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A review by ashley_mrose530
Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
This is such a good book and I'm really excited for this series. I loved the characters and the magic system and world building was so good. I think Cleff was my favorite character but they were all still really good.
I will say that there was something off-putting to me at first. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it had something to do with the voice whether it was the voice of the main character or the writing style or if it was the actual voice of the narrator, I'm not sure. But I was able to get used to it and get over it after a little bit.
I also didn't like the multiple threats of SA in this book. It seemed like every time the main character was in danger, she was also being threatened with rape. It happened like at least three times that I remember for sure and probably more than that and it was just really unnecessary. Like we get it, they're really bad men, but we don't need that referenced every time she's alone with one of them. It was frustrating and could be very triggering so be wary of that.
But other than those two things, I enjoyed this first book in the series. I thought the magic system was so interesting even though learning it did take some time and sometimes I still didn't understand how they were programming things and its intricacies - like sometimes it had to do with math and I was just lost haha - but I was able to understand it overall and in general so it didn't bother me too much.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series but I don't think my Libby has them so we'll see when that is.
I will say that there was something off-putting to me at first. I'm not entirely sure what it was but it had something to do with the voice whether it was the voice of the main character or the writing style or if it was the actual voice of the narrator, I'm not sure. But I was able to get used to it and get over it after a little bit.
I also didn't like the multiple threats of SA in this book. It seemed like every time the main character was in danger, she was also being threatened with rape. It happened like at least three times that I remember for sure and probably more than that and it was just really unnecessary. Like we get it, they're really bad men, but we don't need that referenced every time she's alone with one of them. It was frustrating and could be very triggering so be wary of that.
But other than those two things, I enjoyed this first book in the series. I thought the magic system was so interesting even though learning it did take some time and sometimes I still didn't understand how they were programming things and its intricacies - like sometimes it had to do with math and I was just lost haha - but I was able to understand it overall and in general so it didn't bother me too much.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series but I don't think my Libby has them so we'll see when that is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: War and Misogyny