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A review by explikator
How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It by K.J. Parker
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Second part of an alleged "Siege" duology. The story actually takes place in the same city, but a generation later than in "16 Ways to Defend a Walled City". But the siege is still not over.
In addition to the protagonist, the character of the city has also changed. While in "16 Ways" it still seemed Roman, in "Rule An Empire" it is more Byzantine.
Both books live from the voice of the narrator, who makes the plot palatable to us with his cynical perspective and linguistic tricks.
Cynicism is an overrated intellectual ability that is supposed to protect us from emotions. And so the protagonists do not invest any feelings in their lives, which means that the readers do not either.
The book reads smoothly and pleasantly, though you are never really captivated or excited to see what happens next. While we shared every step with the narrator on the way to the climax, the tension is built up at the end by him withholding his plan from us. That's a dissapointing narrative trick, I felt.
Nevertheless, it's a good and very individual book. If you want to be captivated by a story, live in strange worlds or simply read something new, you don't have to try "Rule An Empire".
In addition to the protagonist, the character of the city has also changed. While in "16 Ways" it still seemed Roman, in "Rule An Empire" it is more Byzantine.
Both books live from the voice of the narrator, who makes the plot palatable to us with his cynical perspective and linguistic tricks.
Cynicism is an overrated intellectual ability that is supposed to protect us from emotions. And so the protagonists do not invest any feelings in their lives, which means that the readers do not either.
The book reads smoothly and pleasantly, though you are never really captivated or excited to see what happens next. While we shared every step with the narrator on the way to the climax, the tension is built up at the end by him withholding his plan from us. That's a dissapointing narrative trick, I felt.
Nevertheless, it's a good and very individual book. If you want to be captivated by a story, live in strange worlds or simply read something new, you don't have to try "Rule An Empire".