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A review by lighterthaneyre
Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
So, you start this book and if you're like me, you'll be worried this is going to turn into a story about a Dude who has to get by with his Masculinity and Violence and Self Reliance- really Fight Club shit.
Let me assure you that doesn't happen.
The main character does have a very well defined journey of growth and discovery, but he never loses sight of caring for others, even as it's proved to be risky. The characters learn it is risky, but ultimately the only thing that matters.
The setting of the Tower is fucking buck wild- this book clearly had a lot of exposition to set it all up, but it's interesting and dynamic enough to be engaging. Sometimes the pacing gets a little bogged down, but in a way you can tell won't be as big of an issue in later books (I haven't read the followups here, but my friend who recommended this one says that's the case)
There's also a diverse cast that has a lot of women that feel like individuals, not props. I think I'd swear fealty to Iren, which is usually a good sign of a well written woman.
Let me assure you that doesn't happen.
The main character does have a very well defined journey of growth and discovery, but he never loses sight of caring for others, even as it's proved to be risky. The characters learn it is risky, but ultimately the only thing that matters.
The setting of the Tower is fucking buck wild- this book clearly had a lot of exposition to set it all up, but it's interesting and dynamic enough to be engaging. Sometimes the pacing gets a little bogged down, but in a way you can tell won't be as big of an issue in later books (I haven't read the followups here, but my friend who recommended this one says that's the case)
There's also a diverse cast that has a lot of women that feel like individuals, not props. I think I'd swear fealty to Iren, which is usually a good sign of a well written woman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Drug use and Slavery