Reviews

The Master of Samar by Melissa Scott

aceofwands90's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

kmi's review against another edition

4.0

The book was about confusing un it's world building, which I could feel existed, but wasn't explained plainly enough. However, I loved the gay relationship that's there but already established, and not the center of the plot. I think it's rare in fantasy anyway, but even rarer with gay books. So that was great!

emilyrpf's review

adventurous mysterious 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? No

3.5

kathflynn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

siavahda's review against another edition

5.0

As usual from Scott, a beautiful standalone that manages a fabulous cast, plenty of intrigue, and a superficially simple but massively fascinating magic system!

I cannot believe how much Scott managed to fit into just over 300 pages, without anything feeling cramped or rushed. The sheer skill!!! I will admit I was left a little uncertain about the plans of the villains - I don't feel like I fully understood what the villains intended, or what some of the players thought the goal was - but I enjoyed myself far too much to quibble about it.

Full review to come, if all the words Scott knocked out of me ever come back!

tui_reads's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

3.75 feels like damning with faint praise. I really really enjoyed this book, read it in a single day, and it has what are hallmarks of Scott's fantasy work for me - intimate relationships depicted gracefully, people who care about each other and about the world around them, a world around them that is realistically crappy but not unrealistically irredeemable, the main cast's investment in each other and the people around them. I particularly loved the parts of this book that are about rebuilding a household. It's not transcendent the way Water Horse was for me but it's simply a really enjoyable read. 

vespix's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

jlannh's review against another edition

4.0

An enjoyable fantasy, set in a Venice analog, with a compelling magic system rooted in regulated (and unregulated) demon contracts. Also, immensely satisfying — except for the fact that I now yearn for a sequel, prequel, or both.

brims's review

This seems interesting, but it’s just not the kind of book I’m looking for right now. I’ll have to give it another try when I’m in the right mood.

artemisia_vulgaris's review

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

Like every Candlemark & Gleam book I’ve read, this is a well-crafted, interesting fiction that’s a pleasure to read. A bit lighter in texture perhaps, a bit less complex and cosier than the other Melissa Scott I’ve read, but still a fine read, with an interesting world and magic I’d like to revisit, politics, friendship, and love, and nothing too distressing, even though there’s risk and danger.