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greymalkin's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A lovely return to the world of the Craft Sequence. I wasn't interested in this book for the longest time because the cover made me think it was a YA graphic novel. But once I found out that it was a regular book in the world, I snapped it up. I liked the way that Tara negotiated the very real complex relationships between her and her childhood town and her family, and also her feelings about her abusive mentor and her ambivalent feelings about Craft in general . I also really enjoyed the way that we got more of the academic side of Craftwork, it's such an interesting magic system.
birb13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
awanter's review
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
3.75
marvelousmooch's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
frogbone's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.25
moonlunatik's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Max Gladstone's "Dead Country" is a unique cocktail of legal intricacies and magical flair, set against the backdrop of a small-town drama. As part of the acclaimed Craft Sequence, this book offers both the familiar and the fresh, merging corporate law into a magical system in a way that's as innovative as it is entertaining.
The book kicks off with a bang, showcasing Gladstone's strengths in characterization and world-building. The magic system is not just a backdrop but a character in itself, evolving and intricate. And speaking of characters, Tara Abernathy steals the show. She's the kind of protagonist you root for – flawed, heroic, and incredibly vivid. She's the person you want to have a beer with, provided you don't end up in an otherworldly conflict by the evening's end.
However, every rose has its thorn, and in "Dead Country", it’s Dawn. She flutters in the narrative like a lost butterfly, sometimes feeling more like a plot device than a fleshed-out character. Her potential feels underutilized, leaving us craving a deeper dive into her psyche.
Structurally, the book sometimes feels like it's walking in circles, mirroring a bit of a video game boss battle – big promises but a somewhat underwhelming delivery. The final confrontation, while having its moments, lacks the emotional punch or the gut-wrenching impact one might expect.
As a city dweller myself, I found the small-town setting well-crafted but yearned for a peek into Tara's urban past. There's a charm in the rural landscapes, but the call of the cityscape is strong and unfulfilled.
Connor, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. In a literary world crowded with brooding and complicated male characters, his simplicity and kindness are almost revolutionary. He brings a sense of calm and groundedness to the chaos that unfolds.
For newcomers to the Craft Sequence, like myself, "Dead Country" is a standalone experience but hints at a richness and depth that likely shines brighter with the context of its predecessors.
Gladstone's treatment of the larger narrative arc, involving extraplanar forces and world-threatening scenarios, does tend to tug the story in different directions. While the integration is smooth towards the end, it sometimes feels like carrying a bit too much in one’s narrative backpack
In conclusion, "Dead Country" is well worth reading, imperfect as it is. Gladstone’s prose is, as always, a delight, dancing between humor and gravitas with ease. While it might not be the ideal starting point for newcomers to the series, it's a compelling read and it did make me interested in dividing into the full series . It's a blend of the good, the slightly confusing, and the innovative – a literary journey worth taking, especially if you're already a fan of Gladstone's unique style.
The book kicks off with a bang, showcasing Gladstone's strengths in characterization and world-building. The magic system is not just a backdrop but a character in itself, evolving and intricate. And speaking of characters, Tara Abernathy steals the show. She's the kind of protagonist you root for – flawed, heroic, and incredibly vivid. She's the person you want to have a beer with, provided you don't end up in an otherworldly conflict by the evening's end.
However, every rose has its thorn, and in "Dead Country", it’s Dawn. She flutters in the narrative like a lost butterfly, sometimes feeling more like a plot device than a fleshed-out character. Her potential feels underutilized, leaving us craving a deeper dive into her psyche.
Structurally, the book sometimes feels like it's walking in circles, mirroring a bit of a video game boss battle – big promises but a somewhat underwhelming delivery. The final confrontation, while having its moments, lacks the emotional punch or the gut-wrenching impact one might expect.
As a city dweller myself, I found the small-town setting well-crafted but yearned for a peek into Tara's urban past. There's a charm in the rural landscapes, but the call of the cityscape is strong and unfulfilled.
Connor, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. In a literary world crowded with brooding and complicated male characters, his simplicity and kindness are almost revolutionary. He brings a sense of calm and groundedness to the chaos that unfolds.
For newcomers to the Craft Sequence, like myself, "Dead Country" is a standalone experience but hints at a richness and depth that likely shines brighter with the context of its predecessors.
Gladstone's treatment of the larger narrative arc, involving extraplanar forces and world-threatening scenarios, does tend to tug the story in different directions. While the integration is smooth towards the end, it sometimes feels like carrying a bit too much in one’s narrative backpack
In conclusion, "Dead Country" is well worth reading, imperfect as it is. Gladstone’s prose is, as always, a delight, dancing between humor and gravitas with ease. While it might not be the ideal starting point for newcomers to the series, it's a compelling read and it did make me interested in dividing into the full series . It's a blend of the good, the slightly confusing, and the innovative – a literary journey worth taking, especially if you're already a fan of Gladstone's unique style.
katbotdiaries's review
Did not realize this was part of an already existing world. I will come back to this after reading the other series in the Craft world.
brill's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
geekness's review
adventurous
- 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