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A review by vermidian
The Tangled Lands by Tobias S. Buckell, Paolo Bacigalupi
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It's depressing. Among the trigger warnings are sexual assault and suicide, though there are certainly others. It's a very dark and depressing world state.
The world concept was so cool sounding that I picked up the book, excited to read it. None of these stories end particularly happily. You could argue the first one does, to some extent, but it's open ended and you have no idea if they really get to the copper mine where they might be safe.
I left individual reviews on the first two stories, but here is my review of the ones contained within this book. My favorite of the bunch was the Executioness. While it doesn't end happily, the story of the character Tana is by far the most compelling to me. I really enjoyed her character arch and the choices she makes as she is faced with new challenges.
All of the stories seem to have the quality of a fairy tale or a fable about them, particularly tinged with a southern/eastern Asian vibe - which is odd considering both authors are white men. Tobias S. Buckell also writes as two female characters, however I found he wrote them well.
Still, the overall tone of suffering in this world is oppressive. I'm not sure which of my friends I would feel comfortable suggesting this book to, aside from the Executioness. On the whole, this was not a win for me.
The world concept was so cool sounding that I picked up the book, excited to read it. None of these stories end particularly happily. You could argue the first one does, to some extent, but it's open ended and you have no idea if they really get to the copper mine where they might be safe.
I left individual reviews on the first two stories, but here is my review of the ones contained within this book. My favorite of the bunch was the Executioness. While it doesn't end happily, the story of the character Tana is by far the most compelling to me. I really enjoyed her character arch and the choices she makes as she is faced with new challenges.
All of the stories seem to have the quality of a fairy tale or a fable about them, particularly tinged with a southern/eastern Asian vibe - which is odd considering both authors are white men. Tobias S. Buckell also writes as two female characters, however I found he wrote them well.
Still, the overall tone of suffering in this world is oppressive. I'm not sure which of my friends I would feel comfortable suggesting this book to, aside from the Executioness. On the whole, this was not a win for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Suicide