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A review by nataliya_x
Made Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky
3.0
Tchaikovsky-lite. Still quite good, and has some teeth, but tends to hold back the bite.
It’s a straightforward fantasy adventure with homunculi, thieves and mages, a quick and easy read under the surface of which you sense just a hint of deeper and darker themes, but it barely brushes against them. And so I assume it would be well-suited for a bit younger reader - although it’s not entirely cozy or warm/fuzzy.
It’s a good read on a chilly rainy afternoon, curled up in a chair under a warm blanket. It’s entertaining and with a good flow, and is never boring — but doesn’t quite leave a deep impression — and I think it was meant to be just that, a fun palate-cleanser. From any other author it would have been a great read, but we all know that Tchaikovsky can do better.
3.5 stars.
———
Buddy read with Carol and Stephen.
“[…]If you were a thief in Loretz, then your fingers itched for the magic the place was famous for.”
It’s a straightforward fantasy adventure with homunculi, thieves and mages, a quick and easy read under the surface of which you sense just a hint of deeper and darker themes, but it barely brushes against them. And so I assume it would be well-suited for a bit younger reader - although it’s not entirely cozy or warm/fuzzy.
“This city is ruled by magicians who hoard their magic. The poor are ruled by thieves who hoard gold and what magic they can get. Anything the human girl has can be taken from her.”
It’s a good read on a chilly rainy afternoon, curled up in a chair under a warm blanket. It’s entertaining and with a good flow, and is never boring — but doesn’t quite leave a deep impression — and I think it was meant to be just that, a fun palate-cleanser. From any other author it would have been a great read, but we all know that Tchaikovsky can do better.
“It’s not skill that makes them mage-lords. It’s a fat inheritance, is all. So: no different to any other city, save the nature of where the power comes from.”
3.5 stars.
———
Buddy read with Carol and Stephen.