worker protagonist obvi, but was of issue in Silk Fire).e_flah's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Silk Fire had me hooked and excited for the first 35-40% of the story but started to lose me with lack of substantive world-building and rushed pace.
To start with what I enjoyed about Silk Fire, Koré’s growth over the course of the story was well done. His choices could be frustrating at times but they all seemed grounded by his past experiences, which made them believable. He makes strides forward then reacts to situations in ways informed by his past traumas. I was really rooting for Koré to learn to trust others and open himself up to loving, healthy relationships. I wish a little more of this growth had been seen on-page, rather than sort of implied, but still enjoyed seeing Koré grow over the course of Silk Fire.
There are lots of neat, creative details about life in Jadzia that make it seem like the story is set in a well-developed world but didn’t really hold up to close scrutiny. I don’t mind SFF that throws readers in the deep end and leaves them to figure out how things work but there needs to be some pay-off for that. I finished Silk Fire still puzzling over the basic geography of the setting – is the street/ground level accessible to ordinary people? How does travel between these giant buildings work? How many districts are there in total? The details were really great and helped catch my interest in the beginning but more explanation about how things worked would’ve gone a long way to give the plot more meaning to the reader. One example is that a key plot arc is Koré’s quest to get Akizeké elected as the next Judge of War District. However, it’s unclear what the Judge of War’s duties are and why the position is considered the most powerful in the district. The Judge controls a big store of Essence, which makes people stronger and more beautiful, but we don’t learn what they do with all of this magical power.
There is no time to breathe in this story. There are so many elements competing for the reader’s attention in Silk Fire that it’s hard to really take in them all. Koré is basically pulled from one crisis to another, which doesn’t leave a lot of time to see his relationships with other characters develop. While I love a fast-paced story, I wish Silk Fire had slowed down a little bit to make room for additional world-building and character development of important side characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
To start with what I enjoyed about Silk Fire, Koré’s growth over the course of the story was well done. His choices could be frustrating at times but they all seemed grounded by his past experiences, which made them believable. He makes strides forward then reacts to situations in ways informed by his past traumas. I was really rooting for Koré to learn to trust others and open himself up to loving, healthy relationships. I wish a little more of this growth had been seen on-page, rather than sort of implied, but still enjoyed seeing Koré grow over the course of Silk Fire.
There are lots of neat, creative details about life in Jadzia that make it seem like the story is set in a well-developed world but didn’t really hold up to close scrutiny. I don’t mind SFF that throws readers in the deep end and leaves them to figure out how things work but there needs to be some pay-off for that. I finished Silk Fire still puzzling over the basic geography of the setting – is the street/ground level accessible to ordinary people? How does travel between these giant buildings work? How many districts are there in total? The details were really great and helped catch my interest in the beginning but more explanation about how things worked would’ve gone a long way to give the plot more meaning to the reader. One example is that a key plot arc is Koré’s quest to get Akizeké elected as the next Judge of War District. However, it’s unclear what the Judge of War’s duties are and why the position is considered the most powerful in the district. The Judge controls a big store of Essence, which makes people stronger and more beautiful, but we don’t learn what they do with all of this magical power.
There is no time to breathe in this story. There are so many elements competing for the reader’s attention in Silk Fire that it’s hard to really take in them all. Koré is basically pulled from one crisis to another, which doesn’t leave a lot of time to see his relationships with other characters develop. While I love a fast-paced story, I wish Silk Fire had slowed down a little bit to make room for additional world-building and character development of important side characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexism
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