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gabalodon's review
3.0
This was clearly a well-researched passion project blending ~literary~ and fantasy and it shows in both good and bad ways. For me I consider it a 2-star book sprinkled with 4-star moments, and I rounded up for the ravens and very excellent crocodile. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you're looking for something to sink your teeth into and enjoy a read that's vague and weird and melancholy and a ~commentary on the human experience~ this may be the one for you.
The setting and physical descriptions were meticulous but excessive while plot points and dialog were underexplained and depended on the reader's intuition and institutional knowledge (e.g. about fae lore, Norse mythology, history, and Arthurian legend) to fill in the gaps. The writing style in general was murky and oblique and I'm still not sure what happened or why at several moments in the story. The characters themselves were especially difficult to understand or like or even sympathize with (and it didn't help that they didn't really understand or seem to like or sympathize with each other) which made their actions and reactions truly inscrutable and resulted in almost no emotional tension.
That all being said, the structure, worldbuilding, and plot beats were fascinating, especially in the back half of the book. On paper (lol) the characters are an intriguing collection of backgrounds and motivations (when you can get any handle on motivation at all). And there were some chapters that were enjoyable to read and made the book hard to put down, right up until the plot got distracted or a character made another confusing logic or emotional leap that I couldn't follow.
The setting and physical descriptions were meticulous but excessive while plot points and dialog were underexplained and depended on the reader's intuition and institutional knowledge (e.g. about fae lore, Norse mythology, history, and Arthurian legend) to fill in the gaps. The writing style in general was murky and oblique and I'm still not sure what happened or why at several moments in the story. The characters themselves were especially difficult to understand or like or even sympathize with (and it didn't help that they didn't really understand or seem to like or sympathize with each other) which made their actions and reactions truly inscrutable and resulted in almost no emotional tension.
That all being said, the structure, worldbuilding, and plot beats were fascinating, especially in the back half of the book. On paper (lol) the characters are an intriguing collection of backgrounds and motivations (when you can get any handle on motivation at all). And there were some chapters that were enjoyable to read and made the book hard to put down, right up until the plot got distracted or a character made another confusing logic or emotional leap that I couldn't follow.
noranne's review against another edition
2.0
Picked this up rather blindly at a bookstore. It was not at all what I was expecting—a rather strange book, in all. At times I found it hard to follow, and it was written in a very detached tone that made it hard to relate to the characters.
stressgirl70's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
saranies's review
3.0
Probably a 3.5. I liked it a lot but would only recommend it to certain people. I love a book about books and fairies, so this felt like a good choice for me!
ohallows's review against another edition
2.5
i loved the characters so much but the plot itself was ..... so hard to follow. and honestly, boring. i still don't actually understand how the tractor tire scene was laid out like it just did not make any sense to me. the overarching story I really enjoyed but just... too much was thrown in for it to feel cohesive for me.
readbydanni's review against another edition
Couldn't follow the story or the characters at all. Felt very disjointed and confusing. Not what I expected unfortunately
ainsleysouthern's review against another edition
1.0
Dnf at 63%
I really tried to get through this book. But it just wasn’t enjoyable. The plot was confusing, the characters were one dimensional and the language was too confusing. I benched it for months but didn’t have the willpower to finish it.
I really tried to get through this book. But it just wasn’t enjoyable. The plot was confusing, the characters were one dimensional and the language was too confusing. I benched it for months but didn’t have the willpower to finish it.
thefantasyworm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
themanfromdelmonte's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the style and thoughts underpinning this book, from the opening fractured narrative, revealing Taryn's damage, to the nature of the Sidhe (and other Powers) and thence to a thriller. One minute it's psychodrama and the next, supernatural entities are players.
There were some neat little twists e.g. "Then 'Hell is the Homeland" is the rallying cry of an independence movement." or, later on, "What is in the box?" she shouted. "What the bloody hell is in the box?" I loved the latter, how do you find something designed to be hidden from god-like entities? Especially as it contains the Language of Command!
There is a tendency in modern fantasy to the effect that size matters (q.v. Sarah J Maas) and so what I liked rather less was that this could have been achieved in possibly two-thirds the length. The near interminable middle section where the author rhapsodizes about the land of the Pact or Sidh (faerie to you and me) for example. Discovering that there was a nasty side to all this sylvan loveliness was a little anti-climactic and what was the point of the seduction of Jacob Berger?
My last complaint is the inclusion of the completely unnecessary Epilogue. In thirty or so pages it wraps everything up in a cozy rural socialist utopia imposed on us from above, so I confess to a little sympathy for Raymond Price, even if we are going to have to endure a Great Dieback because people like him are still in charge.
There were some neat little twists e.g. "Then 'Hell is the Homeland" is the rallying cry of an independence movement." or, later on, "What is in the box?" she shouted. "What the bloody hell is in the box?" I loved the latter, how do you find something designed to be hidden from god-like entities? Especially as it contains the Language of Command!
There is a tendency in modern fantasy to the effect that size matters (q.v. Sarah J Maas) and so what I liked rather less was that this could have been achieved in possibly two-thirds the length. The near interminable middle section where the author rhapsodizes about the land of the Pact or Sidh (faerie to you and me) for example. Discovering that there was a nasty side to all this sylvan loveliness was a little anti-climactic and what was the point of the seduction of Jacob Berger?
My last complaint is the inclusion of the completely unnecessary Epilogue. In thirty or so pages it wraps everything up in a cozy rural socialist utopia imposed on us from above, so I confess to a little sympathy for Raymond Price, even if we are going to have to endure a Great Dieback because people like him are still in charge.