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[Updated 22/4/13: I sincerely wish authors would learn to differentiate between thoughts that are appropriate for social media, and those that belong in their journal. After some concerning and disappointing comments from the author, I decided to clear my star rating but keep my original review up for transparency. I can't pretend I didn't enjoy this book. I found Koré a meaningful character, but I can't pretend the behaviour of the author doesn't impact my overall impression, and my desire to support their work. I'd encourage potential readers to consider the controversy; read reviews from BIPOC and lesbian readers; and make up their own minds about whether to give it a try.]
In a deeply sexist matriarchal city, Koreshiza Brightstar is a courtesan of the War District who's hellbent on taking revenge for the injustices heaped on him by his scheming father. Both desired and abused as a 'bright' without the protection of a powerful spouse, Koré courts danger as he flings himself into the path of political strife, and is constantly one wrong move away from trouble. But beneath that, Koré harbours secret dreams of a life where he might be safe and loved, with a puppy and a partner (or maybe two...) When he wakes a sleeping god, he is imbued with an ancient power that puts him at even greater risk, but also might just offer him the freedom he has craved all his life - if he can prove himself worthy. Imagine Samantha Shannon meets C S Pacat meets the Six of Crows duology, and be prepared to have yourself immersed utterly in Koré's mind and world from the first page to the last.
Koré Brightstar carried this book for me. His voice captured me in the first chapter and never once let go. Koré is the disaster bisexual child of Kaz Brekker and Inej Ghafa who loses himself in spiralling thoughts of political machinations while he dissociates at work. Some of my favourite parts were the excerpts from Koré's handbook for his employees, demonstrating how much he cares for others while allowing none of the same compassion for himself. I cannot express how much I needed him to be safe and protected. I love him and will not hear a single word against him. The journey he takes towards acknowledging the harm that has been done to him, and his tentative efforts to try healing himself and recovering moved me to tears at times. There are some beautifully vulnerable lines in the second half of the book, one of my favourites being: "I carry so many small cages within me. I'd grown used to them, until he pointed out the weight." All I could think of was the lines from Keats: 'Bright star, would I were as stedfast as thou art.' before I ended up in tears again.
I would add a few content warnings including but not limited to: sexual assault; dissociation; sex work [consensual, dubious consent]; BDSM; rape threats; danger of rape; past abusive relationship; and generally the lingering trauma Koré deals with and the impact that has on him as explored in the narrative.
I don't need absolutely everything to be perfect (I wasn't completely enamoured with the LIs and their relationships with Koré, and I'm fascinated by the world beyond Victory Street). Above all else, I need a character who I can relate to, whose struggles and triumphs stay with me well past the final pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free eARC of Silk Fire. These opinions are my own.
In a deeply sexist matriarchal city, Koreshiza Brightstar is a courtesan of the War District who's hellbent on taking revenge for the injustices heaped on him by his scheming father. Both desired and abused as a 'bright' without the protection of a powerful spouse, Koré courts danger as he flings himself into the path of political strife, and is constantly one wrong move away from trouble. But beneath that, Koré harbours secret dreams of a life where he might be safe and loved, with a puppy and a partner (or maybe two...) When he wakes a sleeping god, he is imbued with an ancient power that puts him at even greater risk, but also might just offer him the freedom he has craved all his life - if he can prove himself worthy. Imagine Samantha Shannon meets C S Pacat meets the Six of Crows duology, and be prepared to have yourself immersed utterly in Koré's mind and world from the first page to the last.
Koré Brightstar carried this book for me. His voice captured me in the first chapter and never once let go. Koré is the disaster bisexual child of Kaz Brekker and Inej Ghafa who loses himself in spiralling thoughts of political machinations while he dissociates at work. Some of my favourite parts were the excerpts from Koré's handbook for his employees, demonstrating how much he cares for others while allowing none of the same compassion for himself. I cannot express how much I needed him to be safe and protected. I love him and will not hear a single word against him. The journey he takes towards acknowledging the harm that has been done to him, and his tentative efforts to try healing himself and recovering moved me to tears at times. There are some beautifully vulnerable lines in the second half of the book, one of my favourites being: "I carry so many small cages within me. I'd grown used to them, until he pointed out the weight." All I could think of was the lines from Keats: 'Bright star, would I were as stedfast as thou art.' before I ended up in tears again.
I would add a few content warnings including but not limited to: sexual assault; dissociation; sex work [consensual, dubious consent]; BDSM; rape threats; danger of rape; past abusive relationship; and generally the lingering trauma Koré deals with and the impact that has on him as explored in the narrative.
I don't need absolutely everything to be perfect (I wasn't completely enamoured with the LIs and their relationships with Koré, and I'm fascinated by the world beyond Victory Street). Above all else, I need a character who I can relate to, whose struggles and triumphs stay with me well past the final pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free eARC of Silk Fire. These opinions are my own.