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A review by allisonwonderlandreads
Diamond City by Francesca Flores
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Diamond City kicks off with a literal bomb, so you know you're in for some fast-paced action. It maintains its breakneck pace for fight scenes, assassinations, going on the run, and prison breaks. While there aren't any heists, it captures that energy whenever the characters need to scheme for one of their high-risk endeavors.
Our protagonist is assassin Aina Solís. She was "saved" from her life as an orphan on the streets and given a chance to make something of herself instead of living for her glue addiction. This shift in fortunes earned her loyalty and dedication, even her adoration, for the boss who made her his Blade. Sure, the slightest mistake would mean she's cut off or even killed, but her success could see her on even footing with the man who has an almost godlike quality in her life.
If it weren't already clear, the book deals with some heavy topics like trauma, addiction, and toxic relationships. It also turns a sharp eye on capitalism and all the social, economic issues it encourages. From the murder of Aina's parents for their religious beliefs to her limited options to build a life for herself, Aina's experiences stand in sharp contrast to the business tycoon she's sent to assassinate. But like any strong fantasy or dystopian story, things are a bit more complicated than they first seem to our protagonist. As Aina's world and plans for her future implode, she comes to some difficult realizations about the world she lives in and her role in it.
The book's fast pace means that some explanations are glossed over, so don't expect extensive world-building. This also affects the story's relationships. The romantic subplot is a sort of love quadrangle. Or maybe even more complicated than that? The way the elements flit through, it's hard to know where Aina's head is. She's bi and has three guys and maybe one girl as potential future flames. I respect that she doesn't feel in the right headspace to pick something up with someone in this book, so don't expect a full romance.
I wasn't drawn into the story enough to want to read the second in the duology, but I ~was~ curious enough to look up spoilers. My final thoughts are that I liked the ideas behind this book but feel it didn't live up to its potential in execution. I found it hard to care about all the action sequences without more character-focused moments to balance them out.
Our protagonist is assassin Aina Solís. She was "saved" from her life as an orphan on the streets and given a chance to make something of herself instead of living for her glue addiction. This shift in fortunes earned her loyalty and dedication, even her adoration, for the boss who made her his Blade. Sure, the slightest mistake would mean she's cut off or even killed, but her success could see her on even footing with the man who has an almost godlike quality in her life.
If it weren't already clear, the book deals with some heavy topics like trauma, addiction, and toxic relationships. It also turns a sharp eye on capitalism and all the social, economic issues it encourages. From the murder of Aina's parents for their religious beliefs to her limited options to build a life for herself, Aina's experiences stand in sharp contrast to the business tycoon she's sent to assassinate. But like any strong fantasy or dystopian story, things are a bit more complicated than they first seem to our protagonist. As Aina's world and plans for her future implode, she comes to some difficult realizations about the world she lives in and her role in it.
The book's fast pace means that some explanations are glossed over, so don't expect extensive world-building. This also affects the story's relationships. The romantic subplot is a sort of love quadrangle. Or maybe even more complicated than that? The way the elements flit through, it's hard to know where Aina's head is. She's bi and has three guys and maybe one girl as potential future flames. I respect that she doesn't feel in the right headspace to pick something up with someone in this book, so don't expect a full romance.
I wasn't drawn into the story enough to want to read the second in the duology, but I ~was~ curious enough to look up spoilers. My final thoughts are that I liked the ideas behind this book but feel it didn't live up to its potential in execution. I found it hard to care about all the action sequences without more character-focused moments to balance them out.