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A review by lktx
The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
The Traitor Baru Cormorant is an adult fantasy novel that follows Baru Cormorant, Imperial accountant for the Masquerade (excuse me, Imperial Republic of Falcrest), during her time in Aurdwynn. The book starts in her childhood, on her home island of Taranoke, through her time in a Masquerade school, and then focuses on the years in Aurdwynn. It starts more on the bureaucracy and economy of colonization and rebellion, but in the end, can't avoid the need for outright war.
First: THAT ENDING. As soon I realized what was happening, all the pieces Dickinson laid clicked into place. It wrecked me in the best way and was the right ending for Baru's character. The best description I've read for Baru is that it puts the Red Wedding to shame, but Dickinson managed in a way that has me desperate to know what is going to happen next.
Second: The world is hard and uncomfortable. The Masquerade is unflinchingly hateful against gay men and lesbians and will expend every tool in its arsenal to push it's "hygenic standards." They are also proponents of biologically determined theories of race and eugenics.
I also really enjoyed Baru as a character. She's complex, intelligent, and singularly focused. She's also young and many of her choices seem appropriate for someone young and inexperienced.
I listened to the audiobook version and narrator, Christine Marshall, did a fantastic job not only portraying Baru, but built tension in the right places and helped draw attention to pieces that readers needed to know, but might not realize.
The Traitor Baru Cormorant was wonderfully executed, kept my interested, and gave me an ending I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about. It's easily one of my top reads of the year. I couldn't get my hands on the next book fast enough.
Pros:
- Strong voice for Baru and her narration style wonderfully fits her character.
- Complex plot that the author provides clues for the ending, but I still didn't see it coming.
- Deep world, deep characters, deep story. I was so invested in everything.
Cons:
- There were a few threads that Baru offered that I didn't feel were resolved (WHAT IS IN THE WELL?), but I assume that will come later in the series.
- It was a dark book, which wasn't a problem for me, but rather something to be aware of.
First: THAT ENDING. As soon I realized what was happening, all the pieces Dickinson laid clicked into place. It wrecked me in the best way and was the right ending for Baru's character. The best description I've read for Baru is that it puts the Red Wedding to shame, but Dickinson managed in a way that has me desperate to know what is going to happen next.
Second: The world is hard and uncomfortable. The Masquerade is unflinchingly hateful against gay men and lesbians and will expend every tool in its arsenal to push it's "hygenic standards." They are also proponents of biologically determined theories of race and eugenics.
I also really enjoyed Baru as a character. She's complex, intelligent, and singularly focused. She's also young and many of her choices seem appropriate for someone young and inexperienced.
I listened to the audiobook version and narrator, Christine Marshall, did a fantastic job not only portraying Baru, but built tension in the right places and helped draw attention to pieces that readers needed to know, but might not realize.
The Traitor Baru Cormorant was wonderfully executed, kept my interested, and gave me an ending I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about. It's easily one of my top reads of the year. I couldn't get my hands on the next book fast enough.
Pros:
- Strong voice for Baru and her narration style wonderfully fits her character.
- Complex plot that the author provides clues for the ending, but I still didn't see it coming.
- Deep world, deep characters, deep story. I was so invested in everything.
Cons:
- There were a few threads that Baru offered that I didn't feel were resolved (WHAT IS IN THE WELL?), but I assume that will come later in the series.
- It was a dark book, which wasn't a problem for me, but rather something to be aware of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Torture